Mineral oil down there? And 'safer' baths

[---123321---.livejournal.com]

Is it okay to use pure mineral oil moisturize my vulva (between inner and outer lips, and on inner lips but not inside)?

After showers, a few hours later, my skin down there gets dry. So I've been using mineral oil, rubbing it on then drying the excess off. It's been working, but I want to make sure it's okay (healthy).

If not, of even if so, what else is okay to use for this? I know that lube obviously is, but the kind I use gets sticky and doesn't seem like it would work to moisturize.


Also, what can you use (herbs, oils, etc) in a bath this is okay for the vulva/vagina? I know bubble baths and the like aren't very good for it, but plain baths are boring.

Thank you in advance!

Thrush--oral discharge

[brigittefires.livejournal.com]

Ok, so this question came up in another post's comments, and someone mentioned it could be its own post so here we are:

We've heard that being eaten out while suffering a yeast infection can cause Thrush, or an oral yeast infection. Symptoms would seem to include sore throat and oral discharge.

But what exactly is oral disharge? what would be the signs?

I ask because, the vulva is usually somewhat sealed off, ar is at least less active to some degree--point being, there is usually some time elapsed for discharge to build up, so it is noticed (hence most questions including a 'but then I went to the bathroom' or 'after I woke up'--time elapsing since last visual checkup of the area).

But wouldn't you swallow anything that gets even mildly built up in the mouth? Is there a taste--which I would imagine would be awful but if not absolutely putrid, then what is it?

And I figured someone might be able to get a good laugh out of this one: I was reading this and apparently had an odd look on my face, so my BF asked what I was reading.... after a long pause I looked at him and asked, "Would you be opposed to eating me out while I have a yeast infection?"

He replied, "Well, they use yeast to make beer, would it make you taste like beer?"

MEN!!! lol

Going back on bc after using ec

[so-glamorous.livejournal.com]

I looked through the memories and couldn't really find anything to answer my question, so here goes.

I took Plan B, the morning after pill, on Tuesday, the same day that I picked up my Nuvaring. The pamphlet that comes with the Nuvaring says to start using it as soon as you finish a progestin-only pill (which Plan B is), so I waited a few hours and inserted the Nuvaring that same day. Does this mean that I'll be fully protected after seven days, or will I still need back-up protection? Thanks so much.

treating yeast over-the-counter

[https://users.livejournal.com/---x-redefine/]

So I called my gynecologist to schedule an appointment because I am fairly certain I have a yeast infection.

When I called the office the woman on the phone asked me what I needed the appointment for, so I told her. She then told me that they suggested trying Monistat OTC and seeing how that works before I come in.

I'd used Monistat a few years ago for a previous infection, but that was after I had gone to Planned Parenthood to get checked out.

This just took me by surprise I guess, since I thought you weren't supposed to treat what you think is a yeast infection before actually getting a diagnosis? What would happen if I tried to treat this with Monistat and it wasn't, in fact, a yeast infection?

Thoughts?


Edit: I just made an appointment with my regular physician. Kind of a weird question, but... Should I shower before the appointment? Or would that be likely to.. uh... make the symptoms less noticeable for the doctor?

Half UTI symptoms half not?

[gothrockgirl.livejournal.com]

So my symptoms are I pee pretty much every 30 minutes and towards the end of peeing its kinda uncomfortable... not burning, not sharp pains. Kinda like if you overstimulate yourself (ie: masturbate too much) feeling. Also sitting down okay... standing up I feel the pressure to pee again. Not fun

This is sucking very hard... I'm trying to down Cranberry Juice because I have no health insurance for two more months until I get married. Any thoughts? I've never had a Urinary Tract Infection in my life (seriously). Could this be because I just started having sex a few weeks ago? Do you get more prone to things like this from sexin'?

TIA for answers... I'm googling and all but like I said, there's no burning or sharp pain so I'm confused.

urine samples

[lutraphile.livejournal.com]

I don't get UTIs often, but when I do, I have a problem- I simply CANNOT pee in a doctor's office. I have a major case of bashful bladder. I know all the "tricks" to handle it, but giving a sample in a doctor's office is simply too much.

