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LivingLifemommaof2 posted:
have been having bloody vaginal discharge for over two weeks followed by sharp pain in my lower pelvic/abdomen area...i've had irregular periods since i was 12 but i've never had this happen...it started when what i thought was the begining of my period but boy was i wrong...do you think its serious enough to go to the emergency room or just make a gynecologist appointment and wait to see that doctor??????? please help by the way took a pregnancy test and it was negative...not sure what else could be, and i've had problems with cysts on my ovaries since having a tubal ligation done 4yrs ago if that helps at all!
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:need help asap!!<i>have been having bloody vaginal discharge for over two weeks followed by sharp pain in my lower pelvic/abdomen area...i've had irregular periods since i was 12 but i've never had this happen...it started when what i thought was the begining of my period but boy was i wrong...do you think its serious enough to go to the emergency room or just make a gynecologist appointment and wait to see that doctor??????? please help by the way took a pregnancy test and it was negative...not sure what else could be, and i've had problems with cysts on my ovaries since having a tubal ligation done 4yrs ago if that helps at all!</i>
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear LivingLifemommaof2: The most serious diagnosis would be an ectopic/tubal pregnancy. There is an increased risk of this after damage to the Fallopian tubes (eg tubal ligation, pelvic infection scar, etc). It was wise to do a pregnancy test as an ectopic may produce lower levels of pregnancy hormone, but it can reach the levels detected by a sensitive home pregnancy test.

Thus, if the test was a true negative, the most likely cause could be a ruptured ovarian cyst. This can prompt both pain and erratic bleeding patterns. A quick ultrasound should be able to confirm this condition. Your history of irregular periods and prior ovarian cysts would make this the seem more plausible.

Another cause for pain and erratic bleeding would be a pelvic infection (eg gonorrhea or chlamydia). Yet, if you are in a monogamous relationship this is not going to apply.

I would urge you to contact your own GYN or clinic ASAP and see if you be worked in to be seen. If the pain is escalating or if your GYN/clinic advises you to go to the ER then the ER is the right choice.

Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:need help asap!!Dear LivingLifemommaof2: The most serious diagnosis would be an ectopic/tubal pregnancy. There is an increased risk of this after damage to the Fallopian tubes (eg tubal ligation, pelvic infection scar, etc). It was wise to do a pregnancy test as an ectopic may produce lower levels of pregnancy hormone, but it can reach the levels detected by a sensitive home pregnancy test.<br /><br />Thus, if the test was a true negative, the most likely cause could be a ruptured ovarian cyst. This can prompt both pain and erratic bleeding patterns. A quick ultrasound should be able to confirm this condition. Your history of irregular periods and prior ovarian cysts would make this the seem more plausible. <br /><br />Another cause for pain and erratic bleeding would be a pelvic infection (eg gonorrhea or chlamydia). Yet, if you are in a monogamous relationship this is not going to apply.<br /><br />I would urge you to contact your own GYN or clinic ASAP and see if you be worked in to be seen. If the pain is escalating or if your GYN/clinic advises you to go to the ER then the ER is the right choice.<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
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