WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for July, 1998: Re: Strange Bleeding-Please Help

Re: Strange Bleeding-Please Help

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Sun, 12 Jul 1998 09:02:49 -0500 (CDT)

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Reply: Elisabeth: "Re: Strange Bleeding-Please Help"

At Sat, 11 Jul 1998, Elisabeth wrote:

2 months ago my period was >strange...it stopped then started again for an extra day. She called me 2 weeks later however and said that my pap smear
>was slightly atypical and that I should be re-tested in 3 months.
Could my >period irregularities be connected to the pap smear?

Elisabeth-

It is unlikely that your slightly atypical Pap smear and your recent period problems are connected. Although period blood must exit out of the cervix, Pap smears are performed to check for precancer of the cervix, and are not done to evaluate menstrual (or fertility) abnormalities. Most slightly atypical Pap smears go back to normal within the next year, but your doctor is doing the right thing by bringing back "just to make sure."

What can cause out of whack periods? It's not possible to say in your situation without the benefit of a thorough history and physical examination, but some possible causes include: lack of ovulation during one cycle (see below), thyroid problems, high levels of a hormone called prolactin, *serious* stress, rapid weight loss or gain, being very heavy or very thin, and certain hormone medications such as the pill, depo-provera, and norplant. In many cases perfectly normal women have a "wacky" period once or twice a year. I explain to my medical students that having a normal period is like being in an orchestra that is perfectly in tune. If one instrument (hormone) is out of tune, the whole thing falls apart. Thus, all it takes is one little one-time abnormality of the cycle for a period to be slightly abnormal. In these cases we usually advise waiting one cycle to see if it goes back to normal. In other cases, if the abnormalities persist, we advise a workup, looking for the causes I described above.

I'm sure your ob/gyn will take a good history and will perform a careful pelvic exam. He or she may wish to obtain some blood work, but not necessarily. Since you are trying to start a family, please be sure to ask about folic acid, which can prevent some serious birth defects. Best of luck to you!

-- Ashley Hill David Ashley Hill, M.D. Associate Director Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency Orlando, Florida

The above information is provided for medical education only, and is not intended as specific medical advice. I am sorry, but due to time constraints, I am unable to answer personal e-mail.

Next message: J.Glenn Bradley MD: "Re: vaginal pain"
Previous message: Elizabeth: "Re: Lack of Amnioctic fluid in 19th week"
In reply to: Elisabeth: "Strange Bleeding-Please Help"
Next in thread: Elisabeth: "Re: Strange Bleeding-Please Help"
Reply: Elisabeth: "Re: Strange Bleeding-Please Help"

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