OpenHealth Q&A

It’s understandable to feel confused about your recent test results, especially given your medical history and recent experiences. Here’s a brief overview of what your findings might mean and actionable steps you can take.

Main Points:

1. Your abnormal findings related to white blood cells (WBCs) may indicate an inflammatory response.
2. Negative results for common infections suggest that the cause may not be a typical infection.
3. Monitoring your symptoms closely is essential for better understanding your situation.

Explanation:

An abnormal WBC count in a wet prep can indicate inflammation, which sometimes relates to various factors, including non-infectious causes. Common reasons for increased WBCs can include irritation, inflammation from hormonal changes (especially after childbirth), or residual effects from past infections. Since the tests for common infections returned negative, this supports the idea that something less straightforward could be happening.

Given your history of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and chlamydia, it's good news that those tests were negative, indicating no current infections. However, the presence of WBCs may prompt your healthcare provider to consider monitoring or further testing to rule out other potential conditions, like cervicitis or other inflammatory responses.

Next Steps:

1. Track Symptoms: Pay attention to any changes in your vaginal discharge, potential odors, pelvic pain, or changes during urination. Keeping a symptom diary can help correlate these occurrences with your health status.

2. Follow-Up Appointment: Schedule a follow-up appointment with your OB/GYN to discuss these results in detail and clarify if any further testing (like cultures or additional imaging) is needed.

3. Stay Informed: Ask your doctor about what the specific findings might mean in your context. They might want to discuss routine screening for other STIs or conditions if necessary.

4. Self-Care: Focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle with hydration, balanced nutrition, and physical activity, which can help overall health postpartum.

5. Communicate: Openly discuss with your healthcare provider any concerns or questions about the medications such as phentermine and how they may impact your health post-pregnancy.

Remember, while it’s natural to be concerned about these findings, many women experience changes postpartum. Keeping in close contact with your healthcare provider will help navigate any questions or concerns you may have.