Hi ladies,
Thank you very much for your replies, I live in New Zealand, so the smears I have are thin prep smears. I have an IBS attack about 3 or 4 times a year as I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which flares things up. I'm very particular about my hygiene as IBS produces lots of gas too!!
2 times I had the IBS (and when noticed the dark brown discharge), it was a few hours after the IBS had stopped so I wondered whether I may have strained myself inside? What's also weird is there wasn't any discharge residue in my vagina afterwards. I used the Ovestin Cream that evening and it came away just white the next day!
I've read a bit about vaginal atrophy and it's interesting to hear that it sometimes isn't enough, to halt the symptoms, I will mention this to my gynae on Tues. I have been feeling rather dry and sore in my vaginal area on days when I don't use the Ovestin.
The smear accuracy is an ongoing fear of mine since I had the Letz treatment. It was complete over kill on his part as it now makes collecting the endocervical cells nigh in impossible. He should have left things for 6 months as my system would have cleared the virus itself and the cells would have returned to normal. He did reassure me that the new HrHVP test is very sensitive. It tests for high risk HPV viruses, which are believed to be a precursor to cervical cell changes.
I do feel reassured that the 2 bleeds were many months apart and that if there was anything really serious going on then the bleeding would have continued. Yes Dr Google is really bad for me and I'm terrified of the big C.
Am trying to calm down, it's difficult as I'm prone to anxiety as well. On the bright side it's Summer down here in NZ so lots to do outside. I fast walk every day, try to eat healthy and maintain a good weight
Lesley Joy xx