itchy

[--pixey.livejournal.com]

help, please!
i have to wake up in 4 hours but i am so itchy around my vagina and cannot fall asleep.
there are 2 itchy bumps. one just inside my inner lip and one just outside it between the inner and outer. they're oval-ish and almost look like bug bites of some sort.

i need instant relief! help?

Light period on Ortho Lo..

[villagetheatre.livejournal.com]

I think I'm getting my period right now but I'm not positive. It's VERY light. It's a light brown-ish red. I'm on OrthoLo. Is this just break through bleeding? I think this is my third or fourth month on OrthoLo. Thanks!

hormone troubles

[moxafoot.livejournal.com]

Are there gyns that specialize in hormonal problems other than those associated with infertility? I'm peri-menopausal and need what I guess would be and gynecological endocrinologist. But every one I seem to find is a infertility specialist. If such a doc wouldn't be called an gynecological endocrinologist, what would I look for? My regular gyn has said (from blood work results) that some hormonal balances are low, some are high, but not are still within range. She's been kind of dismissive about the whole thing. I had to go on Prometrium for about 10 days to stop bleeding and I felt better than I had in months. Great energy level. High mood elevation. Improved digestion. This leads me to believe that there was something in that hormone that gave my body what it was lacking, but I'm having a hard time finding someone who will listen.
Any suggestions would really be appreciated.

hbc & hangovers

[monstermeow.livejournal.com]

Hi,
I recently started taking Yasmin (almost finished my second pack) and I also started drinking again. When I come home after 2-5 drinks now, I feel very queasy and I have to induce vomiting at least once (sometimes up to three times) to feel better. I also get the hangover headache. I always used to get hangovers relatively easily, but I feel like I've become a lot more sensitive now. I was off alcohol for a few months so I didn't make the connection at first - I thought it was the acidic grapefruit juice that I started drinking with the alcohol recently - but I cut out the grapefruit juice and I'm still feeling this. The only change I can think of in my life that could have triggered this sensitivity is the hbc.

Is increased sensitivity to alcohol hangovers a known side effect of hbc, and has anyone ever experienced something similar to this?

thank you!

pcos, diabetes, lubrication

[izzybits.livejournal.com]

i'm having trouble finding anything related to this in the previous posts.  if anyone else can find a previous entry that answers my question, i'll gladly delete this post to get it out of the way.

i'm a type two diabetic.  i'm on metformin.  i also have pcos. 

i am recently experiencing a major decrease in lubrication.

does anyone else have this problem? -- specifically in relation to metformin (glucophage)

tia and have a great day!

lgsil/colposcopy

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

left the gyno this morning with great results, and a new found happiness :]

( ... )

Question about bras

[cindy-ann.livejournal.com]

I have two different size boobs. I'm almost sure one is a "b" and the other maybe a smaller "c" (what I think they call "almost a 'c'". I've read that you're supposed to buy a bra that fits the larger side more comfortably but it leaves a pretty big gap on the smaller side and it never really fits quite right. I don't care for the idea of wearing an insert so what do I do? Do I have to go the custom route? Does that get expensive?

Pap smear woes

[bluecottonpuff.livejournal.com]

Hi. I dont really know how to start this post. :-/

Lately (for the past couple of months) I have been having some really strange things going on with my body and its very concerning.

( Heres whats been happening: )

So I go to the doctor and she tells me that everything she tested for in my blood looked great and was within normal range. All the blood cell counts, organ functions, iron levels blood sugar was normal. As she was preparing for the pap smear I told her whats been going since my last visit and she took great concern in everything and ordered more tests, hormone tests, thyroid tests, STD and HIV test, she asked about any cancer history with women in my family, and she also gave my a Gardasil Shot. She told me to come back in 1 month cuz thats when I can get the next vaccine shot and when the results of all labs will be ready. During the pap smear it was uncomfortable but no dire pain... She said there was no visible signs of infection but she gave me antibiotics to cure any infection that could be present, she said if it doesnt get better after im done taking the meds, than its definitely not an infection. After the pap my insides hurt so bad i was litterally walking home like a turtle. After the pain subsided some my lower abdomen swelled up and hardened a bit. It went down since.

Let me just say that I am a couple months shy of 20 years old, theres no way I can be pregnant because I'm gay, im in a monagamous relationship with my girlfriend and have been for almost a year, we both got tested for HIV and tested negative.  Besides her I've only had sexual relations with two other females, and I got raped when I was 14 by a male childhood "friend". I have been tested negative for STD's/HIV after each relationship/ encounter

Im really getting sick of being feeling sickly and not knowing whats going on with my body :-(

Does anyone have insight?

