Normal smears- but spotting mid cycle - Gynae Cancer Support

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Normal smears- but spotting mid cycle

Linze16 profile image
10 Replies

Hello, this is my first post. I’ve found this site after searching all night for answers. I suffer from major health anxiety, after loosing my mother to breast cancer. I am 40 next week. I have 6 children and my biggest fear is leaving them, and them feeling how I did after loosing my mother.

I’ve always had normal smear tests, and my last was April 2021. So only 8 months ago. I stopped breast feeding in March 2021, after 3.5 years, and 9 consecutive years or either being pregnant or breastfeeding or both! So I’m guessing my hormones are still settling down. I’m worried because in the summer, on 3 separate occasions, I had very pale pink discharge after sex, but it was between 1 - 4 days before my period started, so I didn’t worry too much. But then on Sunday (boxing day), I bleed a little after sex. It was then fine until Thursday, when I had a little brown, followed by pink and then slight red, discharge. On Saturday there was just a yellow tint, and a tiny amount of translucent red in the morning. I’ve also had pelvic pain. It’s now Sunday, and it seems to have stopped. My period isn’t due until 8th January.

I often have pelvic pain, particularly by my left ovary. And also shooting pains around my vagina. I’ve had several scans for this, the last was February 2019. Where I was diagnosed with Adenomysis. So I’m assuming that’s all the reason for my pains?

I’m so paranoid that I’ve got something awful wrong with me. And when I Google the symptoms,( which I’m addicted to doing!! I know I shouldn’t do!!) it comes up with cervical cancer. I’m worrying myself sick over it!! But trying to assure myself that I’ve never had an abnormal test!

I can’t sleep, or eat or feel happy at the moment, as I’m just so terrified!! I have an appointment for an examination on Tuesday, but I’m so worried until then.

Could it be the start or peri menopause?!

Please help!

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10 Replies
Perido profile image
Perido

Hi Linze16

There are many possible reasons for your symptoms; you've done the right thing in booking an appointment for an examination.

I understand it's not easy but seriously try and quit self diagnosing with Google it'll only feed your anxiety.

Linze16 profile image
Linze16 in reply to Perido

Thank you 😊

maxh profile image
maxh

Hello Linze

This is the nurse at Eve Appeal (nurse@eveappeal.org.uk). As Perido states, the corect way forward is a clinical examination. There are likely many possible reasons for the discharge and a long way down the list is cervical cancer - you are up to date with your smears which is great. I suggest waiting until you have your examination first and we take things from there. If you want to email me at Eve (see email above), but please don't google, it will not necessarily give you the correct clinical information.

Hope this helps.

BW

Hilary Maxwell

Linze16 profile image
Linze16 in reply to maxh

Thank you. I’m just desperate for some reassurance. The thoughts are consuming me. I know Google is the wrong place to find answers. I do it too find reassurance, but end up feeling worse!

Linze16 profile image
Linze16 in reply to maxh

Hello, I’ve just been for my examination. The dr had terrified me!! She said I have cervical ectropion, which was noticed at my last smear. But she said she could see a small bruise on my cervix, and has referred me to the cancer team as she said it would be only 2 week, instead of 8 weeks for the biopsy. She said she was just doing that as she knows I’ll just be worrying if I have to wait 8 weeks! She said it didn’t look typical of a cancerous growth, but she just wants to be sure. I’m absolutely terrified!!!She said that it could be my Adenomyosis, or even trauma from intercourse. I was too embarrassed to say that my husband had also used his fingers when the initial bleed happened, and his nails were a bit sharp! That was before we had sex. So could this have caused the bruising?? She also said I should be reassured that I’ve had normal smears. But I can’t help thinking the worst, I feel totally sick!!

Please help!!

maxh profile image
maxh in reply to Linze16

It is good that your GP has referred you on a 2 week wait. Information below. I would not worry; there is nothing currently to suggest you have cancer. Yes, certainly it might have helped if your husband had sharp fingernails. jostrust.org.uk/information.... I am best contacted at nurseadviser@eveappeal.org.uk Many thanks

Linze16 profile image
Linze16 in reply to maxh

Thank you. I’m still so worried. I’d rather she hadn’t found anything! But she did say it doesn’t look like typical cancer and that it could just be a sensitive area of the ectropion or even my Adenomyosis. I’m just worried sick! At first she said she would send me for a colposcopy, but that was an 8 week wait, to which I started to cry! So she asked if I wasn’t to be sent down the cancer team route, as that would only take 2 weeks. She said they will but a dye on my cervix and examine me. What does that mean?

maxh profile image
maxh in reply to Linze16

Often acetic acid is often used to show up areas more clearly. I can't stop you from worrying but try to keep perspective - at the moment there is nothing to demonstrate you have a cancer. Just to alert 2 WW referrals can be downgraded to routine appointments by a gynaecologist if they don't think it is likely to be cancer. Please do email me at nurse@eveappeal.org.uk if you need further help.

Linze16 profile image
Linze16 in reply to maxh

Thank you. She did say they may take a look and decide there is no further investigation needed. I hope that’s the case, or that the bruise has even gone by then! My period is due on Friday/Saturday. I hope it resolves with that.

Linze16 profile image
Linze16

Hello, I just wanted to update you both. So I was seen really quickly! Within 1 week of seeing the GP! My appointment with the gynaecologist was yesterday and he said it was just the ectropion trying to heal. He said what the GP had seen was like a bit of skin trying to heal over. He just looked with the dye and was happy to leave it at that. I’m so relieved! I’d worked myself up so much about it! I was a little calmer about the outcome, as I booked an appointment with my own GP the day before, and he was very reassuring and not at all concerned. The polar opposite to the GP who examined me!! But I’m glad she referred me, as I would have still been worried if she had brushed it off. I was so worried about the appointment, but the whole gynae team were lovely and made me feel at ease.

Thanks so much for the replies and support. ❤️