long-term yeast infection

[uterine-lining.livejournal.com]

Supposedly, my vadge 'tastes like yeast infection.'
I had one back in ... March.
Apparently it never got better?

It doesn't stink, & it isn't dripping anything & it's not itching. ;P
but is it possible to have a very low-key ongoing yeast infection ?

Should I just buy some meds at the drugstore?

mild itching/smell

[yaaarg.livejournal.com]

ok!  First of all, i'm not a troll, just posting on a different journal as i'm feeling a bit embarrassed.

I'm just looking for some advice.  I'm having mild itching, mostly outside of the vagina, but a little in today.  It smells a bit off (not really like bread or fish?).  I haven't really noticed any change in discharge, and it can't be an std.   I'm wondering if this sounds like a yeast infection, and i should go for some garlic.  I've had two Yeast Infections before...and from my experience, they were anything but *mild* itching, so i'm a bit confused.  From those two, I just always figured that if i had one again, i'd -know-.

Sorry if this is dumb...or anything >.<

Anxious about HPV

[reijigin.livejournal.com]

I've been avoiding talking about this with anyone (despite the fact that I usually love talking about sex and my own personal issues) because I have always considered myself to be an informed person as far as my own sexual health and safety goes. But this whole thing is making me feel incredibly stupid, first because I was uninformed in the first place and second because I know my way of handling it is far from good. I'm looking for some information and some support. Thanks in advance.

( Cut for length... I'm kind of long winded, sorry. )

condomless sex

[starry3yedgrl.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone,

I've already googled the stats on my situation, so I am feeling pretty ok about it all, but I was just hoping to get a little more feedback from real poeple in the same situation.

I am in a commited relationship and my boyfriend and I have both been tested for STI's and I take a mini pill (progestin only, micronor) for birth control.  About a month ago we decided to stop using condoms.  He has not used condoms in the past when in commited relationships and like I said, he gets tested every six months, however this is a first for me, I had always always used condoms.  So this is a little new for me and I am just feeling a little uneasy.  Not necessarily uneasy enough to use condoms again, because I know to some degree I am just being paranoid.  I was also quite paranoid about pregnancy even when I was using condoms AND birth control, so I think there will always be some level of paranoia for me.

So he always pulls out, and I know that isn't failproof, but with that plus the pill, I should be fine right?  The only thing is we had an oopsie moment and he came inside of me last night.  For some reason I haven't been very successful at reaching orgasm during sex with him, and we both reached it at the same time last night, so yeah, pulling out wasn't on our list of priorities last night, but I don't intend on that happening again as I am a little freaked out by it.

OK sorry to babble so much, but I guess what I am looking for is just other VP'ers that have condomless sex and to get their opinions on it and if one becomes more comfortable with it over time.  By the way, I am an almost perfect pill user, I take it to the minute every day (which is very important with the mini pill).  The latest I have ever been when having sex was 15 minutes and I read that it is not considered late enough to use back up protection until 3 hours.  Thanks!

Missed three or four pills this month.

[comatose.livejournal.com]

I am on Yasmin.

I'm on my last week before I go into the placebo week. At the beginning of my pack I missed a pill the day after my boyfriend and I had sex (without a condom). Then I missed another one the week later. We have had protected sex since.

Then I missed another pill on Thursday. We had sex last night (Friday evening) and the condom slipped off a little bit during and my boyfriend came. We always check to make sure it's on. There was plenty of lube, maybe a bit too much, which may have caused this to happen.

I know there is a possibility of being pregnant from the first incident I spoke of, where I missed a pill a day after we had sex.

But I'm due to start my placebo pills tomorrow. Could someone please explain how likely it is that I am pregnant? I know it's a possibility. Also, if I didn't become pregnant from the first incident... could I become pregnant from last night and just not get my period in the next few days?

Is it very unlikely to become pregnant so close to your period? Should I take a pregnancy test?


Edit: greenigma21 is writing unfair and untrue things about me in her journal. I never had unprotected sex after missing pills. We used condoms the FOUR times we had sex after missing my pill. ONE of those times the condom came off due to too much lube.

