Doctors explains when pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding should be checked

Forum file photo By Matthew Freeman November 06, 2026 at 5:02 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? FARGO — A change in a menstrual cycle or pelvic pain that keeps coming back can be hard to make sense of. Dr. Donald Gullicks, a Sanford obstetrician and gynecologist, says paying attention to what’s different for you can help you decide when to call a doctor. ADVERTISEMENT Gullicks says a period that suddenly gets much heavier, lasts longer than usual or is followed by spotting between cycles is worth bringing up with your doctor. He says any bleeding after menopause should also be checked. For pelvic pain, he says a first visit usually includes a review of your symptoms and an exam focused on where it hurts. One sign it's time to make an appointment is how much the pain changes what you do day to day. "It could be a variety of symptoms. So it could be just that you're doing things that you used to be able to do comfortably and now you're not comfortable. It could also be that it's something you're feeling throughout the daytime at times when you wouldn't expect to be feeling pain," Gullicks said. He will be discussing common causes of pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding during Sanford’s ‘Doc Talk’ at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Fargo Parks Sports Center. It’s free to attend, but you need to register through Sanford Health . ADVERTISEMENT READ MORE FROM matthew freeman Deer opener brings different rules on both sides of the Red River 1d ago Incoming Clay County attorney plans treatment court changes 1d ago Lisa Borgen shares plans for her first year as Moorhead mayor 2d ago Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags SANFORD HEALTH HEALTH By Matthew Freeman Matthew Freeman has been a reporter for WDAY since 2026. He is a graduate of Dan Patrick's School for Sports Broadcasting at Full Sail University. He is from Panama City Beach, FL. Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Health Bursack: How to handle repeat calls due to short-term memory loss 2h ago · By Carol Bradley Bursack Health New technology helps doctors reach hard-to-access lung areas 1d ago · By Michael McGurran Health Sanford Fargo earns highest neonatal care designation 2d ago · By Matthew Freeman ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Moorhead How will vacant Moorhead City Council, Moorhead School Board seats be filled? 6h ago · By Ingrid Harbo North Dakota Driver charged in fatal Cass County crash settles Grand Forks cases 18h ago · By Matt Henson Business Sisters developing Kindro app to help users find their chosen family 6h ago · By Stephanie Dickerson Lifestyle What if this winter’s forecast holds true? 5h ago · By Don Kinzler