no periods/unusual body changes

[sugarkoatedsour.livejournal.com]

I was on BC for almost 4 years and decided to stop taking it about three and a half months ago. I've still yet to get a period since i've stopped, which i know is pretty normal since i was on birth control for so long. Since i've stopped my BC i've noticed that my body weight has been fluctuating like crazy, I'm breaking out like mad (which i've never had problems with before. Even before i started birth control in the first place.), and I'm pretty moody. I'm wondering if any of these changes are due to stopping my BC/not getting regular periods or periods at all.

Also,is there any way i can induce my period or do i just have to wait it out? My doctor said it can take up to six months before i get a period.

And in case this helps, I'm 21 and started BC when i was 17. I'm not pregnant so that can be ruled out for the cause of missing periods.

Thanks in advance.

gaining weight going off of HBC?!

[evillittlekiwi.livejournal.com]

oh VP'ers

i've been meaning to ask this for a while!

a year ago i went off to HBC and tried to get an IUD-twice. Well it didn't work out so i decided on a diaphragm....i didn't want to be on hormones anymore.
I gained around 30lbs in the following months after going off HBC. I'm not sure how to explain why i gained so much weight. o.o i had a checkup done..and bloodwork and all that jazz...all was fine!

but i was just curious if anyone else had gone off of HBC and gained weight.
i was thinking it was due to my hormones not being regulated...they were like "WOO HOO PARTAY TIME!!!!!"
^_^

Cervical pain/Episiotomy Scar repair?

[ladygaia87.livejournal.com]

I have two questions..

First off, for some reason the past few minutes I've felt a pain in my cervix. It's bugging the crap out of me. For a little backstory: I have 3 children, all vaginally birthed. I also have a few nabothian cysts, one is good sized, and the others are very small. I have Paragard IUD as well. Is there ANY reason to have a pain in your cervix when you're not on your period? I've checked my strings, and there is no plastic sticking out. So it's confusing the crap out of me. I'm pretty sure if a nabothian cyst was to bust or something, that shouldn't hurt, should it?

Secondly, my episiotomy scar bugs the crap out of me. Seriously. It's deeply embedded into my vaginal wall, and on top of that the scar itself is hard as a rock and all I can feel in that area is pain. Not only that, but since I had the episiotomy, I experience pain off and on every few days or so lasting for hours at a time. Also, where the perineum was cut, on my perineum there's slightly loose skin from the scar itself. Firstly, is it at ALL normal to experience episiotomy scar pain? Secondly, is there any way to do away with this scar without causing too much further damage to my vaginal wall? Or is it possible to have that area just cut back open, and sewed together more loosely? I don't know, it just bugs me. Yes I know how you guys feel about vaginal reconstruction surgery, but this is a PAINFUL scar. It feels like tons of needles prickling the scar area at the same time.

How Long To Wait On Having Children??

[paintedblue120.livejournal.com]

My fiance and I are getting married and I am really excited. I'm going to be married, have a family, and all that. Really the only things that are missing in my life at this moment are a Phd in Art History and a baby. I want both and I know I can have both, but one has to come first (as far as my priorities). I am really torn right now. I'm a young woman (21) but I have a history of menstrual problems and physical problems, plus I've always wanted to be a young mom (one who plays with her kids. My mom was sick a lot after having me and my brother and she NEVER played with us because she was physically unable) who is able to bounce back easily after pregnancy. With my family history (on both sides) pregnancies are difficult ordeals, there is a history of several miscarriages on both sides. I have had three "chemical pregnancies" myself, and on top of that I've had issues with cervical displaysia and problems with my ovaries. Both my grandmothers, three aunts, and my mom had to have hysterectomies because of uterine or ovarian problems... and my theory is that the younger I am when I have children, the easier it will be for me physically and emotionally to bounce back health-wise, lose baby weight, and play with my children as well as keep a career going. I've wanted a baby for a long time, ever since I was a little girl, and I've always had an idea in my mind of what kind of mom I want to be, but now I have a new passion, art, and I don't want to give that up either. I know I can have both... but one has to be more important than the other. I wish I could say this is easy, but its not.

