Infertility or Infection?

October 9, 2008 11:09 AM

green mucus during ovulation but pap smear comes out negative

two days and during my ovulation days, I use the restroom and see a green mucus and sometimes it hurts when we have intercourse. I've had a pap done and the results came back negative. I know that during ovulation, I should have a light clear almost egg white mucus. It has to be an infection but I don't know what it could be and I'm worried that this may be the reason why my husband and I haven't been able to conceive.

posted by marypj to health & fitness (5 comments total)

Have you had an STD screening? If not, please get one (for chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc).

A pap smear is NOT an STD test.
posted by tristeza at 11:32 AM on October 9, 2008

Seconding the STD screening. When you get those results back, your OBGYN can tell you how they may (or may not) impact your fertility, and can recommend other tests if needed.
posted by nkknkk at 11:49 AM on October 9, 2008

It sounds as though you have a number of concerns.

I agree with tristeza in that you definitely need to be tested for vaginal/cervical infections. Some of these are sexually transmitted, but others are not. When you do get tested be sure to get tested for Trichomoniasis. Although part of "routine screening", it is often omitted because some culture mediums are difficult to store.

A more common infection is something called Bacterial Vaginosis. This might explain some of the discharge you describe.

I will agree that the timing with ovulation is peculiar for an infectious cause, but not impossible. Frankly, it's most likely that what you're experiencing is a variant of normal - though you should still get tested.

As far as the infertility portion goes, the discharge itself should not be responsible for difficulty conceiving. Infections in the cervix can ascend to pelvic cavity causing painful intercourse and scarring in the fallopian tubes - potentially affecting their ability to function. Even still, a problem like infertility requires a more complete workup, and although an infection may be the root cause, there are many other potential explanations.

If, in time, you do discover that you've had an infection in your pelvis, and you do get pregnant, it is important that you have an early ultrasound exam to confirm the pregnancy is growing in the right place.

Hope this helps.
posted by commissioner12 at 12:01 PM on October 9, 2008

Is it only when you ovulate?

If the STD tests come back negative, I would recommend asking for an ultrasound to see what is going on in there. I know from personal experience that ovarian cysts (benign and very common) can cause some weird discharge. Mine was never green but it was copius, bothersome and very painful. Good luck.
posted by FergieBelle at 1:15 PM on October 9, 2008

I've had a pap done and the results came back negative.

I want to reiterate what everyone above said: that a pap test has no bearing on an unusual discharge. Pap tests ONLY check for abnormal cervical cells that could possibly be precancerous. They do not check for infection, fertility, general gynecological health, or anything else.

A green discharge is a common symptom of bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. Treatment is antibiotics. Metrodonizole works on both, so there's a good chance you'll be given that.
posted by Violet Hour at 10:35 PM on October 9, 2008