Specialist Answers on Women's Health Problems Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Women's Health Specialist Answers on Women' s Health Problems By Dr. Orli EtinginReviewed: February 4, 2008Fact-CheckedQ1. I just started taking a blood thinner. Will it affect my period? And if so, how? I'd like to know what to expect and whether I should do anything to prepare. — Judith, North Carolina Blood thinners usually do not affect how often you get your period, but they can increase the flow of blood and slightly increase the chance of passing clots during your period. That said, there is nothing special to prepare for when you take blood thinners. Just be aware of the possibility of increased bleeding, and let your doctor know if the bleeding seems excessive (that is, if you have to change your tampons or pads more than every two hours in the first day or two). Q2. I have blood in my urine. My doctor checked my bladder with a scope twice and said it looks fine. I have back problems and take a lot of medication for the pain — I wonder whether this might have anything to do with the blood I'm seeing. Any suggestions? — Sandra, West Virginia Blood in the urine can be a sign of intrinsic kidney disease, kidney stones, tumors of the upper and lower urinary tract, and a number of other things, including a urinary tract infection. Cystoscopy is a procedure by which a urologist looks at the bladder to inspect its lining and the urethra, the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body. Another important step in the evaluation of blood in the urine is the assessment of the upper urinary tract. This is usually performed with a CT scan that images the kidney and the lining of the urinary tract, from the kidney all the way to the bladder. Chronic pain requiring extensive oral medications can lead to a number of conditions, including kidney damage and bleeding. If a standard evaluation of the upper urinary tract (with CT) and lower urinary tract (with cystoscopy) fails to find any abnormalities, the possibility of intrinsic kidney disease should be considered. Analysis of the urinary sediment (the solid particles in the urine) can detect signs of intrinsic kidney disease. Results of such a urinalysis are usually evaluated by a physician trained as a nephrologist. Q3. I recently had a LEEP procedure, and my doctor told me to douche with vinegar after two weeks. I've never douched before. How do I do it? Is there anything I should know before I start? And am I better off just buying a douching product in the store? — Suzanne, Pennsylvania Douching involves rinsing the inside of the vagina with water or some other liquid. It's usually done to treat an infection or inflammation, though some women use douches to decrease vaginal odor. You can use a commercially available douching product, though these often contain preservatives, which can sometimes cause vaginal irritation but aren't otherwise harmful. Since your doctor recommended using vinegar, however, you can simply dilute one part vinegar to three or four parts water and douche with that. Buy a simple squeeze bottle or a douche kit at the drugstore, and be sure to rinse it off with warm soapy water between douches. Let your doctor know if you notice any irritation or pain once you start douching. Q4. I think I have a bladder problem. During one hour I need to go as many as three to four times. I drink water and other liquids, but I don't drink an excessive amount. What could it be? — Jennifer, North Carolina It could be any number of things. Bladder problems are very common in women of all ages. They can be caused by infections, inflammation, sensitivities, and the overall physical condition of the bladder. The scenario you describe sounds like "irritable bladder," in which the bladder is hypersensitive and feels full even if it's not. This can be the result of an infection or a sensitivity to a specific food. The first thing to try is to eliminate caffeine, alcohol, and citrus foods, and get a urine culture to be sure you don't have an infection. If altering your diet doesn't work and you don't have an infection, the next step is to see a urologist for further testing. A few other common causes of bladder problems are related to age and pregnancy. A change in your hormonal status, like that which happens during menopause, often causes bladder muscles to weaken and the bladder to feel full even when it's not. Multiple pregnancies can cause bladder muscles to lose their firmness, allowing the bladder to "fall" into the pelvis, causing the constant sensation of needing to urinate. The good news is that there are effective treatments for all of these conditions, so if you don't get relief from changing your diet, do see your doctor. Chances are he or she can help. Learn more in the Everyday Health Women's Health Center. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Women' s Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Women' s Health Women s Health Worsened in 2021 as Many Women Lack Access to Health Screenings and Preventive Care New global report shows that despite heavy spending, the United States lags behind other wealthy countries.By Becky UphamSeptember 27, 2022 Is This the End of Roe v Wade What Would a SCOTUS Decision Mean for Reproductive Health A draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the federal right to abortion guaranteed by the 1973 decision in Roe v. 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