(Worth noting- I managed to give a sample ONCE, a couple years ago. I had drunk about 6 glasses of water in an hour, and the sample was so dilute it was useless! So I'm screwed either way.)

My question is, with this in mind, what is the best way to handle a suspected UTI? When I call the doctor, they always make me come in for an appointment... even when I explain my problem. Once they get me in there, of course they make me try to give a sample anyway. When I can't give one, they talk to me about my symptoms and send me home with a prescription anyway.

So if they can diagnose me by talking to me, why do I have to come in? It's a waste of my time, and honestly it's embarrasing, almost traumatizing, to have to go through the whole urine sample rigamarole.

Suggestions?

Abused parent.

[mrs-twiglet.livejournal.com]

Explination and question under cut


( Read more... )

x

edit- text under cut

strange pain down there

[paix.livejournal.com]

sometimes when i'm walking around, i'll randomly get this sharp, stinging pain that comes from an area near my urethra. maybe it IS my urethra, but i suspect that it isn't because i don't have pain while urinating. i've also never had a yeast infection or BV, or any STI's. it always goes away within seconds and happens infrequently, say, less than once a month. any ideas?

VP on PP

[thisxabovexall.livejournal.com]

I looked through today's posts and didn't see this.

A quote from "Gaining Menstrual Pride" by Heather Boerner, which is featured on Planned Parenthood's website today;

Jocelyn Neveaux, 26, of Minneapolis, traces her budding sexual and menstrual pride to exercising, losing weight, and getting more comfortable with her body. But she wasn't always that way.

"When I was younger, I'm not sure I separated my period from my body shame all that much," she says. "I was ashamed of my body as a whole. Maybe that's why I was ashamed of my period — just the bleeding and everything. I thought it was completely gross."

In college, however, Neveaux started reading VaginaPagina, a website where women post questions and information about their periods, reproductive systems, and sexual health. There, she learned about the DivaCup, a small, flexible plastic cup that catches menstrual blood, which can be used instead of a pad or tampon. It took her a year to work up the nerve to order one and start using it. "I really liked the concept — a product that is not only better for women's bodies, but better for the environment," she said. Since she got it, she said she's grown to love her period.

full story

Definitely read the rest of the story. I just figured this part was particularly relevant, since it's mentions us.

very late periods and missed periods?

[absolutely.livejournal.com]

So, for the past 3 months now my period has been severely late.. Looks like last's month's isnt going to be coming at all.
My cycle always comes exactly every 35 days. But Like I said, the past 2 months it's been about 3 weeks late. Currently I am 29 days late.
I am sexually active, and I know I'm not pregnant because I've been testing for 3 months now all with negitive results. Most recently I took a test about 4 days ago.

My question is, what could be going on that would cause my periods to either skip or be 3 weeks late one after another?

I tried google and I saw that if I don't ovulate I could "skip" a period. Anyone heard of this? I just want to make sure nothing else is going on with me where I may need to visit the doctor.

For the record, like I said, pregnancy is not in question, no new meds, no stress, nothing new going on that would make my cycle go out of whack..

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

sex toy advice

[im4ft12.livejournal.com]

Hello ladies! I need a bit of help. I'm in charge of buying the main Toy for a bachelorette party and I'd like people's opinions on what to get. It's not so much of a gag gift because after the wedding, the groom is being shipped to Iraq so the new bride will be alone for about a year and half! So she definitely wants something she can use. I know she's interested in The Rabbit, and I've looked in the Lover's Lane and Priscilla's around here, but the good ones seem over priced and the cheaper ones seem really cheap. I've been looking online, but I have to act fast if I'm going to do that because the party is this Saturday as far as shipping goes. Also, pretty much everything looks good online so that's where you ladies come in! Who's had good/bad experiences with The Rabbit and what brand/where did you get them? So far I've been looking into the Vibratex one. Any and all help is appreciated! Thanks!

