Well...

[sarahlynn27.livejournal.com]

As being home today sick, I've decided to start preparing/finish buying Christmas gifts. I have decided that for a majority of my friends (In college and most will be transferring to campuses farther away come spring), that I was going to give a gift that might actually be useful one day. I've decided that each of my friends will be getting a container of some sort, with condoms, lube samples, pregnancy tests (from the dollar store via peeonastick.com) as well as a Christmas card offering to help and support them in attaining hormonal birth control if they desire and perhaps an instead menstrual cup if they'd like to try. It seemed to me like most presents people give each other are just crafty little things that never get much use, and I feel that this would be an effective, yet fun way to shake up the holiday present tradition. Thoughts on my idea?
Also, Has anyone tried flavored condoms? I was thinking of including some of them as well, but I don't know much about them, or if they even really taste like anything at all. Brand suggestions with reasoning would also be appreciated too, on condoms or lube. Thanks VP!

Vulvodynia and Infection Differentiation?

[dreadvirago.livejournal.com]

Hello all.
I'm currently having kind of an issue. I've been having intermittent vaginal and vulvar itching and burning for maybe 3 weeks now that ceased with my period and then came back. There are a number of reasons I've let it go on this long (no insurance, recently moved to a new city and state and am currently unemployed), but the main reason is that I was previously diagnosed with vulvodynia, and the symptoms of that (for me, at least) mimic vaginal infections so I can't tell which is which. I have no unusual odor or discharge (mine is always pretty thick and opaque regardless), and no abdominal pain as I've experienced with a previous case of BV. The main itchy area is a small spot on the right side of my vaginal opening which is always the starting point of any discomfort for me, and has led me to believe that area may have nerve damage (maybe a hymeneal remnant? I have no idea). I am sexually active in a monogamous relationship, but both my boyfriend and I have tested negative for STIs. When I did have access to medical care in college the past 2 years, I'd go to the clinic with these same symptoms and the staff wouldn't be able to find anything wrong with me, except for maybe 2 out of 15 times, when it WAS ACTUALLY yeast or BV but I didn't have the textbook discharge/odor for either. I guess my question is, how do fellow vulvodynia sufferers (and therefore, how do I) differentiate between an infection and their (my) personal standard vulvodynia stuff? I'm currently trying to balance my reason which says that this is just vulvodynia, and my hypochondria. I don't want to just randomly treat for something I'm not sure it is and make it worse. At what point do you start getting worried and get yourself to a doctor?
Thank you in advance.

Yeast infection?

[heysaymay.livejournal.com]

A week ago, I noticed that I was getting really chunky discharge that smelled strongly. Not a fishy or bad smell, just a strong smell. There was no itching or soreness whatsoever, so I ignored it for a few days, but it didn't go away. I decided to treat it with frozen yogurt (plain, unsweetened, active cultures, etc.), and have been doing it for the past couple days.

Every since I started using the yogurt (once in the morning and once at night), the symptoms have gotten worse, not better. It's not itchy, it's just been sore.

I'm pretty new to yeast infections, every time I had a change in my discharge (or if my discharge smelled strongly), I always thought it was a yeast infection (but I never did anything about it.... haha). But last month, I actually had a real yeast infection (itchy, sore, weird discharge, etc.). I treated it with yogurt again (for a couple days), and the soreness and itchiness went away, but I suppose some of the weird discharge remained.

So what could be happening? Did I somehow make my yeast infection worse with yogurt? Or did it never actually go away and I still have it?

And how long are you supposed to treat with yogurt anyway?

Thanks!!

EPT Pregnancy Test Accuracy and Shortening a Placebo Week on HBC

[sleepingdragon7.livejournal.com]

Background:  I am on HBC, and my partner always withdraws before he ejaculates.  I have not missed any pills, nor (as far as I know, and I can usually tell) has he pulled out too late. 

This past month, I shorted my placebo week because I had been getting my period on Wednesday/Thursday/Friday, which messed up my weekend.  I took 4 pills instead of the 7, then started the active pills again, so I should get my period (this month) around Monday or Tuesday.  I haven't gotten it yet.  I spoke to my pharmacist when I got my refill, and he said that he would think it would probably not be that early in the week the first month after the start day change.

This evening, I took an EPT test - it was negative.  I plan on taking another one in the morning if my period doesn't start overnight.

My question(s) is/are:  Is there any reason I shouldn't trust the tests, and would it be normal to skip a period after changing the start date?  I've only missed one in the six years I've been on HBC.

Thanks so much!

First time birth-control user...

[dark-blue44.livejournal.com]

I've been using the generic form of Ortho Cyclen, Sprintec 28, for about a month now. I'm in my last 3 'non-active' pills and I got my period this past Monday the 13th. I'm really not used to birth control being this is my first time on it. I noticed some spotting going on on the Friday before my real period started, which doesn't typically happen. Before I got on HBC, my periods typically started out a little heavy and began to taper off around day 4 or 5. Right now, it feels like its the opposite.

Things were going along fine for the first 3 days but this morning, my period got extremely heavy. To the point that it scared me a bit. I've kept an eye on everything all day and I think it's back to being under control. Not as scary heavy. It just threw me off this morning. Is this normal for periods to be drastically different than normal for the first month or so of going on BC? I think I'm just getting paranoid that this particular brand isn't agreeing with my body or something.

I know lots of women end up getting shorter and lighter periods on BC, and I'm curious if that will ever happen within the next months or if I should switch. The only big side effects of this BC I'm noticing so far is a big increase in appetite, and some lighter cramping during periods. And this particularly heavy flow as of today. I'm really hoping my period stops by next Monday. I'm so worried it won't.

So sorry for the rambling. I'm just nervous and want to make sure that everything is okay. I feel like maybe I should keep at this medication for a little longer and see what happens. I know your body takes a while to get used to it.

Also. I switched pharmacies for my second pack of pills, and they changed my generic to MonoNessa. The guy claimed it's the exact same medication. Anyone have any experiences of being on this? I'm just hoping it doesn't mess me up or something...

Thanks!!!!