*almost*

[lyss.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm new here and I am seriously considering a menstrual cup when I get my tax return. I really hate hate hate tampons, pads, and the price of both. I have been reading the testimonials, and listening to the tips and everything and I can not tell you how excited I am about it. ^^;; (I never thought I'd be excited about anything concerning my period.)

Anyway I was wondering what the difference between the three talked about cups were:

http://www.divacup.com/
http://www.mooncup.co.uk/index.html
http://www.thekeeperstore.com/

The price on all three seems to be about the same so I was wondering what you all thought.

Late period?

[namegirl.livejournal.com]

My period is usually very regular, starting withing a day or two of a month, which means my period should have started the first weekend of January. I got a few of my normal symptoms but no major cramps or irratability like usual. Which I guess makes sense when that weekend came and went with no period. It's now the 19th and still nothing. I had some spotting briefly, but that was the end of that (and when I say briefly, I mean it wasn't even worth a tampon) I haven't had sex since August, so I'm not pregnant, I haven't recently gone on or off birth control, no major changes in diet or stress levels. I'm completely baffled.

Any suggestions?

(no subject)

[bby-sherry.livejournal.com]

I'm new here, so I'm extremely sorry if my situation/questions were answered in a previous post. I have looked through the memories section, but found very little on my situation. I'll explain first. :o

Over the past few days, I suspected that I had a UTI, urinary infection, because I had symptoms of a burning feeling while peeing. (I did not have other symptoms besides that, but I still assumed that I had a UTI). Prior to those days, I've been having a good amount of sex with my boyfriend (of 1 year & 8 months), who I have been sexually active with for well over a year. (We've never had any sexual or health problems, & we're both free of STDS & diseases.)

I have been drinking a lot of water (& now cranberry juice) because I've read many health articles that mentioned these fluids can help by flushing out the bacteria. (Sorry if that's incorrect, I'm recalling by memory :P) My UTI has been getting better & better. There's little to no pain at all, when I urinate. However, my actual problem seems to be a lump that appeared on the outer lip of my vagina (I think it's called the labia major). I first noticed it while I was showering & thought it was just a bump because there was not much pain. However, through out the day, the pain slightly worsened. It hurts when it comes in contact with anything (example, the feel of jeans). But that's about the only time it hurts. I guess the pain is spreading because the areas around, more towards my thighs & pelvic area, it is in the same pain as I touch the bump (meaning it hurts when I touch it).

As I was researching online (such sites as MSN Health,& others), I came across lymph nodes (link) & that it can form from an infection, such as my UTI. Plus, the chances are higher withn you are PMS-ing as I was when my UTI started. So I'm guessing that it could be a lymph node & will eventually go away.

I was wondering, if anyone has been in the same situation as me. Or a similar situation & what did you do to help with the pain & similar bumps. The sites I've gone to don't seem to mention that lymph nodes can cause pain for the nodes or areas around it. =\

I know in my post I'm assuming & guessing a lot. & that I should get a doctor's opinion or examined by one, but I'd like to wait a few days to see if my symptoms get better. If it does not by then, I will absolutely go to a doctor. I would just like some input, comments & advice on my situation. :) Thanks to all who read my entry. :D

Oh , would it be safe for my boyfriend if we continue to have sex? :o

x-posted to sexexpert :P

(no subject)

[stripawayskin.livejournal.com]

The standard "first time poster, etc., so forth", so please bear with me!

I've been prescribed Amoxicillin for some sort of throat bacteria something or other (I'm not sure even what the diagnoses was, just the prescription).

At the time I had the prescription filled, the pharmacist suggested that I purchase a "probiotic" to help fend off possible yeast infections, etc. caused by the decrease in good bacteria this this sorta penicillin causes.

I'm fairly poor right now, so I didn't buy it, but now I'm particularly paranoid and fear that my constant nibbling on cheese and yogurt (as recommended by my boss/Registered Nurse) may not be sufficient.

Long story semi shorter - do I really need to purchase these pills, will I be okay with my "natural" method, or is it all a hope and prayer/no way to tell?

urine smell and peeing pain

[technotaco.livejournal.com]

I'm new here. This question is embarrassing and part 2 is very concerning to me, so please be gentle :)

My undies and pants seem to get a urine odor to them (as does my crotch) no matter how well I clean down there after I go to the bathroom. When I am at home after I pee I wash my crotch with a warm wash cloth and dry it well. When I am out I use wet wipes (like those ones for kids- not babies...) to do the same thing. I have a lot (i think anyways) of discharge too. I can't seem to think of what could be causing this problem, do any of you have any ideas?

