IRREGULAR PERIODS AND ODOUR

[mother2four]

I am a  42yr happily married mother of 4 and after my last child had my tubes clipped.All my life I have suffered with irregular periods, servere cramps and heavy bleeding which the gyn told me would settle after I had a couple of babies ... it never did. In the last 24 months my periods have slowed somewhat to a 4 day bleed although still irregular. Lately I have been bleeding every 2 weeks, spotting in between. This last episode has me quite concerned as the blood is a watery brownish colour that smells quite foul like old blood to the point where I thought perhaps I may have left an old tampon inside,of course I have checked and had my husband check but cant feel or see anything.Can tampons travel up inside the cervix??  I eat a good diet, excersise and till recently had a good sleeping pattern.  Now I am finding myself tired and sometimes needing a nap during the day.My sex drive has slowed down considerably not only becuase of my tiredness but "sometimes" intercourse hurts (another reason I suspected an old tampon. I am also finding it "sometimes" uncomfortable to use tampons as they seem to edge themselves down.  My last pap smear was fine and I am confident I have no reason to fear an STD. Could this be part of premenopause??  I am so very tempted to douche something I have never done before but the smell is really quite disgusting, it actually reminds me of the bloody smell after you have a baby. Im an old fashioned kind of girl who is shy at the doctors but figure its getting to the point where I need to see somebody. Any light you can shed is appreciated.Thankyou.

[AnnieBrooke]

Hi, glad to hear that is all it was, and also that there was no infection!  I can remember women actually getting toxic shock syndrome (and a few died!) from a brand of ultra-absorbent tamps with a polyfilament string that were made a while ago.  Thanks also for the nice compliment on the helpfulness of our responses.  I tend to agree with SweetP that PammySue was probably just using the slang for "don't wait" when she encouraged you not to "play around." I don't think she thought you were taking your health lightly.  I read her remark as something akin to: "do it sooner rather than later." I'll bet no other implication was intended.  Again, excellent news about the tampon, and I'm delighted to be proven wrong on the gardnerella suggestion!  Annie

[SweetP139]

mother I really don't think Pammy was trying to be rude at all here and was being very helpful and caring.  She was trying to tell you it was best to go to a doctor and didn't want you "playing around".  I say that sometimes and what I mean by it was it's nothing to take lightly that you really should seek medical help. I am positive that she ment nothing rude by it at all and just wanted to see you get the help you need.

[mother2four]

All is well, it "WAS" an old tampon so ladies beware it can happen!! No infection thankfully.  Pammy Sue, your comment was discouraging and incorrect, you assumed I was playing around, I can assure you nothing is more serious to me than my health and the health of my family, if you cant be encouraging  I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself.  Annie and Fae I thankyou for your informative help and support.

[just_plain_fae]

Yes, I would definitely have the gyn follow up on this.  He/she may even suggest a trans-vaginal ultrasound - not painful - that can show if there is anything in there or not.

[AnnieBrooke]

See the doctor before you try any home remedies like douching.  If it is an infection, he or she will need to test to find out what kind, and so you can be treated properly.  It sounds a little like gardnerella because of the smell you mentioned.  Good luck, and really, don't be shy of they doctor.  They HAVE seen it all.

[PammySue]

You need to see a doctor right away about this.  Do not play around.  Don't by shy about he doc thing, that's what they are there for.  But your symptoms suggest there is an infection.  Go have it checked out.