newcomer

[thexrevenge.livejournal.com]

so i got my period again and this is only my second time but i have a deilema...its my birthday annd were going to the water park...i dont have a mom so i cant really ask anyone but you guys...
my question is can someone give me a really in depth explination of how to put in a tampon?

thankks <3

Eating out?

[likemalice.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm new here and posting for a friend.
Her girlfriend is most likely going to eat her out soon, and she's not sure of how her vagina should be, if that makes sense? Should she shave or douche before her girlfriend comes over? She's just really self concious about it and suggestions/advice would be great, thanks :o)

paranoid or careless?

[starry3yedgrl.livejournal.com]

I am on a progestin only pill and use condoms all the time.  I have never in my life had PIV sex without a condom and I would say I am a damn near perfect pill user, especially in the last month or so I really cannot think of anytime that I didn't take it to the minute (yay for cell phone alarms).  So lately my guy and I have been pretty close during foreplay before the condom goes on.  Mostly his penis is just right near my vaginal opening and rubbing against it and near it but a few times he may have slipped it just inside for a second before I moved to put some space between and I can't really even say it was inside, it was just kind of resting at the opening, he didn't push or anything for any part of it to actually *be* inside if that makes any sense.  He has also never cum while doing this, so my only concern would be pre-cum.  On the one hand I feel like it's ok since I am on the pill and so many people rely on the pill only and have PIV sex and let their partner come inside of them.  But being that I have been such a dedicated condom user all my life, I do get a little freaked out by his condom-less self being so close to me that I wonder if we are being careless by doing this.  Thoughts?

Possible Ovarian Cyst?

[sahara-beara.livejournal.com]

I've been doing some research, and I think I might have an ovarian cyst.

I've been having periodic pain near my right ovary for about the last four months. It starts out as a dull pain that makes me want to pee more frequently, and occasionally twinges when I stretch wrong. I actually tracked when the pain started this month, and it started about 15 days before my next period will start. (I'm on BC, so I know when my period will start fairly accurately.) The pain usually lasts about three to five days. Around the same time, my partner and I sometimes find a little blood on the end of the condom after sex. It's not enough to show up on my underwear, and sex isn't painful.

I'm going to get my pap smear next week, so I want to know what questions to ask the doctor and if there's another explanation for my symptoms.

This is a university health center, so I don't know if they can do ultrasounds. I do have insurance through my parents, and tests could be available through their insurance. I'm also starting a new job in late July, so I'll have better medical insurance then. Is it OK to have this throughly checked out in a couple months, or should I try setting up a doctor's appointment using my parent's insurance?

Skipping a period + HBC "use"

[galaxy-soup.livejournal.com]

I'm on loestrin 24 and skipped my period last week because there's no way I'd wear a white dress for two days while bleeding. It's been a week since my period would have ended and I experienced no spotting. However, I've had some period symptoms the past few days minus any cramping. Is it normal to still get some symptoms even if you skipped your period?

Also, I've read in the memories but I'm still confused about perfect and typical use. I've had to take a pill a half hour early or later a couple times the past month. Does that bring me down to typical use?

Thanks!

(no subject)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_crystalmyth/]

I went to have my first pelvic done on base which I figured would be FUNFUNFUN, lol. And boy, was it. I was running late and the nurse wasn't very nice about it. But the doctor was amazing! She talked to me throughout the whole procedure, about moving from Georgia and the cruise we went on 2 weeks ago. I felt very comfortable. Until she used the big speculum... I'm going to have to make a note to tell them to use the itty bitty one from now on. Cuz you know.. just because I'm not a virgin doesn't mean it's just some big black abyss that you can throw things into, ya know? Ouch. :( Had to get the hubby to drive home cuz I was actually cramping from it.

Anywho.. they didn't draw blood or take a urine sample, which I guess means they didn't do a pregnancy test. I told them I'd never been pregnant, and was on birth control and used condoms, so...I assume they knew? Who knows? I hate having blood drawn (I get very light-headed during the process) and no one's a fan of peeing in a cup...so, yeah, lol.

She changed my prescription from Yasmin to Norinyl because I was having trouble skipping periods. Here's hoping the side effects aren't as bad as they were on Yasmin for the first few months!

Anyway.. I know nothing about this Norinyl. From the typed insert that comes with all on-base prescriptions, I get the impression that it's the generic of Ortho Novum. Can any of you provide me with info? Have any of you ever been on this pill? Not really looking for experiences because I know it's different for everyone, so...yeah.

Thanks much! :)

When the condom broke...

[starzysky.livejournal.com]

What were YOU doing when the condom broke?

Were things kinda dry?  Was it in some crazy position?  Was it at the end of a 45 minute romp in the hay?

I'm just curious b/c I've never had a condom break & I've never even felt like it could break.  But now I'm basically using condoms only for birth control, so it would be nice to hear if there were any common problems that cause breakage....

TIA!

Marijuana/ UTI connection?