My fiance says he wants to wait, at least for a little while, because he wants to have time for just us. I understand that and I want that too. He also wants to wait until we are financially ready, and I want that as well. But the thing is that he's in the Navy, and every 18 months he goes on a 6 month deployment. He goes away for 6 months in December and I am thinking that when he comes home I want to start trying and that will give him 18 months with me and the baby before he has to leave again. If we're lucky then he might even get to see our baby's first steps or maybe first words! Or at least see the baby beginning to walk, and making gurgling sounds rather than actual words... He wants to wait longer than that, but I don't want to wait until after his 2nd deployment to try... or at least I don't think so right now. I know that it makes more sense to wait, but I really REALLY want a baby asap. As far as long term goals go, having a great marriage and family have been my goals for the longest amount of time and I know those things will make me happy, but I am afraid that later in life I will feel that I cheated myself if I do feel that I can't take proper care of my family and give my career my all. For instance, if I have a child with special needs and I feel that I need to spend time at home rather than in college or pursuing my dream job. In such a case, I would give up everything to be there for my child. Or for instance, if my job is too demanding of my time and I miss out on too many milestone events for my children, I would want to give it up in order to be there for them. There are so many what ifs... I don't want to cheat myself when it comes to my career, but I also don't want to cheat myself when it comes to having the family I've always wanted.

My fiance says that as soon as we're married and ready to try we will visit my doctor and find out what kind of physical condition I need to be in to give birth to a healthy baby. I am currently underweight and my body has been... kind of screwed up because I have an eating problem which I am working on... so I don't even know whether or not I can have children. I was warned that with my eating problem I could have potentially damaged my own fertility... and I know that a lot of people with my problem have families... but with my family history on top of that... who knows... but anyway... I am just so confused.

Basically I just want to some advice and kind words.

Sex and self-consciousness

[attheocean.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this is a silly question, but it's worth a try. I am a 21 year-old female. I am underweight. However, my weight has fluctuated greatly over the course of my life. Because of this, my breasts aren't very perky and sag a little. I am extremely self-conscious about them and sometimes resorted to wearing my shirt during sex with my ex-boyfriend. (Thankfully, though, he was very accommodating. He understood I was self-conscious and reassured me tremendously throughout the course of our relationship. I'm just scared he was a rarity.) My problem now lies in future relationships. As crazy as it sounds, I'm scared I won't be able to find someone else because of my chest (or, at least, someone who will stay). I know guys who are worthwhile probably won't leave a girl because of something she can't control, but there's always this nagging voice in my mind that says that I can't possibly be attractive to a guy if he finds out my breasts aren't as cute and perky as they appear to be. In the future, I'd like plastic surgery, but that's just not a conceivable option right now.

In short, I suppose I'm looking for reassurance. I would like to hope most guys wouldn't leave a girl because of an imperfect chest, but I can't help but doubt myself and future relationships/sexual situations.

Inducing an early period?

[vengeful-muppet.livejournal.com]

So.... I'm going on vacation at the end of the week, and I'm terrified I'm going to get my period smack in the middle of it. This would be fine, except I'm going to be outdoors and hiking a lot, and dealing with a period in the middle of the woods does not sound so appealing to me. My first couple of days are so heavy, I need to attend to it about every four hours or so, even with a diva cup. I can already tell by my body that it's on it's way, but is there anyway I could coax it to come a few days early so I can deal with the heavy days at home? I know I'm probably grasping at straws here, hoping for some magical "period button", but anything will help. Also could use advice on how to deal with periods in the woods, in case it does come to that.

vaginal to anal?

[thecoolbanana.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this counts for VP but I just wanna throw it out there and see if anyone can help. Everyone here is so nice and and I can't thank you guys enough for past help.

So my fwb and I want to change things up...we always have sex, just kept the tush out of the picture. we both have been curious about it recently. Ive read many memoirs and have heard many horror stories that entail anal sex..including deficating on oneself/on their partner.

Is this true? Is there a way to prevent it? ....should I just stick to vaginal sex?

