I have thought about posting about this subject for awhile now and just decided what the heck. It is a very personal thing, but maybe I can get some answers from you experienced gyn nurses out there.
Ok, first let me give you some background info. I am 25, married, and mother to two kids. I had one at 20 and one at 23, both breastfed. I am a second year nursing student, and therefore poor. I do not smoke, drink probably as much as the next person, and stay away from illegal substances. My stress level is very high given that I am constantly studying, worrying about finances, fighting with my husband over finances, and I get about six hours of sleep during the night.
So, here is what is going on. I recently scheduled a doctor's appt to get a PAP done and to talk about this problem of mine. However, I am the type to want to be educated as to what could be going on. I have read my books, but thought I would come on here too to see what ya'll thought. For the past six months, I have noticed strange things going on down there. At first, I didn't think anything about it, but then stuff just seemed to be getting worse. It started with my periods coming a week early or a week late. When it came a week early, it happened aftersex. So, I just thought that maybe having sex might have brought it on. Didn't think anything of it. Then I noticed after, ahem, sex that I would start to trace blood nearly every time. Once again, I didn't think anything of it. While on my periods, I had some heavy cramping when before I never did, but I know that can be brought on by lots of things. This past month is when I thought, I need to get in to the doctor and get seen. A week after my last period, I did some heavy spotting. I think I may have had....sex....the night before or a few days before that. I thought that I had started my period again, and thought "how strange". I had soaked through my panties onto my jeans (sorry for the graphics, guys:imbar). I put a pad on and didn't notice anymore bleeding. I then bled again about a week later, but not as much as the previous. About a week after that, I bled maybe a little more than the first time. During this entire month, I am also tracing a few times a week).
Well, as far as the physical problem, there it is. BTW, I am not pregnant. My period has always been very regular and I have never spotted in the past. My problem is also money. I am not insured, money is already so tight. I do not qualify for state insurance because we make too much money. What kind of tests besides a pap would be done, if any? Because of the money issue, I have been tempted to forget the whole thing until January when I would get another financial aid check. But at the same time, I am aware that it could be something serious that would need to be treated ASAP.
I appreciate any readers of this thread out there. My friends are pretty much not aware of what is going on with me, and when I try to bring it up, I am accused of being a hypochondriac. (My fault, I suppose.:) I am always joking around with them that I think I have whatever we are learing about in class.)
