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Gynaecological Health
Reproductive Health
Menopause & HRT
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
Women's Cancers
Contraception
Thrush and Candida
Reproductive Health
Menopause & HRT
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
Women's Cancers
Contraception
Thrush and Candida
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Some surprising facts from the Colonel
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Gynae chat with Dr Sarah Brewer
continued from page 1
Bleeding after the Pill
Q: When I came off the Pill, I had an agonising withdrawal bleed. It was so sore - I 've never had anything like it. I also found discharge on my towel - it was about three inches long and one inch wide. I am worried, embarrassed and scared to go to docs. andre82
A: There are several possibilities. It may have been a plug of mucus that normally plugs the cervix and which comes away - sometimes at ovulation or sometimes during menstruation. It may have been a blood clot, which can get quite large if blood has stayed in the upper vagina for a while, or it could be an early miscarriage. It is difficult to say, but as you're concerned, it is important to see your GP for a full check-up to help put your mind at rest. It's also important to check that your cervical smear is up to date.
Period cramps all month long
Q: For the past four months I have been getting period cramps for the whole month. It's not every day, but occurs often enough to bother me. I also have a feeling like something moving inside my tummy, but I don't think I could be pregnant - although I was having unprotected sex with my boyfriend six months ago. I've also had quite a few bouts of thrush and cystitis and I need the toilet quite often, especially during the night. iv_twinkles
A: A few women do have periods during pregnancy, so it is important to have a pregnancy check-up. As you were having unprotected sex, another possibility is that you have pelvic inflammatory disease due to chlamydia. Your best bet is to visit a genito-urinary medicine clinic for a full check-up as soon as possible (phone your local hospital for details). The clinic will test your urine to exclude infection and the presence of glucose, too, as well as sorting out any lingering thrush or cystitis problems. If the tests for chlamydia are clear, your doctor will probably want to refer you to a gynaecologist to exclude endometriosis, which can cause abdominal pain.
Post-coital bleeding
Q: Sometimes after sex I get a pale bleed, without any pain. I'm 44 years old and was wondering if this is anything to do with the menopause? I'm worried about it and don't really want to see my GP yet. nerak69
A: Do see your doctor, as post-coital bleeding should always be investigated. In many cases, no obvious cause is found, but it is sometimes a sign of a cervical polyp, a cervical erosion (more properly known as an ectropion), which may need to be cauterised, or an infection or inflammation (for example, chlamydia). It's also important to ensure your cervical smear is up to date, and to have an internal examination to assess the size of the womb and ovaries. If you don't want to see your GP, you can ask for a full screen at your local genito-urinary medicine clinic.
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Bleeding after the Pill
Q: When I came off the Pill, I had an agonising withdrawal bleed. It was so sore - I 've never had anything like it. I also found discharge on my towel - it was about three inches long and one inch wide. I am worried, embarrassed and scared to go to docs. andre82
A: There are several possibilities. It may have been a plug of mucus that normally plugs the cervix and which comes away - sometimes at ovulation or sometimes during menstruation. It may have been a blood clot, which can get quite large if blood has stayed in the upper vagina for a while, or it could be an early miscarriage. It is difficult to say, but as you're concerned, it is important to see your GP for a full check-up to help put your mind at rest. It's also important to check that your cervical smear is up to date.
Period cramps all month long
Q: For the past four months I have been getting period cramps for the whole month. It's not every day, but occurs often enough to bother me. I also have a feeling like something moving inside my tummy, but I don't think I could be pregnant - although I was having unprotected sex with my boyfriend six months ago. I've also had quite a few bouts of thrush and cystitis and I need the toilet quite often, especially during the night. iv_twinkles
A: A few women do have periods during pregnancy, so it is important to have a pregnancy check-up. As you were having unprotected sex, another possibility is that you have pelvic inflammatory disease due to chlamydia. Your best bet is to visit a genito-urinary medicine clinic for a full check-up as soon as possible (phone your local hospital for details). The clinic will test your urine to exclude infection and the presence of glucose, too, as well as sorting out any lingering thrush or cystitis problems. If the tests for chlamydia are clear, your doctor will probably want to refer you to a gynaecologist to exclude endometriosis, which can cause abdominal pain.
Post-coital bleeding
Q: Sometimes after sex I get a pale bleed, without any pain. I'm 44 years old and was wondering if this is anything to do with the menopause? I'm worried about it and don't really want to see my GP yet. nerak69
A: Do see your doctor, as post-coital bleeding should always be investigated. In many cases, no obvious cause is found, but it is sometimes a sign of a cervical polyp, a cervical erosion (more properly known as an ectropion), which may need to be cauterised, or an infection or inflammation (for example, chlamydia). It's also important to ensure your cervical smear is up to date, and to have an internal examination to assess the size of the womb and ovaries. If you don't want to see your GP, you can ask for a full screen at your local genito-urinary medicine clinic.
Back to main question page
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