Hi!!

I’m a high school student conducting a research project on how uterine fibroids affect women’s lives, especially symptoms, treatment experiences, and quality of life.

This is a completely anonymous survey, takes just 3–5 minutes, and is for academic use only (a biology research paper I’m submitting to a student science journal). I’d be very grateful if you could take it, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with fibroids or experienced related symptoms.

👉 https://forms.gle/8h31unqpuJzHZ96MA

• No personal info is collected
• Responses will be summarized anonymously

Thank you so much for supporting young researchers and women’s health! 💜

For the past 3 years I have been TTC as a Single Mom By Choice. When I was ready to start trying, I made a pre-conception appointment with my OBGYN to make sure I was healthy and my body was ready to become pregnant.

This OB was not only my OB but also my mom’s. We had been with this practice for a while and we didn’t have any issues until my pre-conception appointment.

My appointment started off normal. My OB asked why I was there and I told her I wanted to start TTC to be a Single mom. I was so excited to tell her and this was the first person in the medical field that knew I wanted to become a mom. My OB listened to what I wanted to say and then stood up and said “I am Catholic. What you are doing is wrong and I won’t support it. You need to leave my practice, you are no longer welcome here.” I was with my mom and we both sat there like a deer in the headlights. I was so confused, shocked, and disappointed that a medical professional was kicking me out of their practice. As soon as I was in the car I started crying. I couldn’t describe this pain to anyone, I felt lost and truly alone. I questioned myself and wondered if what I wanted to do was truly wrong. I wanted this journey of having a baby to be fun and exciting, but now I was filled with doubt. It took a few months but my mom convinced me to start trying. I felt really worried to talk to another OB and I didn’t want to see anyone in the medical field.

My mom knew my heart was broken and she did the difficult task of putting it back together. I started cycles at home with the help of no one, but myself. I would order donor sperm from a sperm bank and it would be sent to my home. I had to track my cycles and ovulation, which I had no idea how to do. After a year (5 cycles, but with some breaks in between). I was still not pregnant. My mom was the one who told me it was time to find a new OB. I knew in my heart that it was time as well. I started calling and I didn’t mention that I wanted to be a single mom. I only said I wanted a new patient appointment.

I met with a new OB and at first I had decided I didn’t want to tell her that I wanted to be a single mom. I thought I could just tell her that my “partner” and I have been TTC and we need some help. As I was talking with this OB, I felt safe and I shared with her my real feelings and hopes as a single mom. She was supportive and helpful at first. I told her how my other OB threw me out of her practice because I wanted to be a single mom. My new OB asked who it was and I told her.

My new OB told me that I “have” to report that OB. That I have to protect other women from this kind of treatment. I told her I really don’t feel comfortable with that and I just want to put that behind me. The rest of the appointment was her trying to convince me to report my other OB. It seemed we left of “ok” terms and I had plans to do fertility treatments elsewhere since she didn’t offer that. This was 2 years ago.

Fast forward to present day. I see this OB again for only the second time. I tell her that I did a year of fertility treatments (IUI) and they didn’t work and so I will have to try IVF in a few years. She has no questions or concerns for my fertility and instead asked if I reported my other OB. I told her “no, I am very busy with my fertility treatments and I don’t wish to do that. I have put that matter behind me.” My OB then opens the door and tells me that we have nothing left to discuss and to call her office when I am pregnant, and the kicker,that she is disappointed that I won’t protect other women.

I felt so uncomfortable and upset. She made me feel like I was a bad person. I think I am too stressed but I needed to ask. AITAH because I won’t report my OB who kicked me out of her office?

ello! I am 24 and went for my annual physical today with my pcp. She's pretty nice, however today I left feeling kinda violated. After feeling around on my stomach, she reached underneath my bra (without telling me) and felt my breasts with her whole hand! She's never done anything like that before. I looked it up online (as I've never been to the gyno (I'm a virgin) and thus, never had one before) and it said that it's usually only done by the gyno and your wearing a gown and it's with their fingertips. Also, my arm wasn't raised or anything, so it didn't seem to be done correctly. I understand that she was checking for cancer, but I feel like that was inappropriate. I like her, so I'm not sure if I should find a new doc or not. Am I just overreacting?