Help!

Bra frustrations

[foureyedgirl.livejournal.com]

I can't find a bra that fits right at all. I have tried nice expensive bras and more inexpensive bras (Hanes/Gillian O Malley) and no luck. Everything I have read about how bras are supposed to fit has said that the front panel of a bra should lie flat across the chest. None of my bras do that and I can't find one that lies flat like it should or like I have seen in bra pictures/commercials.

I have been fitted but was told I am 34 C or 36 C, which is too small and obviously wrong. I have some 36 C bras and 34 D. All of the 36 C sizes that I own are too loose around the band (and slide up) and too small in the cup. I have a couple of 34 D that are a bit tight in the band and still too small in the cup. The only bra I have that fits the best is a Vanity Fair 34 D, but again, the front panel doesn't lie flat across my chest.

Last night I tried on some bras in sizes 36 D, 34DD and 36 DD. The 34 DD fit pretty well but again the front panel doesn't lie flat. 36 DD was ok, but I think the cup size is just a tad too big for me. :sigh: I'm so frustrated with bras so much. I just want bras that fit right. What about you ladies? Share in my frustration? If you have to vent too or want to share some advice, please do.

PCOS

[burnedxoutxstar.livejournal.com]

I think I might have PCOS. I've been feeling like crap for months and the symptoms make sense. I thought it was hypothyroidism at first because I have a family history of that, and I've been treated for it in the past, but all the labs came back normal. I have somewhat irregular periods but it's kind of hard to tell since I'm on BC and they're so scheduled because of the BC. However, over the last few months they have gotten irregular even w/ BC supposedly regulating things.

In March I went to the ER for a 2-week long extremely heavy period. They did a pelvic ultrasound looking for things like an ectopic or cysts and they said they saw nothing out of the ordinary. :\ But why all these symptoms? The only one I don't have is the increase in masculine hair (like on my face, I've read?). I am overweight (a good 75 pounds at least), violent mood swings/depression, thinning hair, irregular periods, and my skin is very oily and breaking out a lot. The breakouts are cystic which I know is usually hormonal. I don't know if I'm infertile because I haven't been trying to get pregnant (quite the opposite actually heh). But those are pretty much the main symptoms of PCOS are they not? I don't know why I'm having so much trouble getting help but I've been seeing the doctor since March and I'm still feeling crappy and no one has given me anything to do to help. The next test the doc wants to do is fasting bloodsugar. I know there's a link to diabetes/insulin resistance and PCOS, so maybe this will give us another piece to the puzzle.

This was kind of just ranty, and I'm sorry...but I'm so frustrated. I just want to be healthy!

Vagina Friendly Bubble Bath

[poser1111.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know where I can get an unscented dye free bubble bath.
Because I want a bubble bath and not a urinary tract infection.

(no subject)

[accdntlcharm.livejournal.com]

Hello, lovely labia ladies!

So, here’s the story…apologies if anything is too graphic…

I had sex with my new boyfriend the other night and to say the least, he came rather…copiously, for lack of a better word. I take OTC Lo, start on Sundays, and almost never take the placebos at the end of the pack. When this happened, I was two days into a new pack. He was a bit worried about the risk of pregnancy but I assured him nothing would happen. Well, about two days have passed, and now I am feeling fatigue and very slight nausea. I need to get in to see my ob/gyn, as I think I (already) have a minor infection of the southern sort, but if I could be pregnant, I don’t want to risk it. The local county health clinic screens for all STDs for $20 on a walk-in basis…do you think I could (or should) go there for a pregnancy test? Or am I just being paranoid?

Second question…sex with my boyfriend is generally good, but every time, if he thrusts deeper than I’m used to (which is only moderately deep), there is this terrible pain. I have asked him if it feels like he is hitting against anything (ie: my cervix), but he said he felt nothing of the sort. In July of 2007, I had a remaining portion of my hymenal tissue surgically removed, so I’m thinking it could be scar tissue, or just lack of sexual experience. Opinions?

Dark brown clumpy discharge.

[crw008.livejournal.com]

Hi, everyone!

I've had dark brown, clumpy, dry/mushy/stringy discharge for about a week now. My period isn't due for about another week, also. Any idea what this is? I've researched, but it seems to be common AFTER a period, not 2 weeks BEFORE.

Thanks in advance.

missed pill help

[miso-dorky.livejournal.com]

So today is thursday. I remember taking my pill yesterday (I believe), but since I do so at work, I kind of conspicuously take it out of the package under my table.

