two questions relating to body image and vagina

[sugarhoneycake.livejournal.com]

Hi 

2 Questions:

1. I went to the gyno today and she used a medical lubricant to aid in the exam like she always does. I left feeling sort of itchy and wierd. I am spotting some from my IUD which can cause irriation, right? Anyway does anybody feel itchy after a gyno exam? I cleaned up when I got home. I also just shaved some the other day. I didn't shave much at all. I know this can cause itching as well.

2. I have been having some extreme issues with body image. I have a very very thin sister who trots around in daisy duke shorts and "flaunts" her figure. In a way, she makes me feel bad about myself. She is materialistic at times and just total opposite of myself. Any ideas on how to get out of this negative funk and how I can inspire myself? 

Thanks so much.

Good books for girls learning about their sexuality?

[rahnia.livejournal.com]

Hey everyone,

My little sister is 13, 14 in August, and I've been faced with a dilemna. She's the type that denies any sexuality and says all that stuff is "icky", but she seems to have a boyfriend these days that I think may change her mind. She started her period near Christmas and is developing, etc., and I've told her several times that if she ever wants to talk to me about any of that stuff, from puberty to sexual experiences or questions, I am there for her.

But, she feels uncomfortable discussing it with me, and I don't want to force it. Can anyone recommend a good, non-threatening book she might enjoy that could educate as well? I'm really worried she's not going to have the facts she needs, and I know that being her age, all that stuff was really new and scary to me. She lives with my mom, though, which is nicer--I did not have the fortune of having a mother when I went through all of that. Anyway. Any suggestions for books I could give her that she could look at when she was curious--maybe something with a nice index, or chapters that can be read independently? I really appreciate it, thanks so much in advance!

Cycle-related frisky-ness?

[broken-reckuiem.livejournal.com]

Heya Ladies!!

This is more of a for-fun question, and I am totally curious because I'm probably not alone ...
I'm on tri-cyclen currently, but this definitely happened when I was on my other form of pills as well. Do you find you get 100 bajillion times more horny when you're closing in on about your last week of pills? And sometimes right after your period as well?
(i had to add that I felt this way on my previous pills as well, because it could be attributed to the higher hormone dosage on the third week with tri-cyclen, not that i'm complaining in the least :D)
Though arguably, the frisky feelings right after you're done with your period could be attributed to the not-having-much-fun-for-about-a-week thing, that is, unless you do while you have it :)
Personally I just feel way too icky to do it, so I'm glad once it's all done and I can romp again :D

So, just wondering if any one else gets some intense need-sex-now feelings, moreso during their last week of pills.

Alabama sucks in so many ways. Searcing for a local gyno who doesn't blow

[tankgirledward.livejournal.com]

I have looked in the memmories for a gyno but there are none listed for Alabama. Could someone please recomend a good FemDoc that I won't have to drive to Atlanta for. The closer to Birmingham the better but I am willing to drive for someone who is just fantastic.

Birth Control Questions, Timing and Postponing

[wittlepanther.livejournal.com]

Hi all,

I have a few questions, I looked in the Vulvapedia and didn't really get the best answer so here I am!

Just for the record, I am on Tri-Cyclen, normal dose, and have been for years.

My boyfriend is flying me to see him in Montenegro for 2 weeks in august, lovely, but my problem is that for the last week or so I am there, I'd be on my period. I don't want this to happen. I know I can postpone my period with the pill, but I am unsure as to how. As in, do I start a new pack from the beginning or is it easier to take it from the end (the week before the placebos)? I want to have as little spotting or what not as possible. Also, am I still protected from pregnancy if I do this?

Also, they are 6 hours ahead of us, so do I take my pill at the same time as I usually do (11:30 pm Eastern time) or do I adjust it and take it at 11:30 Montenegrin time? If I take it at 11:30 my time, that means I have to wake up at 5:30 am :S

Thanks for your help :)

Question on UTIs

[bleakwinters.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that a lot of people here have recommended peeing after any "downstairs" activity to avoid UTIs. However, is there a time limit? Should you pee within 10/20/60 min of the activity?

The reason I'm asking is because I would find it rather rude to simply get out of bed and go pee. And me and my boyfriend have been experimenting with trying to find my G-spot recently, and I also read on here that it might cause some women to pee, so I've made sure to have an empty bladder.

How should I tackle this problem?

3 cycles in one month?!

