tampon rant

[joifulgirl.livejournal.com]

hello-
i am really sorry if this is inappropriate but i just needed a pro-vagina place to vent for a minute.

i really, really hate it when people find out i use OB tampons and they freak the hell out about it. RELAX. ITS JUST MY FINGER. ITS JUST MY BODY. ITS JUST BLOOD.

thank you. just had to get that out.


EDIT:
thank you to everyone who defended my post and understood that i did not mean anything negative by what i was expressing. i only used capital letters in an effort to be funny. i didnt mean to upset anybody. i was just talking about how it upsets ME when people make ME feel badly for feeling ok with sticking my finger inside my own bloody cooch. i dont care if you think its gross- think whatever you want. but please dont make me feel badly about it. that is all. now lets all be happy.

Confused...and a little freaked out.

[monkeysontoast.livejournal.com]

Hello!

Last Friday, I woke up in the morning and noticed an itch down there. It wasn't too noticeable, but was there. I wasn't able to take a shower before class, so when I got home and it was still there, I figured a shower would help. After my shower, though, it was still there, and more noticeable, so a sat down with a mirror to inspect.

What I saw were two tiny lines of upraised, flesh-colored skin (reddish, actually, but so was that area at the time) on each of my inner labia. They were a bit shiny and resembled papules but were jagged. They were so small that I could only see them with a flashlight. Anyway, I immediately became frightened that they were genital warts. My boyfriend has a wart or two on his fingers, and although he's very careful, I was afraid they may have transferred to my genitals (this is possible, right, for a common wart to transfer to the genitals?). Anyway, he and I had sex that night (protected) and it was only slightly uncomfortable. The next day, however, all hell broke loose.

I woke up with more itching. A LOT more itching. I went to the bathroom and noticed I had a kind of bready smell down there. The next thing I know, the chunky discharge shows up...and after careful research, I'm convinced I have a yeast infection. I couldn't get to a doctor because of work, but it began to get very uncomfortable and even painful, particularly when I was sitting, so I picked up a 3-day treatment. I administered it for three days and I immediately felt better...the pain subsided, the discharge disappeared, and slowly, the itching also went away. Or, so I thought.

The last two days I've been incredibly itchy. My outer labia are very dry, sensitive, and on one of them there appears to be a bit of upraised flesh. Last night, my labial and clitoral hood skin started peeling!

What could this be? I'm still afraid that it could be genital warts, but that probably wouldn't be my first guess (or guess at all) if my boyfriend didn't have a wart on his finger.

I do plan to go to the doctor if it doesn't improve over the weekend. I'm going to try some Tea Tree Oil and see if that does anything.

Morning hot flashes every day?

[lamenting-gigno.livejournal.com]

So, for as long as my memory will allow for I have been getting a hot flash as soon as I'm fully awake every morning. I end up throwing the blankets off of me and sweating, then a few minutes later I inevitably end up really cold. The past few days this has been happening every so often throughout the day too. What is going on here?

Here is some background for you:

I'm 22. On the patch. However, this happens on my week off of the patch as well as while I'm on it. I don't remember if it happened before I started on the patch which was about 2 years ago now. I have gotten some very noticable side effects from this HBC (like difficulty breathing [though only while I'm also stressed], vomiting the morning after I change a patch and nausea the whole day after, a strange rash on my chest that my mom found out was a rare side effect [this has also subsided since last summer], mood shifts, and for the first few months my boobs grew a whole cup size the last week of my cycle).

Now, I've tried the shot, 4 different kinds of HBC pills (both normal and low types), and of course good ole' condoms. However, each of those have bigger drawbacks for me than the patch does. I spotted for 3 solid months on the shot and it made me pretty nuts, plus I passed out/threw up directly after my doctor gave it to me. Each type of pill causes really intense morning nausea/vomiting for the entire first week I am on it (I'd end up missing/being late to work and class quite a bit). Condoms hurt me, even with lube. I have serious issues with people being "in" my body - I pass out during pap tests (I know why and have been trying to deal with it). So an IUD, while it sounds like a dream, is something that makes me freak out just from reading about.

[Edit: I am not comfortable with anything being in my vagina, I don't even wear tampons because of these issues. So options like the nuva ring are pretty much out for me as well]

I'm not totally sure that my hot flashes are caused by my HBC but it would make sense. However, with all my issues regarding HBC and condoms in the past, what would you girls suggest I do? I hate the discomfort of these hot flashes, and now that they come every day I'm getting concerned.

Surplus tampons and towels

[kittybacklash.livejournal.com]

Hi there!

I recently bought a mooncup and didn't inform my mum and so in a care package she sent recently she sent me 2 packs of towels and a box of tampons. I really don't need these and I'd rather they didn't go to waste.

Is there anywhere I could send them? I've heard of women's shelters always being in need of basics and even some charities that ship them out to third world countries for women there.