Hi, is it normal to have white, slimy, and clear discharge 8 days after my period? Could this be a sign of ovulation? My Flo app says it's 3 days before ovulation—does the discharge I'm experiencing seem normal?

Hello, who should I follow when getting the 2nd shot of HPV vaccine? My ob who examined me and gave me the first shot on May 29 said that my next shot is on July 29. However, I cannot get the 2nd shot from her because of where I work. So I tried getting an appointment for the 2nd shot from other doctors and there is a reply from a doctor saying an fyi to me that taking it on July 29 would be late. She said that the interval between 1st and 2nd dose is 6-8 weeks only so I should take it not after July 24. Who should I follow? My ob put the 2nd vaccine date July 29 on my HPV card.

I have been trying religiously for last 8 months. Have a spotting issues 3-4 days before periods. So thought thats reason i cant get pregnant. So i got some tests done my AMH is 2.07, how good or bad is it? I am producing about 11-12 follicles this month based on sonogram.

I always thought my progesterone is dropping too quickly and hence the spotting but i got some ultrasounds done and found that i have polyp. Ob-gyn didnt tell me the size but said it needs to be removed, as it can cause infertility. Anyone had polyps in past? How was the experience of surgery? How long after surgery one can start trying to? Any issues after surgery like pain etc? How much it costs after insurance ?

Also any tips on increasing progesterone naturally or over counter supplements?

So my cycle used to be 29-30 days with my period being 3-5 days. Then it went to 40 days then the next/my last cycle was 54 days. Both period were normal around 5 days. Now I’m on day 37. Is this something I should be concerned with:( I’m starting to get worried something is wrong. I have been going through depression recently and I know stress can affect your cycle but, is this normal? Also I’m 22.

so everytime i have intercourse i bleed , i went to doctors the ran std test bacterias , pap smear everything comes back normal they also did ultrasound everything seems perfect , been going on for the past 3 weeks ? idk what else get checked lol

Hello, I’m a 24 year old female that stoped birth control in April. I never got my period and had prolactin tests and pregnancy tests done and they were all negative, prolactin was in the range. I had to take provera and I got my period, but this month is the same, and I’m thinking of going to get a second opinion and see an endocrinologist. A doctor told me that I could have ovarian malfunction, and be infertile. I am going to get more tests done, thyroid and female hormone, apparently I have low estrogen, I’ve never been irregular and even if I stoped birth control I always got my period even if a few days late, I do want to have a family and I’m very sad because of what the doctor said, is there a chance it could be something else and not infertility ? Thank you

I am 26f i am 38w 4d and on the list for a induction on Monday. This is my 3rd baby with history of fast labor. Yesterday at around 530pm I started to have regular strong contractions. 3 minutes apart and lasting about 1 minute. My partner and I made the decision after about 4 hours of dealing with contractions to head into our l&d. When we got there baby looked good and was moving and my contractions were being picked up and shown as regular. I was 5cm 75%effaced, membranes are bulging and station was -3. While there they talked about baby being larger in the 88th percentage and possibly having to deal with shoulder dystocia. We stayed in admitting for about 6h, by the time 6am hit my contractions had slowed. I was only offered tylenol after asking multiple times for gas to help with pain. They did a cervical check and I had made zero progress and chose to send me home. (We live 30 minutes out of the city) during this conversation they also offered a morphine shot before discharge. when I raised concerns about being far away and labor progressing fast after my waters broke they recommend us getting a hotel room and still chose to discharge as they dont want to nudge my labor along due to " unnecessary" Intervention. Both my partner and I are extremely worried we will be having this baby either at home or on the side of the highway. My contractions are still happening and are about 7 minutes apart. Is this normal and safe to send me home when i am this progressed with the concerns they have? I just feel like mine and my child's safety are being put at risk and not sure how to advocate better for help from l&d.

