TMI, but will a nurse be able to take a swab if I'm on my period?

[Anonforfannytrouble]

Grim reading I'm afraid so apologies in advance.

I'm pretty sure I've got a vaginal infection. Google suggests BV (lumpy discharge, external irritation and a bizzare oniony smell - mmmmm lovely!)

I'm pretty sure it's not an std as I haven't had sex for a couple of months and was tested a while ago with the same very long term partner which was all good.

So as I decided not to waste money on more over the counter thrush treatments and go to the dr, my period shows up . I have very heavy periods which usually last about 7 days which takes us nicely into bank holiday time ffs.

I'm not sure they'll treat for an infection without swabbing and I'm not sure they can do that while I'm in the middle of a period. I have been examined during before and it was awful (for me) and at the hospital. I don't know why I feel different about it being with the practice nurse but I do. On the other hand I can't leave it for potentially two weeks by the time bank holidays and the associated rush is over... Urgh.

I suppose I just want some reassurance that I'm not wasting an appointment and I won't be told to come back after? I'm not very good at fighting my corner with medical things and get flustered quite easily and end up slinking off feeling like a time waster.

I don't think they can, for obvious reasons.

Could you still have the appt, explain symptoms/odour and see if they'll diagnose from that? You'll need metronidazole if it's bv. You can buy the balance activ in pharmacies but I guess that would just get 'washed out' with period blood.

Bv is usually more of a scampi fries fishy smell than an oniony one though?

i feel for you - BV is horrid. can you explain your symptoms and get the antibiotics? even with a swab it's a couple of days for a result.

That's what I thought yellow but it's definitely ono

Damnit - stupid phone.

Anyway definitely onion! Dp concurs! He's a lucky fella eh? And google turns up results that say along with other symptoms it's likely that's the cause.

ex that's what I'm hoping but my gp surgery seems to have a policy of give it a week and see how it goes. It's knocked my confidence a bit with them because I'm rarely there and never go without trying OTC stuff for minor illnesses so always feel a bit like a hypochondriac when I have to get assertive with them.

I get the reluctance to dish out meds wildly to anyone, but I struggle to get past the fact they must know best..

You could say you've treated it with OTC balance activ and it's not responded/come back? Hormonal changes can trigger it. Or say you're going away and you want it sorted before you go? Get a 'script and say you'll get it filled if it doesn't clear up?

I wish gps would realise what a horrible condition it is. It's supposed to be more common than thrush yet I've only ever known one other woman admit to having it! It makes me feel crap when I have it.

Hope you can get it sorted.