[newfoundatari.livejournal.com]

i posted about 2 weeks ago i guess. I had a period at the end of april. it was 3 days long, and then i spotted for like 2 weeks (13 days to be exact) but it wasnt enough to get to a panty liner or anything just there when i would wipe. Then i had another period. This one was a full period, 7 days, really heavy, not much cramping though. That period finished and 8 days later surprise surprise ANOTHER period. im on day 4 of this one now and it's been really heavy all 4 days, and incredibly painful. 

What do you think could be going on?
Im currently waiting for a all back from my dr's office to see if i can make an appt relatively soon about it.

lower abdomial pain

[lapetitesiren.livejournal.com]

I've been having mild pain and swelling in my lower abdomen, specifically on my left side for the last week or so. I had the same pain in the same spot two months ago, but it stopped after I got my period so I didn't get it checked out. Now it's back and I'm not sure what to do...

I just had a pap smear and an STD test and both turned out normal. I'm worried that I may have an ovarian cyst or endometriosis, but I'm not sure. I've had a hard time finding a good gyno and it seems that I have to direct my doctors in the right direction because they won't take further steps looking into my health problems unless I push them.

Also, three or four months ago I had debilitating pain in my abdomen that I went to the doctor for. I got antibiotics and antiinflammatory medicine, but I never knew where the infection ACTUALLY was. Just "abdomen infection."

What kind of tests (or ultrasounds or..anything!) should I get my doctor to run on me and has anyone had these symptoms diagnosed before? I know they're vague and span a number of problems, but any advice would help.

Thank you!!

Rachel

P.S. I am 20 years old and sexually active.

Herbal/alternative abortions

[ex-leopardp.livejournal.com]

Has anyone here ever actually done one of these?

I have a friend who's just found out she's pregnant but doesn't have the money to terminate the pregnancy.
Does anyone have an idea of what she can do to terminate it safely? She's just a few weeks along.

What would cause a drastic change in the length of menstruation?

[aleadfeather.livejournal.com]

So for the entire past 7 years that I've been menstruating, my periods have always been extremely regular.  They're every 26-28 days, and they last for about 8 days.  I've never missed one.  They're always very, very light, which is why they take so long..  Usually the first day is extremely light, as a warning for the second day which is my heaviest when most of the blood comes out and I have terrible cramps, etc.  Then for the next 6 days my period is extremely light again.

This month and the month before, however, I've gotten the first light day of my period, and then expected the heavy day but it didn't come.  My entire period has lasted about 3 days, which is really odd.

I've done nothing different.  I'm not on the pill.  I haven't started having sex.  I haven't lost weight.  I haven't began exercising.  I haven't been more or less stressed.  Nothing.

I expected my period to get messed up two years ago, when I moved across the globe to a totally different climate in a different time zone and started having sex and lost and gained back 20 pounds all before returning to this country.  That's the only time in my life I've done anything differently, which I would have expected to have affected my period, but it stayed regular the entire time.

odd bra sizes

[deepsix.livejournal.com]

I just got measured for a bra, and it turns out that I'm a 30C (aka a size that no one makes bras for), though I could also wear a 32C if the brand runs small. I was just wondering if anyone could recommend a place where I could find a bra in my size, or even recommend a brand they like for oddly sized bras? Thanks!

Stining Lube?

[kappyjeanne.livejournal.com]

I find I have problems with lube stinging my Labia when I use it...

Right now I use O'My Lubricant... I love it because of how it smells and feels. I've also used "Wet" and KY and they all seem to do the same thing...

Is this me, or is there an alternate lubricant that I can find to prevent the stinging?

I'm new!

[nagyk.livejournal.com]

I feel like this could be such an obvious and silly question, but: does it make sense for a virgin to go to the gyno if her family history is clean and she's never had any sexual contact with anyone? My mother knows absolutely nothing about my sexual history and I'd like to keep it that way for a while. I'm eighteen, so I'm not worried about my doctor telling her anything. However, she's convinced that it's pointless.

shaving + biking = ouchie

[faith.livejournal.com]

Hello all!

I've recently fallen in love with my bicycle. I bike at least 30 minutes every day. This is wonderful.

What's not so wonderful is the ouchie irritated skin and ingrown hairs that I get after shaving my vulva.

Does anyone have any stories or suggestions on how to keep my lady bits happy and also keep cycling every day?

