Ladies - what's normal?

Shoshannah

I'm sorry for TMI associated with this subject matter.

Discharge from down below is normal and I've had it since I hit puberty - it's hard to know how much is normal as you don't tend to talk about it all that much.

However, I caught a virus ('flu-like) before Christmas last year, around the same time the discharge seemed to increase and I put it down to an infection or something due to my immune system being challenged? I also had an abnormal bleed shortly afterwards but that only happened once and I think that was something to do with stress.

I went to my GP at the time, she gave me Canesten and metronidazole (antibiotics) but these didn't help.

I didn't go back for a long time because I had some other stuff going on. I finally got around to going back to the GP a month or so ago - they treated me again with Canesten (no difference again), so I went back for a swab.

The nurse practictioner who took the sample said there was a lot there, so much so that she couldn't take the swab for Chlamydia but did get swabs for everything else. She thought it was bacterial vaginosis and that I was washing too much.

Anyway, all the results were normal. Not thrush, no infection. GP has recommended referral to a gynaecologist but I'm just not sure if I'm over-reacting.

The discharge is pretty normal - no odour, no bleeding, no itch. Just lots of it. It's getting on my nerves needless to say. My smear test last year was normal, my last Chlamydia test was -ve. I recently came off the combined Pill as the doctor said I had to switch, but there has been no change in the discharge. Just had my first 'proper' period following coming off the Pill.

I just wanted to see what other women consider normal before I rush off to the gynae as I don't want to open a can of worms over a normal bodily process.

Shoshannah

Gosh I'm sorry if that's all a bit intimate - I did think about posting anonymously lol - guess I'm just used to chatting with the girls at work about such things.

emsbet

Like most women mine increases and decreases throughout my cycle and now I'm 7+5 weeks pregnant it's increased about ten-fold!

I think every woman is different but I would say go for the referral just to put your mind at rest more than anything. If there is something wrong at least you will know and can have it treated. Maybe the virus you had just sent your hormones into overdrive.

xx

pigpen

When you have another illness which increase mucus production.. a cold for example it doesnt just increae the mucus production in your nose but all the mucus membranes.. your lungs, gut, and vagina.. which is why you see extra when unwell.

However, as we are not permitted to give medical advice here I woud suggest going to the gynae appointment and hopefully getting a proper answer.. it may just be the way you are, you may have ome infection they havent checked for but whatever you need a reason for it.

Emmzi

dairy in some people causes a lot of various kinds of mucus (not everyone). Di you have a lot of milk and cheese etc? Worth a go cutting down for a few days to see, easy to start eating it again if not

Shoshannah

Yeah you're right I think I will go to the gynaecologist. I just wanted to get some idea, just in case I bob along to them complaining of 'excessive vaginal discharge' when in fact it turned out not to be. As I said, it's not something you tend to ask other people about very often so I really had no idea lol.

pebbles88

i also have quite a lot, varying with my cycle of course, but im never near anything that you would/could call dry

everyone if different, it could just be how you are & whats natural for you, it could be a reaction to an illness or something in your diet even, as other have said, dairy can kick extra mucus off - i am ok with all dairy, but if i have a fried egg, within half hou or so i can feel my sinuses filling up and i struggle to breathe for it all a bit:eek: yet cook an egg any other way for me and i am fine?

but if you are at all worried you are right to see a gynae just to rule anything out & to put your mind at rest.

esmf73

Shos - I would seriously go and see your GP again and demand to be seen by a Gynae specialist - there might be nothing at all wrong, but I am positive that any doctor would rather see someone and tell them nothing is wrong instead of seeing someone and telling them bad news.

Best of luck - I'm sure it is nothing xxxx

southoftheriver

esmf73 wrote: »

Shos - I would seriously go and see your GP again and demand to be seen by a Gynae specialist - there might be nothing at all wrong, but I am positive that any doctor would rather see someone and tell them nothing is wrong instead of seeing someone and telling them bad news.

Best of luck - I'm sure it is nothing xxxx

The OP has already been referred to a gynaecologist

Hopefully the gynaecologist will be able to give you an idea what is going on. Is very difficult for us to advise you because everyone is so different! Good luck with your appointment.

building_with_lego

Just one point, girls. Can we refer to the normal stuff as 'fluid' please? Then we can use 'discharge' for when something's abnormal.

Thanks.

lemontart

what is normal for some is not for others - persist with gp and gu clinic until you know what is happening .