Stretch marks!

[kragey.livejournal.com]

Okay, I realize I'm a minority on this, but...I love stretch marks. Love love LOVE them. You could say I have a bit of a stretch mark fetish; I think they're so neat looking, and they feel REEEALLY awesome.

My twin brother, Bo, used to be really obese. Then he started working out and eating right, and he suddenly went from all fat and bones to a buttload of muscle with a tiiiiiny bit of chub. And because of the stretching of his skin, he has stretch marks EVERYWHERE. They used to be bright purple, but they've faded to white now. He has them around his bellybutton like a sun, and all on his biceps and the backs of his thighs and such. Sometimes I actually wish I had some like that.

So, here's my real questions:

1. Does anybody else here love stretch marks?

2. Does anybody here NOT have stretch marks? They say some women do, but I've yet to meet a girl who didn't have them.

3. How did you "obtain" yours? For example, I have a few white ones on my hips and the insides of my thighs from growing really fast during puberty. (Although I'm still kinda short. Wah.) My mom has a few from puberty and a few from her ballooning weight, but mostly from pregnancy.

I would also like to paraphrase something Selma Hayek said in a recent Glamour interview: she said her boyfriend liked her stretchmarks because they made her a "tiger". Awe, cuteness. =D

UTIs and late periods?

[the-laugh.livejournal.com]

I am sexually active,on POPs for birth control and use condoms. My period is a little on the late side. This past month I had a few issues with spotting and I had my first ever UTI. My doctor gave me Macrobid for my UTI. Would the UTI or Macrobid have any effect on my period?

Post-Orgasm

[ilikemytie.livejournal.com]

I'm all full of questions tonight! This one, of course is about orgasms. Here's a little know-more before the actual question. I am a clit person. Vaginal stimulation does pretty much nothing for me. So, that's how I orgasm - clitorally. Secondly, I have tinnitus from an accident to my eardrum earlier in life. (I don't know if this part will have anything to do with my question.)
After I orgasm, I will get a headache. A pretty noticable one at that. After every single time. Not just once in a while. And my tinnitus will get very severe, but that of course, I think is because of the headache. Is there anyone else that gets headaches from orgasms? How do you prevent them? Any help would be great!

(no subject)

[timeofpeace.livejournal.com]

This is probably a variation of a very repeated question, and I already looked in the archives, but I thought I'd post anyways...

I thought I had a yeast infection, but now I don't think so. I don't have any irregular discharge or any bad smells. But my inner lips, clit, that whole area, is INCREDIBLY swollen and itchy... but soooo painful to touch. My vaginal lips are itchy as well. Obviously, I'm pretty miserable. I'm not sexually active, so it's not an STD.

Any suggestions as to what it might be? And if so, any ways to fix it... preferrably at home? I REALLY can't afford a visit to the gyno right now. Thanks.

Good evening, ladies!

[redandplantlife.livejournal.com]

I've seen you dispense some sage advice, and now come to you in need of some.

When is the best time to go to the gynecologist? IE at what point before your period has started or after it has ended?

And is it safe all around to give blood while you may have a vaginal infection? IE can BV or the like be transmitted through blood?

Just a couple of things that have been burning into my brain lately. Thank you in advance!

And I apologize if these have been asked already. I did check the archives, but I am also half-asleep and probably missed something.

So what is released when we orgasm?

[pseudo-sexual.livejournal.com]

Okay so we all know what makes up a man's semen but what is really in the liquid released when a woman orgasms? Is it just mucous or is there anything interesting mixed in with it?

And is a different liquid released when a g-spot orgasm is acheived? I remember hearing on Talk Sex With Sue Johanson a woman ask how she could tell if it was an orgasm or if she had peed herself, Sue said to sniff it and if it was a clear liquid that smelled sweet it was in fact female ejaculation. Granted I don't trust Sue much, she's wrong some of the time which angers me considering I'm a lot less experienced and a lot younger yet research things before I talk about them.