[theycallmebitch.livejournal.com]

This is purely out of curiosity. I smoke a fair deal of pot (I am a stoner, but it also is the only thing that really helps my migraines). I also get a pretty killer UTI every few months, one of which I am slowly recovering from now. My friend, who is more versed in the medical field than the average Joe, seems to think there is a correlation between marijuana use and UTIs. I understand how this connection could be made, seeing as smoking cigarettes can cause bladder cancer because the carginogens are in part washed out of the body through urine. Thoughts? Facts?

Post-Plan B

[villagetheatre.livejournal.com]

So, I took Plan B about two weeks ago after a slight scare of being pregnant, and I got my period about 6 days later [thank god]. Now my period's done, and yesterday I had a lot of abdominal pain. Could this be a result of the Plan B, or my combination of not-so-strenuous yoga & nightly crunches? Or am I PMSing yet AGAIN?

If you've ever had any side effects similar to this, please comment! Thanks!

First Time Skipping Period

[burning-wreck.livejournal.com]

Hey everyone! I've seen lots of entries dealing with how to skip a period, but none about the impact skipping it has on your body. I'm travelling and don't really want to have my period while I'm in Europe. I take Yasmin 28 and today was supposed to be the first placebo pill; I went straight to the next pack so I won't have my period this month.

I normally get pretty bloated during my period and have back pains. Is this going to be the same thing even without my period? Is there generally spotting or anything like that?

Thanks for any info on what to expect!

Vagina-related awkwardness!

[stars-anddreams.livejournal.com]

Hi! This is my first time posting here, but I hope you ladies can help! I've been lurking here for quite some time!

Well, the issue I have is kind of strange.  I'm almost 20, and I am a virgin.  That in itself isn't strange, but I seem to have some kind of vagina-related issue.  For some reason, I'm terrified of intercourse because I worry about the pain of breaking the hymen.  I know that some women don't have one due to childhood sports and other things, but it's not even necessarily the pain of breaking the hymen as much as the fear of how much it will hurt just to have a penis in there, stretching my vagina.

Also, I have trouble inserting a tampon because it hurts so much.  I think it's because I'm a fairly small woman and my vagina might be very tight/narrow.  It just strikes me as quite odd that I find penetration so awkward, because there has been no sexual abuse or anything of the sort in my past.  Maybe it's just a psychological thing? I'm in a long-term relationship and can enjoy other sexual activities, including oral sex and manual stimulation- as long as it's clitoris-centred and doesn't involve insertion of a finger or penis.  Before this issue had been discussed with my boyfriend, he inserted a finger during oral sex without warning and I had to tell him to take it out because it felt very uncomfortable.  Not "painful" as such, but just unpleasant.  I just want to find a way to get over my fear of penetration- I'd love to be able to use tampons and to enjoy intercourse, but this barrier hinders me significantly. 

I'd appreciate any help! Thank you!

awful colposcopy, switching doctors

[http://users.livejournal.com/_knivesxout/]

i went in for my first colposcopy last thursday. it wasn't a positive experience to say the least. now i have some questions and want feedback.


[Unknown site tag]

( cut for length )

Strange smell...

[lumineschaos.livejournal.com]

It's not actually *in* the vagina, but in the space between the outer lips and my leg, and I scrub and scrub and scrub with soap, and a washcloth, and a mesh scrubby thing, but *nothing* will get this smell off, I think I got rid of it once. It's not my vaginal odor, because that's different (and smells kinda good) where as this smells awful. What is it, and HOW oh HOW do I get rid of it?

embarrassing spots + genital warts.

[ohmanifesto.livejournal.com]

okay i have a couple of questions:

( cut because i'm always paranoid my posts are too long.. )

thanks in advance! i hope this is fairly on-topic.

PCOS question

[manifestdstny.livejournal.com]

Backround:  I've been suspicious that I have PCOS for a few years.  I have almost every symtom (irregular period, eating healthily but still having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, acne, dark skin patches on my thighs, excess hair on my lip/stomach/toes). I also haven't gotten pregnant after about 8 months of not using protection.  I brought this up to my doctor a few years ago, and was tested for thyroid/ insulin level promblems. Both tests came back negative, so my doctor dismissed my concern.  I went back a few years later, and was told the same thing. I was never even given any possibility as to what is wrong with me.   It's soo frustrating.

Questions:  What other tests could be done to diagnose PCOS?  My insurance is wacky and doesn't cover much, so is it possible to be checked at a PP?  What else could these symptoms mean? 

messed up flow and neon green pee

[chaos-unbound.livejournal.com]

I have posted a few times about a wonky period, concluded that it was pill related. After having my hormone level raised to fix the break-through bleeding, I decided to go back to my lower hormone because I could not deal with my mood swings.

Now, last September, my year of pill taking was briefly interrupted because of a late appointment. Instead of waiting to start my pill pack when the packet said to I started taking it that day, in between periods. I have wondered if my break through bleeding months later was because of this.

Well, for the last two months I've had the same break through bleeding as before and I am not going to have my pills changed again. I was wondering if I could "fix" my period. I start a new pack this Tuesday and I thought about taking two weeks worth, then starting a new pack again after I've had a period. Anyone else done this? Thoughts, tips, opinions all welcome.


