pimples before your period

[krylon-blue83.livejournal.com]

Does anyone else get pimples right before their period? I always seem to get a few on my forehead a few days before.

Alcohol

[iwannamoshnow.livejournal.com]

I heard from a friend that gin isn't good for women or something. I was wondering if this has any credence. Also I heard that vodka is the best for women, something about it being the purest. Is there any fact to that either.

(no subject)

[goldenapple2.livejournal.com]

hmmm..So since i can remember, i have had small, bump like things on and around my vagina. they have never seemed abnormal, paritially because i can't remember them NOT being there. but..are they normal? does every female have these? i have no idea, and suddenly am very self conscious, as my first sexual experience might be approaching. i havent ever been to a gynecologist...and i know i should, and i plan to for birth control when it comes to that point, but am worrying myself if my vagina is normal or not. does anyone know what i'm talking about?

Norplant Contraceptive Implant

[fionnghuala.livejournal.com]

I hope this question isn't too off-topic, but I knew people here would be able help or point me in the right direction for this rather strange one.

It's about older contraceptive implants, I know that one is called Norplant, but am not sure whether there are other brand names of this particular form of implant. It consisted of 6 small rods, which were inserted in the inside of the upper arm. I know that more current ones require only one rod to be inserted. I'm interested in this as part of kind of an art project, so I want to know about the older ones...

My question is this:
Can anyone tell me in exactly what arrangement the rods were inserted? Most pictures of the system that I can find show the 6 rods in a fan shape:

Example of a diagram of the rods (outside the body)

But I can't find any specific indication that they were placed under the skin in this arrangement. Parallel to each other in a row seems the most likely way?

I'd also be really interested to hear stories from anyone who had these implants, about how invisible they were once inserted, and whether there was any scarring resulting from either the initial insertion or the removal. I'm particularly interested in experiences from 10 years or so ago.

Thanks in advance!

mammograms and small boobs

[quatre-vingts.livejournal.com]

So, mammograms, yeah. My mom's breasts are much larger than mine and she says the procedure goes just fine for her, but that my smaller boobs will not enjoy it. For those of you with smaller breasts, please describe your experiences with having your boobs squashed in that thing. Because even though I don't have to start mammograms for another 5-10 years, I'm still worried.

Kegal exercises

[-ohdollface.livejournal.com]

On Will & Grace someone randomly mentioned doing kegal exercises... i was wondering if anyone has ever done it, for how long AND if they noticed a difference in their orgasms or overall sexual experiences?

I did look up the benefits and it makes me want to start doing them... especially since i couldn't get off the last time I was fingered :(

( Kegal exercise benefits under the cut )

saw a specialist yesterday for vulvar vestibulitis; also, info re: yeast infection treatment

[nadyezhda.livejournal.com]

I went to see a specialist yesterday for some problems I've been having and wanted to share some information with you the specialist gave me. ( Read more... )

Silly question

[cry-havoc.livejournal.com]

This is probably a silly question, but I just want to make sure since my husband and I do not use condoms...


can probiotics interfere at all with birth control pills?



I'm sure they don't, but I just want to be sure.





Thanks everyone.

Yasmin question.

[shes--atiger.livejournal.com]

I posted in birthcontrol last night, but I have a different question and I figured I'd bring it here.

I got put on Yasmin yesterday for the first time. My gyno popped out the "Sunday and Monday" pills in the first week and told me to start with the Tuesday pill that day. I thought this was normal, but when I posted in birthcontrol, they told me it was not and that she basically completely messed up my pack for the whole month, and that I would need backup anyway until after the 1st week of my new pills.

My question is: should I even continue to take this pack at all? I was thinking of just tossing this pack, and starting the next, next month. Posters in birthcontrol told me I could skip my period and all these other methods, but I don't want to confuse myself already, and it seems dumb to take an entire pack of birth control if it won't even be effective.

If I did just start over next month, when would it be a good day for me to start taking them? I read that if you start taking them the day you start your period, you're protected immedietely. Wouldn't this change my cycle, though? Should I just wait until the day after I finish my period?

Any help is appreciated :] thanks so much!

