Vaginal Discharge, Infections, & Odors and Douching / Question
Published: April 30, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My friend told me that she had gotten her period about two weeks ago and now she has gotten some like brownish red discharge and she doesn't want to go to the doctor and she wants to know what it means.
Signed: Brownish Red Discharge
Dear Brownish Red Discharge,
It is impossible to know what your friend's discharge means. The color of discharge suggests that it probably contains blood. She should consult either a doctor or a gynecologist. If she is sexually active and is not comfortable going to her usual doctor, she can go to a teen health clinic. A teen health clinic can see teens for sexual health information and treatment without your parent's permission and on a low cost/no cost basis. If she lives in northern New Jersey, she can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health at 973.971.6475 for an appointment. If she lives outside of Northern New Jersey, she can call her local Planned Parenthood.
Whatever her reservations about seeing a doctor, she needs to realize that sometimes these visits are necessary. Encourage your friend to find a doctor she is comfortable with and trusts. Good medical care is very important and she is only doing herself a disservice by avoiding it.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.
