Not sure what’s going on down there.

Hi, I’m 23 almost 24 and have been having strange symptoms for over a year now. At first I suspected my hormones were all out of whack and they may sort themselves out with time however after many months of irregular periods, I noticed I started bleeding between them. The bleeding is usually mucous-like with pink or brown blood mixed in and it always disgusts me when I see it. Before bleeding, I was having a weird pain on the left side (now on the right too) of my ovary area, I feel it mainly when sat or laying down, it’s kind of like when a cat stands on a squishy part of you. Feels like something is being pulled down inside. After I started spotting, I began to have intense achy pelvic pain that wouldn’t go away with painkillers. Periods became worse, I started having to use multiple pads because the bleeding was so heavy. My periods usually come every 2 - 3 months now and have turned from a 7 day to a 3 day but with much heavier bleeding and the pain is 5x worse. My most recent period brought leg pain with it and it’s so uncomfortable I can’t stay still. I’ve also been suffering from pretty bad insomnia along with hot flashes that made me think premature menopause but I’m really not sure anymore. I’ve also been suffering from a lot of nausea and vomiting, I just feel generally unwell all the time. It’s uncomfortable to put a finger in my vagina, even just to feel around. I read that you can feel abnormal tissue up inside but I couldn’t even make it that far. I’ve never had a pap smear before but I think I may benefit from it at the moment. Only issue is now is how do I get a doctor to listen and not talk down my symptoms. I feel like young people aren’t really listened to when they have health concerns and it’s really frustrating. I have a doctors appointment on September 1st. Any advice and/or insight to my symptoms and situation would be appreciated. 

  • Hi Megs98, I think the first thing you could possibly do is make a call to your GP and see about a gynae referral because it could still be your hormones out of whak and sometimes at ovulations you can gey a dull ache on that side (personal experience) I had polycyctic ovaries and I only had a max of 6 periods a year and my hormones were completely mucking around. However my gp referred me to a gynae who did an ultrasound a blood tests etc before diagnosis. I was told if I wanted children I would need fertility help however I have three beautiful grown up children and without fertility help, so I think your first step is to call your GP and is no appointments available maybe ask for a call back from a nurse practitioner or practise nurse.

    hope all goes well

    HM x

  • Hi Megs98 just noted your age, would you have had your first smear pap test done yet. My eldest was at Uni in Wales and they do them a lot earlier there than England where my second daughter had to wait until 25

    xx

  • Hello hassledmum, thank you for the reply. Many ideas went through my mind of it being PCOS or Endometriosis because symptoms seem to match up so well. I completely forgot to mention that the fatigue I have is severe and it’s been hard to function past couple of months. I’ll be sure to try and get a gynae referral.. I really just hope they listen to my concerns. Also in regard to your second reply, the routine pap smear age is apparently from 25 but hopefully because I’m near enough they’ll allow it. Thanks for the advice x

  • Hi Megs98, the fatigue could be a bit of anaemia from the extra blleding, it's always worth while asking for a full blood count with ferritin levels too, I suffer with bad nose bleeds and got anaemia from those. that can make you feel fatigued too. Try and advocate for the tests to be done because it's a change from your normal and a simple blood test I would hope would not cause a huge issue with the GP

    let me know how you get on and you get some answers soon

    xx

  • Hello hassledmum, lightbulb moment, defo could be anaemia. Thanks for all the advice so far, I’ll be sure to update in due time. X

  • Hey 

    No disrespect to male GPS or practitioners, however, I had a much more fruitful experience the second time around trying to discuss my symptoms with a female GP, she totally understood my concerns, symptoms and ailments etc...  Bloods booked, swobs done & scans etc..  Now awaiting results from a biopsy taken due to thickening of my womb lining... It was a relief because I thought I was making it up in my head after such a long time suffering!  Wishing you all the best of luck sweetheart ♥️

  • Hello Bella17, Totally get the thing with male doctors, hoping I can get booked in with a female doctor, they’re much easier to talk to about lady problems. Glad that I’m not alone in feeling that way. Wishing you all the best with the results! Hoping everything will be okay with you x

  • Absolutely no disrespect to male doctors, but I did have a much more positive response from a female doctor that's for sure!!  Thank you so much and hoping you can get the answers you need soon... Keep pushing and openly ask for a gynaecology referral for yourself xx

  • Hello again hassledmum, I had my doctor's appointment 2 days ago and thank god they're taking my concerns seriously. They've booked me in for some blood tests next Friday, they're also arranging an ultrasound and possibly a pelvic exam. I really wish I had gone earlier but alas, anxiety gets in the way of everything haha. Will update once I know more :love:

  • Hi Meg, I am so glad your doctor is taking this seriously, blood tests results can be a window to resolving lots of things. Also great about the US scan. We all wishe we had gone earlier but sometimes we think things will resolve on their own and sometimes they do, it's when things don't sort themselves out that we need to seek help. I am glad that you are now on the way to getting things sorted out'

    Best wishes

    HM xx