Menstrual pains

[tenna.livejournal.com]

I've got a question about being sick for the first day of my period.

I've been experiencing worse and worse symptoms of menstruating over the past year and a half or so, and they've been getting progessively worse to the point I'm practically crippled the first day of my period.

Anyway, I usually feel really cramped up, as well as nauseaus, severely light headed and get really bad chills to the point I'm shivering. I'm lightheaded to the point I can't stand up for very long, can't focus well, and so even if I wanted to go to school or whatever, I couldn't because I'd probably faint. (meaning I basically have to stay home sick from school) :\ I know it's from my period, because it happens for the first day of EVERY period I've had for quite awhile, and is gone by the time the second day rolls around. The symptoms are the same as well. Somedays are worse than others, obviously... but it is indeed getting worse overall.

I'm seriously considering going to the doctor about this. But does anyone know what kind of "fix" there is for something like this? Thanks!

Spotting vs. actual period?

[crossmyfingers.livejournal.com]

So, I've always been a relatively paranoid girl, and this is definitely one of those times where I need reassurance about it. Backstory: my boyfriend and I are usually pretty safe. We've been absolutely safe in terms of contraception since my last period (March 4-9). He has absolutely not ejaculated inside me in a very long time without use of a condom, though he has been inside me without one. But, for whatever reason, following the end of that last period, my body decided to go a little haywire. Adittedly, this could be because of minor stress (work, money, about to move out from home for the first time). I started sleeping a lot longer, having to pee slightly more frequently (again, could be explained away, I consume a lot of liquid). So I became worried that I was pregnant. I've just begun really keeping track of my cycle, so I wasn't sure when my next period was supposed to arrive, so I just waited.

Flash forward to yesterday: what I think (hope) is my period comes. Logically, the timing is right for it to actually be my period. Yesterday and today, it's slightly lighter that usual, but I still had to change tampons a few times, and the blood was definitely there, dark red like usual (not orange-ish like I'm told a lot of spotting is), albeit with a few more clots than normal. But, being the paranoid girl I am, I read through the vaginapagina archives and read all about how it's completely possible for a girl to have a period or be spotting all nine months through pregnancy and just think it's the normal menstrual cycle. My question really is, could I just be spotting or is this definitely my actual period? How, exactly, can I tell the difference and be sure I'm not pregant? I took a pregnancy test tonight just to triple-reassure myself, and it came up negative, but I wasn't sure if bleeding like I am could make the test less accurate. Also, I know about the am_i_pregnant community, but I felt like with my spotting question, this was a more appropriate community. And I'm also way more comfrotable here.

Unrelated- I just want to say thanks to everyone who contributes to this page. It's really helped me get to know my body and what goes on a little better, and actually kind of pushed me to make my first gyno appointment soon and get tested and all that good stuff. So thanks!

Body Sugaring-Final verdict

[katzenflammen.livejournal.com]

ALright ladies! I'm the one who asked about Body Sugaring yesterday!
See original post here!

Making the sugar is so stupidly easy i kept thinking "there's gotta be more to this" it took around 20 mins to make it, would probably be less for you guys closer to sea level, but i'm up in the rocky mountains, so yeah all that altitude makes it a little longer for me.

First i tried it out on my eyebrows and other facial hair and OMG IT IS AWESOME!! its not very painful, and the site was right, it feels alot like ripping off a bandage, or maybe even a piece of tape. my skin is a little red, but its not too irritated, and putting some tea tree oil on it made it very happy ^.^

Next, i tried my girly-bits. I'm a little dissapointed to report that it didnt work so well. The sugaring doesnt grab all of the hair, so i had to wax over the same spot a few times...and when i sill had quite a bit of hair, i got frustrated and stopped. I have really coarse pubic hair though, so it could just be me.

So, my Final Verdict for Sugaring:
AWESOME for facial hair
Not so awesome for Pubic hair.

I give it a 8 out of 10!

Thanks for all the wonderful tips and comments ladies! :D

The Pill and DST

[ex-birds977.livejournal.com]

Wow, this might just be the stupidest question ever asked in the history of VP but here goes!


Today, as y'all know, is Daylight Savings Time! The clocks move an hour forward...

... so does that mean that technically I'm taking my pill an hour late?

I take Ortho Tricyclen-Low at 3 pm every day. Does that mean that today I technically take it at 4 pm? Isn't there a three-hour window?