Part 2 I was prescribed Famvir (an antiherpetic) for my shingles about 6 months ago, I usually only take the antiherpetic for a week and the shingles go away, and I'm fine. But the famvir (i believe) caused a SHARP SHARP pain in my abdomen when I would urinate (it would bring me to tears) I called my DR. and she said to stop taking the famvir. I did. the pain went away for a while but returned about 2 months later. It wasn't as sharp and painful, but more--annoying then anything. The pain has persisted for about 4 months and I plan to ask my doctor about this but I'd like to get some friendly opinions first, so I can have an idea of what to expect. I have a gyno appointment on the 24th.

Thanks in advance! I hope to be a very active member in this community!

(no subject)

[ibeliveinfaes.livejournal.com]

Hellooo ladies and gents! Can't remember what number post this is, but it don't matter, do it? Didn't think so. Anyway....

The lover is gonna come over tomorrow, and he says it's all about me. So...I need some music to have sex to. Anyone have any hints? It can be ANY song, ANY genre, just tell me your favorite songs to do the deed to! Thanks everyone!

UTI tips

[ncsu-lady.livejournal.com]

Please send me your tips, I know this is a frequent topic but I could not find much help.

I just got diagnosed with my first UTI and am now on Cipro as of this morning. Any suggestions on how to quickly make the pain go away? I cannot take any over the counter meds due to migraines though I can take Celebrex if that might help? I have heard cranberry juice but is that a myth or good idea? What about cleaning the area or baths/showers? How much extra fluids should I try to consume? Anything in particular or just straight water?

Also how long should I wait before resuming intercourse? Obviously until the initial symptoms clear but should I wait longer?

Lastly, I'm also having an IUD inserted on Monday, what should I do about that? Also my period is starting TODAY so I do not know if that will compromise anything.

Thanks ladies (and gents!), you really are so very helpful.

(no subject)

[classical-wolf.livejournal.com]

I'd posted about a week ago about having frequent urination. I'd gone to health services and they did a urine culture which came back negative (no UTI), and they did a pelvic in which they found BV, which they gave me an antibiotic for. While on the antibiotic, I didn't have the same frequency to urinate as much, but it was still there. I've been off the antibiotic for a few days, and I went to health services today to see what more they could do for me, since the problem is still there. I made an appointment on Tuesday morning for bloodwork, and then an appointment on Wednesday morning for a repeat urine culture and pelvic to rule out UTI, yeast, and to see if the BV is still there. If none of those cultures/checks show anything, then I'm going to be referred to a urologist because the person at health services said that they could test for interstitial something in the urine that they couldn't test for at health services. I'm a little nervous and I'm hoping the frequent urination goes away on it's own, that it's attributed to something else, and that I don't have to see the urologist. I should be getting my period soon - can they still do the pelvic tests while I'm on my period?

Birth control with no health insurance?

[copenhagen77.livejournal.com]

My bf and I have been having sex for 4 months, he's my first, and we use condoms. I'm sort of afraid of getting pregnant, though, and so I've been thinking of getting on the Pill as a second method of birth control. I don't have insurance. Any suggestions?

Tips for UTI sufferers.

[majesticarky.livejournal.com]

Feel free to add to the list.

It seems like so many posts here are about UTI problems. UTI are very common for young women in their late teens. The problem usually subsides a bit after a woman reaches about 30 years old.

I suffered my first one when I was about 7 and it went away on its own. My second one happened when I was 18 and it pretty much went away on its own.

My worst one happened when I was 19, ever since then I've had a bunch of problems with it.

Tip #1-

DRINK A LOT OF WATER

- This is the very most important thing to remember. A lot of the time, for me, the burning would come about and hurt very badly, then go away. Even though it hurts to pee, water will offset the bacteria and help it get washed away. It's a general rule of thumb- if it hurts, drink about 1 liter of water. You will go to the bathroom a bunch of times and this helps it out a LOT.

Tip #2- KEEP DRINKING WATER- Drink and drink water. Do NOT substitute water for most other beverages, this can make the problem worse. ESPECIALLY do not drink a lot of soda- the acidity will probably make it worse. If drinking a ton of water during the problem doesn't go away....-

Tip#3- Call the doctor if you've been suffering for AT LEAST a week and drinking water has not helped. The reason you do not call the doctor earlier is that generally drinking the water WILL make the problem go away. If you go to the doctor prematurely, they will say nothing is wrong with you. If you wait at least a week, then they may find nothing wrong with you, or they may prescribe you antibiotics.

Tip#4- If you're prescribed antibiotics please remember to take all of them, even if you feel better. I usually am prescribed 3 days worth. Sometimes they will prescribe you a weeks worth. Remember to take them all!

Tip#5- Drink a healthy amount of water a day and it will prevent problems. I have a very bad UT/bladder. It will get very sick if I don't drink enough water a day.

