I see my doctor more frequently than I see some friends and I feel mostly fine.
February 10, 2011 4:35 PM Subscribe
Is pain during intercourse and a swollen cervix, resulting from a specific position, worth going to the doctor for? Probably NSFW.
A few days ago I experienced excruciating pain for the first time while having sex. I've been in my relationship for 8 years. It only happened with deep thrusting. After, I noticed that my cervix was quite swollen, but it's now back to normal. I am otherwise very healthy and have no other symptoms.
Could this just be a minor case of endometriosis? My periods were getting progressively more painful when I went off the pill for a couple of years. I've since gone back on for the past couple of months because of this and my periods no longer give me any trouble. I have an appointment with my doctor, but I've already been to see her a few times recently for a variety of minor complaints, although they were definitely real (e.g., follow up after dislocating my knee, dysplastic mole). So if it's no big deal, I'd rather cancel.
Incidentally, how do you decide when to go see a doctor for suspicious symptoms that aren't particularly debilitating?
A few days ago I experienced excruciating pain for the first time while having sex. I've been in my relationship for 8 years. It only happened with deep thrusting. After, I noticed that my cervix was quite swollen, but it's now back to normal. I am otherwise very healthy and have no other symptoms.
Could this just be a minor case of endometriosis? My periods were getting progressively more painful when I went off the pill for a couple of years. I've since gone back on for the past couple of months because of this and my periods no longer give me any trouble. I have an appointment with my doctor, but I've already been to see her a few times recently for a variety of minor complaints, although they were definitely real (e.g., follow up after dislocating my knee, dysplastic mole). So if it's no big deal, I'd rather cancel.
Incidentally, how do you decide when to go see a doctor for suspicious symptoms that aren't particularly debilitating?
Longtime endometriosis sufferer here: it does sound like endometriosis to me. Worth getting checked out, especially if you want to have kids. It can cause infertility.
Also, how can you tell if your cervix is swollen? How can you even see it?
Incidentally, how do you decide when to go see a doctor for suspicious symptoms that aren't particularly debilitating?
Save it for your next checkup or pap smear, or when you're in for something else.
posted by Koko at 5:12 PM on February 10, 2011
Also, how can you tell if your cervix is swollen? How can you even see it?
Incidentally, how do you decide when to go see a doctor for suspicious symptoms that aren't particularly debilitating?
Save it for your next checkup or pap smear, or when you're in for something else.
posted by Koko at 5:12 PM on February 10, 2011
How to examine your own cervix.
If your next annual exam is in the next few months I'd save it until then. Otherwise, it wouldn't hurt to keep the appointment. Or can you talk to her about it over the phone/see if she thinks it's worth coming in for?
posted by elsietheeel at 5:16 PM on February 10, 2011
If your next annual exam is in the next few months I'd save it until then. Otherwise, it wouldn't hurt to keep the appointment. Or can you talk to her about it over the phone/see if she thinks it's worth coming in for?
posted by elsietheeel at 5:16 PM on February 10, 2011
Since you're recently back on the pill, it's possible you're a little drier than before. Which could make a bump on the cervix pretty owie.
I'd ignore it assuming it doesn't happen again. If it does, then talk to a doctor.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:59 PM on February 10, 2011
I'd ignore it assuming it doesn't happen again. If it does, then talk to a doctor.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:59 PM on February 10, 2011
You asked about how to determine when to go to a doctor if you have 'suspicious symptoms' but are not debilitated. That question isn't really answerable, because every medical issue is different and has to be addressed on a case by case basis depending on the symptom and depending on the person who's having it.
for example, if your suspicious symptom is that your toe hurts, you could make an appointment to talk to your primary care doctor about it anytime from tomorrow until 6 months from now and be pretty content with the knowledge that it would be unlikely to cause any life-threatening complication. but if your suspicious symptoms is that you have chest pain, it wouldn't be wise to wait months to see someone about it. You'd probably either go to the emergency department, or, if you're young and healthy and it's not bothering you much, consider calling your primary care doctor and see what they say. Generally it's a question of how likely you think it is that your suspicious symptom is suspicious of something serious or if it's just suspicious of being a minor medical issue that might go away on its own or isn't likely to get worse, and whether you've tried over the counter remedies or think you may need further testing or treatment.
No matter what your suspicious symptom is, many people are covered by nurse-staffed helplines or have primary care doctors who are on call 24/7 who can be reached by calling the office answering service. These people specialize in telling you whether you ought to be worried about something or not. They will err on the side of caution and send you to the emergency department more often than if you had seen them in person, but generally it's a good way to get information if you're worried about something. These people (and the emergency department) have heard everything in terms of medical complaints, from hangnails and dandruff to cardiac arrest and stroke.
I hope that sort of vague/general advice is helpful to answer your question.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 3:36 AM on February 11, 2011
for example, if your suspicious symptom is that your toe hurts, you could make an appointment to talk to your primary care doctor about it anytime from tomorrow until 6 months from now and be pretty content with the knowledge that it would be unlikely to cause any life-threatening complication. but if your suspicious symptoms is that you have chest pain, it wouldn't be wise to wait months to see someone about it. You'd probably either go to the emergency department, or, if you're young and healthy and it's not bothering you much, consider calling your primary care doctor and see what they say. Generally it's a question of how likely you think it is that your suspicious symptom is suspicious of something serious or if it's just suspicious of being a minor medical issue that might go away on its own or isn't likely to get worse, and whether you've tried over the counter remedies or think you may need further testing or treatment.
No matter what your suspicious symptom is, many people are covered by nurse-staffed helplines or have primary care doctors who are on call 24/7 who can be reached by calling the office answering service. These people specialize in telling you whether you ought to be worried about something or not. They will err on the side of caution and send you to the emergency department more often than if you had seen them in person, but generally it's a good way to get information if you're worried about something. These people (and the emergency department) have heard everything in terms of medical complaints, from hangnails and dandruff to cardiac arrest and stroke.
I hope that sort of vague/general advice is helpful to answer your question.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 3:36 AM on February 11, 2011
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But if it becomes recurring, yeah, see a GYN and see what's up. Definitely mention it the next time you have a routine pap.
posted by sonika at 5:08 PM on February 10, 2011