Anyhoo, I didn't see an answer to these questions while browsing through the archives (I apologize if I missed them) and search engines have been less than helpful... I figure if anyone is to know the answer, you guys would :P.

Genital Skin Problems

[vamp-ire.livejournal.com]

I just joined the group, but it appears that quite a few of the questions here are related to genital skin issues (such as itching and the appearance of tiny tears).

I thought that it might be good to offer up a few references for folks:

Genital Skin Problems - This is a very good quick reference guide to potential causes of discomfort. It also offers some idea of treatment for each. This is a medical site that supplies pictures for some of these issues, so don't be shocked to see images of genitals.

Vulval conditions - This is a much less indepth guide meant for the layman. There are some helpful tips offered up, and it may give you an idea of what issues are probable.

International Society for the Study of Vulvoginal Disease - I particularly recommend the sections labeled Patient Education and Links to related sites. This site goes over what is "normal" in terms of appearance and discharge, and also discusses how to cleanse your genitals without irritating them.

I think that between all these links, you will find almost every condition addressed. The thing is, no matter what you *think* you are dealing with you should most likely consult your general physician (or even better...a dermatologist) and make sure that you are right before treating it. Treatments for one condition may irritate another, and some conditions may look like they have disappeared but they have only entered another stage where they are dormant or manifesting in another form. Be sure you know what you are dealing with. Physicians have seen it all, so there is no reason to be embarrassed.

Some general guidelines for maintaining genital health:

Limit (or eliminate) the use of scented/dyed/chemical products that will make contact with your genitals. Scented toilet paper, laundry soaps, residue from your shampoo/conditioner, chlorinated water, bubble bath, shower soaps, scented feminine hygiene products and such are frequently irritating.

Don't wash your genitals with soap, or use a very mild and moisturizing type

Don't douche, deodorize, or use talc

Shower instead of bathe

Wear underwear that has a cotton crotch, and don't wear anything that is too tight

If irritation arises from "dryness", use products such as KY to keep your vagina moist and comfortable

Wipe from front to back, so that you do not transfer bacteria to your vagina or urethra from your anus.
(For the same reason, do not have anal sex followed by vaginal sex without changing the condom or cleaning off the toy/penis/whatever well. You may want to keep some toys as exclusively anal toys, unless you plan on boiling them to clean them.)

Pat the vulva dry with a clean towel when you get out of the shower/bath rather than rubbing vigorously.

If you seem to experience burning upon contact with your urine (and this is due to sensitivity rather than an infection), try drinking more water every day and lightly rinsing your vulva with lukewarm pure water after you urinate

I hope this helps those of you with questions.

Please be sure not to try to treat these things yourself though. You really should go into your doctor to get a clear diagnosis. No amount of well meaning peer support and information exchange can replace professional testing.

Vamp:)=

(no subject)

[vampodrama.livejournal.com]

so here I am.... sitting.... wondering.... one question has been bugging me for days now.

does everyone and their dog keep track of their periods?

because I, in my ripe old age of 25-in-a-week, never have. I'm not on BC either so I have absolutely zero clue about when my period will start or how long my cycle is or am I even remotely regular in the first place. seeing how I have an extremely shitty memory and no time sense, I also never can remember my last period to relate it to something that happened at the same time etc...

I also know that it's not rocket science to mark days and do a little counting, but... ehhh. I've just never cared, I guess.

iron absorption tips?

[nirbhao.livejournal.com]

about a week ago I was prescribed a high dose iron supplement because of anemia due to heavy menstruation. I'm pretty sure I'm not absorbing the iron like I could be. (it's quite gross why I think this, so I'll spare you the details)

do you have any suggestions as to how I can get more out of my supplement? for example, should I be eating more vitamin C or D?

it's ferrous sulfate, if that makes any difference.

