I have had brown spotting for about 5 years now, but I have a normal period every month. For about a week after my period I have no spotting, but after that I have constant brown spotting until my next period. I have told my doctor about this and he doesn't really even acknowledge it. I was going to the health clinic when I first started experiencing this and they would keep changing my birth control pills to see if it helped and it didn't. I have gone off the pill for years and that didn't help either. Also just thought that I would mention that I get a lot of headaches, I am tired a lot and I have a lowe sex drive in case it could be connected.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment89 Comments
Miscortes,
June 26, 2010 - 9:57amNo I have not since there really aren't any around here. I live outside of Paris and most doctors know English but not fluently, and my French isn't where it should be yet. I can't afford a second opinion right now.
If anyone else has ever been diagnosed with a large ovary and no visible cyst please share!
This Comment
Anon - An enlarged ovary can be due to an ovarian cyst and in most cases cancer is not present and all will be fine. You can learn more about ovarian cysts here: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ovarian_cysts/article_em.htm
If you should turn out to have cervical cancer the good news is that this is highly treatable today and the majority of patients go on to live full, normal lives. You can learn more about cervical cancer here: https://www.empowher.com/condition/cervical-cancer
Please keep us posted on your progress, and please try not to worry. The odds are most definitely in your favor. We wish you the very best.
Take care, Pat
June 23, 2010 - 6:50pmThis Comment
Thank you for your reply. Only, I don't have a cyst so that in fact is what makes me even more afraid...an enlarged ovary without an apparent cyst seems very strange to me. I don't understand it at all and am pretty scared.
June 24, 2010 - 12:56amThis Comment
Anon,
It's a good sign that your doctor did an ultrasound and didn't see anything to be alarmed about. I'm certain that if anything looked wrong to him, he would have wanted to run more tests or see you again sooner.
However, October is a long time to wait when you are anxious. Did your doctor give you any explanation of why the ovary may be enlarged? What is the October exam for? Just to check on it again?
June 25, 2010 - 8:16amThis Comment
Hi
June 26, 2010 - 2:09amNo, the dcotor didn't tell me why it was enlarged...but there was a bit of a language barrier also since English is his second language and French is my second language and we were mixing them. He just said to come in October so he can look at it again on the sonogram. I assume there must be another reason an ovary can become enlarged because he said there is no visible cyst. Maybe hormonal dysfuction? I asked if he would check my hormones and he said it wasn't necessary yet. So I am confused and hoping it is something usual.
Thank you for your comment!
This Comment
Hello again
June 23, 2010 - 12:42amI went to the gynecologist here in France yesterday, about my spotting. I told him everything and including the fact that the spotting has tissue pieces in it. He didn't seem alarmed. He gave me a pelvic exam pap smear and a sonogram. About the bleeding, he said if I don't want to start birth control pills then we could try progesterone cream for a short time. But he wants to wait and see if it stops on its own after prescribing me some anti-hemmorage medicine which I will take for two days.
I had the sense that he wasn't sure why I was spotting but he said its common. The other important piece of information is that the sonogram showed one enlarged ovary which is really freaking me out since I read that this can be a sign of ovarian cancer! So I am quite scared but on the other hand he didn't seem to suspect cancer and scheduled an appointment for Oct 5.
This Comment
I also have a constant brown spotting, to put it like this I had my first spotting instead of my first period. So I have it my whole life. I don't think I am ovulating ever. I was on birth control pills for 6 months, during that time I had a normal period but after I stopped taking them my spotting have gotten worse. It would last for 2 months, and it only stopped if I used medication(hormones). But than when I stop using medication, it just runs wild again. The gyns I've been to also said I had imbalanced hormones and prescribed me with birth control pills. It is their solution to everything. I think that the 6 months I was taking birth control pills only screwed up my system even more. Now I'm trying to use Agnus Castus Vitex capsules, and I'm not even sure if it's the right decision.
May 22, 2010 - 3:51amThis Comment
I have the same issue. Normal (heavy first two days) period, one week of nothiing, then brown spotting until my next period. I also had HPV years ago and an abortion procedure five years ago. But, the doctors only offer hormones.bc pills which I am reluctant to take. I am living out of the country now, and am going to go to a doctor in France to see if he will offer any other advice. I will report back any information and I hope others will do the same!
June 18, 2010 - 5:57amThis Comment
Yes, please let us know what your doctor in France says!! Thanks :)
June 22, 2010 - 6:17pmI am soon getting my hormones checked. I'll report back when I get the results!
This Comment
Thank you for sharing your experience and unfortunately, the common denominator here. It's frustrating when the gyn's just look at you with that "yeah, what about it?" look regarding this ongoing symptom. I am very interested in what you may learn from the physician in France. PLEASE let us know when you can. Thanks so much!
Best of luck,
June 18, 2010 - 6:07amJordan
This Comment