Yeast Arrest for BV prevention

[stenodork.livejournal.com]

I got some Yeast Arrest and some RepHresh to prevent BV.

FOR BV PREVENTION, am I supposed to use the Yeast Arrest while on my period like it says for chronic yeast? or for 3-7 days like it says for a yeast infection?

"Bruised" nipples?

[spazilla.livejournal.com]

(Not vagina related, sorry.)

My friend Nikki and her boyfriend were "fooling around" yesterday. He was playing with her nipples and now today her left nipple is like.. bruised? I don't know. She showed me it and it kind of looks like it'd be scabbed, but it's not a scab. And it hurts her a lot I told her I'd try to get her help before she goes to her parents, and I figured this would be the best place. Sorry if something nipple related isn't allowed.

Rash, or something else?

[lunexx00.livejournal.com]

This is awkward. I have found weird "bumps" on my genitals. :[

They're on my inner lips, and they look like a rash or a patch of dry skin - they're not itchy, just there, and it worries me. I know it's not an STD, since my girlfriend and I are both STD-free, and we're fluid-bonded. The only thing I can think of is a bad reaction to some lube we used, but that was a week or two ago, and it was water-based. No other symptoms, although sometimes I feel a bit itchy "down there", for no apparent reason.

Any ideas on what this could be? Sorry I can't be more descriptive.

Thanks!

shout-out to transgender and genderqueer VP'ers!

[peaceofpie.livejournal.com]

Hey fabulous folks!

I was just wondering who else around here is transgender and/or genderqueer identified, or is generally interested in discussing issues related to being transgender and/or genderqueer and/or an ally to trans/GQ people, and if so, what sorts of issues other VagPag members are interested in that fall into those general categories.

I'm trans and genderqueer, myself, and I've been a VP member for three years and love this community to bits...I know there are other trans and genderqueer identified people around here too. I've always felt really positive about the general idea of this community being inclusive and supportive of us, and so I'd love to get more of a sense of our presence/visibility here. :)

Ortho-Tricyclen Question

[twilight-echo.livejournal.com]

Hello, all!

I take ortho-tricyclen, and I did not miss a pill this month. However, I accidentally started on my last pill instead of my first one.

( Illustration of what I mean )

Does this mean that I am not protected or that I missed a pill? I haven't been able to find out, and I am now on my placebo week.

EDIT: I fixed the picture and apologize for the confusion. I flipped the graphic too many times in paint. I hope this one (although a bit more crude) shows what I mean better. Thank you for your replies so far!

Finally going to the Gyno! :)

[elmofrog.livejournal.com]

I've got a doctor's appointment tomorrow to discuss birth control FINALLY... I've been trying to get in for the past month and of course, they'll have to do a pap... and the office said they cant do a pap if i'm on my period. It's very near the end of my period. I'm also getting std testing and having a bump looked at. Should I call them and let them know I'm on my period? If they want to reschedule it will be at least another 2-3 weeks before they'll have me in. I'm really wanting to just show up. I'm sick of going without sex because of an appointment and then they cancel (they said no sex for 48 hours before the appointment). Are all discount clinics like this? If I want to go to a different one I'm going to have to drive over an hour away.

Anyways, I've never been on birth control before and am wanting to go on the shot (i cant remember pills very well). Is there anything I should know or be prepared to tell my doctor about? Can they give me the shot even if I am not able to get a pap tomorrow?

Thanks everyone
(x posted to birthcontrol)

Bra Nipple Stains?

[kerrypie.livejournal.com]

Hello gals,
I did not find this in the archives, so:
For the past couple of years, I have noticed that on the inside of my bra cups where the nipple meets the fabric, there is a darker stain (kind of like an oil stain). There's never been wetness or discharge (that I know of) associated with this for me, but I'm wondering what the stain is about. Is it sweat? I don't notice any sweatiness on my breasts, so this seems unlikely for some reason. (unless nipples are just sweaty in general) I just bought new bras, and after a few wears, the stains are appearing again. I wear slightly padded bras made out of nylon, polyurethane, polyester and spandex.