So I think the theme of "drink a lot of water" has been made very clear. this is honestly the very most important thing to remember. It's not a good thing to rush going to the doctor.

I hope this list can help. It's annoying that females suffer through this UTI problem. Males very, very rarely get it. It is because of the anatomy- females have a very short urethera and somehow this makes it a good place for bacteria to sit around. For some reaosn, it gets better when you get around 30. So hopefully my UTI problems won't continue forever, because it's a real pain :|.

Vaginal Weirdness

[tres-geek.livejournal.com]

I've been on Yasmin since September and I am sexually active with my boyfriend. We use both condoms and my pill. We've used both everytime we've had sex. On the 8th of this month we didn't use a condom so he went inside of me. I continued taking my pills like normal.

I just started my placebo pills for the month on Tuesday and today (Thursday) after my workout, I went to the bathroom where there was obvious bleeding along with this weird little chunk of I don't-know-what. Picture is under the cut.

( ick )

Anyone have any idea what that is and why it's there? It looks like a piece of my vagina fell out of something. I'm not sure whether I should go see a doctor about that or not. I saved my little chunk of weirdness in a baggy in case I do go to the doctors. I just wanted to see if anyone knew what that was and/or what I should do about it. Thanks!

true lies

[lovethatlovage.livejournal.com]

i'm 21 years old, and have always an borderline A/B cup. However, over the past 6 months i have grown into almost a C cup.

this has nothing to do with hormonal BC, or any other medications.

i was always happy with having a small chest, but i just wanted to let you girls know that when they say your breasts can develope into your early 20's, they are weren't kidding! i always thought it was a fabrication, never having known anyone it had happened to.

also, i got my period at the age of 12 so we aren't even talking about a late onset of puberty here.

just wanted to let you know, because i see this type of question posted with some regularity, that it can happen.

(no subject)

[fishnet-baby.livejournal.com]

ok, so im straight back from the gyno....apparently ok, firstly i had strep in my vagina...took amoxicillin for that...then a pill that i forget its name so i wouldn't get a yeast infection...i currently might have one anyways so she thinks, anyways im still having this pain during sex that i had when i had strep down there. which is what brought me back to the gyno today. AMYWAYS, she noticed a small cut in there...and said the yeast probably made a cut...and to do a monistat treatment thingy,meanwhile she sent in a culture test to see if anything else is still wrong.
QUESTION IS: has anyone ever heard of such a thing....yeast causing a actual cut??? it seems so crazy too me.

discharge

[aliaswho.livejournal.com]

I've been taking a triphasic birth control pill for a while now. I've been noticing a strange discharge, rather, not strange but uncommon or previously unnoticed. I found a good description of it in the archives somewhere: "white or slightly yellowish and thick (but does NOT have "chunks") -- much like the consistency of paste, this sort of discharge tends to occur curing less fertile times in the monthly cycle."

This was described as "normal discharge," but I still feel a little concerned. Being on birth control, can my body still tell what part of the cycle it's on? Going along with this, I'm also curious about whether bc users can still have PMS. It just seems strange to me that your body can still know what's up when you're taking a hormone, but maybe I'm just not well-educated about it.

Any input is appreciated.

x-posted

Oral sex advice

[12410604.livejournal.com]

There's this girl who I've been sexually involved with for quite some time, but I've never managed to make her orgasm or even really got close. It's very frustrating and I'd really like some advice, since most of the online tips I've found are quite confusing and make it sound much simpler than it seems to actually be.

Please, please, please don't reply with 'ask her to tell you what she wants' [because I do get her to explain as best as she can and give me feedback while I'm doing it] or 'masturbate so you know what you like' [because while I can please myself with no difficulty, it's so different on somebody else].

( some questions, kind of graphic )

(no subject)

[classical-wolf.livejournal.com]

I'm on Yasmin, and my mom mailorders my meds for me because I'm at college and barely home. Anyway, even though my mom put my school address on the form for it to be mailed, my meds were sent to my dad because he has the primary insurance, so he put the pills in the mail to me today. O_O My dad thinks they'll be here by Saturday, but mom thinks it could be a little later because of how snail mail goes. I usually start my pills the Sunday once my period's begun, and it started today, so I'd take it starting Sunday, assuming they arrive. My friend told me "As per medical advice for missed birthcontrol pills (only up to three days worth) you are advised to "double up" until you are back to a normal schedule...". Is that true? What would you guys suggest I do?

bowels

[aliaswho.livejournal.com]

My question does relate to the vagina's neighbor.... I don't know where to ask, and the members of this community know a lot. I'll make it quick, anyway.