I was just laying in bed and I said to myself... DST... the pill... weeeeeeeeird....

gender stuff

[groundisnotmine.livejournal.com]

Hey all! First of all: awesome community! I love learning new things about my body.

I don't know that I have a specific question to ask. Lemme introduce myself: I'm an 18 year old lesbian; I've been in a long term, healthy relationship, in which silly labels like "butch" and "femme" never came up. I think this is because we were each other's first girlfriends. This was definitely a good experience for shaping my future views on relationships. Now that I am dating around again, I've come into heavy contact with the typical lesbian labels and weird gender roles. Sometimes I like them, sometimes they are completely ridiculous. For instance, I don't like filling a fully "femme" role, mainly because that's not who I am and I am a feminist who doesn't agree with traditional gender roles.

I've also met many people that are situated all over the transgender continuum, which is starting to make me question the concept and place less emphasis on "gender." This has led me to want to experiment with my own gender. I'm completely happy as I am, I love every part of being a girl, I've just started thinking about messing around with image short-term-wise.

So here's the point: Have any of you crossdressed or maybe just changed small parts of your appearance to assume a different (and/or new) gender? Any and all information and experiences would be helpful.

week long period?

[tanzabonanza.livejournal.com]

Ugh, so here's my question. I'm on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and have been for almost three years. Normally, my periods come on the Tuesday of my sugar pills. For the past couple of months, it's been coming earlier and earlier each time, until I finally got my last period the Saturday before my last week of ACTIVE pills started. Now it's Sunday, day one of my sugar pills, and I STILL have my period. That's eight days of it! It's not heavy at all, and I'm changing my tampon every six hours and it's not completely soaked through. It's been like this for pretty much the whole eight days, and it isn't showing any sign of letting up anytime soon.

I have NO idea what could be making this happen. Do you think maybe I should talk to my gyno about different methods of birth control? This is REALLY putting a damper on my sex life with my boyfriend, and just overall pissing me off -- who likes bleeding for eight days straight?

Thanks in advance!!

Confusion and questions on YI.

[wheresmyhookah.livejournal.com]

1. Do acidophilus in capsules actually dissolve in the vagina? We have some in those plastic-y ones, and they obviously dissolve in stomach acid, but has anyone used this treatment on a YI with success?

2. How about gentian violet? I've seen it mentioned, but I haven't really seen any testimonies on it...

3. My YI has been around for about a month, and it seemed to go away for about a week, then come back (or something similar), but now I seem to have only very, very mild itching with the weirdly-smelling discharge. No other symptoms. So it's still around, right? It hasn't really changed into something else? Normally, I'd go ask a doctor on these matters, but I can't go to a doctor (long story).

4. I have a white spot right around/on (and in?) the vaginal opening. It won't wipe off. Does that mean my vagina's scarred? :/

5. Oh, and what about tea tree oil suppository? Can anyone tell me if that's any good?

6. Also, my parents insist on putting me on a strict diet to help treat the YI. I haven't seen many diet-related advisories mentioned other than eating lots of yogurt and garlic. Would this diet really have a huge impact on my YI?

Thanks in advance. :]

my first yeastie

[angel-eyes224.livejournal.com]

After reading the FAQs I am pretty sure what I have is a YI. I have had discharge almost every day of my life since I was about 12. It's usually whitish to clear. But yesterday it turned yellow and I itch down there. I don't know what caused it and I have never had one before. It seems to be a pretty mild one. Not a whole lot of discharge, very little itching and redness. That being said, I would like to try the garlic method to get rid of it. Why do you wrap it in gauze? How long does it stay in? Does it in fact stay in or will it fall out? How do I get it out when I need to? Thanks!

erotic bakery?

[abc-124.livejournal.com]

Ok, if this is off topic...please delete.

This has been driving me crazy. every time I go to work I see an advertisement for this erotic bakery, and I'm just kinda curious as to what it is? I seriously have gone from phallic shaped muffins to topless chefs and was just wondering if any of you knew...Totally have no idea, and I'm afraid they won't let me in b/c I'm under 18

Period Related Weight Gain?

