Lack of Sex Drive

[plaidcombo.livejournal.com]

I've read some of the other entries with this topic, and I was hoping someone may have some advice for me.

( Read more )

Hymens: a myth?

[doomweasel.livejournal.com]

I was discussing hymens with my boyfriend online recently and he stumbled across an article stating that apparently some "hot-shot" medical people think hymens are a socio-cultural myth. Unfortunately, I don't have the link to the page he got it from, but here's the quote that he shared with me:

"In late 2005, Monica Christiansson, former maternity ward nurse and Carola Eriksson, a PhD student at Umeå University announced that according to studies of medical literature and practical experience, the hymen should be considered a social and cultural myth, based on deeply rooted stereotypes of womens' roles in sexual relations with men. Christiansson and Eriksson support their claims by pointing out that there are no accurate medical descriptions of what a hymen actually consists of. Statistics presented by the two state that fewer than 30% of all women who have gone through puberty and have consensual intercourse bleed the first time. Christiansson has expressed an opinion that the use of the term "hymen" should be discontinued and that it should be considered an integral part of the vaginal opening.[25]"

Personally, I think it's silly. Even if the hymen is considered an integral part of the vaginal opening, it can still be called a hymen. (That, and I thought it was considered an "integral part" anyway, but I'm guessing my definition of the term and theirs is significantly different.)

I did a little bit of research on my own, and I came to this page, which seems to suggest that Christiansson and Ericsson are basing their claim on the assumption that "hymen" means a solid membrane over the opening of the vagina. Which proves, to me, that they're just being silly. Just a few posts ago was a link to a gallery showing all the different kinds of hymens!

Your thoughts on this, ladies and gents?

abnormal pap

[glortw.livejournal.com]

so i got a pap smear and they called and said it was abnormal. the woman was like "we want you to go get this thing called a (forget the word. colposcopy? something like that). because it could be hpv. we need to look closer at your cervix." basically terrifying me. and i called to make the appointment for the procedure and they don't have any openings until march. so i'm just sposed to wonder if i have a fucking disease until then? i guess i could call some other places that they said offer the procedure but i don't really want to because i'm really not looking forward to the procedure. i guess what i want to know is if anyone knows what i'm talking about and has had it, and can tell me what it's like, how long it lasts, how uncomfortable it is? and the likelihood that an abnormal pap is caused by hpv? i've been mostly very safe and careful with my sex partners. i am really scared :(
thanks.

BV or YI?

[zombiebunney.livejournal.com]

Hey Everyone!!!

As you know, I'm currently pregnant with my second child and I also have a doctor's appointment today. I'm alittle nervous bringing this up to her because I don't want her to think I'm being paranoid, but more so curious/unsure and concerned.

( TMI )

Male Yeast infection?

[stufey.livejournal.com]

So my doc said back in October that the only thing we could be passing back and forth was a yeast infection. See my husband and I have been struggling with my insanely sore vagina, I did have BV back in October when I went for my visit, since then I've just been off and on sore and irritated.
So now this week we are both itchy and have the white crap, husband has swollen foreskin and is reddish at the tip.
so my questions
1. How do we treat him?
2. could this be the reason for my constant struggle with vaginal soreness?
Been ttc for awhile as well. I'm just so frustrated because we've only been married for a year and a half and I never want to have sex because my vag hurts :( Shouldn't we be normal newlyweds?
I called my doc's office and they still haven't returned my call.

HELP!

UTI, coping and sex.

[abstracticletho.livejournal.com]

Hey guys,
I'm new to this community, though I have been lurking for quite a while. I have a couple of questions. First off, I would like to say I've heard a lot about UTI's, and always thought, "No biggie I'll just have to pee a lot and take some antiobiotics if ever I get one". I was SO wrong. I got my very first UTI a couple of days ago and it was much worse than I ever imagined. I spent 12 hours standing because it hurt so bad to lay/sit down. I was especially worried when I found blood in my urine. I went to the doc's the next day and of course I've been taking my antibiotics. The pain has subsided a ton, no more blood, but I still feel uncomfortable and such. So, does anyone have any tips to cope with it for the time being? Also, about how long did you wait to start having sex again after getting a UTI. For those of you that have had sex while still on the antiobiotics, where you terribly uncomfortable? Did it make any difference at all? I have plans with the boy tonight and since I'm feeling better I fear I might give in and go all idiot-like and have sex.

post-first brazilian wax:

[touchgold.livejournal.com]

I did it. I got my first Brazilian. The pain wasn't as bad as I'd anticipated, nor was it awkward like those have the potential to be. However, although my girly bits are significantly less hairless, I was left with what I can only describe as fine stubble. This may be due to the fact that I am quite blonde, but is that normal? I mean, I was expecting to leave perfectly smooth, and that is not the case. I understand that some of the hairs were probably broken in the process and rendered too short to remove by wax, but it seems like in general my entire mound feels very stubbly. In addition, there were a couple areas that were almost totally missed, but of course I couldn't see those until I got home and performed my own inspection. Was I totally gyped, or does this happen frequently.

