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Re: continuous spotting and bcp
From: lyn (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 30 Nov 1998 13:23:22 -0600 (CST)
Thank-you Dr.Hill for your reply. I had the ultra-sound with saline to
rule
out polyps before starting bcps. Because the pills, which I have been
taking for 3 months, have only made things worse (continuous spotting),
I wondered if there was anything else to look for.
At Wed, 25 Nov 1998, D. Ashley Hill, M.D. wrote:
>
>At Wed, 25 Nov 1998, lyn wrote:
>>
>>I am finishing my 3rd month of birth-control pills for
>>irregular bleeding. I have had spotting every day of this 3 months.
>
>When patients come to me for this problem, I usually obtain a pregnancy
>test (you never know), and, if negative, pursue a careful history and
>physical exam. Then, I usually do a special type of vaginal ultrasound
>called "saline infusion" ultrasound, to look for polyps. Regular
>ultrasounds, without saline, will almost never detect a polyp, because
>the polyps flatten out inside the uterus and cannot be seen. Sometimes
>a thyroid and prolactin test are also indicated. Rarely, infection can
>cause this (but it's unlikely).
>
>If you have been on the pill or some other type of hormonal birth
>control for many months or years, the spotting could be due to excess
>progesterone. This is actually not harmful, just annoying. It can be
>corrected by adding a little more estrogen for a week or two. However,
>it's usually nice to rule out a polyp or fibroid as the cause.
>
>Good luck with everything.
>
>--
>Ashley Hill
>David Ashley Hill, M.D.
>Associate Director
>Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
>Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency
>Orlando, FL
>http://home.mpinet.net/dahmd
>
>The above is intended for general medical education,
>and is not for specific medical advice.
>I apologize, but I am unable to answer personal e-mail
>due to time constraints.
>
--
lyn
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