(no subject)

[exteriorization.livejournal.com]

 so ive had this headache, ive had it for a few days now. i cant get rid of it, advil, dark rooms, sleep, nothing helps. the only thing i can attribute it to is i went off Nuva ring a few days before the headaches started. 
does this make sense? is there such thing as BC withdrawl ?

Vaginal itching

[myothercarisapj.livejournal.com]

Hi all -

I'm having almost unbearable vaginal itching, but am not sure if it's a yeast infection because I'm not having a normal yeast infection discharge - the only discharge I've had has been a clear, oderless discharge the night before the itching started.

I'm sexually active with one partner, if that makes any difference.

Any idea what this is? Should I use an over the counter yeast infection treatment, or is this something else?

Emergency Contraception... Forgot 2nd pill!

[sang-of-sorrow.livejournal.com]

Err... let's put it behind a cut.

( Grr.. I was so stupid! )

 

precum possibilities

[okkkk.livejournal.com]

honestly, just a curious question...

If you were to have sex without a condom &no birth control pills, just using the pull-out method on day 12 and 13 of your cycle (assuming you have a regular 28 day cycle) what are the possibilities of pregnancy? (and there was no ejaculation beforehand) Like, what are the chances of precum being what gets you pregnant?

I know this is possible, just kind of curious of the actual "risk" i guess you could call it?

TIA !

1 out of 3 Gardasil shots?

[luolian.livejournal.com]

Hi VagPagers!

So a couple of years ago I took one course of the HPV vaccine. What's the efficacy rating if I forgo the other two? Will it do anything at all?

I'm done sleeping with new partners (getting married), but I am curious to know if I have any protection at all.

Edited to add: Look, I don't want to get the other two. My insurance doesn't cover them (boo!) and since becoming an adult shots make me feel like I have to pass out. (I have no idea why this is.) I get yearly paps anyway.

I'm asking about numbers, percentages or at least some explanation of how the three doses work together to make protection. I seem to remember when I was getting my hep B shots that I read that the first one did 60% of the job and the second got you up to 97% vaccinated and the last one did the rest. I'm making those numbers up from a fuzzy memory, but it was something like that I think.

BV or YI?

[marrgarita.livejournal.com]

hey all.

lately, i've been dealing with some really badass itching down there.
it's completely external & has not been combined with any strange odor or discharge.
me and my boyfriend had sex last night & it didn't hurt during, but it was pretty sore afterwards.

the itching isn't always persistent, kinda off and on.

since going to the doctor is out of the question for a couple of months, i was wondering if maybe i should try using boric acid (as it clears out most bacteria, whether yeast or BV)
i wanted to dilute it and "mini-douche" as it says in the vulvapedia.
but i'm still a little confused as to how to do it.

so:
should i try using boric acid? it won't cause any harm if i dont have BV or a YI, will it?
or could the itching be due to dry skin, maybe? because its only external

and what can i do about the itching!!??

thanks =)

HBC Question

[voix-diabolique.livejournal.com]

So I am currently on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and I just went to get a refill and changed the pill I'm on to Levora.

First, I was wondering if I just finish up my pack of OTC-Lo and then start the Lovera by taking the first day or what do I do?

Secondly, has anyone made the same switch and had any side-effects from it?

Thanks.

STD question!!!!

[lovefairytales.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend and I had sex the other day. It was nice. But yesterday I noticed something when I wiped!! It was red and looked like it had seeds. Do you think I have an STD? If I do which STD???

Depo Provera - Your experiences?

[lostmymindagain.livejournal.com]

Hi, everone! I went to the gyno yesterday, and the doctor told me that my only birth control option is the Depo shot (or an IUD, but most docs are weird about those if you haven't had a child - I'm 19). I'm heading off to college very, very soon (in four days!), and I'm anxious to know what my options are. Depo just seems scary.

Edit: I'm on Carbatrol, which renders any pill forms of HBC ineffective. Same goes for the Patch and Nuvaring.

I'm just curious to hear some experiences from those who have used Depo. I've read that the side effects can be horrible (weight gain and hair thinning to name a few).

