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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to the doctor while on my period?

46 replies

Incognitoforevermore · 18/05/2022 22:25

I’ve been experiencing some spotting between periods, has happened about 3 times in the last year. I ignored it the first two times (tmi but just saw the blood it when I wiped and wondered at first if I might just have piles) but after the second time I promised myself if it happened again I’d go and get checked out.

It happened about 10 days ago, work has been insane though and I haven’t had a day where I could take a short notice appointment in the middle of the day (my GP will only give on-the-day appointments which you have to call at 8am to book).

Tomorrow is the first chance I’ll get, but today - I came on my period. Should I make an appointment anyway to talk through it? Or do I have to wait until period over / have a flexi day at work (could be quite a few weeks) for a physical exam?

I know there are lot of benign reasons to bleed but I am not having sex, def no chance of STDs or pregnancy, not on contraception, rather young for menopause (mid 30s). I’m due a smear soon ( last time I don’t think they ran a ‘full’ test on me as I was HPV negative)

What do you think I should do?

OP posts:
HSKAT · 18/05/2022 22:27

Go and talk it through.
If they want to examine just tell them your on your period and you will decide together to go ahead or not.
They may do bloods etc

Bryonny84 · 18/05/2022 22:31

Go to the doctor regardless of period. It's a doctor, they'll cope. Do not put it off because if you do it'll be ages before you eventually go.

imperialminty · 18/05/2022 22:32

Still go! But FYI the same thing happened to me last year and all was absolutely fine. Is it right in the middle of your cycle? Mine turned out to be ovulation bleeding which happens now every now and then.

The GP was lovely though and was so thorough - I got a smear, some blood and STD tests, an internal examination and then two internal ultrasounds which I was referred for mostly because I have chronic health anxiety and my GP wanted me to be thoroughly reassured. I hope all is fine with you!

Mif4 · 18/05/2022 22:34

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
Incognitoforevermore · 18/05/2022 22:34

Thanks. I’m a bit afraid if I turn up with a gynae problem on my period they’ll think I’m time-wasting and just tell me to come back next week (especially if they offer me an exam and I refuse…. which I would do, an exam on day 2 would be awful).

OP posts:
Mysteryuser · 18/05/2022 22:36

I have this mid month, every month. Definitely speak to your doctor, but I think, as PPs have said, it can be related to ovulation.

Original poster
Incognitoforevermore · 18/05/2022 22:37

Yes it is in the middle of my cycle around ovulation. So I do think it might be that.

I do think I need to check it though just for peace of mind.

OP posts:
BanditandBluey · 18/05/2022 22:38

Quite often, an internal ultrasound will only come from Gp referral so you might well be okay.

TheGlitterati · 18/05/2022 22:40

I’ve had it a few times too, assumed it was ovulation.

if they want to look at you they can rebook you.

Original poster
Incognitoforevermore · 18/05/2022 22:41

Thanks for the reassurance. Maybe I should call them and ask to book an early smear and explain why? They might do that for me?

OP posts:
Original poster
Incognitoforevermore · 18/05/2022 22:42

(for a couple weeks time obviously)

OP posts:
TheGlitterati · 18/05/2022 22:44

My doctors won’t perform a smear if I haven’t received my letter inviting me.

imperialminty · 18/05/2022 23:02

I’d just go in, they might do a smear anyway.

Also FYI, I had to have my internal ultrasound when I was on my period so my uterine lining was at its thinnest so you may end up having an examination on your period anyway!

sarahj878 · 18/05/2022 23:08

If you go and they decide they want to examine you and either you’re not comfortable being examined on your period or they need to examine you when you’re not, then they will schedule another appt and you likely won’t have to wait long. Unfortunately unless you are due another smear test I don’t think they are able to do another. My GP said even if they performed it early when they sent the sample off the lab would reject it if you weren’t due for a test. The GP might suggest doing bloods, internal examination, swabs, might refer for a scan etc but unless you go for the first appt and talk it through you won’t know and you could put off getting reassurance or delay getting referrals or tests. Hope you get some reassurance.

Wherehasthecommonsensegone · 18/05/2022 23:10

I have the same! Could have written your post but adding my cycle length has changed over the past couple of months, had one really short 18 day cycle and then a 37 day cycle

I have an appointment for examination this Friday as smear came back negative but came on yesterday so annoyingly will have to cancel and they’ve also booked me an ultrasound so that might be something they look into for you.

PinkDaffodil2 · 18/05/2022 23:10

They can’t do a smear earlier than the screening programme allows - even if they took a sample the lab wouldn’t process it.
Are the appointments all face to face? If you don’t want to be examined on your period it might be more efficient to arrange a telephone consultation tomorrow then you can arrange the best time (medically and around your work) for you to come in for a F2F? Or you could do an econsult if they have those at your practice.

Ccharlotte · 18/05/2022 23:13

Even if there are symptoms @PinkDaffodil2 ?

MarmiteCoriander · 18/05/2022 23:16

Sorry, I'm confused. Are you certain the bleeding is vaginal? You mentioned piles, so do you have hemorrhoids also and it could be from there? When in you cycle does this occur? Is there a pattern? As another poster said, it could be ovulation spotting from egg rupture, but any new bleeding needs investigation.

See your GP. IF they needed to do an internal, they might book you the following week, otherwise they might arrange an ultrasound. I had to have an internal ultrasound probe used when I had extremely heavy bleeding post MC- and they still did the scan. I did warn them beforehand though.They generally cant do a smear with bleeding though, as they often dont collect the cells they need. get it checked though.

Happymum12345 · 18/05/2022 23:25

I had an internal scan whilst on my period. I asked first if it was ok. It was a rather handsome dr training to be a gyno consultant-Typical. I would say to drs when you call for appointment but definitely call and try and go for peace of mind.

Original poster
Incognitoforevermore · 18/05/2022 23:27

Sorry Marmite, didn’t mean to confuse but also don't want to overshare! What I mean is that I have previously seen the blood on the paper when I wipe - I do get a bit constipated sometimes and will sometimes check for blood. Sometimes it’s not 100% clear where it’s come from. I just explained this at the start because I was a bit afraid of either being thought weird for looking or getting shouted at for not getting checked the first time!

But the most recent two times I’m quite sure it has been vaginal.

OP posts:
Original poster
Incognitoforevermore · 18/05/2022 23:31

It’s not a lot of blood we’re talking about here btw. I’m not worried about the constipation thing, pretty sure that’s very minor, but it’s what led me to notice the other blood (basically slightly pink discharge - sorry tmi!). If I hadn’t looked I’d be none the wiser.

OP posts:
thevanilla · 18/05/2022 23:35

How is it possible to confuse vaginal bleeding for blood coming from piles? Do you wipe all areas in one fell swoop?

Original poster
Incognitoforevermore · 18/05/2022 23:36

Yes? Front to back? I thought everyone did?

OP posts:
imperialminty · 18/05/2022 23:36

They definitely did a non-scheduled smear test in my case. This can be done.

Original poster
Incognitoforevermore · 18/05/2022 23:37

I’m not confused really though, I’m just explaining why I looked.

OP posts: