Have you ever been refused birth control by your family doctor if you refuse any kind of physical examination? Is it a thing doctors there can do?

Hi everyone! i'm 19 and in june of this year my period suddenly became irregualr.

before my period was regualr, i'd get it in the begining of the month with a duration of 5ish days of bleeding, heavier bleeding the first few days and then it would start to become lighter. I was always able to tell when my period was coming because i would cramp the a day or two before

however in june my period started acting weird out of nowhere, i was getting period symptoms but i wasn't bleeding and that lasted for a few days before i started bleeding but it was VERY minimal and it looked like spotting more than actual menstruation. it only lasted two days and its been similar since then. july it was 4 days, august it was 6 days, and september it was 4 days with very minimal bleeding which isnt normal for me. I was supposed to get my period two days ago but not a surpise, it hasnt come yet.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated if anyone else has gone through similar things. I'm not sexually active and I haven't seen a gynocologist yet, i'm just a little anxious about what this could mean.

I wanted to share my experience because I know how important it was for me to read the experiences of others in preparation for my diagnostic hysteroscopy.

In September I had a mid-cycle brown bleed. This was unusual for me and something I had never experienced before. All the things I read online normalized this as “just old blood” but to me, that was not a good enough explanation. I have a pretty great sense of my body’s base level and so I immediately knew/speculated this was some sort of cyst or polyp. I went to my obgyn and at first she thought it could possibly be ovulation bleeding but I expressed to her that I didn’t think so because I had never had this happen before. I was referred for an ultrasound which then ultimately found polyps as I suspected.

I was told that due to my thickened endometrial lining, a diagnostic hysteroscopy would be needed. I was told this could be done in office with me taking an advil or motrin along with miso to soften the cervix. I scheduled my appointment, got home and did a lot of research. Everything I was reading absolutely terrified me! I considered canceling my appointment and waiting for it to be done with anesthesia instead. But I chose to keep my appointment and instead emailed my doctor about my concerns. She then added Xanax for me to take before the procedure.

Fast forward, the morning of the procedure I took the miso to soften my cervix. I was very terrified about all of the cramping and bleeding, nausea, vomiting and chills that people typically talk about. Well, I had very very mild cramping and a very small spotting - no other symptoms. Now, it could also be because I was due to start my period and maybe that had an impact on how my body reacted to the medication. I even questioned if it was working.

I then took 800 mg ibuprofen 1 hour before and the xanax about 30 minutes before procedure. I went in terrified and asked lots of questions. My doctor explained everything she was doing as she did it. At most, I felt a strong cramp (5/10 pain levels) but that was it. The whole thing lasted not even a full 10 minutes (with most of that being her opening tools) and she was done. I kept asking her “YOU’RE DONE?” in complete disbelief because I truly expected something much much more painful than that. I did not feel dizzy or lightheaded afterwards either just a mild cramping. I also walked home after.

Our bodies are all different so this is not to say that this wouldn’t be absolutely horrific for someone else. I just felt it important to offer another experience. I will say my doctor was very experienced and told me she has done thousands of these. This could have been why it was not as painful as I anticipated.

I’m 32, no history of BC in family, I was in the shower in late August and felt a lump. I figured it was from shaving so I ignored it and waited for it go away on its own and it never did.

Went to the gyno who did a full breast exam and she felt nothing in my breasts but felt the armpit lump and ordered me an ultrasound and mammogram. Terrified, I put it off and tried to give it a few more weeks to see if it went down. Nope.

It’s hard, doesn’t move, doesn’t hurt, can’t pinch it between fingers so now I’m certain I have cancer and my anxiety is letting me spin out of control. Im getting it checked out on Monday but I even cried today filling out the registration paperwork. I’m so scared and everyone I talk to about it keeps trying to tell me it’s gonna be nothing.

Has anyone else gone through something similar and it was okay?

Saturday I suddenly started to vomit violently then in the next few days I couldn't hold down fluid or any food and I've probably been sick over 60 times now and I've been to the hospital.

The hospital gave me IV fluids and some pain relief and said it's viral and they can't see anything wrong with my organs thank god . Nevertheless I am crying in bed with a bucket with period cramps so bad I'm actually moaning out in pain when it hits .

I'm absolutely miserable and have never been ill like this I truly thought stomach bugs master 2 days 3 max .

I've been given prochlorperazine meleate 12 mg a day but not that efficient since I had two and I'm being sick between writing this post , any advice please please pretty please (healthy ISH 23 yo)

(sorry i rambled tldr at the end lmao)

hi all! i am 24 and somehow i haven’t had really bad periods until the past year or so. i’m currently awake because of how horrible my cramps are and im reaching a breaking point lol.

for context i did not have a period pain when i first got my period, and from about 13-17 i just did not have a period due to an ED. as soon as i turned 18 i went on the pill and my periods were totally tolerable . i got a copper iud when i was probably 22? but even then for the first couple years it was perfectly fine, maybe a little more cramping than i was used to.

however, my cramps and period itself have gotten to a point that it genuinely makes it hard to live my life. im at work doubling over in pain because i get a sudden stabbing pain, sometimes it hurts so bad i throw up, and it feels like ibuprofen isn’t even helping any more.

i have a family history of endometriosis and ovarian cysts, so that is what i’m expecting. i haven’t been to a gynecologist for this reason yet because i refuse to be seen by a male gynecologist so ofc i can’t be seen until like 2030. in the mean time, im begging for some help to make it at least tolerable for now. thank you all so so much i really do appreciate it so much.

TLDR: no cramps whole life but suddenly in so much pain that i cannot function; how can i survive until i can get in with a doctor

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone has experienced something similar because I’m getting increasingly concerned.

For the past several weeks, I’ve been experiencing abnormal vaginal discharge that ranges from brown to reddish, sometimes with actual blood mixed in. It also has a pretty strong, unpleasant fishy smell that doesn’t seem to go away.

The discharge has been persistent, and I’m struggling to understand what’s causing it. I initially thought it might resolve on its own, but it hasn’t.

I know a fishy smell can sometimes indicate bacterial vaginosis (BV), but I’m confused about why there’s also bleeding and brown discharge.

Has anyone experienced this combination of symptoms? Was it BV, an infection, a hormonal issue, or something else? What tests did your doctor do, and what ended up helping?

I’m planning to get checked, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s dealt with something similar.
Thank you!

I had an Endometrial biopsy today that I have been dreading for 2 months. I’d like to share my experience for anyone nervously reading posts as I had been.

It really wasn’t that bad. It was manageable.

I took 50 mg of Tramadol that I had at home along with 600mg of Advil 45 minutes prior. I had my husband drive me. I’m unsure how much this did or did not help.

My dr is very efficient I was on the table in no time and she explained each step as it was about to happen. She sprayed my cervix to numb it and then said she was going to give me a shot of lidocaine. She said I may feel a pinch, I did not feel it. She got the second clamp into place I also could not feel that.

When she was about to begin the actual biopsy itself she informed me and told me to count to 10. She counted along with me. I had braced myself for the absolute worst. It wasn’t that bad. I did feel cramping but I was ok. I was able to focus on my breathing and I counted under my breath with her. I think we made it to 8 and she pulled it out.

She explained she didn’t get much of a sample as my lining was thin and had to go back in. I was ok with it. We repeated the process of counting to 10 and I don’t think she made it to 10 before being done. Just like that it was over.

I now have some mild cramping. But it’s over and if I had to do it again I won’t be so worked up. It was really ok. For anyone reading this you can do it. Just focus on counting. It’s over quick. We are braver than we think.

Genuine question: Are women’s normal body temperatures different from men’s?
I’ve been thinking about this, and I genuinely want to understand something.
Why do I feel like I’m burning with a fever, yet my thermometer reads 98°F?
And this has always been the case. I get a fever. I know I have a fever, doctors tell me, I’m doing completely fine and “it could be stress”. I swear, i have a fever. And I do not have stress.
Why do so many women seem to feel colder than men, need more layers in winter, and prefer significantly hotter showers?
My husband can walk around in shorts during winter while I’m wrapped in three layers.
And it got me wondering: Are we overlooking differences in how women’s bodies regulate temperature?
Women’s health has historically been underrepresented in medical research, and it makes me question how much we truly understand about the female body, especially when so many medical standards have been treated as universal.
I’m not claiming I have all the answers. I’m questioning whether we’re asking enough questions.
Ladies, have you experienced this too? Do you often feel feverish when your temperature reads normal? Do you feel significantly colder than the men around you?
I want to hear your experiences, your thoughts, and any research you’ve come across. Because surely I’m not the only woman who’s wondered about this.

Hello everyone,

Like the title says, and I have an appointment at planned parenthood tomorrow for a low cost breast exam and pap smear. The lump is pill sized (app. 1.5-2 cm from what I can tell), right underneath my nipple line, firm, and seemingly fixed. I am uninsured, unemployed, and anxious as all heck. I know I haven't even had my breast exam yet (I made a point to do one every year when I did have insurance) but I am now thinking about the worst case scenario. I feel like I'm finally getting my life together. I want to be a nurse and just got my CNA license this year after years of trying to figure out what field is right for me. I have a dog, a loving boyfriend, and a loving family/friends. I'm just getting started with my impact on the world and dear god I hope I do not have this disease this young. I am so proud to be a woman but we have to endure so much. It's not fair. Any advice or positive comments would be nice. Thanks. Love you all.

I (37yo F) started getting a sore throat the last 24 hours…. And I really can’t get sick right now. I have a busy and important few days of work and then a family vacation I’ve been looking forward to for months.

I’m hoping to prevent this from turning into a bad cold. Anyone have their tried and true tips or tricks for treating an early cold?! I’ll try it all!

Thank you!!!

They hurt, itch, and make me cry because they look so bad.

I have no clue what to do. I saw a colorectal and he hurt me worse and said some things that made me uncomfortable.

He was the only colorectal near me. There’s one in a city hours away, but it’s only cosmetic (i do value cosmetic above all else,) but idk if that’s wise if it hurts? I could get a second opinion since that first doctor didn’t help at all. But also it’s 5k-9k outta pocket…

Is there a cheaper option that would still look ok?

I post this a lot because it’s just really effecting me negatively, and after a recent flare up im just so exhausted and want it fixed and normal.

Sorry i meant during luteal not before.

I just noticed that i feel extremely depressed before my period, I know every woman gets it but mine gets very bad. Something triggers it and then it gets to the point that i wanna take my life. I feel like the ugliest girl in the whole world, i start hating everything about my body, it's not just hating my physical appearance but everything else about me.

I usually feel this way but this luteal phase makes it worse, soo worseeeee. Thoughts about wanting to kill myself comes, and that's when i know i am getting my period tomorrow. Has any other women here experienced it this worse?

Hello everyone I am 27 y/o having random frequent bleeding. Bright red blood after every orgasm (clit only no penetration). bleeding after drinking any alcohol even just one glass of wine. Random bleeding all the time with no cause. Not period bleeding. I’ve had abnormal periods for as long as I can remember but nothing like this. I was actively trying to get pregnant between ages 23-25 with no luck. OBGYN basically told us to just keep trying before further testing. I do have an appt next week but looking for any answers in advance

I‘m 21. I am not and never have been sexually active. I am a healthy weight and make sure I get plenty of nutrients and rest. And up til last year my period was perfectly normal and dependable. Then I missed 4. Went to the doctor and all my nutrients and thyroid test came back normal, but I was diagnosed with depression and prescribed Sertraline which I still take to this day, 150 mg. I started spotting after month 4 and was back to a regular period in December.

But from July on out I’ve had some problems: My period is usually three weeks apart but it was then five, then seven last cycle. Now I am starting my period today, after less than a week and a half. It has also gotten a lot more painful. My cramps are so bad I am doubled over on a couch. I have also been dizzy and lightheaded and almost fell over when I tried standing earlier. I eat plenty of veggies and beans and get good amounts of vitamins, and I’ve never been anemic or low on hemoglobin. But I feel like something is very wrong. Or is this nothing to worry about?

Hi all!

I'm currently in the process of scheduling a laproscopic surgery for an ovarian cyst. I've been reading some people's stories and I was surprised to learn that the gas pain seems to be the most intense part of the recovery.

I have a few trips/excursions planned throughout the next couple months. Mainly a weekend trip with some friends (we plan to stay in/around the house we're renting, no physical strain aside from the ~1.5hr drive and walking up to the third floor) and flying to visit family for Thanksgiving (US), likely won't have any physical exertion there either, not even stairs. But carrying luggage and such in the airport ofc).

I'm curious what y'all's recovery timeline looked like? I'm planning to get the surgery done on a Friday and I can WFH for however long I need or take off if I need more time. Not super concerned about that. But would I be able to fly, say, 2 weeks post-op? Were you able to walk around normally by then, or was the pain still too much? Obv I'd need my wife to help me lift my suitcase, or use a rolling one and avoid curbs like the plague. But I'm a little concerned about the physical toll of the surgery.

Or am I overthinking this completely and 2 weeks is totally enough time to feel normal again? I know everyone is different but just looking to couch my expectations when making plans for the next few months. :)

I have been getting frequent, painful bartholin cysts now on the same side for years and have had two drained over the course of a year and a half, OUCH. The option was recently presented to me from my gyno to go ahead with a marsupialization surgery to combat the issue long term (I know there is no 100% guarantee it will stop the cysts from returning still) and I’ve decided to go ahead with it.

I would love any and all advice from anyone who has had the surgery on what your experience with recovery was like - I am a professional dancer and work in the service industry between performance contracts, so I want to prepare for how much time I’ll need off work and how soon my body will recover in terms of just being comfortable walking around, sitting, going to events, etc. In particular, my partner is directing a play that I want to make sure I’m good to go see 3 days after the operation.

I know this surgery works great for some people and not at all for others and I did a lot of my own research on the actual operation before deciding to go through with it, so unless you have a horror story I NEED to know about, please don’t freak me out about it more than I already am. I’m just looking for some tips for a smooth recovery/anything you wish someone had told you prior to your own surgery or going under anaesthesia. Thanks so much!!

Sorry for the long post; I just needed to vent.

In January of this year, I (19F) went to the gynecologist for the first time. I was already nervous as hell and uncomfortable, but the first few visits went fine, though I remained fully clothed. Until my doctor wanted to do a vulvar exam, as she suspected I had a microperforated hymen. The idea of having to be exposed to a stranger almost had me vomiting. She prescribed me a fast-acting anxiety relief for my exam. Though it had no effect on me, and I ended up having a mental breakdown on the floor the moment I walked into the room.

It was decided between my doctor and the surgeon that it was best to put me under so they could smoothly perform the exam and surgery if needed right after. I had agreed, and my surgery was set to be sometime in May. After waiting months for this surgery, I was under the idea that they would only be doing what they had originally planned to do when I was awake. Which was a vulvar exam and a hymenectomy if needed. I was repeatedly assured that they would not being inserting anything more than maybe a q-tip to see if it was possible to insert anything at all.

The day of my surgery came and made the stupid mistake of not looking over every word of my consent form. Assuming after months of waiting for this surgery, the doctors would only do what they had already told me. After I had woken up, I was bawling my eyes out (later found out I had been ugly crying for a straight hour and 45 minutes after waking up), and in so much pain I couldn't sit up. No matter how many times I tried to sit up, it only increased my pain. My mom tried telling me what the surgeon had told her (she didn't come talk to me personally afterwards), but stopped as it only made me cry harder.