Thanks!

Breakthrough Bleeding?

[quitmyscene.livejournal.com]

I've been on the pill (Yaz) for nearly two years. The first month or two there was minor breakthrough bleeding, which was expected, but it stopped after that. However, a few days ago, I started to bleed again. I just had my period two weeks previous and wasn't due for another two weeks. I know breakthrough bleeding isn't uncommon if you miss a pill or throw one up or something, but I've had perfect use the entire time. I take my pill at exactly 10:15 every night, never more than a minute off (thanks to my phone alarm) ... do I have reason to be worried? Is it likely that I could be pregnant? I know Yaz is a very low-dose birth control.. is it possible that my body has gotten "adjusted" to it and needs something stronger? I've been minorly stressed out lately, which I know could contribute to breakthrough bleeding, but it's mainly minor things and I truly don't think it's enough to cause this to happen.

On top of the pill, my boyfriend pulls out every time. Statistically speaking, there's little reason for me to believe I'm pregnant. I'm just a bit nervous though because I didn't think breakthrough bleeding could happen for no reason at all and it seems that the only reason for breakthrough bleeding happening that I'm not 100% sure I didn't do/don't have is pregnancy. Also, I don't / never have smoked. Now that I've ranted a bit, does anyone know why this could happen? This is the fifth day that I've been lightly bleeding. My period should be here anytime within the next week; do you think it'll be any shorter because of this? Sorry for so many questions. I was recommended to ask here and if it seems like there could be a problem, or if I need a pill switch, I'll try to get an appointment with my doctor before I leave for college. Thanks everyone!

Red Alert: Vagina Injury

[betterbebalboa.livejournal.com]

Hey wonderful vagpag readers,

I was having fairly rough sex earlier today (first time in a month) and at one point, he slipped out and we banged together in a rather ouchy manner. No big deal, a little wince and then we got back together. Until we finish up, look down and there's a tide of blood over our stomachs and thighs... and I am exactly two weeks away from starting my period. No good.

I went to pee, hurt like anything, the bowl's filled with blood. A little compact-inspection later, and I discover that SOMEHOW, I managed to gouge two short, fairly deep little cuts on either side of my urethra, just inside the labia minora. Several hours later, there's still plenty of red, fresh blood, and it makes me pretty woozy to look at it.

1) Is there anything I need to do about this, besides putting on some neosporin and taking a break from sex for a little while? Is there anything I CAN do? I'm not sure a doctor would be able to tell me anything other than I fail at sex.

2) Is there anything I can do so that it hurts less to pee?

Thanks everyone, I've never had anything like this happen before.

Vagina Pagina Monthly News Update: July 2008

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Hey all,

Carrying on in our line of monthly sexual health news posts, we welcome you to our July edition. We've scanned the Internet high and low to bring you the most current and significant news developments of the past month, all in convenient digest form and straight to your LJ. :)

If you have a comment to leave about any or all of the news summaries, we'd love to hear from you. Discussion is a good thing!

Tori
For the VP Team
contact_vp

PS -- You might have noticed the news post's new name. We've done this in an effort to be more reflective of all VP members: While we certainly do cover news updates that apply to women, not all of the developments in vaginal, sexual, or reproductive health are exclusive to women only. :)
_________________________________

Sex Gets Better with Age

News flash: Old people have sex. But then again, you knew that.

What you might not have known is that the sex they're having is better than ever. ( Read more... )

Young Women's Breast Cancers Have More Aggressive Genes, Worse Prognosis

Although the observations of doctors and researchers have previously indicated that breast cancer in female patients under 45 is less responsive to treatment and more likely to recur, researchers at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy may have begun to understand the scientific basis for this phenomenon. ( Read more... )

Pros and Cons of the Pill Tricky for Black Women

A recent study has found that African-American women who take low-dose oral contraceptives may see an increase in markers of heart disease or diabetes risk. The study examined the effect of oral contraception on insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and triglycerides in healthy, non-diabetic African-American women. ( Read more... )

Killing Herpes Dead

While herpes isn't a death sentence, it can be a definite pain in the butt -- or mouth, penis, or vulva -- on occasion. To that end, anything that reduces the number of outbreaks a person experiences may be a good thing. Researchers from Duke University report that they may have found a new way to do this, one that involves killing herpes dead. ( Read more... )

________________________

Special thanks to free_me07 and psycheknot for their writing contributions!