HPV

[skjfhsljfhslfa.livejournal.com]

so i know that HPV can cause gential warts and there's about 30 strands that do cause gential warts...but what about the ther 70 strands??? what goes on w/ these?

i have a ridiculously painful wart on my foot and i was googling home remedies to remove it and everything i read also incorporated how you get plantar warts (or other types of warts NOT on the gentials) and everything said it's a strand of HPV...when i try to research this a little more ALL i come up w/ is gential warts this and genital warts that...but i dont have gential warts!! i have a foot wart (and i want it gone damnit)!!

i read random things about HPV and how it causes abnormal paps (i've had two abnomal paps), can cause warts on other parts of your body (i'm dealing w/ that right now), and some random site about how there can be uriniary track complications? o.O which i've had a hell of a lot of UTI's but i dont know if that has anything to do w/ HPV at all

i dont go to a gyno until feburary (annual) and i figured i'd just wait til then... i really wanna know if i have it o.O ...is there any way i can tell??

and i'm NOT talking about HPV and genital warts, i'm AM talking about HPV and abnormal paps, possible other warts and other conditions that can arise because of HPV

Thanx in advance! :)

( other stuff )

High WBC count from cervical swab

[tarzie.livejournal.com]

I apologize for another post about the issues with my girly-bits, but I had a gyn. appointment this morning. She discovered that I have cervicitis and my white blood cell count had jumped from around 45 or so to 100 in the past two months. (This is likely what has been causing my excessive discharge that I mentioned here last month.) Prior to this, I had been treated with 3 Cleocin ovules to try to lower the original count. Now she's going to have me try 6 of them. I promised her I have been monogamous for two years, and I truly believe my boyfriend would never cheat on me, but we can't figure out why I have such a high WBC count as well as cervicitis if neither of us have any STDs. (I was tested for STD's in November and had none, so that's why she wanted to make sure I'd had no new partners.)

Has anyone else had cervicitis or really elevated WBC counts before? What the hell could cause it if not an STD? I was using Relagard (acetic acid therapeutic vaginal gel) a few weeks ago, but that shouldn't have caused irritation. My boyfriend is going to have things checked out anyway to make sure he isn't somehow transmitting some weird bacteria to me or something. But my gyno said that as long as we've only been with each other since being diagnosed as STD-free, he doesn't have to go to the doctor.

Has anyone had a similar situation? Please share. I'm now less afraid of being pregnant like I was last night(especially b/c cervicitis can make it difficult to conceive) and more worried that something really bizarre is going on with me.

HPV FYI

[sabrarosa.livejournal.com]

Someone had a couple of questions earlier about HPV and which strains caused cervical cancer. Oddly enough I just watched a live webcast that was an STD Update so let me give you a couple of the facts I just found out regarding HPV:

1. There are 5 strains of HPV that are considered high risk for cervical cancer. Two of them (16 and 18) are the most likely to cause cancer. 16 is the most prevalent to infect the cervix.


2. If you have HPV and you smoke, you increase your risk for developing cervical cancer


3. HPV is "rampant" on college campuses (The doctor's words, not mine).


4. BARRING ABSTINENCE, Barrier methods of protection are the best method for preventing HPV Infection.

edit: I almost forgot: Pap smears are the most effective diagnostic weapon in combating the development of cervical cancer so ladies, don't put off getting your exams. And the majority of women in the US will NOT develop cancer due to the fact that so many of us do get our pap smears, so please don't panic if you're up to date on your exams.

UTI, yeast, & PID... all in 6 weeks!

[nstynker.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm new here... I've been having a ton of problems over the past month or so and am in dire need of some other opinions.

In the end of November I was diagnosed with a UTI. I've had many of them before and knew exactly what it was so they gave me Bactrim and sent me on my way. When I finished the antibiotics, I felt my UTI coming back so I went back to the same clinic and they gave me Macrobid instead. That antibiotic worked much better for me and I felt like the UTI was gone for good.

As I always do with antibiotics, I got a yeast infection. Thankfully though, the doctor who treated me for my UTI gave me a prescription for Diflucan so I was all set. A few days later I was still having symptoms so I went to the student health center at my school's campus instead of going to the clinic I went to for my UTI. The nurse gave me a pelvic exam, said I did have yeast, and gave me another Diflucan. A week later I was at my sister's house for Christmas and was STILL having yeast symptoms. Or so I thought... I got 3-day Monistat, it did nothing. I got 1-day Monistat and STILL nothing. When I finally went home for winter break, I went to a walk-in clinic by my house and the nurse practioner gave me Diflucan and Terazol. I started both treatments that night.