[denkimouse.livejournal.com]

i've heard good things about this community, so i pose my question here.


i'm due for my period this week, later this week, a co-worker i am usually synced up with just got hers (march was a long month). anyway, i've decided to lose some fat before a beach trip in july, and started properly eating right, less calories, working out every single day, i have lost weight before and i know it's not so much a problem with my diet. i lost a few pounds...


now they are back, and they brought some extra friends!!! am i relying to much on the scale? i've always known periods brought weight gain from water retention, and that i can deal with... except i'm not bleeding yet, i haven't completely wigged out on anyone (i always do a day or two before the blood comes), so i want to believe this weight is due to my period, but since i was never weighing myself before i dont know how long before a period the weight gain starts.

no, i havent done enough weight training to have gained 5 lbs of muscle in 3 days, and i have not strayed from my diet or excersise. argh!! it's not even some stupid fad, i'm doing it slow and steady, the right way, and it STILL isnt working!

so thats my question, what kind of "weight gain" do you see when you are having your period?

Skipping a week or skipping a month of The Pill

[sexyjamie.livejournal.com]

Hello, fellow vagina owners! I've been on the pill (currently Lutera but many others) every month for the past four years. I had some problems with nausea during my period and wanted to have sex without worry. At the moment, I'm on it, just because. I have sex once in awhile with an old flame and we always use condoms. Well, being the scatterbrain that I am, I forgot to get my three month supply of my pills from the mail-order company. I'm on my period now and should start a new pack on Tuesday night. So, here's my question: Should I just take a month off and hop back on next month? Should I take a week off and hop back on next Tuesday, as they should be here by then. Or should I not mess with it and have my doctor call in a month's worth and pick them up on Tuesday--this wouldn't be a problem at all. My insurance is no problem either.

I'm really not stressed about this. My body is pretty agreeable to change. I just wanted to see what you smart ladies thought about this or if you had any personal stories to share. Thanks!

I NEED to see a doctor-- or so I think! (bump and YI)

[c0mfortable.livejournal.com]

Hey ladies, just had a couple of questions for you all. So I don't know if this has any correlation, but on Friday I went swimming in my gym's pool. The next afternoon, I realized I have a bump on my vagina. I don't shave, so it's not an ingrown hair. I'm not sexually active-- at all. Maybe I got it at the gym? I dunno, but it's not a small bump either. It could be a pimple, but I remember getting a similar bump in like, 8th grade in my inner-thigh. I got rid of it with neosporin, but I don't think it's working this time. It hurts when I sit down ( because it's almost where the bottom of my butt cheek is).

Also, I'm pretty sure I have a yeast infection. I have the itching, and discharge. I'm a diabetic, so that's probably why I have it. So the real problem here is: my mom.

I don't know how to tell her I need to see a doctor. Sure I'm 19, but to her I'm still 5. I'm her youngest kid, and she has been under a lot of stress. To her, going to the gyno is like pulling teeth. I've only gone once, for irregular periods, but that was in High school. So should I go behind her back here? I'm thinking of making an appointment to the gyno I saw the first time, or... does Planned Parenthood deal with this kind of thing? And how long in advanced would I have to make these appointments?

Should I do the monistat/ yogurt thing? Some Neosporin for the bump? HELP!

Bit worried and confused....

[stillaworm.livejournal.com]

TMI Warning

Today was one of the most nasty period days I've had in, like...forever. I think it was the worst period I've ever had. My sister almost drove me to the ER I was so sick. I'm still not quite sure what happened to me...

It was a beautiful day so Jason and I drove out to Kitsumkalum again, but halfway there it felt like Vegeta grabbed my uterus and wrung it out like a dishcloth. So, we turned around. We had to stop about five times so that I could get out because I was going to throw up. Finally we got to my sisters and Jay had to go back home to get ready for work, so he left me with Kirsten. I spent 95% of the two hours that I was there in the bathroom, clutching my stomach and sobbing. I was so hot that I took off all my clothes and wound up on the bathroom tiled floor, so dizzy I could hardly stand. I was sweating so badly that when I went to sit up, I couldn't gain any purchase on the tiles; I just slid around helplessly for a few seconds until I could grab the towel rack to pull myself up. I never threw up, but I felt like I was going to the entire time. I kept having terrible shooting pains in my legs that wouldn't go away. My muscles would sieze and it felt like the worst Charliehorse ever. My flow was the heaviest I've ever seen it; it felt like I was having a miscariage because huge globs of blood would fall out of me. One had to be the size of a golfball.

Finally, I dragged myself into the living room in the basement (that was blessedly cool) and passed out on the couch. I woke up about a half hour later, feeling completely fine except for mild cramps and a headache. What the hell happened to me? I'm not on any BC right now but Jason and I always use condoms and are very careful.