Late period with the Paragard IUD?

[iam-girl.livejournal.com]

I got the Paragard in April, and was told I could have issues for about three months afterward with my menstrual cycle. This indeed happened, up until about a month to a month and a half ago - clearly they were wrong in their estimate of the amount of time involved, but my gyno assured me this wasn't anything to worry too much over. My cycle (which was very regular before I got the device put in) turned unpredictable, except that it was very short, ranging from 2-3ish weeks, with heavy spotting in between fairly often (from the beginning of June to the middle of July I didn't really stop bleeding). Last month, though, I finally had the sense that things had settled down. I got my period on the 13th (making my cycle about 29 days that time) with a decreased amount of issues this time around. It's officially the 16th now though, and I still haven't gotten my period or felt any indications that it's coming. No cramps, tender breasts, bloating, or PMS, which are all symptoms I've gotten before my period ever since I got the Paragard put in. I know it's only been five or so days, but I'm a little worried; I've definitely been having enough sex to tempt the fates should the IUD fail, and I'm a skeptic by nature. Should I be concerned?

Multiple Questions: YI in men, Antibiotics and Periods

[greenskull.livejournal.com]

Hi ladies, I'm new here and I have a few questions regarding some things... let's start with subject numero uno: My boyfriend's yeast infection.

My boyfriend and I have been together for a while now, and ever since we've been together, (10 months now) I've noticed that at the tip of his penis, he has dry, peeling skin, and it's discolored... not darker, but lighter. Pale, like white. I don't really feel comfortable posting a picture of it, because well... I don't have his permission. XD He also has issues in where he gets what he defines as 'raw'... the skin behind the head of his penis seems to tear easily, and it blisters after vigorous sex. Now what I'm wondering is, what is this? He's said he's gone to the Dr. for STI tests before (due to a long and uncomfortable history with a woman he used to date who apparently had unprotected sex with him while she had a YI.) and they told him it was a Yeast Infection... but um. This happened over a year ago. In fact, like over three years ago. In 2007.

He wants to have unprotected sex with me, and honestly, I want to as well -- but I absolutely will not until he goes and gets this checked out again so I know what it is, and how to get rid of it. He seems to think it's normal because he doesn't experience any irritation, burning while peeing, itching, discharge or anything like that. He says it's just dry skin and that he's got very sensitive skin. I dunno *rolls eyes*

Question two - Antibiotics. For a while now, I've been on Doxycycline 100mg two times a day every twelve hours, for acne. (And it's totally helped! Woo! After nine years of dealing with that shit... it's ALL GONE.) But ever since getting on it, I've noticed that my period has been NOTICEABLY more painful. It's soooo bad I get cold sweats, I faint, I vomit sometimes, and at times I end up with a fever. I also am noticing that I get increasingly more gassy and That I... *ahem* get diarrhea more often on my period. Right now, I'm combating this with heating pads, chamomile tea, warm baths, and walking on the treadmill for at least thirty minutes a day. It's... sort of helping. Has anyone else dealt with this? Increased pain while on an anti-biotic? I'm sort of at my wits end with it - I would go to a doc if I could, but I have no insurance right now.

Keeping BC Weight Off?

[never-andalways.livejournal.com]

Hi! I had Mirena inserted about a month ago, and since then I've gained about ten pounds. :(
Since it's, you know, inside me and otherwise I have not been unhappy with it, I don't feel like it's worth having it taken out. But I am not feeling good about the extra weight. I was much much hungrier the first two weeks, but that has gotten better by about 50%. My diet is pretty good, lots of water and high in fiber, not a lot of junk. I have had a few more sweets cravings since I've had it, but it's not more than 1/5 of pint of Ben and Jerry's ever few days, or a couple cookies. I exercise moderately, but I am disabled so sometimes it's difficult.
Do you think my hormones will even out and I'll shed the pounds, or that it will get worse and I'll continue to gain?
Any tips or thoughts you could give would be much appreciated!

My period ended a week ago. Now I'm bleeding again.

[midnightsphinx.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I had my period last week which seemed pretty regular (expect for some reason it didn't start out with brown blood like my periods normally do but a pink that eventually got heavier and red). I got cramps, sore breasts and mood swings like I always do when it happens.

Last night I noticed I was bleeding brownish blood and it is a little heavier this morning. I do not feel physically like I am on my period.

I would like to point out that I had unprotected sex last Saturday. And a couple times last month. Could I be pregnant? Or have I experienced an early miscarriage?

Thanks.

**Also, I am not on hormonal birth control.

Pimples + Pap Smear

[virile.livejournal.com]

From a combination of stress and summertime hair removal, I've ended up with a painful pimple on my labia. I read that the best thing was to just leave it alone, but it's really bothering me. Is there anything I can put on it to get rid of the irritation that won't make it worse? Normal acne creams are obviously a bit too harsh.

Also, because I get different opinions about this from everyone I ask: is it necessary for a 24 year old who has never been sexually active to get a Pap smear? My mom is putting pressure on me to get one, saying it's irresponsible, but I have vaginismus and am afraid repeated failed attempts (there's been at least four already) will keep making it worse and worse. One doctor told me that there is no point in having a Pap since my risk is low and the pain associated with it high, but others say absolutely everyone past a certain age should get one.

(no subject)

[500sketches.livejournal.com]

Can I got on BC without seeing a gyno? And some.. General stuff.

I've never had sex. It would be nice to have it eventually, but frankly I can't even handle the smallest of tampons without some awful pain. But I want to go on BC because my periods can be pretty terrible and I feel like its ruining half my life.
They are often irregular. I usually get them around at the end of month(or every friggin holiday ever), sometimes I'll skip a period(i blame stress) and sometimes I'll even get it twice in one month. I'm pretty sure I've had periods last for at least two weeks.. Sometimes they aren't all that bad, no cramping. But often the pain is almost unbearable - like it was today. I was in the back of work crying to my boss's wife about these lady problems and ended up just having to leave. I feel like I'm bleeding out, and occasionally the amount of blood I expel from my snatch is horrifying and worrying to me. I feel tired and exhausted, but I'm not sure if its directly related to my period. I also often get er.. bowel movement issues often. Dehydration wouldn't be an issue, since I actually think I drink waaaayyy too much than I am suppose to(so much i've been tested for diabetes one too many times). My diet is also absolute shit which I'm sure has something to do with horrible period pains too, right?
I'm 19 and haven't gone to a gyno yet because I know I cannot physically or emotionally handle someone touchin' up on me. I don't even like taking my shirt off for getting my scoliosis checked on. A gyno would throw me through a horrible uncomfortable loop of lashing emotions which I'm sure would affect my job, friends, etc. 

What should I do? Does any of that sound remotely normal for periods? I know keeping away from sodium and exercising is suppose to help with period pains but its not enough. Midol, motrin, advil, pamprin, etc all does nothing for me and I'm really getting to the end of my rope with this.

cup removal issues

[kittyjuggalette.livejournal.com]

I have been hesitant to buy a cup since they are not one size fits all and it really is not returnable so I have been using the Instead cups for about 3 months. I really like them for the most part, I have finally mastered the insertion (I think) but I am still struggling with the removal.  My  uterus is tipped and I can not reach my cervix even with my middle finger. It has taken me 25 years to explore my body.

My problem is the removal on the heaviest days. I can not seem to not spill it everywhere.  I insert it while standing up and then sit and use my kegels to fully pull it into place. When I stand and try to remove it the bathroom looks like a murder took place (to make matters worse, my bathroom is carpeted ugh!)  I need advice -  Are the re-suable cups easier and cleaner to remove?