Seeking Guidance on Ongoing Pelvic Discomfort and Unusual Discharge: Urgent Help Needed
I'm reaching out because I'm feeling quite distressed and anxious. This message is lengthy, but it's crucial for me to include all relevant details to obtain some guidance. To start, I’m a 33-year-old African American woman, standing 5’5” and weighing 140 pounds. I don’t smoke, and I drink occasionally. For the past four to six months, I have been experiencing intermittent watery discharge with a musty odor, occasionally reminiscent of ammonia. The discharge is mostly clear but can show a slight yellow hue, particularly noticeable when I wear pads. Throughout this time, I haven't had any spotting between periods, except for one instance last year when I bled during intercourse. In addition to the unusual discharge, I feel varying degrees of pelvic pain, which can be either dull or sharp, and I also experience discomfort in the vulva and vagina. My urgency to urinate has increased, and I sometimes notice swelling in the labia majora. While it isn't frequent, there are moments when I suffer from sharp pangs in my abdomen, legs, and lower back. The discharge flares up for several days and then subsides, but on the days without it, I often feel excessively dry. Previously, I noticed a brownish discharge right before my period, but that has now ceased. After undergoing an STI panel in March, I discovered that I had chlamydia and ureaplasma, for which I was treated with Doxycycline. I was negative for other STIs and UTIs, but my doctors consistently report cloudy urine with traces of bacteria, prompting temporary courses of antibiotics, which are halted once UTI tests return negative. Despite the initial treatment alleviating my symptoms, they eventually returned with greater intensity. Since the diagnosis, I haven’t engaged in sexual activity and have had only one partner in the past year, who claims to have tested negative for chlamydia. The discharge persists, often soaking my underwear, and the most bothersome symptoms are the vulvar and abdominal pain. I have undergone numerous tests, all returning negative results for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HSV, HIV, yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, and UTIs, which has left me perplexed as to the root of my condition. Additionally, I have a history of fibroids and cysts, which have contributed to painful periods in the past, but the type of discharge I am experiencing is new. Recently, I underwent a laparoscopic myomectomy during which endometriosis was discovered and excised. Though this may account for some of my pelvic discomfort, it does not clarify the ongoing discharge and pain. I also had a Pap smear performed around the same time, yielding normal results. Prior to my surgery, I thoroughly communicated my symptoms to my surgeon and gynecologist. They could not identify an infection and suggested to proceed as usual, explaining that discharge and body responses can vary throughout menstrual cycles, as ureaplasma can colonize. They conducted another round of tests for STIs and bacteria, which yielded negative results. I felt somewhat overlooked since this is the first time in over 30 years that I'm dealing with these symptoms, but they are the professionals, right? It has been a week since my surgery, and I am recovering well. Nonetheless, I have begun to experience similar abdominal and vulvar discomfort. It’s unclear whether this is linked to the surgery or if my issues have resurfaced. Thankfully, I have not experienced excessive bleeding or fever, which were warning signs to monitor, just some light spotting. The possible explanations that I have considered include: 1. Missing pathogens in testing 2. Persistent effects of ureaplasma or lingering chlamydia symptoms, contradictory to my clear test results 3. An underlying bladder issue 4. Reactions to probiotics I took until four weeks ago, thinking they might help 5. An adverse reaction to lubricant used during intercourse prior to my diagnosis, though it seems this would have resolved by now 6. Side effects from Slynd (a birth control prescribed to manage endometriosis and cysts) that I had to stop within two weeks due to adverse effects; my cycle has returned to normal except for the discharge and pain 7. Possible endometriosis-related issues; I still await further information from my doctor on what was discovered, though mild endometriosis was previously mentioned following a hysteroscopy two years back. I wonder if it can cause discharge. 8. Could there be a relation to necrosis from my fibroids? Regardless, this situation feels uncharacteristic for my body. Even if my cycle has adjusted for some reason, enduring this pain does not seem right. Therefore, I would appreciate any advice. While I realize I shouldn’t expect a diagnosis here, I’m looking for suggestions on potential specialists to consult, tests to consider, or any personal experiences that could illuminate my situation. Thank you for your support!
Answers (1)
7/8/2025, 6:01:50 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear about the distressing symptoms you're experiencing. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, and it’s understandable to feel anxious when dealing with such ongoing discomfort. Let's try to break this down and consider some targeted next steps.
Main Points:
- Persistent Symptoms: You have ongoing pelvic pain and unusual discharge after a history of infections and surgeries.
- Complex Medical Background: Your past treatments and diagnoses (like endometriosis and fibroids) could contribute to your symptoms.
- Need for Further Evaluation: Given the complexity, it might be beneficial to explore further diagnostics or specialist consultations.
Explanation:
The symptoms you're describing – the unusual discharge, pelvic discomfort, and urinary urgency – can arise from several causes. Previous infections, lingering inflammation, endometriosis, or even other gynecological conditions could be at play, especially since your medical background includes both a recent surgical intervention and a prior history of infection.
It’s concerning that your symptoms have persisted even after treatments and that you’ve undergone extensive testing without conclusive answers. This can be frustrating, especially when what you’re feeling is so impactful on your daily life.
Next Steps (Prioritized Actions):
-
Consult a Specialist: Consider seeing a reproductive endocrinologist or a pelvic pain specialist. They have experience with complex gynecological issues and can provide deeper insights that a general gynecologist might not.
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Consider Advanced Imaging or Testing: Ask about the possibility of more advanced imaging techniques like MRI (to evaluate for endometriosis or other structural issues) or specific tests for conditions like interstitial cystitis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
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Document Symptoms: Keep a detailed symptom diary, noting the timing, nature, and severity of the discharge and pain. This record can be very helpful for your healthcare provider to pinpoint patterns related to your menstrual cycle or activity.
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Evaluate Medications: Discuss the potential side effects of your hormonal treatments with your healthcare provider. Some medications can significantly affect discharge and cause discomfort.
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Consider Dietary or Lifestyle Factors: Sometimes, changes in diet, stress levels, or other lifestyle factors can impact gynecological symptoms. Consider tracking these alongside your symptoms to see if there's a correlation.
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Follow Up on Endometriosis: Stay in touch with your healthcare team about your endometriosis diagnosis and ask about management options for ongoing complaints linked to it, as recurrence and symptoms can often still occur after surgery.
Reassurance:
It’s clear from your detailed history that you are proactive and care deeply about your health. Remember that seeking clarity and advocating for your health is important, especially when symptoms feel abnormal. You are not alone in this, and many have experienced similar frustrations. I hope these suggestions can guide you towards finding relief. Please keep me updated on how you progress, and feel free to reach out for further clarification on any point!
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