FAQs

For the past 6 months, for a week before my period comes I have a really thick mostly black, slightly reddish discharge, and then my normal period starts. I don't have any pain. From what have read in the magazines about STIs I know one of the symptoms of Chlamydia is abnormal bleeding, so I am really worried this might be the cause, but I don't want to go to the doctor.

Answer

It is really good that you have read so much already and are so well informed about health matters. There are lots of reasons why you might get some bleeding in the days before your period- some low dose Pills can do this since they may not be strong enough to keep the lining of your uterus in place until the period is due.

Bleeding between the periods can also be caused by a hormone imbalance and even by a condition called endometriosis where little bits of uterine lining are found outside the uterus and can cause unpredictable bleeding. Having said this, you are right to wonder about it, because any abnormal bleeding should really be checked out by a doctor- and one of the commonest causes for such bleeding in younger women is an infection like Chlamydia . So if you have ever had unprotected sex with anyone and have not had tests for STIs then this would be a good idea and is really very easy to do.

Most infections are also very simple to treat, and if the doctor found that another problem was causing the discharge, then that may be very simple to treat as well. So going to see a doctor is the best and only thing to do, as it is impossible for anyone to diagnose your problem properly without seeing you in person.

A lot of people go to their GP for things like this and most GPs are terrific at sorting out problems like yours. Understandably though some women feel uncomfortable going to their regular GP for sexual and reproductive health care, and prefer to go to a Sexual Health Clinic, or an Family Planning clinic for these matters instead.

So you might consider this option to that of seeing your local doctor. See our web site for the addresses of clinics close to you.

These clinics deal with this sort of problem all the time, and know that it can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, especially at first, to have to talk about your sexual health and to have these tests done . All GPs , Sexual Health and Family Planning Clinics are very careful about keeping any information you give them strictly confidential so you can always be really honest with them about your symptoms.

Further reading:
Problem Periods