What other tests should I take to find the cause of intermenstrual bleeding if Pap Smear and Ovarian Tumour Marker results are negative?

Doctor's Answers 2

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Dr Wenus Ho

General Practitioner, Aesthetic

I would recommend a review by a gynaecologist or a GP to review a full medical history as well as menstrual history and physical examination. From history, physical examination and the profile of the patient, doctors can narrow down the causes and prescribe diagnostics tests as required. For example, in some patients I may recommend a US of the pelvis or even hormonal profile to further evaluate for other causes of intermenstrual bleeding.

Intermenstrual bleeding has a number of possible causes including infections, hormone changes, ovulatory dysfunction, polyps, fibroids or other structural growths.

A detailed consultation to find out about your menstrual, sexual, past medical and family history, followed by a physical examination will guide your doctor on the investigations needed to further evaluate this unscheduled bleeding. This includes vaginal swabs, STI tests, pelvic ultrasound, blood tests such as thyroid function and hormonal profiles and other procedures to examine the uterus.

Similar Questions

How effective are birth control pills at treating intermenstrual bleeding?

The oral contraceptive pill is usually very effective at treating intermenstrual bleeding for most women depending on the cause. Most oral contraceptive brands should work, but there are some brands which are supposed to be better at treating menstrual abnormalities than others. If the first brand that you have been prescribed doesn't seem to work so well at controlling your menses, then see your gynaecologist who can then prescribe you an alternative brand with perhaps a different dosage and different hormonal derivatives to try.

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Answered By

Dr Christopher Ng

Gynaecologist

How can I reduce the pain of pap smear tests due to dryness and menopause?

Pass urine before the test: Pap smears may cause mild discomfort due to a sensation of pressure in the pelvic area. Urinating beforehand can relieve some of this pressure. In some cases, your doctor might require a urine sample for other testing purposes, thus check with the doctor or staff before going to the restroom. To perform the pap smear, your doctor will use an appropriate amount of lubricating gel to lessen any discomfort. It is also important to take deep breaths and try to relax your pelvic muscles during the procedure.

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