Swelling?

[anese.livejournal.com]

I'm super paranoid about STDs...even though the only person I have ever had sex with is my long term boyfriend--we always use condoms--and it isn't that I think he's running around having sex with other people, its that even though he has been tested for STDs, sometimes males don't get symptoms of certain diseases.

The last time that we had sex was over a month ago, right around New Year's.

A few days ago, I started to experience swelling around my vagina, but no discharge...some minor itching followed by soreness and discomfort.

I was thinking this could be vaginosis? I'm still looking for work right now and I'm not covered by my parent's health insurance anymore, but just the same, I talked to my mom and we're going to find a gyno so I can get checked out.

I'm thinking this is some type of vaginal infection, and I hope that it is nothing serious.

It could be due to my own terrible eating habits/lack of sleep, I dont take good care of myself and was wondering if this was weakening my system? It will probably take a week before a doctor would see me, since I don't have a gyno and last time I tried to make an appointment with one, they wanted me to wait a month to see them!

can anyone give me some insight/put my mind at ease?

At least the discomfort isn't incredibly unbearable!

boobs :-(

[oh-killer-tofu.livejournal.com]

i went bra shopping tonight and got pretty depressed because my boobs have gone up a cup size(plus maybe a little) since the last time i went shopping. i used to be a 32d but could never find those in stores so 34C/Ds, depending on the brand, used to be ok but i would have to wear them on the tightest hook. so now my boobs have sky-rocketed and 34Ds make me have 6 boobs all together because of all the spillage i have. i'm hopeful that 32DDs would be the right size for me (i dont even know what comes after a DD!)

anyway... so where should i go to find bras this size? do stores even exist that carry them or would i probably have to order them? if i have to order them, are there any online stores that you all would recommend? i'm specifically looking for bras that i could wear low cut shirts with so full coverage bras arent really appealing to me. i still want pretty bras! and also, even though my boobs are big, they dont really stick out much. they're pretty big around so when i've been measured/measured myself in the past it always comes out to about a 32B but if 34Ds give me 6 boobs, i'm sure you can imagine what a b cup would be like on me! so going to be professionally measured isnt really an option...

thank you!

p.s. now, more than ever, i'm insanely jealous of people with little boobs even though i love my boobs!

i'm pregnant and sort of panicking

[ibabiexbeari.livejournal.com]

So, I found out that I'm pregnant yesterday and actually, it hasn't really hit me on an emotional level. But, my mind has been out of control ever since finding out (thus me not being able to sleep at 1:30am when I need to wake up at 6:00am for class).

Anyways, I had a few questions.

1. I have been having cramp like symptoms for the last 2 or so weeks. Is that normal? They kind of hurt more than menstrual cramps but, of course, they aren't.

2. I have taken 2 different pregnancy tests today which both said I'm pregnant. Am I supposed to request for a pregnancy test when I call my University's Clinic? Or am I supposed to request a pelvic exam. I'm not really sure. What am I supposed to say?

3. How is the actual process of getting an abortion? I, sadly, am getting one due to being 20 and dependent on my parents of which, my dad would go crazy if he found out I was even having sex. I'm pretty scared so I just wanted to be emotionally and mentally prepared for it.

4. What method is recommended?

Thanks so much.
You have no idea how much this means to me

Doctor's Appointments

[skeas.livejournal.com]

So I posted a day or so ago about my bleeding problem. Right after I posted, I picked up the phone and called my gyno. The soonest they could fit me in was late March.

I guess I might be jumping the gun a little here, but I'm really tired of bleeding after sex--and now all the time. I'm not talking about light spotting, I'm talking about full on bleeding that's sometimes extremely clotty. I'm tired of having continual cramps, and my vag is dried out and irritated from having tampons and pads around it for so long (four months, at this point). I'm tired of having really messy sex. I'm tired of ruining all my underwear. On top of this, the tampons have once again given me a nasty case of BV.

I don't really know anything about how doctors' offices work, but when I call my general practitioner with a problem that needs treatment (like the flu), she always sees me right away. I was under the impression that doctors had a few appointments available every day in order to see people who were having those kinds of problems. Are they seriously going to wait until the end of March to see me for BV and weird bleeding? Is this a normal amount of time to wait to be seen?

I don't know, I just feel so anxious. Yesterday I got my hopes up about giving my gyno's office a second chance, and now I just feel like they're dismissing me once again. But maybe I'm just a little nervous and this is totally normal.

Sharing My Feelings This Morning

[countessseafire.livejournal.com]

So now I am scared. To start, I am a sophomore in college and live with my boyfriend, a very kind and loving guy. I went off the pill in December because it was making me crazy. My boyfriend and I have been using condoms and haven't had a problem. Until we got a little carried away one night and we did it without a condom. I knew it was a bad idea, but it was only for a minute or maybe even less then he pulled out. Obviously pulling out is a terrible method and we were being very irresponsible.

