Public Service Announcement re: Monistat 1

[elanastory.livejournal.com]

So I had a yeast infection, and after getting impatient with douching with vingegar/inserting acidophilus pills, I went to the drug store and bought Monistat 1, the kind with the "ovule" you insert and the cream you put on your vulva.  The cream made the itching and irritation WORSE, and I noticed that I had a tiny cut on my vulva as well.  (I can't say that the cream caused this, but it never happened to me before.)

My yeast infection did not get better, and so yesterday I went to Planned Parenthood, where the Nurse Practitioner told me that pretty much every woman she's seen that has used Monistat 1 has said that it made her yeast infection WORSE.  I was like "so, why do they sell it?"  And the NP shrugged.  I want to write to the company.

So, my vagina'd friends, moral of the story: stay away from Monistat 1.  The 7 or 3 day should be ok according to the NP... I haven't tried it though.

Also: I was given flucanazole at the clinic, which I took last night.  What have people's experiences been with this medication?  Does it really work in 24 hours?

after birth period

[lunaadmirer.livejournal.com]

my co-worker is experiencing a very long period and i have a few questions to the mothers out there. she had her baby on easter and she had what seemed to be her period for about 3 weeks, and then there was a pause for a week or two and then she started up again. her doctor says it's normal, but she's scared that it might not be. do any moms out there have any info on this? thanks!!

yeast all over

[spiffiestbid.livejournal.com]

I seem to be having quite a big problem with yeast. It's not a vaginal yeast infection, but yeast growing all over my skin. It's on my chest, back, neck, and spreading to my face. My naturopathic doctor gave me colloidal silver to apply every night for a week, but that didn't make it go away, and my family doctor gave me monistat to apply which doesn't seem to be making much of a difference. It looks like dark, dried up patches all over my skin that smell like yeast. Has anyone else had this? What else should I try for it? I'd prefer natural remedies if possible.

Question...

[world-wind.livejournal.com]

Hi. I was just concerned and figured that i'd ask here first before taking it to a professional..

I recently went to visit my boyfriend, and we live far away from each other and don't see each other very often so when we do get together...we have sex a lot. I ended up getting pretty sore from it all, but once i got home my vagina started to get itchy. I don't have any clumpy discharge like a yeast infection, because i've had a yeast infection before so i know what it looks like. I originally thought it was a yeast infection because of the itchy-ness...but i don't have any abnormal discharge. The most i'll get is white creamy discharge with no smell.

Does anyone know if this is something that i should get checked out? or is it just a side effect from all the sex?? any help would be greatly appreciated

nuvaring and cramps

[groupieforhire.livejournal.com]

So it's my first month on the ring, and so far I've been okay on it. Definitely some mood swings and some bad PMS since I'm moving from my natural 28 days cycle to the 35 day (4 in, 1 out), but nothing too awful. Until today. I took my ring out on 6/15, and I got my period last night (6/19). I woke up at 7am with agonizing cramps. Could barely move, and they came in awful waves. 600mg of ibuprofen did absolutely nothing. I finally got out of bed, and my mom gave me some meds (she has chronic pain and she's a doctor, so we had some stuff around the house). I slept for another 2 hours and then went to work, where they sent me home early (and I had to convince them that no, really, I was NOT hung over). And so I guess my question for those of you who've had similar reactions is... does this get better? My periods are pretty mild naturally, with barely any cramps and usually just one or two heavy days. Today's already been rather heavy (25mL, according to my Diva, in 5 hours, which is decently heavy for me). If this will get better after I've been on the ring for two or three months, then I'll stick it out, but if not, I'd rather change now. Or is it okay to stack rings and just not have it out at all, or only every few months? And will it be this bad every time if I do that? I just feel pretty awful right now and would prefer not to have to deal with this again.

Vulvar Vestibulitis

[tinyblueoctopus.livejournal.com]

Firstly, lemme say that it stinks.

Secondly, is there anyone who has it or has had it and found a treatment that worked? I'm currently on my second steroid cream and along with this being annoying and inconvenient, it's not working. In fact, all the extra rubbing is making me feel worse.

It would really be a relief to hear that someone found a treatment that worked, even if it was from something that doesn't work for me. I've been dealing with this for two years now and it's getting depressing. I'm hoping that I'll eventually be able to have sex again and enjoy it. Sorry to be so negative; I'm hoping that my next visit to the doc will change my attitude.

