My Menses is Messy

I write in response to one of your previous articles, I want to say I have been a victim for some time now.

My problem is mainly about my menses; my periods are extraordinarily painful and it comes out in clumps like blood that is clotting. It is slimy and also kind of dark in colour. I have always thought this was due to my bouts of thrush but on hearing you say that thrush is not harmful as regards reproduction really got me worried.

I have gone for a high vaginal swab test before but nothing was found to be wrong with me.

Please, I want to know if I am alright because I would not want any problem in future as regards childbearing. Looking forward to hearing from you. May God bless you and give you the grace to continue to be of help to people

Ese

Dear Ese, I sure appreciate your present predicament and concern.

However, I should quickly add by reiterating the fact that vaginal thrush, which is caused by Candida - a variant of fungi, do not have any direct bearing with the pattern of menses and menstrual flow problems.

Similarly, I should also mention in clearer term that vaginal thrush do not cause infertility, bearing in mind that more than 70% of our womenfolk probably have vaginal thrush and most of them are undoubtedly fertile.

As a matter of fact, vaginal thrush is more common and troublesome in pregnant women.

From what you have mentioned above about your menstrual flow problems, my thinking is that you should look elsewhere for the cause of the problem, it is certainly not due to the thrush coming out of the vagina.

As a matter of fact, both have different places of origin; while the thrush is a product of Candida infection in the vagina, the menses originates higher up in the womb (uterus).

Menstrual flow problems could be due to a variety of causes. It can be a sign of reproductive hormonal imbalance; in some cases the presence of fibroid in the womb can lead to menstrual flow being heavy and longer than usual and not uncommon, irregular menstrual flow could be psychogenic in origin.

From the foregoing, my advice is that you should see a doctor, who will assess you clinically and based on this, would determine the next thing to do and the necessary investigations to be carried out on you.

I reckon that relevant hormonal blood tests and Pelvic Ultrasound Scan, among other investigations would be of assistance at arriving at a definite diagnosis of your condition.

Wishing the best out of your present health challenge