( Read more... )

Breast Pain

[silverpixiedust.livejournal.com]

Why do I suddenly have a sharp, stabby pain in my right breast? It comes and goes, but it hurts enough to make me want to cry.

They haven't been injured in anyway. I'm 18, sexually active, on Alesse...can't think of any other relevant information. Any insight/tips to make it stop hurting would be greatly welcomed.

On a lighter note, the boy keeps offering to massage the pain out =^^=

yeast reduction - herbal remedies?

[phusis.livejournal.com]

Apparently, I'm "naturally" yeasty. I recently got a pelvic and a swab was taken of my insides, and the report came back with high-ish (but not too high) yeast levels. I don't believe I've ever had a yeast infection before.

Since I've been on birth control (almost a year now - seasonale) I've had kind of a lot of vaginal discharge. It doesn't exactly smell fabulous (before the BC, I used to smell and taste nicer than I do know) but the smell isn't really bad or unpleasant either. I know that birth control increases cervical mucous production, which is normal and good and all of that, but I'm thinking that all that cervical stuff all the time plus being a yeasty kind of girl has made my vag not as happy as it once was.

I'm looking for suggestions to help this problem. I'm on very low dose bc, lower than average I think, and I have no interest in POP's/mini pills because while I've never missed a pill, I do need that 3-5 hour of time that's alloted with combo pills.

Any ideas/thoughts on this subject?

xposted to birthcontrol

bladder pressure

[skeletonkeydoor.livejournal.com]

It seems every couple months or so I get a terrible pain in my low abdomen, that feels like my bladder is enduring extreme pressure. I'm getting really tired and worried about this. Does anyone know what this could be?

Pimples on my clit

[the-olive.livejournal.com]

Every once in a while, I get what I can only describe as teeny-tiny pimples on my clitoris. Slightly raised skin, filled with a little bit of pus. They seem to go away if and only if popped (within a few days... I haven't waited more than two weeks for them to disappear on their own), and there's no itching or stinging or concurrent symptoms. They've only ever appeared in or on my clitoral hood, right up next to my poor tender clit. They never turn into open sores or scab over.

I'm pretty sure I never got one before I started using NuvaRing.

Problems with them are 1) being practically on my clitoris, they irritate it, 2) being practically on my clit, it's comically uncomfortable to pop them, 3) if this sounds like some kind of crazy form or herpes or HPV, I'll see the gynecologist now rather than in a month, 4) here's a Silly Excuse, but I'm afraid of being laughed at by the nurses at health services, who aren't especially interested in helping people who are just curious, 5) are there pores there? You can't have pimples without pores... can you?

Has anyone had something like this? VP has a pretty extensive archive of bumps and sores and cysts (no better place to find a chorus of "me toos", but I haven't really found a good match for clit zits.

(no subject)

[gussetless.livejournal.com]

Any one else notice extreme ... farting during the first day or two of your period? I often do.

And today, i was taking a bath when the extremeness kicked in, and everytime i poofed, a splurge of blood spewed...it was amusing.

Wondered if anyone else has expirienced this.

Ichy/Unconfortableness

[darkraven35.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm new here. But I have been reading this l-j for practically forever.

Alright. As long as I can remember, I've been an itchy girl down there. Sometimes I'll have periods of non-ichyness, sometimes I have periods where my girly bits ich so bad it hurts. Its getting to the point where its embarassing because I start scatching in public!!! I know its not a yeast infection because there is no discharge,(Atleast none worse than regular, I'm a well lubricated girl down there.) and no weird smell. I also keep things well cleaned with a rather gentle soap, (Ivory, I love it,) and trim/shave it regularly. Any idea's on what it could be? I'm going for my first gyno visit in a month or so, so if i cant fix it by then, I'll just ask her... I'm just getting fed up with it.

hormonal birth control and LACK of side effects

[wickedrhapsody.livejournal.com]

ive been wondering. a lot of people post about the side effects (ie weight gain, mood swings, etc) of taking hormonal birth control, but i dont think ive ever seen a post about not having ANY side effects. i guess this makes sense, because theres nothing really to talk about...but i was just curious as to whether such a fortunate person actually exists.

is it possible not to have any side effects from taking hormonal birth control?

eating yogurt to prevent YIs?

[quatre-vingts.livejournal.com]

I've finally discovered yogurt I like--O'Soy vanilla--and it has lots of fun cultures in it. I'm not really prone to YIs, knock on wood, but can eating yogurt help keep all the bacteria in your vag happy? Or is the yogurt treatment for YIs mainly just "get a YI, shove plain yogurt up there, the end"?

Scary sex.

[laurooa.livejournal.com]

Okay so this may be more penis related then vagina, but it is having to do with my vagina … ( Read more... )

-Laura….the sexually frustrated girl…..