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Please help, I am a 36 year old female and this is the first time I have EVER spotted between periods. I am NOT on any form of birth control. I noticed last month during my cycle that I bled a lot. Went through a lot of my Super tampons and some of the bigger pads. I also noticed a strong oder that is not usual. I blew it off as just a really bad cycle until I spotted and spotted and spotted for 3 weeks. The spotting smelled as well and it was very noticeable after sex with my husband. I just started another cycle today (I usually cycle between 26-28). The timing is right at least, but the odor is still there and heavy bleeding. But now I''ve got pain in my back...

Submitted: 639 days and 15 hours ago.
Category: Health
Value: $15
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Female, Age: 26, Texas

Posted by Nurse Annie 639 days and 15 hours ago.

Answer

XXXXX,


As far as the bleeding is concerned, if it is heavy in which you are changing one pad in an hour or less, this is considered excessive bleeding and can lead to anemia so this needs to be checked by a doctor immediately. This could be due to many things including stress, weight gain/loss, thyroid, hormonal imbalance, infection, illness, medications, polyp, cyst, amongst other reasons. The only way to know for sure exactly what is going on is to see your doctor for an exam and testing. If a thyroid or hormonal imbalance is suspected, a simple blood test will show this.
As far as the odor is concerned, if it is a fishy odor, this is usually due to bacterial vaginosis. This is a result from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. Treatment usually involves either watching to see if it clears up on its own, or the use of antibiotics. It's not usually necessary for your sex partner to be treated. You can read more about BV here
http://www.cdc.gov/std/BV/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm
In the mean time refrain from douching. Douching can not only disrupt the normal pH of your body, but can also make it more open to infection. Also avoid any type of sprays or powders. You will need to see your doctor for an exam and testing for confirmation.
To help prevent BV eat at least 8 oz (226.8 g) of yogurt with live L. acidophilus cultures as part of your long-term daily diet. Consider using birth control pills, which reduce the hormonal changes in the vagina that may lead to BV. Limit the number of your sex partners. Multiple sex partners increase your risk of developing BV by changing the normal environment of the vagina. Only leave a tampon or diaphragm in for a limited length of time. You will need to see a doctor for confirmation, and antibiotics.

639 days and 7 hours ago.

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the odor is not fishy smelling at all...it's more fecal-ish smelling. What would cause the darker, stale blood after sex (it's not painful to have intercourse) and I've had one partner in the last three years.

Answer

XXXXX,


Any type of foul odor indicates an infection so this will need to be tested to determine exactly what type. Dark/brown discharge is old blood. It is usually normal, but if it is along with a foul odor, it is not. If the odor is more prominent after sex, then this would be BV or gardnella.

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Expert: Nurse Annie
Pos. Feedback: 98.6 %
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Answered: 2/23/2008

Nurse (RN)

PHD RN 40+ years in nursing all depts & units 20+ years as a midwife, certified lactation consultant

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