My waxer didn't give me much advice in regards to aftercare. (I mean, I know what to do, but it was my first wax and was expecting at least something!) I was given a pair of exfoliating gloves and told that some of the hairs were "half in, half out" and that running them over the area in the shower after a couple days would dislodge them. Is that a load of hooey or am I just being over-discerning?

Thanks for any input, ladies.

IUD, PID, or just TMI?

[jenifermichelle.livejournal.com]

The disadvantage of having a really awesome OB/GYN is how insanely crowded his office is. I got a copper IUD inserted about a month ago, and in the constant stream of patients, he kinda forgot to tell me what to expect, and I can't find answers to these problems anywhere else.

First, there's a weird issue when my boyfriend and I have sex. Before getting my IUD, I've always strictly enforced condoms in my bedroom, and other than an accidental break that was quickly resolved via Plan B, I've never had a guy ejaculate in me. So about a week after getting the IUD, he and I started having unprotected sex and he came in me, and all is well with one small exception: the smell. I don't know if its a reaction with the copper, or if this is just what it normally smells like when sex juices mingle, but its rather putrid. Neither of us have any STDs, and on their own, our genitals and their fluids are normal. And the smell goes away after a shower and a few hours, but when you're young and sex is spontaneous, its really annoying. So is this the copper? Does it mean there's something wrong with one of us? Or is this just normal?

And second, I know I was supposed to expect more intense cramping before my period. With the help of some ibuprofen, the period came and went...sort of. It was gone for maybe two days...then the bleeding started again, along with the cramping. Right now, I'm on the second days of this weird re-bleed, and its kind of bothersome. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this problem?

Third and finally, has anyone here who used an IUD gotten PID before? I've read the symptoms and signs online, but I want to know from an actual person what their experience was, not just a list of what may or may not happen. My boyfriend and I are planning on marriage and kids, so the idea of being infertile due to ignoring a small symptom is terrifying.

Thank you all so much for your help.

the itch

[threestarblue.livejournal.com]

i've been dealing with an itch that mostly bothers me upon waking - i've been to p.phood and had my tests and they say everything looks good - both visually and in the lab. but i'm still dealing with this itch - sometimes the opening around my vag. looks redder and irritated *from scratching maybe.???* - i guess my only observation is i am more dry than anything - any discharge is the same old same old and like i said *normal* whatever that is. no odors. just the itch. i did go off of my b.control pills a month ago i don't know if that has anything to do with it i was only on them for 3 months and after having chest crushing pain i stopped.
i notice the itch when my b.friend and i start to have sex but once we get going it does stop. i assume the extra lube from all that helps.
seriously i don't know anymore.
i take acidopholus - and garlic almost every day to keep yeasties away and for now i've been using a mixture of a. sea salt and water
or
b. tea tree oil *about 8 drops to a cup*
as relief to take away the itch which does work but it comes back never the less.

i'm almost 38 is this pre menopausal.?

the lady at pphood told me not to use any creams or soaps.

wah.



any ideas
anyone.?

thanks

condom slippage, advice needed

[didyoukn0w.livejournal.com]

Hello everyone!

I'm in need of some guidance. So here's the deal: I'm not currently on any form of birthcontrol and my boyfriend and I have just been using condoms. Today while getting funky, the condom came off inside of me. He hadn't come yet and I think we noticed right away that it had slipped off but I don't know for sure. All we did was fish it out, roll another on, and resume. Would it be stupid not to get ECP? Should I wait and see if I get a period or not?

I also have another question, one i've been meaning to ask for a while but sorta forgot about until know. Less than a month ago, my boyfriend went on a trip down to LA, when he cam back, I had not yet started my new pack of birth control and we had sex anyways with out any protection (dumb, I know) I called the super helpful clinic in my area and was told to get my butt down to a pharmacy and pick up some Plan B, which I did. A few days after taking it, I got a seemingly normal period, but it only lasted two days and I haven't had a period since, I think i'm due in about ten or so days. Is this normal? Should I take a pregnancy test just to be sure? And when am I okay to resume taking my HBC?

Thanks so much for reading all that. And I did have a look through the memories, but couldn't find anything specific enough to ease my mind, sorry if this post isn't relevant or anything, haha.

