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Cause Of Brown Discharge Mid-cycle Without Birth Control Use?
Question: I have had small amounts of light brown discharge for the last 4 days. I am mid-cycle and am not on birth control and am not pregnant. What do you think is causing this? I feel like I may also have thrush but that could be a red-herring as I feel that could just be a coincidence I could be wrong). I also feel that I may have a stomach ache but that could just be because I've worked myself into a bit of a panick that I may have cervical cancer. I had a smear about 7 months ago that came back clear but the consultant did say he could see a "harmless" polyp on my cervix. Perhaps they occasionally get irritated and bleed or perhaps I am ovulating?
Brief Answer:
Polypectomy is a better option in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for choosing Healthcaremagic. I have analyzed your query, your present symptom could be due to cervical polyp, as you rightly said sometimes due to congestion of cervix can cause this type of bleeding or spotting episodes. What I advise you is to get a repeat pelvic examination and get the poly removed i.e Polypectomy operation. And most importantly get the histopathology examination of the polyp removed to confirm it is benign polyp.
Most of the times theses polyps are benign, and most of my patients have responded with polypectomy and cervical cauterization as treatment.
If you are sexually active I also advise you to chose any contraception which suits you.
Please ask if you have more questions. If you are satisfied, please make sure that your ACCEPT my answer so that I receive credit. Good luck!!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer. I would just like to give you some more information to see if this changes your advice:
1. I have re-looked at my calendar and the light brown bleeding occurred on days 21-25 of my cycle (day 25 being today), so I am due to menstruate in about 3 days.
2. The light brown discharge is not spotting and is contained in the mucus. The discharge has been in my pants but when I have passed a stool that seems to encourage more to come out.
3. When I had my last smear (September 2013) and the consultant spotted the polyp, he assured me he sees them all the time and it was perfectly normal. He said no further testing was needed. As he was a consultant I felt confident in his assessment. I did however mention it to my doctor as well and she told me she often sees polyps which are harmless and doesn't often even mention them to her patients.
Do you think I should take some encouragement from the consultants assessment? Are cervical polyps similar to skin complaints (i.e. where specialists can often make a pretty good assessment just by looking at the area rather than always having to biopsy?). I will still go back and ask about this but I am very worried and I cant get an appointment for a couple of weeks so would like to hear your thoughts. What percentage of virginal polyps are harmless please?
Is it also possible that this is just some mid-cycle residual bleeding? I have been doing more exercise recently so perhaps this is just cleaning my system out a bit? what do you think?
Brief Answer:
Could be due to cervical congestion.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thank you for the follow up question. As you have ruled out pregnancy I still feel your present symptoms could be due to cervical problem. Most of the times Cervical congestion associated cervical polyp can cause similar complaints.
I agree with your consultant, usually just by looking at the polyp 90% of times we can say if it is benign or malignant. Hence to be on safer side PAP smear is done. In your case as you have not mentioned about the size of cervical polyp, I presume it to be small, in that case it can be removed as an OPD procedure. If at all it is removed its better to get the biopsy done to confirm it is benign.
Coming back to your other questions:
Are cervical polyps similar to skin complaints (i.e. where specialists can often make a pretty good assessment just by looking at the area rather than always having to biopsy?). Yes we can diagnose it by just visual inspection. But in your case due to the brown discharge (i.e mucus mixed with blood) I suggested to go for polypectomy. If the polys are small you can leave it as it is without any further treatment.
If you were my treating patient, if polypectomy is not planned (if they are very small) its better to go for some vaginal antibiotic tablets Clotrimazole Clindamycin vaginal pessaries for temporary relief,. As your present PAP is normal, you need to repeat the PAP smear after 12 months.
Is it also possible that this is just some mid-cycle residual bleeding? No
I have been doing more exercise recently so perhaps this is just cleaning my system out a bit? Not a reason for present symptom.
Please ask if you have more questions. If you are satisfied, please make sure that your ACCEPT my answer so that I receive credit. Good luck!!
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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