A Thousand Beautiful Things by Annie Lennox

(no subject)

[magenta-feeling.livejournal.com]

Ok, so I know 'normal' is a silly, ambiguous kind of word, but I was just wondering if anyone else had my symptoms and they turned out to be normal...IE not some kind of infection.

For quite a few months now, I've had what I thought was smegma. jus a few hours after showering I get white flakes all over my labia...they look sort of like eraser bits. Also, often when I have sex, I get visable tears on my perinium and they hurt. Sometimes when I'm shaving and I pull apart my outer labia, I get little tears jus above my clit hood.

In summary, I've been trying to ignore all of these things but it's been pressing on my mind recently that they are not 'normal'. Thoughts, advice? Thanks in advance!

Menstrual cup question - stem trimming

[ehbenmerde.livejournal.com]

I'm using my Mooncup for the first time. I cut off 1/4 of the stem, and I just cut off another quarter so I've only got half of it left. It's pretty much ok standing and walking, but when I sit down it's still chafing my vag.

I'm hesitating to cut it again because I'm not sure if it's that it's still too long or if I'm not putting it in high enough. If it's just sitting too low, I'm afraid I'll cut off too much and will regret it later.

I just wondered if you ladies noticed a change in position with your cups once you got more used to insertion.
The cup is opening all the way and I haven't had any leaks yet so I guess it's in right, but I'm not sure. I tested it out before my period and I got a really good seal - the suction was so hard that my vagina would not let it go (maybe it was just excited about it's new toy, I don't know :P)! But now that I'm using it on my period it doesn't seem to be sitting in there quite the same. Maybe it's just my cervix that changed position a bit which is affecting how the cup is placed, but I'm not really sure.

I guess what I'm asking is should I go ahead and trim again or wait a bit longer and screw with the cup to see if I can get it in higher?

apparently toys have been around for ages....

[leave-it-be.livejournal.com]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4713323.stm

i just thought this was funny. and with all the talk of vibrators and other toys, i felt the need to post. mods feel free to delete if necessary.

(no subject)

[5hadybaby.livejournal.com]

I had a Urinary Tract Infection awhile back, about 6 months ago I'd say? I had gotten it after I had sex a few times.. and recently I became sexually active again and today I noticed that I felt like I had to urinate alot and everytime I would go to the bathroom, I wouldn't have to. I haven't had any pain really, and there's no blood in my urine. I'm guessing I'm just starting to develop the UTI. I have 3 pills of amoxicillan and a few bottles of cranberry juice. I took one of the amoxicillan and drank a cup of cranberry juice, what else can I do to try to rid of the UTI?

(no subject)

[giggles37.livejournal.com]

i have 3 questions....

1. how come some blood is a much brighter red than other. usually in my tampon i notice a deeper red color, but today when i pulled it out, part of it was a bright red. nothing im worried about, i havent had any problems. just wondering.

2. how come some tampon applicators are longer than others. i got a free sample of tampa compact(i think thats what its called) and realized that even after pulling it to the normal size, its a lot shorter than the regular brand od tamax tampons i use. i thought that the tampon wouldnt go in all the way and feel comfortable, but it did. then i tried the regular tampons after (cardboard applicator, no tip, i dont like them too much but its what my mom buys) and i think that its too long, i felt a pain when i tried to insert it how ur supposed to.

3. anything that u find really helps with cramps. i have bad cramps in the beginning of my period, nothing soo bad that i cant move but it definitly bothers me.

thanks in advance!

diarrhea

[evester22.livejournal.com]

Hi
Is diarrhea a side effect of the patch… or did I just eat something funky?
Thanks!
Eva

Discharge...

[apatheticalli.livejournal.com]

I've been on Ortho-Lo for about three years now, and I'm pretty good about taking my pills at the same time everyday.

With that said, I was away from home for a few nights & forgot to pack them, therefore missing two and taking one late. Since then I've had funky colored discharge - dark brown, not bloody though - and was wondering if this could be the cause. Not more than my usual amount, just of a color 430582045 times darker.