-Madison

freckles :)

[sakichirox.livejournal.com]

I've always had this little freckle just inside the outer labia.  I'm not concerned about it or anything because it's just a freckle, but I was wondering if it's unusual or if it's common to have freckles down there.  I'm not very freckle-y at all actually so having a freckle there seems sorta out of place :P

Anyway, I just wanted to know if I'm the only one :)

its me again

[dsposblheroes.livejournal.com]

so not to long ago i came and asked about something that looked like a mosquito bite. well its been about two weeks and its still there i have uncontrolable itching no pain though. and its developed a pimple like head i squeeze it and white came out. i've read that herpes is a clear fluid and i am a virgin. does anyone know what it is?

Frequent Urination

[hello12434.livejournal.com]

Hello,

I am a first-time poster and was hoping you all could help me. About two years ago I noticed I was having to pee a lot, and I mean a lot. Last year it progressed to approximately 20+ times a day- and has continued as such. Even when I "empty" my bladder "completely" it is no more than 5 minutes (at times) when I feel like I need to pee again. (and do.) In order to try and cope with this I often stay on the toilet for five minutes trying to lean forward, stand up and sit back down, etc to try and empty my bladder completely. Recently, I noticed when I am done with this "ritual" often times I will stand up and pee will just come out into my underwear. It is not a lot but it is definitely there. 

What makes this problem even more unusual is that I am only seventeen years old. I visited a specialist and had tests on my kidneys done that all came back normal. The doctor seemed to write me off in a sense, because of my age (citing this was usually an older person's problem). He told me it could be from stress however, I do not think two years of this can be completely written off to that. I was hoping anyone who knows anything about this issue and (or) who has experienced something similar could give me some ideas as to what it could be. FYI: I have not had an exam to get the "structure" of my bladder examined because the doctor felt I was too young. Anything else you would need to know please ask. 

Thank You

(no subject)

[pinkgold00.livejournal.com]

Hey guys, I checked the memories and couldnt find anything on this and
 im kind of panicing. Lately, I have been having some unexplainable
 pinkish watery discharge (not too watery to really be called discharge). 
Which goes away completely until I have sex. For
 the past month Ive only had sex with my boyfriend on weekends because
 we were home from college for break and it didnt happen at all but we
 had sex on saturday and it seemed normal, and then today I noticed the
 discharge before we had sex and a little bit after. We've been having sex
 for 6 months and this discharge is new, probably in the last two
 months it has started and it freaks me out. I know im not pregnant and we
 both dont have any STD's. Does anybody else have this or know anything
 about it? Im also kind of worried because when we have sex it still kind
 of hurts in the very beginning. Is this normal?

Birth control and breakthough bleeding

[sweetworldz.livejournal.com]

Last year I was on Loesterin, but was having breakthrough bleeding and switched to the generic version of Ortho-Cyclen called Mononessa (OrthoCyclen, not TRIcyclen, fyi).

I am on my sixth pack of pills of Mononessa and I am STILL having breakthrough bleeding. I have about 2 weeks left of active pills and my period has started.

I've always had light, painless periods, and oddly birth control has made them painful and longer, I'm not sure why.

But anyway, I'm getting frustrated with my breakthrough bleeding and wondering if anyone has any ideas?

Thank you!!

EDIT: I was looking through the memories, and I'm wondering if it's because I haven't been diligent about taking the pill at the exact same time every day. I remember past weeks when I tried to take it exactly at the same time every day and I didn't have breakthrough bleeding. Hmmm...

Ugh, shaving?

[vampbitex.livejournal.com]

Shaving down there is such a pain, and whenever I do it seems like it never COMPLETELY gets shaved, you know? Like you put your hand over it and it feel stubbly and whatever but you can't see anything. Is this normal? Does it just never get completely shaved...?

Am I just stupid or...?

Breakthrough bleeding after skipping period with HBC

[frogz.livejournal.com]

A week ago I decided to skip my period by starting my new pack of BCP without taking the placebos. They're monophasic (since I know that makes a bit of difference) Anyways, last week (the week I would have had my period) I was fine, no spotting or any symptoms. Starting today I started having a few cramps and a bit of bleeding. I know that breakthrough bleeding is fairly common when you skip the placebos, but I thought that that usually happened during the week that the period was supposed to be, and this is over a week later. I just wanted to know if this has happened to anyone else. I haven't missed any periods and my boyfriend and I always use condoms anyways, so I'm not really scared of being pregnant, it's just weird to be feeling periody at a (semi-random) time of month.

Gardasil

[neiseluv.livejournal.com]

Hey there, just joined! I've been reading through the entries on HPV, and forgive me if I've missed this, but I was just wondering...

Why is the HPV vaccine only being offered to women up to the age of 26?

Thanks! :)

Tampons getting stuck?

