QuestionOk, I have two questions for you. First, there are times in the month when I ovulate so intensely that I find myself having to change underwear 2-3 times a day. Is this normal and is there any solution or way to decrease my discomfort?
The second problem is a result of the first. Since I don't enjoy going through 15 pairs of panties in a week, I started using tampons during ovulation as well as during my period. This past Sunday I put one in and forgot it. Various activities pushed it to the top of my vagina and it stayed there for 4 days. I noticed an odor and, after further inspection, discovered and removed the culprit. Now I'm worried that it might have caused an infection, although there is no itching or discharge and the tampon itself was not discolored. How should I treat this, if at all?
AnswerDear Kate,
I will assume that your "discomfort" is the abundant cervical mucus that is produced during ovulation. Unfortunately, I do not know of anything to decrease this for you. Some women have a real abundance and others notice a small increase. However, this should only occur for the 5-7 days (max) leading up to ovulation. You can try limiting your fluid intake during this time. Otherwise, it seems it is an inherent feature of your anatomy. The next time you are in for an OB/GYN visit, you might want to pose this dilemma about ovulation discharge being way too abundant and see if there is anything that your doctor may suggest. Seeing patients every single day - they hear it all, believe me. And he/she may know of a measure of relief that I am not aware of.
As to the potential infection, as long as there is no change in the characteristics of your vaginal discharge - color, consistency, quantity, texture - and you do not begin to experience any itching or burning, or a foul odor, I would not be concerned. If you do begin to experience any of the above, you should consult your doctor for a proper exam and evaluation.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