Everything was fine and dandy except now I have been having really light spotting since Saturday and no sign of a regular period. I didn't have my typical preperiod breakdown (I have been taking some new supplements for my emotional problems, so I thought maybe that was why I didn't have a breakdown), I haven't had any cramps at all, no chest tenderness... nothing. I am really scared because there's no way I can handle this at this point in my life. I honestly have no idea what I'd do. :( And I've been scared before, but I was always on BC then and this time, I am REALLY scared. I hope I feel like an idiot later when my period starts for being so dramatic. Right now, I just want to curl up and cry.

The only other difference I can think of is that I have been exercising more, but not to the point where I should disrupt my period. I go about 3-4 times a week and either run for 1.5-2 miles or do the elliptical for 25 minutes. I wouldn't think that's enough to disrupt anything.

UTI- waiting for treatment

[thisisnotnew.livejournal.com]

I woke up this morning with the very early symptoms of a UTI: pressure and a little bit of pain while urinating. I immediately drank a lot of water to flush my system, I'm carrying around my large water bottle today, and I'm going to avoid sugary food and drinks.

This couldn't have come at a worse time. I'm almost completely booked for the next two days, including an interview, a ton of classes that I can't miss, and a large group project to finish for Thursday. Unless I seriously move around my schedule, I'm not going to be able to get to the health center until Thursday morning. What a pain! In the past, I've had UTIs that progressed really quickly (my last one went from mild symptoms to full blown kidney infection in less than a day) but I've always had it happen when I was fairly dehydrated.

So, to the point: Have any of you had to delay treatment of a UTI for a couple of days? Do you think keeping very hydrated for the next two days will keep the symptoms at bay enough for me to continue a normal life? Obviously, if it gets more serious I will see a doctor immediately, but can I cause major harm if my symptoms are mild and I wait until Thursday for treatment?


Thanks so much! Have a great day!

Hormone vs Copper IUD

[willow-starr.livejournal.com]

I want to get an IUD. I've been leaning towards the copper one because I don't want hormones, but I'm worried about making my periods worse. Heavier bleeding won't be horrible - I'm pretty light, but I'm worried about cramping. I'm already stuck in bed for the first day of my period and popping painkillers for the next two to get through the days at work.

What is the hormone dosage in a hormone IUD? How does it compare to the pill, patch etc? For those of you on it what about side effects? I don't want to start skipping periods, have mood changes etc.

Any thoughts or experiences to share? I have a gyno appointment in March and thanks to the Canadian doctor shortage I've never met this woman before and have no idea what she's like so I want to go in open minded to her advise but well-armed with my own facts.

Starting a national mailing list for GTAs and GUTAs

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

A post in Feministing alerted me to the news about a documentary in production about the work that Gynecological Teaching Associates do (Here's one program's self-description). This got me thinking about the fact that all these GTA and GUTA (genitourinary teaching associates -- the male equivalent of GTAs) programs are so isolated from each other, that I'd like to do something to improve connection, communication, and information-sharing. I know that when people in other states from mine ask me how they could get involved, I'm mostly at a loss as to what to suggest, because we just don't have any central place for sharing info about what programs are where and that kind of practical stuff. In order to attempt to address that, I've created a yahoogroup mailing list, gta_guta_national@yahoogroups.com

The description and link follows; vaginapagina seemed a reasonable place to reach other folks in the field.

( more details )

Early periods

[eastcoastwinter.livejournal.com]

So, first some backround information about myself. I am 20, a virgin, and not on any birth control.

Anyways, since around october my periods have been coming early. First few times it was a week early, then a week and a half, and now 2 weeks. Usually I am right on schedule, give or take a day or two.

I was wondering if it could have anything to do with the fact that in october I bought my first vibrator, and since then I have been masturbating a lot more than I used to. I don't know if this is a silly question or not, but I thought maybe the contractions with the orgasm would somehow affect my period? Or is it just my body being screwy like normal. Any thoughts? 

 I have been thinking about going on birth control to try and regulate my cycle for awhile now, and this might just be last straw to make me do it. (I fully enjoy having 4 weeks between each one!) 
Thank you in advance for any thoughts you may share. :-)

Vitamin C and Birth Control

[l2stepprogram.livejournal.com]

Hi VP'ers! I had a quick question regarding Vitamin C intake while on HBC. I've heard all these stories to stay away from Vitamin C supplements and such... I'm currently on Loestrin 24 and was just curious as to how much Vitamin C it takes to "interfere" with my birth control. I was eating a pack of apples today and one serving had approximately 370% of my recommended daily Vitamin C. I'm kind of worried because I am a big fruits and vegetable eater but definitely don't want to compromise the effectiveness of my BC. Thanks :-D!

