Re: Bacterial Vaginosis or Trichomoniasis?
From: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 25 Jun 1997 21:12:41 -0500 (CDT)
Hey Nicole,
At Mon, 23 Jun 1997, Nicole wrote:
>
>For about the past three years, I have had an increasing problem with a
>yellow/green discharge. I have been to a gynecologist a few times, and
>always end up with a prescription for Clindamycin and no real idea of
>what's going on. I was told I had BV, but most of the research I have
>done on my own seems to indicate that BV should include a
>"greyish-white" discharge, and that yellowish is more often Trich. The
>discharge ranges from minimal to moderate, and sometimes seems "yeasty".
Books give you average appearance descriptions. Any infection can look
like any other until a culture is done.
>Clindamycin seems to help for a few weeks, and that's it. I've also had
>a problem with bleeding after intercourse, although I don't particularly
>have any irritation, or very infrequently. I know that this is a
>possible symptom of cervical cancer, so I mentioned it to my
>gynocologist repeatedly.. My paps all came back normal, she said I was
>probably just irritated from the infection.
If your paps are normal and they're being read by a reputable cytologist
at a good lab, the results are the results. Don't lose sleep over
normal lab reports.
>Well, after the rounds of
>Clindamycin, I didn't have the bleeding problem for a long while. It
>had been happening about once a month, and stopped completely after the
>medication, so I relaxed a bit.
Good!
>However, Now it's been a year and a
>half since my last rx, with the infection coming and going, and I had an
>episode of bleeding after intercourse about a month ago.
>
>At this point, I'm getting more and more scared that the doctor(s) I've
>been to have overlooked something more serious.
Doesn't sound like it but I'm only here reading.
>I've always been afraid
>of doctors as it is
Me too.......no really!
>and the last visit was extremely traumatic (I was
>told "you MIGHT have cancer" and shooed out of the office without any
>further explanation to await lab results, which were thankfully
>negative). I realize there are health-care professionals reading this,
>and I don't wish to offend anyone, but I really wish I could get someone
>to just TALK to me about my condition instead of throwing prescriptions
>at me. Should I resign myself to a regular treatment of antibiotics?
There may be a variety of reasons why you are getting recurrent
infections. sounds like you need a physician who will talk to you and
give adequate explanations. GO GET ONE!
>If someone could just give me a little more
>info with which to arm myself, I could try to steel myself for another
>visit to the doctor.
Go for it!
>Thanks in advance, and I apologize for the length.
You're welcome, Nicole!
--
Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS
OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York
Great Neck, New York
http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm
http://www.obgyn.net/women/heroes/harveym.htm
*Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purpose only.
This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options.
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