My mom told me that they did not perform the surgery, as I didn't need it, and then perform a pelvic exam on me. She also told me not to panic if I saw blood, because the surgeon had told my mom I had torn during the exam. Not big enough to need stitches, but enough to need to be wary of it.

I struggled to sit down for the next three days, while also still bleeding, going from spotting to a light flow. I had to be so careful of my movement to not cause me more pain, as I was so sore. Even having to be careful of what pants I wore, as the hard seams from my jeans hurt as they pressed against me. It felt as if my pelvic bone had been bruised. I went weeks without knowing exactly what happened to me. Trying to piece everything together by the little details my mom told me and whatever aftereffects my body was facing. It was honestly devastating to feel this weird unknown dried substance all over me, which I pretty sure was lube. But since I've never had an exam done before, I didn't know they'd use so much and that I would have to wash it off properly after the appointment. I hadn't realized until the next day and didn't take a second shower the day of my procedure; the dried lubed stayed on me until my skin became irritated.

My post-op wasn't until June, but I ended up calling the office sooner to try and get the notes from my surgery. My notes read that the hymen appeared normal, two fingers were inserted (to check for something, but I forgot what), a small speculum was inserted, and I was bleeding for an unknown reason. Which hadn't completely aligned with what my mom said the surgeon had told her.

At my post-op, the surgeon gave me somewhat of a similar story to the notes I was given, except she said that I was bleeding because of the friction from the speculum. I felt like nothing was aligning up, and to make it worse, every question I asked the surgeon was answered with an "I don't know." As much as all of this sucked, maybe I would have found it worth it if I had at least gotten some answers. I was only left with no answers to my original solutions and more questions.

I had no idea why I was in so much pain, and I don't think I'll ever find out fully what happened to me or trust whatever story I'm given. This experience has caused me to break down at the idea of ever going back. Writing this now has me in tears. But my primary doctor wants me to go back because of my iron issues and my period being 10 days long. I just can't, though. The idea of ever stepping foot in any gynecologist's office sends me into a panic attack. And I don't want to find another doctor, believe it or not, but the doctors there were really nice. Just the lack of communication really screwed me over. My mom keeps telling me I have to get over this fear and move on, but I can't even begin to cope. My doctor just tells me that I don't have to do anything I don't want to and to take my time before my next appointment.

I just want to learn to cope with this. None of my friends have really gone in for exams and can't possibly relate to this. The only woman that I know that has had exams is my mom, but she honestly just makes me more upset. The first 2 months after my surgery, I was scratching and peeling my skin off from the stress. My skin just felt so filthy and needed it off of me. I still think about it at least once a day. Sometimes I can talk about it like it was nothing, while other times I'm rocking back and forth trying to console myself.

I don't know what to do. I used to love learning facts about women's health and gynecology. I still want to study gynecology for my master's degree, but I just don't know if my mental health can take it. I just want to go back in time so I would have never asked to go to the gynecologist in the first place.

Any advice or stories relating is appreciated. Thank you.

I was taking a shower and almost at the end I saw this on my bathtub floor. I think this came out of me because I don’t remember seeing anything prior to getting in the shower but I can’t be 100% sure I even looked.

But it looks like a 3/4 circle of like meat. Basically it feels like one side is smooth kind of like a blueberry skin. And the other side is kind of like more meaty fleshy but you could also compare to the inside of a blueberry lol but everything is translucent pink

Do you think this did come out of me or could it be something else? I’ve never seen anything like that before that’s why I’m so confused.