I'd love to do something like this. If anybody could help me out that'd be great.
I'm in California right now.

herpes + new guy

[random10.livejournal.com]

hi all, i've been reading this community for a long and never really felt the need to post. i created a new journal cuz i've had my regular one for a long time and i just want this to be secure.

anyway. i was diagnosed with herpes this summer. i'm 25. i don't know who i got it from, i've been pretty safe but haven't used a condom every time. i did sleep with a guy right before i had the outbreak but he has sworn to me many times that he doesn't have it, and we've been together since and it seems as though he is trying to protect himself, by being fastidious about using condoms. so basically i don't know who or where i got it from and that really just sucks. 

so in class (i'm a grad student) last week, i started talking to a guy and we really really hit it off. the past week with him has been really incredible. i've stayed over at his place a couple times but we haven't had sex, because i wanted to wait to tell him until we were closer and i didn't want to sleep with him without telling him. 

( cut for longish story )

does anyone have any suggestions? 

moods/emotions/hbc

[heather-jade.livejournal.com]

I'm taking Lutera (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol). Before b/c I never really got "pms" symptoms for more than two days or so, but with the b/c not only am I bleeding (which is normal) but I am in a constant state of feeling irritated and frustrated with everything and I'll get really down feeling at the drop of hat and cry out of frustration over things that normally wouldn't really even bug me all that much.

So basically, does anyone here have any suggestions for balancing out the effects on my mood? I normally am a little shifty emotionally, anxiety type feelings that can be really overwhelming, but not nearly this often.

refills?

[mprfctn.livejournal.com]

lol, i realize how dumb this is going to sound BUT;
i've never had a perscription [besides one-time antibiotics] for anything before
i just started birth control and now i'm almost done with the first pack... do i just call the pharmacy where i got it filled and say i'm going to need a refill? or do i ask for another pack? what do i say? how does it work?
also, if this isn't the place to ask feel free to delete this (:

Am I just supposed to get used to it?

[fayefil.livejournal.com]

I have itched on my vulva and rectal areas now for an ENTIRE YEAR. At this point, I'm resigned to the fact that I will just have to get used to it. I have asked 10 different docs about this issue, dermatologists, gynecologists, vulvar oncologists and basically any doc you can think of that might have a clue what this is. It sucks and I hate my vagina. I'm scared to date anyone else because I don't know what it is. I'm still scared its warts and I just cant see them. *sniff* Am I just supposed to get used to this? And I've done all the shit I could to see if it would stop the issue ... no more thongs, white cotton undies, hypoallergenic detergents and soaps, several doses of diflucan to see if it was yeast, a zillion STD tests. I'm FED the FUCK UP.

How Do Periods Work on POPs?

[esotericaxxx.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone!

I have a severe case of endometriosis, and my doctor and I decided I should take Micronor (a progestin only pill) to help control the growth. The problem with my doctor is that he always acts very rushed and gets irritable when you have (god forbid) questions. I find him a little intimidating and am working on finding a more sympathetic doctor who is more educated on endometriosis.

My question is...I'm a little confused about how one's periods work when taking a POP. I know they are taken every single day at the same time of day. Will I still get my period every month, or is it like taking a regular combined birth control pill continuously?

Also...is there anyone who takes POP that can offer their experience with side effects?

I really appreciate the help. Thank you.

(no subject)

[dreamseer09.livejournal.com]

hey ladies,
well yesterday had my normal bc refill and check up also asked to get tested for STD's just to be safe as im just out of a casual thingy!
anyway the doctor did a swap and said there was some discharge and it could be claymydia. He gave me some pills beginning with a "z" to take 4 in one dosage. There doesnt seem to be any discharge at all now other than normal ovulation But the doctor has freaked the hell outta me! i have to go back in a week and he said i might have to get my bloods taken and s smear and results could be take 6 weeks!!

im very nervous right now and quite frankly freaking out i was trying to be so careful but i know i slipped up once or twice.

Anyway my question is what is the normal treatment or has he just treated me and is the smear just to be sure its cleared up?
doctor was very vague and in my state of shock and shame was embarresed to ask

can anyone help me out?

awesome first gyno visit

[hikaruuchiha.livejournal.com]

So, I went to my first gyno appointment today, and I felt like relating the experience.

I'm 21 and sexually active since 18, so I've been overdue for a gyno visit, asides that since January my vagina has just been a mess. But, I didn't want to go, not because of the whole personal space thing or whatever, but because I didn't want to pick the wrong one and get a nutcase. So, a friend of mine recommended me a gyno she said was pretty good, so I made an appointment and went.

Basically, asides my vagina and the disaster it currently is, I was really impressed with the whole thing. The place wasn't crowded, appointments were actually by time, and the doctor was all kinds of professional and straightforward and honest. Though the pap smear and skin biopsy (yeah, not good) started off uncomfortable, it didn't seem invasive at all after a bit. And, to summarize, basically my vagina probably has a mix of both "normal" yeast and bacterial yeast, and the vulvular skin is definitely not okay, hence the biopsy.