I'm not married to shaving. If waxing turned out to be more compatible with biking, that would be fine with me.

Please help my tender labia.

Thank you!

Tampax spoof

[sunkistfriend.livejournal.com]

Hey there fellow VPers~!

I saw this on a website. I also thought it was worth sharing. Keep smiling, fantastic people!



The original website address (for more giggles):
http://www.getitinwriting.biz/blog/2007/05/guerilla-advertising-copywriting-blog.html

Pubic hair that can't be removed ... ?

[worldexplode.livejournal.com]

About a week and a half ago, I shaved and everything was fine and dandy (I actually found that I preferred it).  But now, the stubble just won't budge- I do, however, get razor burn.  I've tried almost everything... different types of razors, new shaving cream, nair... nothing seems to work. Unfortunately, waxing isn't really an option for me...extremely bad experiences; let's just say I'm extremely apprehensive to try again.
Has this happenned to you/any suggestions? :\
Thanks =)

Boric Acid - Labeling/Harmful if not infected?

[armscrossed.livejournal.com]

I picked up some boric acid powder from a local pharmacy and assumed it was okay to use vaginally because it was near the hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. Honestly, I was excited I actually found some because I had been to every pharmacy in the area!

After looking at the bottle just now, I notice that it says not to let it get on the skin or in the eyes, which I'm guessing means I picked up the wrong kind of boric acid!

Are all of the bottles labeled like this (dangerous for skin/eyes/as a poison)? Or did I pick up the wrong kind? I checked the memories and found the answer for this! (http://community.livejournal.com/vaginapagina/9460518.html)

Also, will it cause me harm to use boric acid if I'm not actually having an infection? I'm just paranoid that I might be getting a YI and don't want to wait!

Nuvaring and Instead Cups

[mcshepotp.livejournal.com]

Ok, so I'm a bit of a lurker and a little shy and this probably belongs in birthcontrol  or nuva_ring  , but I thought I might try here first because I know you guys are really helpful. :)

In the last week or so of my last cycle with the nuvaring (I think I said that right...), I started my period early and popped an Insteads cup in there. Now, I know that the reusable cups can be used with nuvaring because they don't sit up as high as the ring, but what about insteads? Did I compromise my protection? Do I have to wait 7 days after the start of my ring in time? The ring was definitely in the cup when I went to take the cup out...

Thank you guys in advance! I have googled all up and down the net about this and looked in a few other communitys but I can't find anything about this.

I <3 you guys!

Skipping period

[freedumbb.livejournal.com]

For some reason I have been running into a lot of people mentioning skipping periods by ignoring the placebos and continuing with the next pack of birth control.  So this month I have decided to try it, out of complete curiousity.  Normally I should be getting my period within the next couple of days; today I feel really really grumpy, more so than I usually am and my stomach really hurts.  I was wondering what kind of side affects there are when a woman decides to skip her period?  What are some of the things you women have experienced?  Also, will my period always be a week off now?  I mean I usually begin my period on the 22nd of each month, so now will it begin on a different day?  I hope I am making myself clear, if not please ask me to elaborate on any of the questions I asked.  Thanks in advance ladies, I know you hear this a lot but you all rock!

Being sexually active with a guy with a Prince Albert

[tenna.livejournal.com]

Do any of you lovely ladies have any experiences being sexually active with a guy who has a genital piercing, specifically a Prince Albert? My SO had brought it up before, but never had any definitive plans, and today called and told me that it was "probably going to happen." He later called me and told me it was done (I haven't seen it yet! I have to wait til tomorrow!) When we had previously talked about it I had told him that "I'm not telling you not to get it, I'm just saying the idea kind of weirds me out, and honestly, it kind of scares me." I'm a bit sad that it happened and I didn't get to be there. :(

So now that it's done and over, I've been doing quite a bit of research and it seems significantly less scary (though still a bit weird but a little exciting at the same time), but I was wondering if any of you have first hand experience or advice on being sexually active with someone with the piercing. I'm not entirely sure what to expect once it's all healed up and we can resume the sexxing!

Missing pills / maybe infertile?