I wouldn't mind, but I work outside for 8 hours a day in terrible heat & humidity and pantyliners suck. :o/

off topic

[cry-havoc.livejournal.com]

I'm curious


where do you buy your lingerie online?


I live in a small town and dont have lingerie stores around here.


I'm looking for places that sell classy bustiers online. My Lady Marlene is being discontinued :(



any suggestions?



(sorry so off topic, but it will be used for vaginal purposes :D )

ipod + vibrator!!

[sadistic-crayon.livejournal.com]

Audio-vibrator

friend of mine sent me this linklast night and i'm absolutely facinated! What a cool idea. Thought i'd share it =) It's an audio-vibrator which can be plugged into ipods etc, and will also work with stereos and soundsystems etc. It vibrates to the beat. Gotta be an awesome gift for a music lover lol.

Please don't judge me, thanks.

[squisheroo.livejournal.com]

Okay. This is going to be a double post. An UPDATE and a QUESTION.

First, an update on my miscarriage: I "gave birth" to the child without a hitch, the bleeding stopped, and my boyfriend and I named our wee child and carried out the proper actions to ensure both my safety and respect for the child (whom we named Bianca Meredith Ladd).

NOW A QUESTION!

When my boyfriend and I want to dismiss our animalistic desires in exchange for intimacy, he'll insert himself without a condom (the skin-skin contact makes us feel closer) for just two or three thrusts before pulling out, checking for pre-cum (usually none. He's odd like that. haha), and putting on a condom before we actually get busy. Well, we've been having some serious problems in our relationship lately, and I haven't seen him in close to a month. So our sex today was really desperate and passionate. After I gave him a blowjob (I didn't finish him), he put himself in me and it didn't take long before he had to cum. So he pulled out BEFORE cumming inside of me, and laid his manhood on my abdomen to release his load. A little bit of the cum got on the top of my labia, at the top of my clitoral hood (right before the skin splits off into the lips, y'know?). I cleaned it up with a moist towelette and Dial soap. I know sperm are strong swimmers, but how serious is my risk of pregnancy from sperm being way up there?

And has anyone here actually gotten pregnant from pre-cum? And how long does it take for implantation to occur (if any of you know off the top of your head. Otherwise, i'll Google it real quick)?

Thank you, folks.

-squish.

P.S.: I already KNOW that it's dumb to be penetrated without a condom, even if it's only for a little bit. Yeah. Got it. No lectures, because I'm only going to read the responses that give helpful information associated with the questions I actually asked. Thanks.

(no subject)

[andenchanting.livejournal.com]

Are antibiotics capable of delaying periods?

exfoliating?

[luckybleufox.livejournal.com]

Ok- so it's the summer time and everybody is donning cute little swim suits and what have you for the beach.  But having pubes coming out for the fun as well isn't really a fashion (or general) do, in dress ware.  So, i touched up my bikini line, and what have you and go figure i am still stuck with the second day itching and some of the bumps (but at least i'm the only person that notices - i don't get the redness luckily).  Well I also have some of those bumps right at the base of my butt ..... like right where I sit, you guys know what I'm talking about? well sometimes they get on my nerves and i'm assuming they are ingrown hairs or just ...(grimaces), pimples .... and I was thinking "hmm will exfoliating get rid of this?" but i'm not completely sure and I don't even know how i'd go about exfoliating there and I figured I'd ask you guys if ya'll could lend a hand to this ... slightly embarassing predicement.  Is there a way to get rid of this? thanks everybody.

(no subject)

[brnt-turnip.livejournal.com]

Every month, for a few days, I get alot of discharge. It's mostly clear, sometimes a little thicker. It doesn't smell bad, but, it's like, alot. To the point where I am having to change my underpants.
Normal?
Freak?
Get my ass to the doctor's?

Thanks!

(no subject)

[opheliarevived.livejournal.com]

( probably TMI, so its under the cut. )