I'm losing my faith in the medical community

[fayefil.livejournal.com]

Ok, I've posted at least 3 times about this stupid chronic itch I've had. Its been going on since the beginning of December and here it is, mid-fucking-February and I STILL ITCH. Oh my god, please, please someone help!!!! I've gone to not one but FOUR doctors. NO ONE has been able to figure it out. I've been treated with

*Diflucan
*Terconazol
*Pin Worm Medication
*A cream for Atopic Dermatitis

Nothing is working. The only test I haven't had run on me is an HPV test. All other STD tests are negative. Could this be HPV with subclinical warts (one's that are invisible to the naked eye)? I'm about to scream and start hitting doctors if I don't get some answers. Grrrr. I had protected sex after I broke up with my ex and two or three weeks later I got this with no lesions on my vagina or anything. Help me!!!

hpv

[marlo-yearight.livejournal.com]

I understand things better when I have personal stories regarding the topic. I've done some reading, but I still wanted to post.

( text )

Monophasic pills?

[gimalxina.livejournal.com]

Hello everyone,

I've been taking Loestrin 24 Fe since July 2006. I started the day I went to the gynecologist's office, which was the 8th day in my cycle (the second Sunday in the pill pack). So, the whole first row of pills is used after I get my period after the iron pills at the bottom. I'm not sure if this is a monophasic HBC or not, but if it is, does it matter that I have a week of pills after the iron pills? It always says to start a new pack after, but if it is monophasic it should not matter, right? Would it affect the effectiveness of it?

Thanks for reading!

Edit for confusion: I started taking the pills in 2006 starting from pill 8, but that was two years ago! I've been taking them without missing any ever since. I just...get a new pack at pill 8 *shrug* (I still take pills 1-7, but that happens after the iron pills). I just need to know if the hormone content is the same for each pill.

Odor in urine

[https://users.livejournal.com/-ambrosia-/]

Hi ladies,
I've been noticing that my pee has been giving out pretty strong odor lately.
I don't think it's UTI because I'm not experiencing the usual symptoms of UTI (urgency to pee, burning sensation when peeing etc)

But,I have been drinking tea a lot,almost daily for about 2 months or so.
Initially I suspected that,so I stopped drinking tea.
It's been nearly a week since I drank tea,but the odor is still there.
It kinda smells like burnt rubber.

I don't have any abnormal discharge or anything.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

chronic itch/irritation & nuvaring

[purplestuff.livejournal.com]

Hello, best community in existence!

( cut for length )

abnormal paps, colposcopy, and IUDs- oh my!

[mizzpyx.livejournal.com]

After having two abnormal PAP smears in the past year, my doctor has just sent me a letter telling me that she wants to refer me for colposcopy.

Now, this is, of itself, freaking me out a bit- I know there's probably nothing to worry about, but that doesn't stop my brain from going "cancercancercancercancercancercancer", you know? But I guess the only thing I can do there is to get the thing over with.

Also, I have an IUD (a Mirena) and I've a few things I'm wondering about that.

Firstly- is it okay to have a colposcopy (and whatever procedures they might have to do afterward) with an IUD in? Do the strings get in the way or anything? I really don't want to have to take my Mirena out- it's the only kind of HBC that's worked for me and not made me insane and dealt with my previously horrendous periods, and I really, really want to keep it.

Secondly- getting my Mirena hurt.like.hell. I'm one of the unfortunates who has a pretty difficult insertion, I almost passed out. I'm kind-of scared at the idea of having to have my cervix poked and prodded about. So, eh, how much is this thing going to hurt? If I end up having to have a LEEP or a biopsy or something, is that going go be painful too?

thanks!

My experience in obtaining Plan B

[brightcrayon87.livejournal.com]

Hey superstars! I have a story I want to vent to you—I’d love to know your opinions.

On Sunday night, my man and I made love (and it was particularly fantastic, just to brag a bit, haha) but, unfortunately, the condom slipped before he withdrew from me. I knew I was in my fertile window of my cycle, but either way, we decided the responsible choice was to go to the clinic to get Plan B. Edit: It is cheaper for me to get it at a clinic, although I could hypothetically get it over the counter at a pharmacy. I was dealing with a doctor at a clinic, and not with a pharmacist. /Edit.

My man came with me to the clinic. I did not ask him to actually come into the doctor’s office with me, but he was certainly not absent in the process (he was at the check-in counter with me both as I checked in and as I paid for the Plan B, and waited with me in the lobby while I waited to be admitted to a room). When I went into the examination room, the doctor came to talk to me. He was an elderly man and while he was by no means mean, and he did not treat me like a slut (a couple friends of mine have had negative experiences getting EC), I was still not impressed with the level of thoroughness with which he treated me.