Thanks!

(no subject)

[joey-rama.livejournal.com]

Hey everyone =)

Whenever I get my period, I use tampons and pads. Tampons during the day and pads at night but i've noticed that most times when I use a tampon after a while i start getting..what seems like contractions but it's painful, and sometimes I experience this too when i'm not wearing tampons and only pads. It's likes my vaginal canal is aching..i dont know if that makes sense but it's not cramps, it's not in my uterus, it's in my vagina..does anyone know what this can be?

My poor Vulva...

[petal-abstract.livejournal.com]

I've been battling some major dryness starting around my vaginal opening and moving towards my anus about half an inch. It just literally happened over nite. I am on my period right now and I am wearing pads. I wash my vulva, thoroughly with soap suds and rinsing well, once a day. Its just been rubbed raw, and with a little bit of burning when I urinate or wipe myself.

I know that I don't have any STIs.

I live in a dorm with rough toleit paper and I wear thongs. I've been putting a little bit of diaper rash cream to give it a little bit of protection, but even that isn't working anymore.

My discharge is its normal colour, consistency, etc. So no yeast infection here...right?

The only abnormality I have in my vulva is that I occasionaly get swollen oil glands (basically zits on your vulva...freaking hormones.)

I have been a little more sexually active (mutual masturbation and oral only) in the past few months when I noticed this problem.

I just finished up my first pack of Ortho Tri-Cyclin.

So...WTF is wrong with me? What can I do?

Thank you ^^!!

itchy / lumps

[windeyer.livejournal.com]

hey, sorry if this is a really simple query, i looked through the memories and such but couldn't find anything that sounded right..

a few weeks ago, i had some kind of.. infection. my vagina was very itchy for a few days, and kind of red.. but it didnt smell yeasty, and i didnt notice any unusual discharge. anyway, it went away before i could be bothered to do anything about it.. but in the last couple of weeks, i have noticed a slightly rough patch on my inner labia.. i looked at it in a mirror before, but couldnt see anything unusal.. today i looked again, and it had kind of become a lump.. it looked kind of like a zit, so i queezed it, and it burst.. i looked closer, and there are maybe one or two more in there.

anyway, i am aware this could be genital warts or something.. i don't know, would they burst? also, i am not really strictly sexually active.. i have a boyfriend, but we have not had penetrative sex, and the last time he was in any way near there was about 6 weeks ago.

sorry if this is a really dumb query, hope someone can help..?

Clitoral irritation/itchiness

[trilliah.livejournal.com]

New member here--found this page while trying to research this problem, and thought I would see if anyone here had any ideas.

I'm having an extremely high level of clitoral sensitivity. It only started today--I noticed it in the bathroom when the toilet paper suddenly seemed to chafe quite a lot more than it normally does. It has gotten progressively worse throughout the day, to the point that now it is pretty consistently itchy and it is painful to shift positions. It is also way too sensitive to touch comfortably. Honestly...it feels sort of like I used a vibrator for too long or on too high a setting--but I know that's not it, because I haven't done anything since Thursday.

I originally thought it was a bug bite--just in a really REALLY inopportune place--but now I'm not so sure. I know it's not any kind of STD, simply because, well, don't you have to have S to get those? Mostly? I haven't been in too many seedy places--at least not without plenty of clothes on--and I haven't used anyone else's clothing or anything. I used someone else's towel, but it was clean.

I've had several people suggest it might be a yeast infection, and there are a couple reasons for me to believe it might be--namely, that I just finished my last menstrul cycle, and I've recently been put on antibiotics for facial rosacea (though I don't take my antibiotic pills as frequently as I am supposed to and have actually missed the last few days). However, I am not having any visible vaginal discharge, I don't notice an unusual scent, and the irritation is entirely centered on my clitoris, not on the labia or in the vagina.

Does anyone have any ideas about what this could be?