Hormone testing

[bebewood.livejournal.com]

Have any of you ever had a hormone test for progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone, whether because of PMS, or acne, or anything else? How did you end up getting one, and what did you have to request? Was it difficult to get approved to get one or do they just give them to anyone who is willing to pay?

Mentally abusive relationship help

[eldri.livejournal.com]

I hope this is an okay topic for here. It's not directly vagina related, but it's definitely a womanly issue.

This may sound strange but I've never broken up with a guy before. As it is I find myself in a relationship that I know is bad for me and never meant to get into to begin with. Now I'm not entirely sure what to do.

Our relationship isn't exactly your traditional one. It's long distance and I'm the older one of us - I live on my own while he's still living with his parents. Obviously he isn't physically abusive (or hasn't really had the chance to be yet) but mentally is a completely different story. Over the past year he's slowly beaten down my self confidence, made me loathe myself, made me feel guilty about never doing enough for him, and somehow managed to make me feel trapped in this relationship. To add insult to injury, he apparently expects to be moving in and mooching off of me in the near future rather than his parents. He says he's just waiting for me to say I'm ready for him. I'll skip the specifics, but that's the general idea of it. (On the positive side, when we were actually having sex, it was amazing. And I feel oh so dirty for saying that...)

I want my life back, so the guy's got to go. Besides the lingering feelings of guilt of not being good enough for him and letting him down that I'm trying to kick, there's one big problem. He's basically told me that if we're not together as a couple, he's going to kill himself. Now if it were anyone else I'd say the guy was just making idle threats to try to scare/guilt a girl into staying with him. Unfortunately I know this guy's history and I'm not so sure that it is just a threat.

So uhh, what do I do? As much as I dislike the guy, I don't want him to hurt himself. I've suggested that he seek help before, but he refuses to admit that he has any sort of problem and laughs the entire mental health profession off as a farce. His mother's no better. A friend of mine told me that I can't hold myself responsible for someone else's actions - and while deep down I know that's true, I'm not sure I could live with myself always wondering whether or not he's somewhere dying.

What Age Was Your 1st Gyn Exam?

[beachbanshee.livejournal.com]

My first exam was when I was 17 and going off to college.  My mom wanted me to have birth control at college in case I needed it and to make sure all was well with me before I was off on my own.  Why I am posing this question is a friend of mine is taking her 12year old for her first exam.  12??  There are no medical problems.  Her opinion is that her daughters period started a  year ago and now it is time to go.  That is what her mother did and she is going to do the same.  To "make her get used to it from now."    If there are no medical issues is there any reason why a child would need to see a gyno?  Military family, Mom is super strict . 

Vag. dryness

[theamygdala.livejournal.com]

So ... I poked around a bit and couldn't find any answers on here. But if someone knows of a tag please let me know.

For at least the last six months, my vag has been really dry. Normally, when I masturbate, I can get turned on fairly eaisly and I'm good to go. But now, even when mentally I'm turned on, the girlybits aren't matching my state. It feels like the Sahara down there. If I start finger penetration, I can get some wetness (excuse my lack of a better word) but it's very thin and non-lubricating.

Any advice/answers? I know, I know... lube. But I'm wondering exactly what's going on.

urine color: define dark urine

[ais-chiq.livejournal.com]

i've been taking meds and whatnot for a cold and for muscle inflamation and all the medicines i've ever taken seem to say to look for "dark urine" under the "you're going to die" side effects. i have tried searching online for this and nothing comes up with a definition of what "dark" is, only the thousands of causes (ie: dehydration, uti, kidney infection, liver problems, etc.).

yesterday i took neproxin, midrin, and diflucan, (and last week i was taking tylenol cold and noticed this as well) and they all list this "dark urine" in the side effects to watch for and to call ur doctor for. the only reason i even looked (i usually don't becuase i tend to be a hypocondriac) was because i'd never been on neproxin and i needed to know if i can drive on it (which i can't - drowsiness). but i'm not sure what "dark" really is?

the reason i ask is because, this morning, i went to the bathroom and it was more orangy than yellow. my first thought is that i'm dehydrated and need some fluids.

usually my urine is yellow, but it does get more orangy if i'm not drinking a lot of fluids or if i take things like motrin or midrin and whatnot, but usually it's just once, i drink some water, and i'm back to yellow.

but i don't usually think of orangy as dark....when i think of "dark" i think of almost brown and cloudy.

some help with this definition would be great!

thank you!