Also, of all the pages on the internet, I found only one that mentions neon green pee. I recently started taking a multivitamin. The page I found was a message board and it was only mentioned in passing as a side effect of B vitamins/multivitamins. But I've taken multivitamins before and I don't recall my pee being neon green. I think I'd remember what for a wonder looks like glow stick juice (ok so it isn't quite THAT bright). I took a multivitamin 3 nights ago, for two nights in a row. Didn't have one last night, but I did take a B vitamin complex this morning. My pee has been this color for about 3 days, consecutive with the multivitamin. I am pretty sure that's all it is, but I wanted to ask here if anyone else has experienced the same thing. I have noticed no other symptoms/side effects. Paranoid hypochondriac, just want to make sure it's not something serious or something I should bother my doctor about.

Menstruation with unreliable access to supplies/clean water

[girlnameddoor.livejournal.com]

Hey vagina-friendly people!

In September, I'm going to Ghana for four months to do a study abroad program. For most of the time I will be doing an urban homestay, but there is a two week rural homestay portion, as well. I'm trying to figure out what to do about my period while abroad.

I have a few major concerns

1) I'm not aware of the cultural taboos in Ghana regarding menstruation, and I really want to avoid embarrassment in this area.

2) I'm not sure if something like a Diva cup is an option, since I have to boil any water that I use for bathing before I use it, which would make cleaning up a menstrual cup a big hassle - plus whenever I think of that I imagine parasites in my vagina. Not fun.

3) Especially during my rural homestay, I would like to minimize the waste I generate (especially since I'm not sure what I'd do with it) making pads/tampons problematic. This might not be an issue at all, since the homestay is only two weeks long, but I'm not sure when it is, so I might be on my period then.

So it seems to me that my best option is suppressing my period through hormonal birth control - which I have taken in the past and want to start taking again, anyway. I've heard horror stories about Seasonale, though - women who bled for 4, 5 weeks only stopping once they stopped taking it. When I took the pill before, I would successfully skip periods by skipping the placebo week, but never two months in a row. Maybe this could work?

Regardless, right now, I see my main options as the pill or the patch. I have a few months to adjust to whatever I decide on, so I'm wondering if any of you have gone through this and have any advice/other ideas.

dryness at end of day

[simplelovelyeye.livejournal.com]

Do you ladies ever notice that by the end of the day your vagina/vulva feels dry-like? I just got an iud so maybe my discharge has changed. Thoughts? Advice?

Cervical Cancer Vaccine

[mommy-jackson.livejournal.com]

Wasnt sure where i could post this, but i just have a question. Has anyone gotten (or plan to get) the Cervical Cancer Vaccine? I believe its called Gardisal (sp?). I was just wondering if anyone knew anything about it, and if there were any side effects anyone has experienced? 

Thanks in advance, and if this was too off topic feel free to let me know, and sorry!

switching BC AGAIN, safe?

[gameschanged.livejournal.com]

So I switched to the Nuvaring 3 months ago, and when i paid for them it was 50 dollars and i got 3 rings.
unfortunately that was a mistake, and i was supposed to only get one!
so when i went back this month, it was 50 for only one, and i decided to switch back to the pill.
i loved the convenience, but i was naseous all the time, and i get headaches almost  every morning.

so this month i inserted on the 28th of april, and then instead of taking it out on may 19th, i inserted the one i just bought. so i stacked my rings this month.
ill be picking up my prescription for the pill in the next two weeks, is it ok for me to just take out the ring any time during the next two weeks and starting the pill? or should i give my body a week to menstruate and then start the pill?

         

Taking a week off of the Pill

[https://users.livejournal.com/-green-cheese-/]

I know you get a lot of questions here about period-skipping and such, but I hope you'll humor my question.

I'm on Alese (a non-triphasic combination pill) and I just started a new pack. my boyfriend and I use it as our only form of contraception. He and I are going to be apart for 2 weeks, and currently I'm scheduled to be in my placebo week when we are reunited. We're also going backpacking that week, so I'd rather not be on my period.

The problem: When i've taken an extra week of pills to delay my period, it's turned me into a crazy hormonal cranky bitch. I'd rather not have that happen.

The proposed solution: I'm thinking of skipping my pills for the first week that we're apart, to give my body a break from the hormones. I know I wont be protected then, but I wont be having sex anyways. I would then start taking pills again a week before I'd see the boy. I'm hoping this would help me avoid the hormonal bitchiness that 4 or more weeks of pills causes. As I understand it, I'm protected from pregnancy after 7 days of taking the pill. Would this apply even if I do this weird schedule? Has anyone tried anything like this? I'm not too worried about a little bit of spotting, I could live with that.

In summary, this is the plan I would like input on. Specifically, I need to be SURE I'm protected from pregnancy in week 4:
week 0: placebo week
week 1: pills, sex
week 2: no pills, no sex
week 3: pills, no sex
week 4: pills, see the boy, I don't want to be bleeding
week 5: pills
week 6: placebo week

Thank you for any advice you have!