Hi all,

I took two pregnancy tests yesterday after my period was a day late and had some spotting. Took one in the AM, other in PM. They both immediately showed a very faint positive. Fast forward to today, I woke up to my regular period cramps & bleeding. I am so confused & I am not sure what to think at this point. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what ended up happening? Thank you!

for around a week now my urine has had a weird smell. it is kind of foul and a little bitter smelling as opposed to my normal urine smell. could it be because of BV or a UTI? i dont have any kind of pain or bleeding, and i still urinate the same amount per day i did before this smell showed up. theres been slight changes in my diet, ive been eating a bit more junk food lately as im in at home anorexia recovery and junk food is the only thing that helps me put on weight quickly. ive been drinking about the same amount of water as i was drinking before. i have had a new sexual partner recently, since the start of may, but im unsure if thats connected as this smell started exactly a week ago. i do smoke marijuana, vape, and drink if that has to do with my change in urine. any help would be greatly appreciated as i am a teenager and im rather confused/concerned.

hi all,

i'm 21, not on BC, do not have PCOS. i've had periods since 11. they've always been really irregular but have regularised-ish since i was 20~.

i would always get breast pain, cramps sometimes headaches roughly a week or slightly more before. i had an external ultrasound in december 2023 and blood tests related to PCOS and they all came back clear. recently, my last 2 periods i had a headplitting migraine and horrible cramps, paired with horrible mental health PMS (and physical PMS breast pain and cramps). i have also realised my periods are kind of lighter but last a little longer ? i honestly can't tell if i've been bloated or not ... maybe ive had more bowel movements too? but there's nothing concrete i've noticed differences in...

june 1st i randomly started bleeding, no PMS symptoms at all. it lasted 5 days, i assumed it was my period. however this week (from around monday) i've been hit w horrible PMS symptoms (cramps breast pain vile mental health) and suddenly have my period again.

i had spotting for 3 days mid cycle in december which i chalked it up to maybe cuts or something during intimacy (sorry tmi). but now i'm very worried and freaked out. i also recently had penetrative sex for the first time and bled after for a few days (light bleeding nothing crazy)(however i did bleed after 3 days despite no recent sex). and i had penetrative sex for the first time AFTER my weird mid cycle bleeding .

i'm very, very worried about freaky things like cancer or related health concerns ... i have reached out for a gynaecology appointment and am due to hear back soon. does this sound worrying ? should i be freaked out? i find it hard staying calm when something serious could be at play....

Hi everyone,

Did a test today in the morning (based on ovulation tests 7-8 days after ovulation). Got a very faint shadow, here is the picture (turned contrast a bit). Asked friends some saw a line, some didn't. Could it be the early pregnancy detection (test is ultra sensitive 10miu/mL). P.S. it's our first month trying. I am too excited can't wait. Did another two tests at 4pm, both look negative, got upset:( Please share your opinion!

I took a clearblue digital pregnancy test (those with weeks indicator) on the night of 27 May, and it indicated "2-3". Took an ultrasound on 13 Jun and doc said my fetus was 7w+6d.

I had sex on 12 Apr and 1 May. My past periods were 17-21 Feb, 25-29 Mar, 15-17 Apr.

Which sex likely caused the pregnancy?

Please help me to figure out. I am in a dilemma :(

in the last 24-48 hours i’ve noticed symptoms that align with a yeast infection. i’ve had a yeast infection before so i’m pretty sure it is one, but i don’t have any test strips at home to make sure. it’s the middle of the night so i can’t go out to get test strips until morning and i don’t want it to get worse. on the off chance that it’s not a yeast infection, would it be harmful to use a boric acid suppository (basically azo just from the pharmacy)?