We usually have unprotected sex when I DON'T miss pills, but this month has been VERY hectic and there are very few days when I forget to take it... but then take it when I remember to. Why do I need to explain myself in a community that is meant to understand, give information and reassure the person that is asking a question?

I don't need to explain myself. I could be having sex with 10 guys, without protection or birth control and EVEN THEN my actions shouldn't be judged or commented on so harshly. But I'm a responsible adult who forgot some pills, tried to be responsible by using back up... and I get treated like shit in a community that I come to for answers? THAT IS JUST NOT ON.

I am disgusted, to be quite honest.

getting pregnant once off the pill

[starry3yedgrl.livejournal.com]

Its me again, I have another questions which is quite opposite from my question below, but it is just for future reference and curiosity purposes.  I have read in the past that it can take up to a year to get pregnant once going off the pill.  I am not sure what kind she is on, but my best friend is getting married next year and she recently went off the pill because they hope to get pregnant not long after they get married.  They obviously don't want to get pregnant before they are ready, so they are still using condoms, but they want her body to have that year break from the pill so that she can hopefully get pregnant quicker when they are ready and also because her body sometimes reacts badly to going off the pill and she doesn't want to be experiencing any of these symptoms close to her wedding.

So as I said I don't know what kind she is on, but I do know it is a combination pill.  I am on a mini pill (progestin only) and was just wondering if anyone knew the stats on that for how long it takes to get pregnant once going off from it. 

Yaz birth control

[skeas.livejournal.com]

( Backstory )

My actual question pertains to the popular Yaz birth control. My doctor practically forced it down my throat. "Are you on Yaz, first of all?" he asked. "No? You are a perfect candidate for it! Let's try Yaz!"
He basically was as enthusiastic and smiling as one of those women from the Yaz commercial, and I was surprised that a bevy of girls did not show up from under his desk to sing and dance about their amazing periods and pulmonary embolisms. I was immediately skeptical. He hadn't even looked at my chart or asked me any questions about what I wanted from my next birth control. It seems like these days, if you go to the gynecologist for a birth control pill, you get Yaz. Yaz seems like it's developing a monopoly on the birth control market. If Yaz doesn't work, then you are introduced to other options.

I asked my doctor some more questions about it, and he tried to defend his suggestion. Yaz apparently has some kind of innovative new kind of progestin in it, which is supposed to lessen the side effects for most women. However, I feel like this Yaz-dominated world is driven by their aggressive advertising (I've seen a few commercials for NuvaRing, but I see commercials for Yaz all the time) and probably some very pretty drug reps--not necessarily a life-saving new ingredient. Overwhelmingly, I've heard horrible things about Yaz:

I've met a lot of people on it, and I've only met one person who wasn't a crying, cramping, awful mess. One of my better friends became suicidal after the first three months, I've heard horror stories about breakthrough bleeding and moodswings here in VP. One of my friends became convinced that she had PCOS because her periods were so horrible. I know that side effects vary greatly for different people, but I feel like the odds are stacked against Yaz. Less than 1% of the people I know liked it. Yeah, side effects are different, but if there's such a negative trend, then there's a good chance that it wouldn't be the right birth control for me either!

However, I also know that people usually don't sing the praises of their birth controls. So perhaps I just don't hear from all the people who are quietly and happily on Yaz. From you wonderful ladies at VP, I ask the question: what is your Yaz story? Good or bad? Maybe if I hear from a larger sample, I will let my doctor convince me to try out this miracle progestin. As it stands, he prescribed me Necon 7/7/7, after I told him that I'd like to try a Yaz-less route. We'll see how it goes.

Another "sore breasts" post.

[rose4thedead.livejournal.com]

A couple of days ago I started to feel my breasts getting VERY sore, my left more than the right. I honestly feel like someone beat them up. My nipples are too sensitive to touch, and I can't even walk around without a bra (I'm on the small B side and very perky, and I usually don't wear bras, so I dont understand why this is happening).
OK here's some background info:
- I'm not on HBC.
- I'm currently sexually active and we use condoms
- My nipples are pierced, have been for 8 months now.
- The last day of my period was September 25th.
- I'm 18 years old.