If you're interested in becoming involved in VP's monthly news update, please send an email to frolicnaked@vaginapagina.com. Thanks!

Breakthrough bleeding with paraguard

[lonely-highway.livejournal.com]

Reference: I got my Paraguard back in March, haven't had any major problems, just lthe usual long, heavy periods that are starting to taper. But now I'm concerned. My period isn't due for another 2 weeks

Monday afternoon I wiped and it looked like a small bit of blood. Then today I woke up from a nap and felt an urgent desire to pee. For an hour afterward I felt burning, almost like a UTI. I finally went again and there was a bit of blood when I wiped. I went through tags and I couldn't find anything related to this problem. I still feel like I gotta pee, UTI-style. Do I need to call my gyno as soon as I get off work in the morning? What the heck is going on?

xposted to iud_divas

(no subject)

[rhisson.livejournal.com]

Similar post to the one below.

I think I have BV. I had an IUD inserted about 8 weeks ago, and prior to inserting it I was found to have BV during routine swaps. I was asymptomatic. I took the course of pills and assumed it had gone and they didn't re-test. Now I've got a discharge that's slight but yellower and runnier than I'm used to. I can't really smell anything, but my vulva is quite itchy. Not as bad as YI, which I've had several of, which leads me to believe it's not that. It's more an uncomfortable feeling, and a slight stinging when touched. Does this sound typical?

I'm also wondering which natural methods of BV I could try. Yogurt works for my YI, but I actually inserted some a few days ago when my symptoms were very slight - and they seem to have got worse. I'm also considering the boric acid treatment. What about garlic? Does that work for BV as well as YI? And is it safe or not counterproductive to use them all together? I'm taking another course of antibiotics for it at the same time, I should add.

Final question - does anyone who's uk based know where I can buy boric acid and the gelatin capsules?

Thanks in advance.

Late period, but not pregnant?

[artkween12.livejournal.com]

I posted earlier this week about a late period, possible pregnancy. Thank you to everyone who gave me advice.
I took two home pregnancy tests today (ClearBlue) and both turned up negative.
My period is three weeks late, and I've been feeling sick to my stomach for about a week and a half, along with occasional pain in my abdomen, almost like severe cramps.
My boyfriend says I should go see my doctor, and I plan on doing that, but does anyone have any idea what the problem might be?
I've heard that bad nutrition (like, not eating enough) for extended periods of time could cause your period to stop. It's summer break for me, and this causes my diet to change drastically---fast food, skipping meals, sleeping schedule is out of wack. Could all that have anything to do with it?
I should have gotten my period around July 20th. So it's been about 3 weeks.
Any ideas? I'd like to have some sort of an idea before I go to my doctor.

random spotting?

[okkkk.livejournal.com]

my boyfriend and I had sex Saturday and Sunday. No condom &no i'm not on the pill. we simply used the pull out method.
Monday was my 14th day. (In which I usually ovulate on)

Today I noticed a little bit of blood when I whipped.
I then went to the bathroom a little later in the evening and noticed blood on my panties.
I just went to the bathroom now and noticed a little bit more. But all together it's not too much blood at all. Just a couple spots.

I looked up implantation bleeding and it seems it would be too early for that. So what COULD this be? I haven't been touched there since Sunday night so It's not that I was scratched or something. Is it just random bleeding or COULD this actually be indicating pregnancy? I don't know if it's possible to spot when ovulating but I never have before?

Not worried, just curious.
thank you in advance.

(no subject)

[c-ntrary.livejournal.com]

I have hair on my mucus membranes, like up to where the labia minora start. Is that normal? Is there any way besides shaving/waxing to get rid of it? I don't want to think of putting any kind of chemical there, but it bothers me :/