Abnormal Bleeding and Pain: A Guide for Women - Obstetrics and Gynecology

Annoying pain

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Hello Doctor: Since after the Lunar New Year last year (93), I have been experiencing bleeding about ten days after my menstrual period, with bright red blood that is not heavy, accompanied by lower abdominal pain (I never experienced pain during menstruation).
After 2-3 days, the bleeding turns into a discharge with blood-tinged mucus and then stops after about two days without pain.
When I first noticed this, I consulted a doctor who said it was nothing to worry about, possibly due to my husband being too vigorous with the contraceptive device (I had two children and had the device inserted in early 91, now I am 39 years old).
The doctor prescribed medication to stop the bleeding, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain, and advised me to take it home.
However, the next time it happened, I consulted another doctor who suggested it might be hormonal affecting ovulation.
I took the medication and observed for two months, but the symptoms persisted.
My husband, concerned, urged me to see another doctor, who concluded it was likely ovulation-related and mentioned that many women experience such changes after childbirth.
I went home and thought about it, noting that my menstrual cycle was consistently 28 days, so I decided to ignore it.
Several months passed, but I felt the pain was increasing, and it seemed to occur daily.
I was too busy to address it, especially since I had been suffering from recurrent colds since the tail end of the year, followed by a prolonged fever after the Lunar New Year (94), which required a five-day hospitalization to resolve.
After being discharged, I sought traditional Chinese medicine for recuperation, but the practitioner, upon examining my pulse, indicated that I seemed to have ongoing inflammation in my lower region and suggested I should get checked out.
I then changed hospitals, referred by a friend, and by the end of March, the doctor immediately suggested removing the contraceptive device.
This time, I underwent a vaginal ultrasound (previously, I only had the abdominal type), which revealed a retroverted uterus, one uterine fibroid, and one ovarian cyst (which might require surgery depending on changes).
The doctor advised me to return for a follow-up after my next menstrual cycle.
It was also suggested that my previous symptoms might have been caused by the contraceptive device leading to uterine inflammation, bleeding, and pain.
After my period cleared in early April, I returned for a follow-up, and the doctor informed me that the fibroid was not large and the ovarian cyst had disappeared.
However, due to ongoing lower abdominal pain, I returned a week later for anti-inflammatory medication.
The doctor indicated that I only needed to follow up every six months, which reassured me, and I stopped returning for check-ups.

Now, over three months later, although I occasionally experience mild lower abdominal pain (more noticeable when I move quickly), my menstrual cycles (3/29, 4/23, 5/17, 6/15) have become irregular (the first day has a normal heavy flow, but by the evening, after changing pads, it is clear by the next morning.
After 5-6 days, I notice bright red blood clots and membranes, which last for 2-3 days before turning dark and then stopping, which is strange compared to my previous symptoms, with completely different timing).
I don't want to worry about it anymore, but recently, for the past two weeks, I have been unable to get out of bed in the mornings due to pain in my back, tailbone, or pelvic area.
After some effort, I can move more freely after about 15 minutes.
I have a long-standing habit of constipation and hemorrhoids that can bleed, and during a visit to a colorectal specialist, I experienced pain when they pressed in that area.
The doctor mentioned that it was my uterus, and recommended I see a gynecologist (I also had a barium enema examination, which was normal, but that’s a long story).
However, I am genuinely afraid that a gynecologist might dismiss my concerns as overthinking, yet I still have questions in my mind?????
So my questions are:
1.
Can an ovarian cyst completely disappear within ten days?
2.
Why does the area pressed during a colorectal examination hurt so much (the doctor said it was the uterus)? Is this normal?
3.
Is my back pain related to these issues, or is it just bad luck… like “stiffness and inflammation” as in the saying? (If unrelated, which specialty should I consult?)
4.
According to the doctor, uterine fibroids are mostly benign, and I should just monitor for changes via ultrasound, but does there need to be a change (cancer?) before it can be addressed? Wouldn't that be too late? Are there other methods for early detection? Or can they be removed in a straightforward manner, as I’ve heard it only takes three days? Please help me with these questions.
Sometimes I experience pain during intimacy with my husband, and while I can endure it, he tends to be overly gentle out of concern.
So I kindly ask for your thoughts on how we can restore our intimacy soon.
Thank you.

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Baihehua, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2005/06/28