Could this be a symptom of ovulation? Or is it (very) early signs of pregnancy (I had sex on Wednesday as well as yesterday)? Or could my nipple piercings be affecting this?
I've never had this problem before unless its a week before and/or during my period when my piercings become very sensitive, therefore making the area sore... but since I just finished my period I dont think it could be related. 
Also, this might be a stupid question but, can this be a sign of my breasts beginning to sag? because let me tell you, I've never felt like I had tits before and now theyre just weighing me down. 

Also, I don't know if this is related or not, but I've gotten a burning sensation (lol.. it sounds funny saying that) in my chest since my breasts started acting up. And I've had horrible cramps in my stomach (they dont feel like the cramps i get while i'm on my period). The burning has been so bad that i've had to stop whatever I'm doing and sit down.

Any ideas?

lost condom

[marlo-yearight.livejournal.com]

Hi. So..after having sex this morning, my boyfriend and I couldnt find the condom. I guess the only logical place it would be, is inside me. But I cant feel it, or find it with my fingers. What can i do, aside from going to the hospital, as id like to avoid that if possible, as i dont have insurance or means to pay hospital bills right now. If i have to go, i will. But I was wondering if maybe it will come out on its own. Or move so i can get it? Anything like that? Or any personal experience, so i feel a little better.

Thanks.

EDIT:
I found it! Im so relieved. Thanks for all the comments! Especially whoever suggested a bath.

Period taking forever to start?

[march12th.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone. I got off the pill in June after having been on it for almost 5 years (I was on Yasmin, then Yaz). The few cycles I've had since then have been pretty regular (between 30-33 days, just how it was before I started taking the pill). I was expecting for my period to show up around the last week of September, but all I've gotten is this light brown discharge that only comes out when I bear down (like when I have a bowel movement for example, TMI I know). This type of discharge usually appears right before I start my period, but it'll only happen for a day or so. It's been going on now for a week. I don't think I could be pregnant. I haven't had sex without a condom, and my boyfriend always inspects it thoroughly afterwards to make sure we didn't have an accident. So is this normal? I just want my period to start and it's driving me crazy!

PCOS

[bron-the-brin.livejournal.com]

I've been having strange symptoms for a long, long time and I think I may have PCOS. I know it's quite common and I've been preparing myself mentally for IF I have it. I'm planning on going to the gyno sometime next week, so I'll know then..

I'd like to know what kind of symptoms you PCOS-sufferers have and what you do to treat them?

I'm sorry if my list of symptoms is long, but I'd like to know what a person can do about them and what your personal experiences are. Thank you in beforehand!

( My symptoms )

Dark brown blood

[iloveyaall.livejournal.com]

Hi
So i am sorta trying to get pregnant. We stopped using protection a few months ago, my period has been normal, i missed last month so i took a test it was negative. Last saterday i a few drops of blood came and went and today i had thick dark red brown blood. What could be going on? Thanks

When it smells and burns.

[tokyo-shimmer.livejournal.com]

 i basically buy the large sized pads and im a small size reguarly. i buy large for the security that it wont leak anywhere. but i find that every single time i get my period, i get a bad reaction down there..itch, burn when pee, and all that wonderful stuff. this is kind of embaressing but i really need an answer from you girls. is it becasue im wearing a pad that is way too big for me and its irritating stuff? and is maybe a tampon an answer? 

im telling you this happens EVERYTIME i get my period. also how many pads do you go through per period?

by the way ive been goign through this for a couple of years. still have not bothered to do anything new. i'm fed up though. men are so lucky.

DivaCup and others.

[tokyo-shimmer.livejournal.com]

This is related to my other post. but i was recently introduced to Diva cup and other cloth pads. 

Where exaclty can you buy these? For example shoppers drug mart? I live in Canada.  What brand would you reccomend most? 

also, what do you find better: diva cups or cloth pads.