I’m having a hard time dating my period because after my miscarriage late last year, my periods have taken on a completely different pattern. Before my loss, they were short and consistent, always went from starting heavy to ending light, and I never really spotted between. Now, they never start heavy right out the gate it seems, and they seem to keep me guessing and last forever. I have several days of false alarms and spotting (like, spot throughout the day almost like a light light period) and I would have thought that I should say it started that first day I had a 1/4-soaked tampon after 8+ hrs (say what you want but that thing is not getting changed unless it’s full or im getting cleaned up for bed—I’ve suffered too many dry tampons being pulled out to care.)

So, all that said, this month I started having that sporadic spotting on the 19th, passed couple clots here and there, and it all lasted until today, when I’ve now started the hallmark heavy bleeding and having the usual symptoms of my period.

Last month was much the same, and if I had marked my period as starting with the spotting everyday, that would have made my period 10 days long from the first to last sight of blood. That just doesn’t sound right. For the sake of trying to conceive again, I really want to know when my period starts—so wether you have ever had the exact same situation as me or not, would you personally say your period started when you noticed the light, sporadic spot-like bleeding, or would you say it started the day you actually had to start changing your product every few hours and really felt run down? Thank you for your kindness

P.s. also of note, when I had my loss, I bled for over a month and started the pill via my MD and took it for one month to get the bleeding to stop—it did help but I’m worried I may have also screwed up my cycle by doing this? Thanks.