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Constant Brown Spotting

By April 23, 2009 - 5:06pm
 
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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.

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Dear Anon,
I'm sorry to read what you are currently experiencing. I did a little research and found a couple of things you may find helpful. There is one medical site that included the following in its description of a "normal menstrual cycle":
Appearance
Normal menstrual blood is dark or brownish, not bright red.
Normal menstrual blood does not clot easily because it:

•Is high in calcium
•Lacks the clotting factor called prothrombin
•Has very low levels of the clotter fibrinogen
--------
I experience the brown discharge during my periods as well and it is more annoying than the cycle process itself. Therefore, I have been trying to find the answers we have all been looking for. In your case, regarding the enlarged ovary, I found the article below. I've got some medical experience so you'll have to do some analyzing of the data in order to understand it. However, one area I would like for you to pay close attention to, is the part where it refers to the appearance of "a string of pearls" in an ultrasound, under the "Diagnosis" section. This particular condition causes an enlarged ovary. See if any of the other symptoms sound familiar in your case.
If, after reviewing the article, you do not believe you are suffering from PCOS, reply here and let me know. I will go from there with my continued research for you. We are all here for you; try to not let anxiety get the best of you (I suffer from anxiety and know how overwhelming it can become).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycystic_ovary_syndrome

Warm regards,
Jordan

June 27, 2010 - 7:11am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Jordan)

Jordan,

It is very kind of you to do research and find this information and I really appreciate it!! I read the article and I find it doubtful that have that, because I don't have any of the symptoms. I'm not overweight and I always have a period each month, I don't have other issues either. My Dr. din't mention any "string of pearls" appearance. I think the only symptom is just the one big ovary and then the fact that I have this fibrous spotting.
I have done tons of research too but it seems impossible to find anything except information about cysts and ovarian cancer. I do have anxiety as well...thank you for your understanding. I hope you are well too!

June 27, 2010 - 9:02am
(reply to Anonymous)

In your original question, you did not mention "one big ovary". Have you been diagnosed with any conditions regarding your ovaries? Have you been diagnosed with fibroids?

July 8, 2010 - 1:06pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Alison Beaver)

Hmmm I think us two anonymous posters are getting confused. I have written all the posts except July 6.
July 6 anon does NOT have an enlarged ovary and that is her only post.
I have an enlarged ovary, brown spotting, and no fibroids and no visible cysts. I took bc pills for 5 years but stopped 5 years ago.

July 8, 2010 - 2:39pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I don't even have an enlarged ovary. Everything is as it should be..Except that annoying brown spotting. In last few months it's just repeating itself over and over again. 2 weeks spotting, then stop for a week or ten days, then again 2 week spotting... I'm going mad.
I'm in a process of checking my hormone levels. Results will be sent to me in a month.

July 6, 2010 - 8:46am
(reply to Anonymous)

Anon from July 6th,
Are you currently taking any hormonal contraception?

July 8, 2010 - 1:03pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I am feeling very certain that I need to take progesterone to stop my spotting. It will be interesting to know if your results show that you are low in progesterone. I have been reading about this and it seems that is often the case.
I don't know if my enlarged ovary is related to the brown spotting...maybe it's just a coincidence.

July 7, 2010 - 7:35am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi again anonymous,

I am sorry...your in a tough situation. Here is a website that I found some information on enlarged ovaries that you may find helpful. Without a diagnosis, this is only informational for you http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/enlarged_ovaries/causes.htm.

I hope this helps you. Can you please keep us updated?

June 26, 2010 - 10:42am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Thank you very much for the website, and yes I will keep you updated...I hope it is only good news!

June 26, 2010 - 12:57pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi Anonymous,

Why don't you try getting a second opinion with a physician that will not pose a language barrier so you can get better answers and you can lower your anxiety. Have you tried that?

June 26, 2010 - 7:45am
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