Hi doctor, I got my periods last week, and the blood was reddish brown when I wiped. I had normal flow for the next four days. But on the fifth day, it got reddish brown again. Today I noticed little light pink blood when I wiped. Is this normal? How do I chart my period? Should I start charting the day I see spotting and end it on the day there is no more blood on the tissue? I am nervous about ovarian, uterine or cervical cancer.
Hi. Let me start by assuring you that these are normal features. You are normal from the history you have mentioned. For a young lady, cancer is not possible, unless you have a strong family history of cancer. During periods, the follicles keep on growing slowly, along with them, the endometrium or inner lining of the uterus also thickens. Then around 12th to 16th day of periods, ovulation occurs and the egg is pushed into the tube. The remains of the follicle, which is called corpus luteum, it is the source of progesterone hormone, which further keeps the endometrium thick and spongy for a possible pregnancy. If no pregnancy, this comes out in the form of blood, bright or slightly dark red blood, for around seven days.Then it stops as the next cycle's follicles get ready. Now in your condition, all these are due to some hormone imbalance. It can be caused by your weight. The second possibility is a vaginal infection. Vaginal infection is transmitted during sex, so you and your partner have to be treated at a time, or else you will get infected again. You may have white or yellow or grayish discharge with or without itching, foul smell, pain at the beginning and late towards the end of sex. Pain will be radiating to the back, thighs. The infection will cause congestion of the glands, and they keep oozing discharge even after periods are over, which comes as pinkish discharge. You will need evaluation by a gynecologist. For more information consult an obstetrician and gynaecologist online -->