Female Advice Preferred: I have no idea.

[stefanie_m]

NOTE: This is very long. Please offer advice if you have any, and read all the way through...

For the past 5 (almost 6 now) years of my life, I have had a lot of issues with discharge. It goes from being whiteish-brown to almost black, and there isn't really an odor. It has caused me years of misery and hatred towards my body. It isn't a yeast infection, and it isn't an STD. It started almost as soon as I got my first period, and has been CONSTANT ever since. When I say constant, I mean literally every day without any kind of break in between...honestly the only relief I get is when I have my period and it's just blood and it's considered 'normal.'
I tried talking to my ob/gyn about this the last time I went but he just blew me off and didn't even offer help or any kind of test. (Probably because he's close friends of my family and assumes nothing could possibly be wrong with me.)
I haven't told ANYONE besides my current boyfriend, who is loving and very, very understanding. He told me to go see a gyno, but I would need to switch doctors due to bias.
I was wondering if any of you have the same problem..because I feel very, very alone. (This issue has caused me to have to change underwear a minimum of 3x a day, and I have to wear pantiliners, and also make sure I clean thoroughly 4 or more times EVERY DAY.) It is the reason I had to quit sports, and has affected my life severly. I can't wear a skirt or dress without fear of 'leaking' and it being noticed. I've managed to keep it hidden from friends (won't change around them), and ex-boyfriends by always wanting to 'shower before sex.' They didn't know why but it was because I was embarrassed.
I was wondering if it could possibly be endometriosis, considering I have a lot of the symptoms that go along with that..and also if it could have something to do with being sexually abused by a relative for 4-5 years when I was a little girl...I'm just so emotionally drained from having to cover it up and pretend like I'm okay when honestly, if this is going to last forever, I don't want to live with it. It isn't painful, it just completely ruins my life (literally, not melodrama...I can't do half the things I love bc of it.)

SORRY that was so long. I just need advice, or help, or anything really. I'm just so tired of this.

[TearDropsKeepFalling]

Your not alone with problems like this. I myself suffer from something like that constantly I have been too shy to go to my doctors about it but I guess you could ask to see a different doctor if yours doesn't seem to be giving you the answers that you need....

I wish you lots of luck in finding out what is going on as I know from personal experience it isn't nice xxx

[Aletheia*]

Discharge is normal! There isn't technically anything wrong with you. Discharge is just something that happens to us woman because we have menstrual cycles. Discharge is meant to clear or white, with no odor. You mentioned no odor, so I don't think there is a problem there. However, brown discharge may just be some left over blood from a period you recently had, but black discharge is a little concerning. Since your family doctor wouldn't do any sort of tests, visit a free clinic or local Planned Parenthood. They often do free testing for stuff like this. You might have some underlying infection that's causing your discharge to be black.

[MusicIsEverything]

Well mine isn't brown or black, but I do get it every day. I always have to wear liners. It really sucks And it started in like 4TH GRADE!

[TearDropsKeepFalling]

Originally Posted by MusicIsEverything

Well mine isn't brown or black, but I do get it every day. I always have to wear liners. It really sucks And it started in like 4TH GRADE!

Me too! How frustrating! x

[Nicole!]

Discharge can be brown/black around the time your period is starting or ending. Its normal

[stefanie_m]

If it were only around the time of my cycle, I definitely wouldn't be concerned.
However, it is constant, throughout every month, every year...and I should have probably mentioned that intercourse is EXTREMELY painful. SO painful, in fact, that I have stopped having sex with my boyfriend. He doesn't mind, he understands and loves me anyway, but he is concerned.
It's a large amount as well, not a normal amount. As in, it fills the lining of my underwear easily in 3-4 hours. And I have to change. A lot.
It's a relief to know I'm not alone in this...that helps me.
I'm probably going to go see a doctor about this..someone who will listen to me,
and hear me out. Thanks everyone

[Amber]

If your doctor isn't listening to you then you NEED to start seeing someone else. He shouldn't just assume that nothing is wrong with you because he is a close family friend. He is a doctor and it is his job to HELP you and find out what is going on. As soon as your doctor starts ignoring you and blowing you off you know it's time for a new one. They should never ever just assume something like that.

Anyway, like many have said it's completely normal to have discharge. When you see your doctor/new doctor just make sure you let them know and that you have a slight concern about it. They shouldn't turn you away.

[makeupshadow]

I would definitely try switching doctors or going to a female obgyn. It makes sense to me that when they have the same parts, they can be a bit more understanding. It isn't normal to me if it's ruining your life like this I would just try to get it figured out as soon as possible

[blumemusik♫]

You definitely have to see a doctor who will take you seriously. I'm not sure what the problem could be, but the fact it's so constant and heavy is probably a bad sign. It could just be a slight hormonal imbalance, something going on the Pill could help, or it could be something more serious. But a doctor could probably diagnose you.
Best of luck x