Today I go to take my pill and notice that i'm on Wednesday, meaning I missed either Tuesday or Monday. I took two pills today out of shock,
but I am not sure how to follow the rest of the pack. Do I continue to take 2 pills for three days and use condoms? Or what should I do?
I'm pretty sure I took one yesterday, but I'm not sure whether monday or tuesday was the day I missed.
I have a feeling I missed on Tuesday because I had a chaotic day.

Advice?? :/

A cup bra seller (AAA-A)

[lizziec]

Hi,

This website (AA Lingerie) was just linked on a board I'm active on and I thought I'd share it. We often hear recommendations of shops and websites for ladies with a larger cup size (at least, those are the ones I take notice of as I'm an E-F cup so I may not take proper notice of recommendations of any ones for smaller cups) so I thought I would share this. The person who recommended it said she'd had excellent service and couldn't believe the difference a properly fitted bra made :)

Hope it helps some of you out there :)

coping with spotting

[groupieforhire.livejournal.com]

Hey all. I had a Mirena inserted about 8 weeks ago; I know that spotting is pretty normal for the first 3-6 months post insertion, but it just hasn't stopped and I'm really getting frustrated with it. (Part of it's probably that I'm used to using my Diva cup and forgetting about bleeding, but now I'm avoiding the cup for a few months and using cloth pads/pantiliners, so I'm really aware of it.) It's certainly a hassle.

I know that I can't do much to stop the bleeding, but does anyone have tips for coping mechanisms? Ways of making it fun (or at least less annoying)? Tips? Stories? Commiseration? Etc? I know that a lot of vagpag members have spotting for one reason or another, and many of you chronically, so I figure you might have good advice (or at least a better attitude than mine!). I'm interested to hear what you all have to say on the topic!

x-posted (in slightly different form) to iud_divas

BC and high sex drive + taking breaks

[bleakwinters.livejournal.com]

Okay, I have a couple of questions about HBC and sex drives, you guys have always been amazing and I really value all your input.

Q1. I've been on HBC since April (Microgynon30, a British HBC) and I've found that my sex drive goes up and down. Normally I have a high drive, but being in a long-distance relationship sucks, so I usually have to deal with UST, which is fine, most of the time. However, now I find that it varies significantly. There are times when the mere thought of sex repulses me and other times when even being on the phone with my boyfriend can get me wet and very horny. While I'm not particularly bothered about it per se, I am just curious: does everyone experience this?

Q2. One of my best friends, who's also been on HBC, but since January said that every 6 months or once a year you have to stop taking your pills for a month and have a "normal" period. My other best friend and I didn't know this, our doctors didn't mention it and my instructions on using the pill don't mention any break. When I went to my doctor to get my prescription renewed for a whole year, I would have expected her to tell me if it had been that important, but she didn't. I do know that my friend has a history of breast cancer in her family and pills can affect your chances of getting breast cancer, so could this recommendation be specifically for her?

Thank you again, VPers! ^_^

unexplained vaginal bleeding

[bafleyanne.livejournal.com]

Hi there everyone, I just joined today and was hoping to get some insight on a problem I've been having.

For the last few weeks, off and on, I've been having some weird bleeding. Sometimes it's spotting, sometimes it's a blood clot like you'd get with your period. The clots are...maybe golf ball size? They're not small. No real cramping or other pain that I'm feeling. I am not bleeding all the time, and there's usually not much bleeding associated even when the clots come out.

The basics: not on any form of birth control (the husband and I are halfheartedly TTC). I have irregular/heavy periods most of the time, but haven't been diagnosed with PCOS. I had an abnormal Pap a couple of years ago which necessitated a cervical biopsy, which came back fine. I haven't been to the gyn in about maybe....a year and a half because I need to change gyns and my husband just recently started working after being out of work for a while, so we didn't have insurance. I don't have any STIs that I know of.

Anyone have an idea what could be causing this? It's worrying me because I'm reading on some medical sites that it's one of the symptoms of cervical cancer. Obviously I'm planning to see a doctor ASAP but I can't currently because we're still getting insurance sorted out and I don't want to have a pre-existing condition, sigh.

Is This Sanitary? Diva Cup

[burning-moon117.livejournal.com]

I bought a Diva Cup, model 1 or whatever it's called. I found a page that showed all the different ways to fold a diva cup. I have tried all of them and I still can't get the cup in. :/

I was wondering if maybe I could sterilize it somehow (boil it?) and give it to my mom? Her periods are really heavy. However, I don't know how sanitary this would be.