Planned parenthood AND insurance?

[taterbug160.livejournal.com]

My current place of employment is in the process of getting my new insurance up and running. (yay!) However, I'm going to run out of patches before then.

Can I go to Planned Parenthood (with my current prescription, and valid note stating my exam was in August)and get them from there? Can you even get HBC from PP if you have insurance?

(I've never been to PP, not really sure how it works)

birth control -- worth it?

[woodenmannequin.livejournal.com]

Yesterday I went to Planned Parenthood for my first gynecological check up (quite the experience :P). I've never been interested in taking any birth control just because I'm not really into putting crap into my body, especially if it's going to mess around with my natural responses. However, I figured since they were going to provide it to me for free that I might as well try it out.

Buuuut... now I'm not so sure. Is there really any point in taking the pill -- especially considering the side effects -- if my boyfriend and I are both very responsible people and don't mind using condoms?

Ejaculation Tips! Please!!

[jleighpark.livejournal.com]

Lovely VP readers, please (please!) help me!

I've spent more hours than I'd like to admit over the past few days trying to ejaculate. I know that I can (a few years ago I squirted all over a very surprised boyfriend's arm.. hah!) but I've only done it that once. I've been reading all over the Internet, here on VP, and still just can't quite get there. A few specific questions:

1.) How would you describe "gushing" as opposed to "squirting"? I normally produce a large (enough to soak blankets) amount of fluid when I masturbate; is it possible that's all 'gushing' ejaculate?

2.) When I come close to ejaculating (I can feel fluid building up, almost like I have to pee!) I produce even MORE fluid...but: a.) it doesn't seem to come from the urethra, b.) it doesn't look like 'normal' ejaculate (not clear or thin); it's super thick and white (I'm ovulating, though, so that may be the reason for that) and c.) there's no accompanying feeling of 'release' I felt the first time I ejaculated.

I can't get past the 'close' feeling. I can stay like that for ... well, a long time without anything further happening. (I won't say how long!! ;)

Any suggestions for getting over that last hump? (heh)... Or is it happening and it just isn't the same as before? Granted... It's a fun project to work on. I haven't had any problems having other kinds of orgasms!

(PS: sorry if there's too much info here. I couldn't for the life of me get the LJ cut to work. Hope it's not too graphic!) Thanks!!!

Divacup

[nightdrivee.livejournal.com]

My mom is scared for me to try a Diva Cup even after reading the Q&A & Testimonials.

She is worried they aren't safe, sterile, or "the best" and she is going to ask her gyno about them at the end of this month.

In the mean time, has anyone had any NEGATIVE experiences with it?

Rare Hymen

[singasong.livejournal.com]

To all vagina's ( and their owners),

 

As I was looking at my beautiful little pet (or vagina if you rather), I realized that I have a very interesting looking (what I assume is) hymen.  When looking around on the internet I found out it is in fact a very rare form of hymen.

 

“This is the rare subseptate hymen, similar to the septate hymen only not making a bridge all the way across. Doesn't this remind you of the view into your throat with the uvula hanging down?”  Well, it does indeed remind me of the uvula hanging from my throat!

 

 

( A diagram )

So kind ladies, and lurking men. I was wondering when I have sex, where exactly will my very rare hymen go? As I am not so knowledgeable, I have even (briefly) tampered with the idea of it falling off, but i believe this is highly unlikely.
II love it, i do....but if anyone has information on it at all, please share. 