( Read more about my experience with this doctor... )

I would think like to think that my treatment is not common for girls who are in situations that are less ideal than mine. What do you think??

I would be really grateful for some discussion of this. Opinions, ideas, experiences, thoughts... All are very welcome!

Thanks, superstars!

Wow- amazing...first time poster- and I have a question! :P

[flightybynature.livejournal.com]

Ok...this is a little graphic... Hello everyone, I feel rather silly having to ask this Question (I'm almost 24 X_X, not 13!), but I need to know there's actually something to this, or if I'm just imagining it all. I have irregular periods- or, well, sparse periods- usually once every 3 months. (As silly as it seems, I really didn't know this was a big deal until a few years ago...and up until now I haven't really known what to do about it, seeing as how up until recently, we've barely been able to afford to live...let alone have insurance X_X...but now I'm working on losing weight, and getting myself healthy, and trying to get my hormones back in whack) My husband and I haven't used protection in a very long time , and we have sex very regularly (as in almost every day....and multiple times if we have the privacy (roommate). I had my last full period around new years eve ( I started a few days before, and ended a few days after). About 6 days ago I noticed a little bit of a pinkish tinge on my toilet paper. This happened for about 2 days, and then on day 3 instead of just a pinkish tinge, it was pink with a bit of bright red mixed in. I immediately thought that I was about to have a very, very rare regular period, but I haven't bled at all since. I've also noticed that my nipples and areolas are just a tiny tiny bit darker than usual (I had my husband confirm this...and he insists that they do, indeed, look a bit darker)...normally they're very light, and have no definite border, but now it's a very clear where my areolas end and the rest of my breast begins. My nipples are also suddenly very sensitive- not in a painful way, but they're not in the mood to be touched by any means. Also, yesterday I thought I was going to throw up twice...but never did. We've had a lot of pregnancy scares in the past, and they've always come up negative- and I just don't want to jump the gun this time. Because of my whacked out hormones and cycle, I have no idea if I'm pregnant, or what? And if there is a possibility, how long should I wait before I take a test? I don't want to make my husband spend yet another $13 on a test if I'm just being paranoid, or if it's just too soon for a test to even come up positive. *sigh* I can't wait to get my cycle on track so I'll know what the hell is going on X_X. There's plenty of advice for people with regular cycles online...but no such thing for a menstrually challenged girl like me :( Any advice you guys?

UTI?

[angstridd3n.livejournal.com]

Hello!

So I've been having a problem with a friend of mine, because she has been complaining about what seems like an UTI. Burning sensation, needs to pee a lot of times and then not much comes out.
She's on the pill, Yasmin. And right now she's on the second week of the pill and today when she went for a pee, she peed a little blood.

I'm worried about her, because when I had an UTI I had to go on antibiotics. The thing is that the antibiotic I usually take, interferes with the pill and now she's been worried sick about taking antibiotics because apparently her boyfriend can't find a condom that'll fit him. 

So I'm just wondering... if blood comes out in your urine, is it really an UTI symptom?
I told her to go to the doctor and I volunteered to go with her but she doesn't seem to be up to it... which I find stupid.

If you could please advise me on this, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

~Inês

Issues with Passing Gas

[chrome-lover.livejournal.com]

This is a bit of an embarassing topic, but I've been having a problem with gas for several years. I seriously pass gass a few times a day (sometimes many in a row), and they're usually pretty loud and long and I get the urge in some pretty public places. I've gotten used to holding it in for long periods of time, but it's getting ridiculous. It even happens when I'm having sex! (And being afraid of an upcoming fart makes for hard-to-enjoy sex.)

I have absolutely no idea what's causing this. I'm of relatively good health, a vegetarian, I exercise almost regularly, don't smoke or drink often...I just don't know what to do! I wish I knew why this was happening, but if someone could suggest a possible treatment/cause I'd be greatly appreciative. Thanks!

Where's the blood?

[sixshadesofgrey.livejournal.com]

Hello Beautifuls!

So I came off of hormonal birth control last month.. got my initial bleed on 1/13.. now it's 31 days later and I have had TWO weeks of PMS and very intense cramping for several days now (the worst cramps I've had in years).. I THOUGHT I got my period a million times already over the past week.. I keep thinking I got it and I run to check...but NO BLOOD! I am have had every feeling and signal of PMS.. but no actual period! I'm having some kind of phantom menstruation here! What's going on here? (BTW there is NO chance of pregnancy.. so I can rule that out)

By the way, before being on birth control, my cycle was extremely regular..29 days. Should I be concerned? Should I call my gynocologist? Why am I having cramps of there's no blood being shed?

Thank you so much for any help!

*crossposted to birthcontrol