Pink watery discharge day 8, slight back pain. Period or kidney issues?

I just turned 43 and my periods are normal, every 26 days. This month, on day 14 after my period, at the end of the day, I wiped and saw pinkish watery discharge. I didn't think anything of it. The day after, I saw the same more toward mid day on, for a few hours. It was mixed with vaginal discharge that was clear. I started to think it could be from stress, as I was stressed from work for a few days, or that it was an infection/UTI. I starting drinking more water, cranberry juice, yogurt and probiotic drinks, etc. This is day ten and it still hasn't gone away. As a matter of fact, for the first time I wiped blood and had bloodied my panty liner like I do day one of my period. But it completely stopped 1 hour later without further discharge. I'm also experiencing on/off lower left back pain since day 5. I'm actually still a virgin and not sexually active. I had minor period-like cramps in the AM but not for long. My period is theoretically due in 4 days. I have made an appointment with my gyno on Monday (in four days.) But I'm nervous since the pink watery discharge has persisted and due to drinking liquids I'm urinating constantly. I do not need to wake up from sleep to urinate. I'm feeling nervous. Could it also be kidney issue? I do not have heavy periods and they are still normal.

Hi, guest. I can offer some general information about the symptoms you're experiencing:

Spotting Between Periods: Light pinkish discharge or spotting between periods can be due to a variety of reasons. It could be related to hormonal changes, especially as women approach their mid-40s, when fluctuations in menstrual cycles are more common due to perimenopause.
Stress: Stress can indeed affect your menstrual cycle, causing irregularities or spotting. However, it's usually not the only factor.
Infections: While infections or UTIs can cause unusual discharge or urinary symptoms, they typically also present with other signs like burning during urination, increased frequency, and discomfort.
Lower Back Pain: This could be unrelated, as lower back pain is a common ailment and can be caused by many factors, including muscle strain, poor posture, or other non-gynecological issues.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Sometimes, gastrointestinal problems can cause back pain and other abdominal discomfort, which can be mistaken for gynecological symptoms.
Kidney Issues: While kidney issues can cause back pain and changes in urination, they usually come with other symptoms like severe pain, changes in urine color, or fever.
Menstrual Cycle Changes: As you approach perimenopause, it's not uncommon to experience changes in your menstrual cycle, including the timing and nature of bleeding.
Virginity and Sexual Activity: Being a virgin or not sexually active eliminates some potential causes for spotting, like sexually transmitted infections, but other causes remain viable.

Your gynecologist will likely ask about your full medical history, conduct a physical examination, and may recommend tests like a pelvic exam, Pap smear, or ultrasound to understand the cause of these symptoms. If kidney issues or a UTI are suspected, a urine test might also be conducted.

In the meantime, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, manage stress, and avoid self-diagnosing or self-medicating. It's important to keep your appointment and discuss all your symptoms and concerns with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Remember, it's normal to feel nervous, but getting professional medical advice is the best step forward.