Random Start HBC / Taste test.

[thesyllogism.livejournal.com]

I just started on OTCL at random (not on period). My concern is the window of time in which I may need a back-up method of birth control. Originally I was told it was only a week, but I've been getting conflicting information. Have any of you done this? Did you have unprotected sex during the first two weeks?

My other question was: is there anything I can do / eat / not eat to enhance the way I taste?


Thanks!

Bartholin's cyst.

[michechu.livejournal.com]

Can I pop this thing myself? @_______@

I've had the cyst for about five-six days and the baths have done absolutely nothing. I'm now in so much pain I can't even stand to walk or even sit properly. I did make an appointment to see a gynecologist, but the earliest opening is Wednesday of next week X_x I think I'll die before then.

Sore throat after oral sex

[norskjente.livejournal.com]

Last night, I gave my partner a blowjob and swallowed after he ejaculated in my mouth. This morning, I woke up this morning with quite the sore throat. He is STI free, and has come in my mouth before, so I have no idea what could have caused this. Has anyone else experienced this before? Maybe it is just coincidental?

pms symptoms?

[kissthe-stars.livejournal.com]

Anybody else get really nauseous about a week before their period? It just started happening to me last month, and I was worried last month of possibly being pregnant, but I wasn't. I don't think I have a bug, I just feel sick to my stomach and overall blah :( Also, does yaz help with both your physical and emotional symptoms of pms? Thanks guys!

HELP with Urinary Tract Infection!!

[heavenkittykat.livejournal.com]

I'm 19 and this is my second time of having UTI. I had my first one about 2 and half months ago. Is it okay to consult a gynecologist for treatment of Urinary Tract Infection and recurrences? I don't really feel comfortable with my general practioner because he is also my parent's doctor and he is a man. My gynecologist is the only doctor I have alone.


Also has anybody experience recurring UTI in this community? This infection is pissing me off. I never had UTI in my life until recently. I don't really know what the hell is causing it! IT is so painful and annoying. I would think that the cause would be sexual activity since I only started being sexually active since last year. Also, does lubricant increase the risk? Yesterday we used lube after not using for a long time and today I have this stupid UTI again.

Please help me....

Reassurance

[sarasnee.livejournal.com]

This weekend I had what I assume is a pimple appear on my right outer labia, almost right where they "meet" at the top, so to speak. I was freaking out, wondering if it was an STI or some other type of infection. At the time it was just an inflamed bump that was rather painful.

The next morning in the shower I inspected it closely, and by that time it had developed a white head that popped just like a zit would, and looked just like a pimple.

I'm not really concerned about it anymore, and it's now clear, but I just wanted to make sure that pimple-like bumps aren't a sign of any other type of infection. Oh, I thought I'd also note that I had run out of the unscented gentle soap I use on my pubic region for the few days prior, which led to the difference in cleanliness that probably caused the pimple. Thoughts?

Squirting?

[banyangirl1832.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone...longtime lurker here. When I was masturbating today, as I was getting closer to orgasm I felt a sudden gush of lubricant. I don't normally feel myself getting wet, so I just assumed I'd squirted a little and chalked it up to "the human body is freaking awesome." Do you all think I squirted? First time of it happening, so I'm pretty excited. It was just a cool moment. ;-)

Giant Pimple-help please!

[devotion666.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry if this really has nothing to do with most topics-but I know I can trust you guys ^^
I have this giant red swollen pimple near my pubic hair area (it can't be a stuck follicle I haven't shaved down there for a while...).
The problem is it's really really hurting me!
Does anybody have any advice on how I can get rid of it as fast as possible? (home remedies would be best-I live in Spain and many of the products you guys talk about, don't sell here).

Thank you sooooooo much :)

hpv vaccine -- what is the window of time in which to get the second shot?

[w-wellington.livejournal.com]

Hey everyone! This is probably a stupid question, but this is the first time I haven't just had my mom handle everything relating to vaccines, so I wanted to be sure. I got my first shot of Gardasil today, and I'll be back at school by the time I need the second shot (home is in Michigan, school's in North Carolina). Anyway, my question is -- does the second shot need to be exactly two months after (as in, the same date)? August 19th is a Sunday, and so the student health center would be closed. It doesn't seem like it'd be a big deal to get it a few days earlier or later, but I just wanted to see if anyone could confirm that. Thanks!