The next day I woke up with a fever, chills, nausea, and body aches. I felt like I had a flu and thought maybe I was having a bad reaction to the combination of Terazol and Diflucan. I went back to the clinic and turns out what I thought was yeast wasn't yeast at all. Instead it was PID. They gave me Cipro and Flagyl and told me to come back in 2 days.

Soooo, I went back feeling much better and they tested me for STDs just to be safe. That came back negative so they're assuming the PID was just a bacterial infection.

Last week I went to my OB/GYN for a regular check-up. I told him about my PID and my frequent problems with UTIs and yeast. I felt like he brushed off all my concerns and even told me that he didn't think I ever even had PID. I told him I was still having some discomfort, some slight burning/pain... and he told me there was nothing wrong with me.

I've been taking acidophalus every day, eating tons of yogurt, I haven't had sex in 3 weeks, and I've been doing everything else I'm supposed to be doing and I still don't feel right. I was hoping the OB/GYN would've been more helpful, but I left his office with many unanswered questions. I haven't felt well in a long time and I'm getting sick of this. I feel like I have a yeast infection now but I've had so many weird feelings going on down there that I don't know what's what anymore. I used the remaining Terazol that I didn't use from what I thought was yeast... but I still have a deep burning sensation deep inside. I usually only have it in the morning when I first get up to pee and soon it diminishes. And I always feel better after I shower.

Do you gals have any suggestions? I'm beyond frustrated and I'm scared to have sex ever again.

Thanks for all your help and I'm sorry this was such a long winded entry!

Breast question.

[mono-version.livejournal.com]

Hello, I've never posted here before but I do have a question.
I don't know if this has ever been asked before but...

I'm a tomboy and have been for all my life, so I don't know much about girl related things.
I want to know if any of you ladies wear some sort of support for your breasts when you sleep?
I've been wondering about this for a long time now and I thought maybe girls are supposed to wear SOMETHING so one's boobs don't "sag".
I've been sleeping bra-less, supportless etc since I can remember and I've been noticeing how weird my breasts feel without support when I sleep (on my side).

:/

Any feed back is appreciated.

EDIT: Thank you for all your comments!
My issue was that it didn't feel comfortable sleeping without something, so I switched from a big shirt to a tight shirt to sleep in and it's so much better. :)
I don't feel like my boobs are going to lose blood flow anymore.

bacterial infection back with a vengeance.

[https://users.livejournal.com/-herowndisaster/]

ok. so here's the deal. i hope you can help me with this, and my apologies if this is TMI.

so about a month ago, I noticed a really strong fishy smell and alot of white discharge coming from down there.
i went to my doc, and he prescribed something called flagyl.
he didn't really tell me what it was that I had, only that it was something bacterial.
so i took the meds, and it went away.
for a little while.

now it seems to be back with a vengeance.
i am in a sexual monogamous relationship, and we are both STD free.
(or at least we were when we were both tested in September.....)

any idea on what this is/whats causing it/what I should do?
thanks in advance.

The Ring when to take it out when to put it back in.

[nickybelle.livejournal.com]

Okay this is my first month on Nuva Ring. Other than my minor fear the sucker will fall out - my SO usually pushes it up during sex- but then after Im always afraid its going to slip loose with the extra umm shall we say lubrication left after sex. So far I partake in my usual clean up and then check it. So far so good.
However I was checking my Calendar I am using the stickers to remind me when to take it out... Exactly three weeks after it was inserted right?
My next question is this. When I remove it do I reinsert it five days later - or seven. Bleeding or not I know that. But with reinserting it Five days after removing it ofcourse it will not be on the same day of the week it was originally inserted /removed.
I think Ive read of women inserting them on day four. So Im thinking having it in if its two days early is better than putting it in 'late'.

I think my Doctor said reinsert after five days off but I cant remember.

Any advice would be greatfully appreciated.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!

HSV self care?

[whoiamwhoiwas.livejournal.com]

Hey folks. I've had HSV for about seven or eight years; I got it from an ex-boyfriend who I was convinced I would marry so "it [didn't] matter." D'oh! I've only had a few outbreaks -- probably one a year or so -- and up until the last few days, they've been really mild. Not the case now. I have at least ten sores of varying sizes and I'm, frankly, quite miserable. I'm a marathoner, too, and I'm training for a race in spring and it's just painful lately. I feel like what I imagine diaper rash feels like to a baby. No fun.