Extra information about me:
16
virgin but been played with
Menstrual for 5 years 

Thank you!

Clindesse causes weird vaginal taste

[comeonandvogue7.livejournal.com]

I took Clindesse for BV exactly one week ago, and I still taste really medicinal. Is this normal? I thought the medicine was supposed to leave your body in 3 days. When will it go away?

A question of sexuality

[mei-no-ninja.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to make this post for a while, but had trouble finding the words. Here goes...

I identify myself as bisexual. I'm currently in a very happy and loving relationship with my boyfriend, who I've been with for more than a year now. Quite recently, I've noticed a girl who I seem to have developed feelings for. I imagine it's just a passing crush, but my boyfriend has been urging me to let this girl know how I feel.

There are several problems. The main one being that I'm not sure how I feel about her. I'm fairly certain I don't want to get into polyamory; I don't think I have the energy for another relationship, nevermind my (occasionally) raging jealousy issues. When I initially met this girl, I didn't like her because I thought she was interested in my boyfriend. I still think she is, but I seem to have disregarded it. I trust my boyfriend.

I wouldn't feel right about having a strictly sexual relationship with her. I like her more than that, she's a nice girl that I want to get to know. I want to be friends with her, and maybe more after if it leads to that. But I don't know how to let her know that. I don't know how it would work. Maybe I'm thinking too much.

My final issue is that I'm unsure of this girl's sexuality. I'm fairly sure she's heterosexual, and she quite obviously has no interest in me. I don't want to scare her off. I don't know what to do. It's like wanting something I know I can't have.

I'm not exactly sure what the point of this post was. XD I'm just confused, and unsure of what I want or what to do about it. If anyone has input, support, anything, I'd really appreciate it.

Cramps! owwwwwwwwch.

[nightdrivee.livejournal.com]

ONE MORE THING!
Today I got really hot and had the worst time breathing
due to my horrible-feels like giving birth-cramps.
I've used heating pads, fetal positions, excersizing,
lavender oil, took bathes, & stocked up on Midol...
they help a little, but not too much.

I'm up for home remedies, perscriptions, anything.

& I can honestly, NOT DRAMATICALLY, say that these cramps
were equal to the pain of having Mono:/


-Sorry for being so whiny & thanks so much to every girl,
guy? in this community. You've all seriously made my life:)

Anal stretching

[smunityy.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I have witnessed many posts here that don't have anything to do with vaginas but are closely related... and nobody seemed to mind. So that is making me feel more comfortable with sharing my situation with this community, although unfortunately I do not know how to use a LJ cut for the life of me. So if anyone feels it is necessary for this post to be put under a cut, please shine some light on how to do it for me.. Thanks. Also, don't worry I have done my fair share of homework and vaginapagina was my last place I could turn to; I have searched through google, the memories, and on the livejournal search engine for communities that my scenario would be more appropriate in, but to no avail I couldn't find any. So if you know a better place I should check please direct me to it and I will promptly delete this post.

So I have been on morphine for the past while which has caused me to become extremely constipated and it has made my stool very hard. So yesterday (January 9th) I went to the bathroom and was in extreme distress, I couldn't poop out a major portion of what was already at the entrance of my anus, it was stuck because it was so hard. I had no other choice (that I could think of at the time) but to actually stick my fingers in there and pull out the hardened stool.. It got all twisted and weird inside of me and bottom line I really stretched out my anus. And today it is very painful, it is painful to poop when I do it stings really bad and there is even some blood that comes out too. And just in general I am more aware of my anus that I usually am, it is very sensitive and feels really straiined. I looked at it in the mirror and it looks really........ Different, I can't pinpoint what it is but it just definately looks different to me. It is almost like I was straining so hard that I might have damaged my anus, also maybe I am just being ultra sensitive to this but I feel like it is easier for discharge to come out like it is just looser than usual.