[x-unbreakable-o.livejournal.com]

Im not the most organized person when it comes to taking my birth control pills on time. Sometimes I will honestly forget. It doesnt matter now as Im not having sex but before when I was it obviously mattered. However, there have been times in the last 3 years that I've missed up to about 3 pills (not on purpose!) because life got hectic and I'd just plain forget. It'd happen most frequently in the middle of the packs sometimes at the end or beginning but normally about the middle. I was having sex at the time, quite frequently with my ex over the last 2.5 years. As weird as it sounds, it seems odd to me that I didnt end up pregnant at some point. I know that typical use of the pill is about 93% I believe and if you are over a certain weight its even less.

Im honestly worried that something could be wrong with me or even him. I'd rather find out now when Im not trying to get pregnant rather than later when I am. My question is.. should I worry about this?? I have a doctors appointment soon and Im not sure I wanna bring it up to him or even how to bring it up to him.

Am I totally crazy or am I right to worry?? Help me :(

x-posted to birthcontrol

Farts and queefs!

[nagyk.livejournal.com]

Do any of you ever fart during sex? I'm so lucky to have an understanding boyfriend. When I ride on top, sometimes I'll either queef or fart; depending on what position I'm in. We both just laugh, or if we're way too into it we won't say anything. Do I fart because of gas or because of the awkward position, or both?

Vaginal Bumps and Clear Discharge-Infection?

[mommy-jackson.livejournal.com]

( Question )

Infection + Weight issues...

[ladygaia87.livejournal.com]

Went to doc today, as I said I would. He said it's possible its an infection starting, but its not yet a full blown infection, because if it was a full blown infection I'd be jumping off the table when he performed the pelvic exam. However, little does my doctor know I have a high pain tolerance. I almost FUCKING CRIED during the pelvic exam...it hurt. :( But, I didn't, all I did was wince. He was just like "if it was a definite infection, you'd be jumping, not doing that" He didn't see any discharge with the speculum exam either. He asked if I'd had sex since having the IUD inserted, I told him "No sir", then he asked me if I took the antibiotics "I took them..." He said he didn't know how I got a pelvic infection if I took the antibiotics, but he said he was going to prescribe me 2 different antibiotics to take for a week. Come back to get checked again in 2 weeks, if the pain gets worse before then, come back in and he'll take out the IUD. :( I don't want to lose my precious Mirena, so lets hope the pain doesn't get worse. I really don't get this. I mean...how can my IUD cause an infection if I took the antibiotics? The fact my urine showed traces of bacteria pretty much says that I do have a infection SOMEWHERE. But, it feels more like a pelvic infection than a bladder or kidney infection. But the doctor doesn't seem to think its an infection, or if it is then its just starting. *shrug* I got all freaked out over nothing. Not to mention, I gotta invest in some garlic or gentian violet, because I know with TWO antibiotics I'm gonna have such a yeast infection I'll wish someone would just rip my vulva and vag off/out.

Also, at the appointment, as usual, they weighed me. Now I know I've lost some weight, so, where did the 7 lbs come from? *cries* Granted, my boobs have gotten larger, so maybe its all in the breasts? I noticed my belly IS smaller...but my boobs are LARGER. Anyone have their boobs grow with the Mirena? (please, ladies don't take me gaining weight as insulting or anything towards you bigger ladies, I will attest to the fact that bigger is beautiful, but I'm trying to shed a few pounds for the summer)

Bri
x-posted to iud_divas, vaginapagina, and ladygaia87

ps--If you find anything in my post offensive, by all means, let me know and I will edit.

UTI?

[onechk1luv.livejournal.com]

Hi. I know there is a lot about UTIs on this but i couldnt find my exact question. So basically i am kinda prone to UTIs. Although i havent gotten one recently, i have had quite a few since the time i began having sex a little over a year ago. The last one i had was around October, so i dont completely remember every little symptom i had. Last i had sex was about a week ago. The sex was frequent that day and also a little rough. I noticed this week that my pee was fine but after i peed my urethra and area around it felt somewhat irritated... much like the feeling when i have a UTI. However, normally when i have one it burns when i pee but this time it doesnt burn. As the week went on that irritating feeling began to occur after almost every time i pee instead of just sometimes. As of tonight it's feeling the worst it has, yet it still doesnt really burn when im actually peeing. It only burns after. Earlier today my urine was a little cloudy. Does this seem like a UTI? I am just thrown off because i have never had one that didnt cause burning during urination. If this is a dumb question I'm really sorry. I am a very nervous person and i always think the worst when it comes to issues with my vagina. Thanks for your help and sorry this entry was so long.