Women's Health Community

I'm sorry I messed that up. I had spotting once a day from August 9th to the 11th.

Dear vicki: So spotting from August 9th to 11th, and no period as was expected on August 16th--hope I am tracking you correctly. You absolutely did the right thing in ruling out pregnancy first. To be absolutely certain a second pregnancy test can be done on August 22nd.

The most common reason for a menstrual pattern like you have described is not having an ovulation last month. In a normal cycle, estrogen is produced all month. Estrogen is responsible for building up the lining of your uterus so you have something to shed each month.

In a normal cycle, progesterone production increases following ovulation and release of an egg.. Progesterone "stabilizes" the uterine lining in preparation for a possible implantation of a new pregnancy. If you are not pregnant that month the levels of estrogen and progesterone fall, triggering the release of the uterine lining—your period.

So, if you do not ovulate, the estrogen build up of the lining continues, but without the usual ovulation associated progesterone. Thus, the hormone levels don't decline, and the lining stays up inside the uterus—your missed period. Alternatively parts of the top layer will shed erratically producing a too-light, erratic flow.

There can be numerous causes for not ovulating: thyroid problems, pituitary problems, ovarian cysts, physical stressors (eg sudden increases in exercise, crash dieting), emotional stressors (problems with spouse or boyfriends/girlfriends, finances), increased body weight, anorexia, rotating shifts at work, etc.

Bottom line, recheck for pregnancy. Hopefully your own very regular flows will reset themselves naturally. If they have not, or if you have pelvic pain (eg ovarian cyst), see your GYN or local family planning clinic for follow up.

Yours,
Jane