Lea's Shield -- anyone tried it?

[laurensellscorn.livejournal.com]

Okay! I've decided a cervical barrier method is likely for me. I'm torn between a diaphragm or a Lea's Shield. I'll break down my reasoning for and against each; note that in my listed benefits like not using spermicide, I'm using condoms:

Diaphragm - Can be used "dry", is better during menses, lasts years. Cons: potentially uncomfortable, hard to remove, possibility of rubbing sores into vaginal wall.

Shield - Does not require fitting, more effective, spermicide not shown to be necessary, less likely to feel. Cons: bulkier and less "foldable" for insertion and removal, control loop may irritate/be felt, costs more and has a shorter lifespan than diaphragm.

So.. if anyone with cervical barrier experience can help me choose by giving experiences with either one, I'd appreciate it so much!

(Lastly, don't take this the wrong way, but almost all of the archives I've read on lea's shield experiences consisted mostly of people trying to convince the OP to try another method/stick with their current one rather than giving input on the method; that's why I'm posting this. I'd just like you to know before you take the trouble to post something like that, I'm pretty set in this route, though I very much appreciate input. :))

yeast infection . . . in clit?

[delving.livejournal.com]

I've never had a yeast infection before, but I seem to have one now (I've been taking antibiotics) except that it's not in my vagina, it's in my clitoris. It's my clitoris that itches, starting a couple days ago, and today I examined the area and noticed some yeasty-lookin' discharge coming out from under the hood.

What the hell do I do with this? I tried this bath thing, but the water didn't taste salty until I had 2 cups of salt in, so I also put in 2 cups of vinegar. It wasn't even "hip height," just crotch height, because I used up most of the salt in my house! It's helped a little but it still itches. Has anyone else tried the bath remedy? Do I have to keep doing that or should it be effective after one go? Anyone else successfully treated more external infections?

I also tried pouring a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution over my vulva. I guess I can go buy yogurt or something else tomorrow and . . . sit in it? Err. Suggestions?

Tiger Balm for Cramps?

[hortonhearsawho.livejournal.com]

I just had a random brainwave and am wondering whether anyone has ever tried this and whether there was success or just an overdose on the smell.

Would rubbing Tiger Balm on the "over the uterus" area help reduce menstrual cramps?

Granted, the muscles aren't as directly under the skin as say, in your calf, but the stuff also works on the temples for a headache and stuff like that.

If I had some in the house, I'd do some experimenting, but alas, I have none of the Miracle Substance around. Any experiences?

One more shaving solution before I enroll myself in an insane asylum

[http://users.livejournal.com/---3x5/]

Ughh...ok so literally I have been going back and forth for MONTHS trying to find a solution for what I'm about to say.

So my birthday is next week - at the top of my list is one year's worth of allowance for a bikini wax. I've tried everything - (well, not depilatory because my skin is so goddamn sensitive, I'm too nervous to even apply it), but shaving, etc.

Anyway, my mom just doesn't know if waxing for a whole year is a good idea. I don't blame her...if it becomes a habit, when I get out into the real world I will have to find SOME way to pay for bikini waxes, and that's a huge chunk of money every month, when it starts to add up.

I need a solution. Is there any way I can get ONE brazilian, and then when the hair starts to grow back, just start shaving? I've had such bad experiences with shaving just because its been too long to begin with (trimmed down, but still) I have always hated the feeling of the razor going over the skin a million times over. Plus I have very very sensitive skin...I would need the very best solution for razor burn.

What should I do?! Thanks so much for your help in advance.

ETA: The problem is that I hate the hair, but have a hard time getting rid of it. My skin is sensitive and I don't know what other solutions to consider, or combinations! (and the ingrown hairs suck majorly too, and yes I do take care of it after I shave)

Condoms alone?

[coruscatus.livejournal.com]

I know that two forms of birth control are recommended, but are they absolutely necessary? How risky are condoms alone?

In terms of background: I've never had sex. I'm not on birth control. There is a very slim chance that I may have sex in the near future, but I am not planning to go on birth control any time soon. If I do have sex, I want to be fully protected, and of course I'd use a condom. But would that be enough?