So, anyway, I just wanted to know if any of you have suggestions for self-care or home treatment? I take occasional baths in Epsom salts and oatmeal, and that seems to help. I also put hydrocortisone cream on the external areas, which also helps. But I've just been so miserable. I'm a writer, too, and so I spend long days sitting... and that certainly doesn't help.

Blah. I guess I'm just venting about this and looking for some commiseration.

xposted to hsv2

Bladder Infections and Cathaders

[sam-got-jood.livejournal.com]

I've been having chronic urinary tract infections over the course of a year and a half now, and my parents finally decided it was time to see a uroligist on Monday. (I'm 16 by the way.) And I have some questions:

1.) Can the uroligist give me that test with the cathader on that first visit? Doesn't he need a consultation first and is it definite that I will have to get one? What do you think he will probably do on that visit?

2.) How bad is a cathader?

3.) Has a doctor ever gotten on you about shaving your vagina? My mom is completely against it, and I am afraid my doctor is going to say something to me about it.

Thanks for all your help!

Clots?

[--redtape.livejournal.com]

I went through three weeks with my NuvaRing birth control in. I took it out for a week to have my period, so this is my first actual cycle from the Ring. It's been a weird cycle... I didn't know exactly when it started, but sometime this week... perhaps on Sunday or Monday. Today I've been having these stabby pains in my abdomen and I'm thinking it's passing of these blood chunks. Are these blood clots? They're pretty huge.

If these are blood clots... are these dangerous? Is it because of my birth control? I'm kind of worried, but I'm thinking it will pass and not happen every time. I am not too sure.

(no subject)

[just-a-medicine.livejournal.com]

A few weeks ago i had a UTI (i think.)
I had pretty much all the symptoms, anyway.
I drank 100% cranberry juice, lots of water, and even took some special
vitamins from GNC that was meant to help flush out your system.
Within 2 days, all my symptoms were gone and I've had nothing out of
the odinary happen to my body, or lasting effects.

I don't have health insurance, i dont drive, i got school and work so i
have very little time.
I was looking in the memories and saw some people say they should go to
the doctor even if there are no symptoms, and other people say, that
out of personal experience, it happens all the time and can go away
shortly with some self medicating.(hydrating, etc.)

So, SHOULD i still go to the doctors, even though i cant
afford it and would have to cut school and take a day off from work
(which is difficult because i need the money)?
Or, am i most likely totally fine and can wait a month
before my little check up for BC and other vagina type things?

astroglide = burning

[http://users.livejournal.com/--perfectangel/]

Hey,

So the other night, bf and I decided to try astroglide again (we have not used it for a few months)

As soon as I put some of it on I got this crazy burning, and then any attempt at intercourse just hurt like hell. This has never happened before and I got a little worried that something may be up down there?

I am wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else?

Discharge, Possibly YI?

[-naughty-nice-.livejournal.com]

I've had this problem for a couple weeks it seems. I have a strange discharge, it's white-ish, kinda pasty. And it smells, sometimes worse than other times. It never seems to thin up or anything. And my labia are constantly itchy. I'm 19 and a virgin. This is driving me insane. I still need to make an appt with my gyno, but in the mean time any ideas thoughts, etc?

Quell YI symptoms.

[lisbonlovesjacq.livejournal.com]

I brushed through the archives real quick and did not find an answer!

I have a YI and I'm going to get Monistat tomorrow. Until then, is there anything I can do to help the burning/itching some? Not to cure it in any way, but just to numb the symptoms a bit for a few hours?

strange discharge

[meekly.livejournal.com]

I don't even know what to title this but, I guess I can change it if anybody needs me to...

Here are the issues:
1. Brown discharge. I'm used to seeing it the last day of my period but my period isn't due for 2 weeks. I usually see it smeared all over my panties/liners. It seems to be coming from inside my vagina AND my clitoris. This morning and after I had a BM, I wiped and it was brown and mucus looking.
2. I was taking Iron pills but I've stopped, only because I lost my bag with them in it. When I pee sometimes I get a tingly, very irritating feeling afterwards. I don't know if the iron has anything to do with anything but its the only thing new in my system.
3. I have mono... GAWD

I guess I'm posting this because One.. I'm not sure if this a combination of yeast and UTI and I need some home remedies because I can't get to the doctor for maybe 2 weeks and my anniversary is coming up :-(