does this warrant investigation or would you just wait and see....

[ThatVikRinA22]

a few times now i have had some bleeding following sex, not every time though.

latest occurrence was heavy bleeding. (had to change clothes)

last period was 2 weeks prior, and now have a nagging dragging stomach ache as if period is due. am still getting some spotting/bleeding though not much.

is it just my age? am 40.

I would go to the doctors if it was me, otherwise I would just be worrying and wondering

Yes absolutely warrants checking over. Definately be seen.

It could be polyps. I had bleeding inbetween periods and after sex and because I'm over 40 my GP said he had to refer me to check it out. They did an ultrasound and found 2 polyps. I then had a hysteroscopy to remove them. It was a bit uncomfortable at the time but not bad at all and I'm glad it was checked out. Its definitely something that should be checked out. Better safe than sorry I think.

im a bit rubbish at getting around to these things im afraid. i think i will monitor much more closely and if it really begins to happen alot i will steel myself to go and get checked...

thank you. its definitely not been a period as its stopped again now, although i still have a bit of an achey tum.

will monitor closely.

Please go and get checked please, please, please!

ive just done a google....

i see that post coital bleeding is a symptom of cervical cancer - so i will monitor really carefully - i have always gone for my smears and never had any problems though with them - surely a smear would reveal changes?

more likely to be polyps or something. ill mention it when i next see a gp, unless it happens again.

it doesnt happen every time. its happened a couple of time now, but if it happens again i will go and get checked - promise!

I'm a practice nurse. It may well be polyps, but left untreated these can develop into cervical cancer so yes, see your GP and expect a gynae referral.

How closely will you monitor it though?

What do you mean by that?

If you won't go now, what kind of time limit are you giving yourself? Do you know what you're meant to be monitoring exactly? And what other changes should you be aware of do you know?

I only ask because honestly, all of that ^ seems much more hassle then picking up the phone right now and making an appointment.

Nothing you've described could be seen as wasting the gps time.

ok. i'll make an appointment i promise - im useless at going to the gp's and usually do it on the spur of the moment but i will check when im free, make an appointment and go.

ill avoid this week as it will be heaving due to the bank hols....but i will go. think im back to work on monday...then funny shifts, but think im off for a few days at end of june so i will steel myself and go then.

thanks.

You are responsible for looking after your own health and there is no benefit to waiting around, especially if this ends up being something serious - unlikely but certainly possible. You would kick yourself if you were writing yourself off as "useless" at taking responsibility for your health, and waited around and then it turned out to be something serious that had gotten worse during the time you waited.

Anyway, it is up to you, but I would definitely get this checked out ASAP. No, a smear does not always reveal cervical cancer. I have read about numerous cases of cervical cancer where the smear tests were always fine.

Vicar

Do get this looked at by your GP; they'll have seen all this before and nobody after all has died of embarrassment.

If GP is clueless then ask at that time for a referral to a gynae.