But overall, I left pretty satisfied and confident, even if something way out of usual is probably going on down there. I was prescribed to take two Difulcan (sp) pills, a yeast cream for five days, and a lotion twice a day, plus a follow up two weeks from now. I guess the only downside is the money ($60 total), but I'm really happy about how the whole thing turned out.

Anyway, I just wanted to put some love for this gyno here, 'cause she deserves it.

Brazilian

[go2lamom2k.livejournal.com]

Here is the subject...
Brazilian Waxing

Now the questions are....

Yeah or Nay?
What would be the benefits of doing it?
Could it be "bad" for you?
Have you done it?
How bad does it hurt?
All gone or leave a little?

Do you wax other places if so how does it compare?
What is the going rate for a Brazilian



*****Edit****

I didn't not nor was I looking to get a brazilian done. One of my girlfriends was going to have one done and it got me thinking. I don't have enough hair really to warrant the cost or the pain. I didn't realize that this would be such a hot topic. So for the girls out there like me. What do you do for personal grooming?

questions...

[agentfordead.livejournal.com]

okay ladies..I have a question for you all it's not vagina related but quite close.

what's the dish on anal sex?

After being told about my friends experience in high school (tearing, blood, and pain) it just completely scared me off, but then recently a friend was explaining about how great it can be..

I told my boyfriend, "nope, never gonna happen." but now I'm kind of intrigued...anyone?

Rant.

[slightly-frayed.livejournal.com]

Mods: I know this isn't vagina-related but it relates to femininity and gender issues. If it's not allowed, I apologize for inconveniencing anyone and I'll delete it immediately. I felt like sharing with a group of women who can perhaps empathize. Thank you!

I had a revelation the other day.

It occurred to me that I have so many gender issues because I've never felt feminine. I grew up in a household where it was openly discussed how much we all hated our bodies because we're bigger. My mother would curse her body every day and talk about how shapeless and non-womanly she is. My conclusion? That I am shapeless and not feminine. This conclusion kills me, especially now that I've spent a lot of time studying what exactly gender is.

I am not a small person. I don't mean this in a degrading way to myself; it's fact. I'm 5'10. I have to buy pants made specifically for tall people. I have broad shoulders and a large ribcage. I dare say that I am shaped like a linebacker. I cannot buy clothes in 'normal' sized stores. When I go to a mall, I see TONS of clothes that I absolutely adore. I cannot wear any of them for multiple reasons. I know it seems trivial - a typical shopping excursion, who cares? But what kind of a message am I getting from society?

I am considered 'other', 'specialty'. The sickening thing is that this is SIMPLY NOT TRUE. Almost every woman's clothing store is excluding 30% of potential customers by not carrying a few more sizes. 30% of the female population is sent this same message every time they go shopping. Tell me this doesn't sicken only me.

I have never felt delicate in my life. I am a strong, solid, decided person. Why is this not feminine? Why should I have to feel small and breakable in order to feel like a woman? Why can't I wake up in the morning and feel like I fit in with the tiny girls who walk into my store? We're all women - the only difference is that I have a few inches on them all around.

I am so frustrated right now.

Discharge. wah.

[technogeist.livejournal.com]

So I've been having this very annoying discharge for over a week. I have no itching or burning...just some slight discomfort I cant exactly describe. This is a very very thick, offwhite/clear discharge that feels almost like Vaseline and smells very sour. It's making me go through underwear like crazy, and the smell worries me a little. I thought it would go away once I had my period, but that came and went and the discharge stayed just as strong as before.

Any ideas on what to do/ what it is?

switching pills

[llama4u448.livejournal.com]

so after having issues with BC and blood pressure the doctor at planned parenthood said my blood pressure was low enough to let me try a 3 month trial of cyclessa. I'm currently taking micronor and I plan on starting my new pill this sunday but I don't know if I should use a back up method at all or if should wait a week or a month. I can't exactly start if after I get my period or on my period b/c I spot so much on micronor that I don't even know if its a period.Any suggestions?

IUD in the not-so-distant future!

[lynxypoo.livejournal.com]

Wow, talk about an opportunity. Here I am, nearly as broke as I can get, paging through my school newspaper heading for the help-wanteds in the classified section, and i stumble upon an ad for Planned Parenthood. Offering free IUD or Implanon.

Holy wow. I talked with my boy about it and we decided on the copper IUD because my boy doesn't believe in "hormone supliments being a good thing over a long period of time," and my mood has been pretty much all over the place, AND I think i can deal with having my slightly heavier, longer, and more unpredictable periods.

BUT, I'm so in love with my Diva Cup, and I've heard that of all the cups, it seems like the Diva has the worst suction :( I know for the first month at least, I should wear pads, and I suppose i can shell out a bit extra for a small pack of always overnights just so I'm covered, but I can't trade in my $18/mo for however much pads cost nowadays plus having my labia cramp up like no other. I also can't afford to buy a keeper to replace the Diva. Like I said, broke.

Can I have some success stories about IUDs + Divas? The appointment isn't until November, but damn, I need my free BC to work with me! Pleeese?