Hi All, OK a little back story about myself first! I'm a 25 yr old female, I consider myself to be extremely into my health. I've been a vegan vegetarian for 12 years now, and have never smoked, drank, or taken any drugs (well, the illegal ones anyway!). I have an almost 2 yr old son (who is the light of my life).

OK, so my problem is this. About 21 months ago, when my son was about 2 months old, I had my first pap smear. The doctor who performed it was quite an arrogant, judgmental sod. When I told him I had never had a pap smear before, he looked at me in disbelief and asked how I'd gotten away with it (without really wanting an answer). The old fool didn't think that maybe I hadn't been having sex for 2 years by the time I fell pregnant. Anyway, he performed the pap smear. It was no problem for me when he inserted the thing, I'd just given birth, so I was pretty used to people being down there. My problem came when he took the scraping....it felt like he cut a chunk out of me, the pain was really intense. I haven't felt the same inside my vagina since then. Where it used to be smooth, it feels like a small hole now. Anyway, my results came back with abnormal cells, I was never told what abnormal cells, and I was just told to get another smear in 12 months instead of waiting the usual 2 years. I was so over doctors at this point, and after the 12 months went by, I was feeling really healthy, had been to a naturopath who really helped me get back on track after giving birth, and I was extremely hesitant to have a repeat experience of that first pap smear.

Now, 21 months after the pap smear, I'm having some issues that I'm not sure are normal or not. My periods are usually spot on, or at the most, 2 days late. My last period was 4 days late and I bled for about 7 days (which is EXTREMELY unusual for me). I'm now at Day 17 of my cycle, and I started bleeding lightly at Day 13. I was a little concerned, so I hit up good ol' google, and heard about something called "ovulation spotting". I went to a doctor anyway, just to ask if it was normal, as this has never happened to me before. She said it was all good, should just be light bleeding for a few days. Well, I'm now on my fourth day of bleeding, and I think it's heavier than it should be, from everything I've read, and it's not light pinkish anymore, it's quite dark red and thick like a period. I've also had some light cramping, which is not really out of the ordinary though, as I've felt my ovulation quite intensely since giving birth, although no one has been able to give me a reason why childbirth would make me feel something that previously went unnoticed.

So yeah, I'm pretty confused, and a little scared at the moment. I'm torn whether to go to a doctor or a naturopath. I don't know if the bleeding and the pap smear results are connected. As a general rule, I like to avoid doctors where possible, and I've never believed it natural to shove a metal rod up your vagina and scrape! I'm scared of the pap smear doing more damage inside me, I'm scared of the results I might get, but I don't know what a naturopath could really do for me in this situation either. If anyone has some words of advice I would really appreciate it. Apologies for the long read! Thanks, Aniesha

Hi Freak,

Sorry this is happening to you. I will say that medical people can make your head spin around when their bedside manner is crass, their technique and skill dubious, and their manners obnoxious. I don't blame you for feeling the way you do.

I assure you that there are professionals out there who will do a better job.

First of all that first guy was a jerk. A pap smear should not have hurt you in the slightest bit and because he left a hole in you I wonder if he did something else rather than a pap? A hole would indicate a biopsy to me but who knows with a jerk like this? Perhaps he has some masochistic tendencies... anyway, I'm sure you wont be going back to him but you should get a copy of that test and find out what it was just for your own sake. Your next doctor can help you do that.

Now this woman doctor you went too I am suspicious of her already but it is hard for me to tell for sure as I was not privy to the conversation. Ovulation spotting, although can be considered normal, it is not what you are having. I think you should have a full gynecological work up. Now don't get too worried. That pap smear you had previously, its fairly common to have abnormal cells and it ususally resolves on its own.. You should get a follow up pap in the 12 months as recommended... but because that procedure was so painful and left a whole, thats where I wonder if it was really a pap or some other kind of test done.


I think you should go back to that last doctor or another doc if you didn't like her. Who ever you go to have the dates of your period/bleeding written out or colored in on a calendar to make it very graphic. You may need some more tests. I will not venture to say what could be the problems... there are lots of possibilities. You may just need some hormonal help. Who ever you go to when they do an exam ask them to see if they can visualize this hole that you think you feel in the wall of the vagina and get an opinion. Try to get a grip on what that is all about. You should not have to walk around thinking that some jerk doctor did some weird thing to you. Also, If you are comforatable with your new doctor ask her to request the report on that "pap" you had done with the other doctor. Tell her you want to see it for yourself.. this is all to alleviate your mind and get to the truth.


Now, as far as what kind of doctor... I would choose a naturopath in your case if that naturopath is very familiar with gynecology, exams, and can prescribe drugs. I say this becasue you want to have someone that will be able to make a good diagnosis, and be able to prescribe whatever you need... be it drugs or an herb. In naturopathic medicine you will find that naturopaths sort of specialize too and all will not be comfortable with these kinds of female issues. Much but not all of the bio-identical hormone therapies require a prescription capability. But you may only need an herb or something else more natural. Hard to say at this point.


If you decide you need a medical doctor fine. Sometimes getting a good diagnosis and a treatment plan is good then you might go to naturopath and see if things alternative can be done... like if its just hormones and there may be herbs or supplements to help as you are not ready for bio identical hormones..

If a naturopath or a medcical doctor cannot get to the bottom of it I might consider seeing a homeopath.... some naturopaths are homeopaths, but generally not.

Let us know what you decide.

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Hi Arrow, thanks, I really appreciate the reply. Yes, medical people sure do your head in! I ended up going to another female doctor a few days ago, I actually took my son to see her when he had croup earlier in the year, and she treated him with such excellent care, I was hoping that she would me as well. She was fantastic. She actually listened to what I had to say, and I was just straight up about that I'd had a negative experience with my first pap smear and that the reason I hadn't come back sooner was that I was too scared. So she explained how the actual pap smear works, and said that we could try it, and she would explain everything that was happening every step of the way, and I could tell her if it got uncomfortable at all.................I didn't feel a thing! I felt a slight pressure, but absolutely no pain at all. Which just goes to show, as you said, that other guy really was a jerk.

So I'm now waiting on the results of my pap smear, and she is also sending me in for an ultrasound today, just to double check everything. I'm still quite scared, but feel a little better knowing that I've got the ball rolling, and should know within the next few days at least what I am facing. I've been bleeding a week today, and I think I'm starting to use google too much, as all sorts of horrible scenarios play out in my mind. If the results aren't good for my smear or the ultrasound, I'm definitely going to go to a naturopath and/or homeopath as you suggested (thanks for the info about them, I was a little hazy on how much a naturopath could actually do). So just sitting around hoping & praying at the moment that it all turns out to be nothing. My partner suggested that maybe my bleeding could have been brought on coz of the antibiotics I'm on at the moment, as I came down with a bladder infection & a minor sinus infection all around the same time. I finish up all the antibiotics today, so hopefully I'll see an improvement in the next few days.

Well, Im glad you are finding a doctor that is being helpful. Personally, I don't think you have anything major major to worry about. You will know soon but I know waiting can be hard. Keep us informed.

and go after that jerk doc. Every doc that has crossed me has regretted it. thats the only way they learn.