SO

Help? Should I go to a doctor? Is this basically just like having really rough anal sex and it will all heal on its own?? What's up? If anyone would like me to elaborate on something (although I feel I went into unecessary depths with my descriptions) please tell me and I will. Thank you all in advance for your help---- Peace and Love.

This Month In Women's Sexual Health News : December 2006

[wingsoflace.livejournal.com]

Hello fellow Vulva-Loving Superstars!

Welcome to our December installment of "This Month in Women's Sexual Health News." (If you're interested, you can read through the previous news posts here.) As always, our goal is to empower VP members by keeping them informed about recent advances, as well as current struggles, in the area of women's sexual health. We hope you enjoy perusing through the last highlights of 2006, and look forward to reading the news 2007 will bring!

We're interested in hearing your thoughts on these topics as well, so if you're motivated to do so, we'd love for you to comment with your opinions!

¡Vulva la revolución!
Rachel
VP News Team

It's Safe To Skip Periods Year Round

While the idea of using hormonal birth control to skip periods -- in order to reduce the menstrual and premenstrual symptoms many women experience -- is nothing new, most formulations marketed specifically for this purpose still "require" the user to have 4 periods per year. For the first time, however, researchers have demonstrated that year-round menstrual suppression is both safe and effective. ( Read more... )

Is "Sex Worker" An Appropriate Term?

While "sex worker" is a term used by many government organizations and aid groups, former US Congressman John Miller wants this to change. Under his direction, the U.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons recently issued a statement to U.S. agencies advising them to avoid using the terms "sex worker" or "child sex worker." ( Read more... )

Africa Fighting Child Sexual Abuse

Data shows that the number of child sexual abuse cases in Africa are increasing, mostly due to the traditionally low status of women. Researchers say that many factors, (including poverty and a history of violence and oppression in society) contribute to child abuse, but that the real problem is cultural gender inequality. ( Read more... )

Improved Contraceptive Use Means Fewer Teen Pregnancies

From 1995 to 2000, teen pregnancy rates declined by twenty-four percent. According to research conducted by Dr. John Santelli of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in conjunction with the Guttmacher Institute, Eighty-six percent of the recent decline in U.S. teen pregnancy rates is the result of improved contraceptive use, with the remaining fourteen percent attributed to delaying sexual intercourse. ( Read more... )

Great Sexpectations

Ah, sex. There's always romance and passion, scented candles and sexy lingerie. No one needs to talk contraception. Everyone orgasms -- twice. No one's clumsy, and there's never any mess to clean up.

Err... wait. That may be how sex is portrayed in most movies, but it's definitely not true of sex in real life.

Problem is, some people get a fair number of ideas for what sex is "supposed" to be like from Hollywood and other fictitious ideals. As Maria Caetano, the president of the Australian Society for Sex Educators Researchers and Therapists NSW, mentions in this article, these ideals can help perpetuate some of the myths surrounding sex. ( Read more... )

Also, check out these articles for discussion over in the VP.com Forums:
Contraception's Best-Kept Secret: The IUD
Chocolatey Benefits
Fake China Contraceptives

Special thanks to free_me07, psycheknot, and frolicnaked for their fabulous contributions!

If you're interested in contributing to next month's news post, feel free to email frolicnaked@vaginapagina.com. :)

16 hour cup

[giirlplease.livejournal.com]

i sleep mostly from 10-2(in the afternoon) and have a divacup.
that's 16 hours. yikes! i have a light flow so is it okay to
leave it there for 16+/- hours or do you have to change for
safety reasons..like yeast infections?

STD testing

[justunknown.livejournal.com]

well I have an appt for testing at the STD clinic on wednesday after noticing some bumps on my perineum close to my anus.... I believe it might be warts upon inspection (angle is hard to negotiate)

anything I should do to prepare? anything I should know?
The girl on the phone that I made the appt with was NO help at all.



wish me luck