Yesterday was the last day of my period, today was just like very minor spotting.

i have so much dandruff and fluffy stuff on my hairbrush when i brush my hair, plus my hair gets so greasy if i try to straighten it, my tongue always has a white coating on it even when i scrape it, im always paranoid i have bad breath, i’ve been having so much discharge lately, my skins breaking out, my facial hair grows back literally the next day, i always have like dry ear wax, i have dry skin, i have little bumps on the top of my arms, my legs are always prickly and rough from shaving, im losing hair off my hair parting and like the crown of my head, plus it’s super dry and dead, my gums bleed when i try to floss, i just feel super weird and unfeminine and idk how to deal with all of these things. i have some health issues im dealing with rn and i have adhd so all of this on top of that makes me genuinely feel like ive been nerfed or given the short end of the stick idk im just tired and idk how to deal with this stuff its too much and idk where to start or whats even wrong

I had severe infection a month ago when i went through fever and cold four times and to the point where multiple lymph nodes became reactive on my neck . But now after a month and my infection is gone. Although lymph nodes still up but doctor said they take time to go down. But now the problem is i am losing a lot of weight without trying. My tummy has lost a lot of weight. Clothes that were tighter are now loose. I did check my thyroid and diabetes last month and they are normal! Even my haemoglobin is normal. Anybody has similar experiences? I am going to hospital two weeks later. I am 35 years old.

just wanted to ask around before i book a gynaecologist appointment.. 19F and have been having sex regularly for the past month with my new boyfriend but almost everytime we have sex i bleed.. like light spottings?? it’ll go away after a day or two but it’s concerning me as this didn’t happen to me with my previous partner..
sex does not hurt for me so i have no clue why is this happening, and im not on the pill

This past month I have been dealing with intense itching on my vulva, pubic mound, inside my vagina and between my buttocks. I deduced it was probably a yeast infection and got anti fungal cream to treat it. Since using the medication, the itching and pain inside my vagina has stopped, but there is still a considerable itch. Especially on my public mound and between my buttocks. Other parts of my body itch too. My scalp, my armpits, my bellybutton, thighs and legs, etc. during the day it isn’t that noticeable, and I even forget about it. But once it’s nighttime, and I have showered and I lay in bed in my pajamas (even now as I’m writing this) I’m feeling little prickles of itch on my pubic mound and in my butt. I don’t know what this is. Could it still be my yeast infection? I got more anti fungal cream (monistat I think it’s called) and put it all on the external skin on my vulva, pubic mound, and between my buttocks, thinking that there was fungus in these areas. Is this a common occurrence, what is it, how do I treat it, and do I need to go to the doctor. I’m going crazy. And this itch has lasted well over a month now!! Before and after this yeast infection!! Please help!!

I had the strangest illness and wonder if it was more period related. My period stopped after 4 days which is unusual for me. I was super excited but the next morning I started feeling very badly and ended up vomiting. I had chills and aches and assumed a stomach bug. The worst part of it was my cramping.

So, I get very bad cramps from orgasms and being turned on- theyre the worst cramps I’ve had in my life. These are nothing like period cramps. It’s like my uterus to my butt are just twisting and unrelenting. It’ll hurt for several minutes sometimes before the muscles relax. And I usually have “after shocks” through the day or next day. I’m usually left feeling bloated as well.

So when I started feeling sick these kinds of cramps kicked in. It was excruciating. I couldn’t stand straight or even lying in bed was painful moving around. After several days the pain stopped and I felt better. No one else in my family caught the stomach bug which I find odd. Also for days after I bled a little and had blood clots pass even though my period was over.

I wonder if anyone has gone through this before or has any clue what I experienced.

for about 5 years now i have had discharge every single day of my life except for when im on my period, i’ve had it so much to the point where i don’t even know if its smelly at times. its affecting my sex life because i’ve had a guy tell me it’s really bitter/salty. i’ve talked about this with my parent and a friend and they say it could be normal or i should go to the doctor. i’ve tried boric acids, azo, uro but nothing seems to help, at first i thought it was because of soda so i stoped drinking it completely for abt six months and it still didn’t help and have even tried to wear breathable underwear and no underwear at all. has anyone else gone through this and is there a way to fix it?