[sydelleofcourse.livejournal.com]

Right, so I'm 25 but only started using tampons maybe 6 months ago.  I had always just used pads.  Anyway, I've got the insertion part down, no problem.  But about 50% of the time I go to take one out, it won't come easily and hurts like a #@$%@!!  I end up having to soak in the shower while slowing working it out.  Today I got light headed and almost threw up from the pain.  I've tried varying the size, the brand (Pearls are the WORST), the length of time I leave it in, etc.  It feels like it's sticking to my insides or something.  I have no idea what is going on, and the only info I can find about this happening is if you try to take it out dry.  And they aren't dry.  Is my body just not compatible with tampons?

Cramping during Ovulation?

[disturbedme.livejournal.com]

Just a quick question.

Does anyone else here have actual cramping when they ovulate? I'm not talking about the usual ovulation pain, but cramping that feels pretty much like menstrual cramps, but happens when you ovulate.

It seems I have been having this for a good five or so months now and I'm just wondering if anyone else here experiences this?

I'm due to ovulate soon. I'm thinking I ovulated today or will in the next one or two days. I keep track of my cycles.

Freaking out!

[pastelshark.livejournal.com]

While masturbating I discovered that I have three small bumps on my back vaginal wall. They're near (not on) my cervix and while they don't hurt or itch or burn, I am petrified that they could be HPV. I've only ever had two sexual partners, one of which was a virgin. I have been with the other one in a monogamous relationship for two years, and he tells me he doesn't have HPV, and that he had been tested for STDs before we had met.

My last appointment with my OBYGYN was after my guy and I met, but still over two years ago, and I can't remember if she did a pap or not. I have not been since because I have no insurance and can't afford it.

Can anyone tell me if what I am experiencing is at all normal, are bumps on the vaginal wall common? Do I have HPV, or cancer? My brain hurts.

vagtalk - pruney fingers and queefing

[aesoploveee.livejournal.com]

 Hey ladies and gents! 

This isn't really a question, more of a discussion, since I adore VP and all its awesome energy!

So, tonight I was home alone with my boyfriend and we were fooling around and he fingered me. And afterwards, while we were laying in bed and just talking, I touched his hand and I could feel my natural lubrication on his fingers. We got to talking and he said he never minded it but sometimes his fingers got "pruney." Pruney as in, the way your fingers/toes wrinkle when you're in the shower or bath for too long.

I thought that was kind of interesting. I mean, logically, yes, that would happen since it's wet and it's all over your fingers. Plus, I dunno about most girls, but it takes me a decent amount of time to get off from fingering, so he's in there awhile. Have any of you, guys or girls, had this same experience of pruney fingers?

Another thing is, I finally explained to my boyfriend what queefing really is. It happened the other night  when we were being pretty rough and I explained about air getting pushed into the vagina, etc, etc. And I had a question for you, ladies. How do you react when you queef with a partner? How does your partner generally react? And for the guys, how do you react to a girl queefing?

Any comments, stories, and any other input are appreciated! Thanks! :)

Vaginal Odor?

[loveiscolorful.livejournal.com]

Quick question - slight odor, not much discharge, no itching, painful urination, etc. My only symptom is a slight odor, so what could this be?

Link to funny blog about periods?

[bythebootstraps.livejournal.com]

does anyone have a link to that famous LJ post made by the girl who wrote the hysterically funny bit about feminine hygeine products? She made fun of pads with wings, being in the menstrual aisle at the store...I don't remember a lot but I know it was fun-ny.

I think she had "red" in the user name. Maybe. But the post got gazillions of comments and it was linked all over the place.

I want to say it was from circa 2005?


muchas gracias, vaginistas.

A Friendly Reminder About Posting Guidelines

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Hey folks,

Our community has grown a lot recently; as of last count, we were at over 18,500 members!

It's wonderful to see so many vulva-loving superstars, but we also thought it might be time for a quick refresher of some guidelines for what you can do to make posting and reading in such a large community easier for all.

If you haven't done so yet, please take a minute to read through VP's Courtesy Checklist for Posting. It's a quick run-down on some ways you can format your posts to make them easier to find and read, including:

-- Including descriptive subject lines so your posts are easier to find on the community main page.

-- Placing images behind descriptive LJ-cuts, particularly if they're graphic. Not only does this let people choose whether to see NSFW images, but it also helps out computers with slower connections.

-- Using a standard font size and color for your posts and comments. If people can more easily read your words, they're more likely to be able to answer your questions or appreciate your advice.

VP is a busy place -- which is fabulous -- but in a community that gets so many posts per day, it's great if you can remember the items in our checklist -- as well as other things that make VP say yay to make reading and responding to them a happier experience for everyone. =)

Thanks!
Tori
For the VP Team
contact_vp