Mysterious case of the itchies :|

[fushigi-na-chou.livejournal.com]

I never thought I'd be posting this -- I've never been prone to any vaginal/bladder issues, but, I guess there's a first time for everything.

Anyway, I'm wondering if you guys can help me out here. I've recently become sexually active with a new partner after a bit of a dry spell with my now ex. He mentioned to me one night in passing that he'd been feeling a little itchy around his nether regions, which I thought was strange, since I know I don't have any STIs that I could have passed on to him, and he had told me he hadn't had sex in about 8 months, and hadn't mentioned any possibility of having any STIs himself (though, I guess everyone lies, but I trust him well enough). I assured him that I couldn't explain why, that I didn't think it was necessarily from me, and told him I could get tested if it would put his mind at ease. He said it wasn't necessary, and then kind of waved the issue away. So I hadn't really thought much about it until about three days ago when I started feeling a little itchy myself. Still, I tried to ignore it, because I'd recently shaved, and thought it had more to do with being agitated as I was having more sex than I had been when I was with my ex; I assumed the itchy was just my vagina adjusting to all the attention.

The more I thought about it though, the more I wondered if I didn't have a yeast infection. I did some Googling, but that didn't really help. The only symptom I had/have was itching (though I had some minimal discharge that looked sort of like cottage cheese, but it was such a small amount, and I thought it was more due to the fact that I had recently shaved (I went/am going bald experimentally ^^;)). It didn't smell, and I have no burning or painful sensations. Since that one time, I haven't noticed any strange discharge either.

But now, maybe starting since yesterday, I'm noticing a slightly more compelling urge to pee. It's not like "Omg, you need to pee now or there will be consequences," but it does feel slightly more than usual. It's like, almost immediately after peeing, if I relax all my muscles in my lower abdomen, I feel the sensation of having to pee again. I did some more Googling, and the almighty internet tells me that UTIs are pretty common and most will resolve themselves in a few days, but I also know that if left to their own devices, UTIs can get vicious and send you to the ER. I do still have some itching, but it's mostly around my vulva where hair is growing back (I think stubble and sexual activity sort of irritated things more), but now that I've had a shower, and gotten rid of stubble, it actually feels much better down there, but with some itching if my underwear/pants rub me down there. I still feel like I have to pee a little bit though, so I'm not sure.

I know it's all sort of vague, and I should probably just go talk to my doctor, but the thing is that I'm really short on cash, and even with my health insurance, I'm not sure I could afford the copay. I mean, if it turns out that these are symptoms that I really, really need to have to my doctor look at, then I'll make an appointment, but if there are some cheaper home remedies I can try, I'd prefer to do those. :x

(Also, on a completely unrelated note, I've been wanting to tag my entries, but I don't seem to have access to them for some strange reason. :/)

Bacterial Vaginosis

[jagnightwalker.livejournal.com]

Hi all!

I've joined this community because I've had such an on/off relationship with my vag over the last year and a half, I may as well hang with some women who may have had the same.

Back story: I was diagnosed with BV in Aug 2009. And it's been HELL ever since. I've been on Metro gel more times then I can count, Flagyl once or twice, I've spent money buying the ebooks on how to cure it naturally, ordered so many probiotic inserts and supplements to boost my immune system, used hydrogen peroxide douches, spent far too much $$ on Rephresh to see me through etc. It finally got to the point where I would be getting a bout with it after every stinkin period. I had been led to believe that whole time that it was the infection itself changing the pH and that *I* was doing something wrong dietary-wise etc, when my most recent visit to the doc helped me to see that the bacteria can grow FROM an imbalanced pH level.

This doc visit was very intimate; I actually cried out of frustration. I was so sick of feeling dirty, embarrassed and "sick" all the time, especially when I'm now with who I would consider to be the love of my life. And my doc's response?? "Oh that's easy, we'll take care of it!".

I am almost 41 yrs old, and she states it's hormonal. That it is nothing I'm doing wrong (and another reason why I deal with UTIs too) but it's something I'll just have to "maintain". She gave me yet another Rx for Metrogel used twice a day to completely knock the Gardnerella bacteria out, and I've started on a Boric Acid regime that I will be on until some hormonal changes occur (which could be yrs, of course). The Boric Acid will change the environment to where the bacteria cannot take hold and grow.

I will be inserting Boric Acid capsules twice a week (and I've went so far as to buy the supplies to make my own). If this keeps things in check, Hallelujah. I can handle it. I just want a healthy, clean vagina again dammit.

But I do have one question. I know Boric Acid is ok inserted vaginally, but it's poison if ingested. What do I do about oral sex with my love? Do I need to be concerned that I'll kill my boyfriend accidentally? Ha...I know many women use this so I'm assuming things will be ok?

Botox for vaginismus and vulvodynia

[heatherette2.livejournal.com]

Hi All,

I thought this article might be helpful for those who suffer from vaginismus and vulvodynia!

http://bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/24/6125525-botox-for-your-bits-shot-may-smooth-over-sex-problems

What to use while I wait for my new cup?

[songspell.livejournal.com]

I've been using a Diva cup since last April and looooove it!

Unfortunately, I've recently moved, and it is nowhere to be found. And, of course, I didn't even think about it until my period is mere days (hours?) away. :-(

Anyway, another one is on order, but I probably will have to spend at least a few days this period using another product... But I've gotten so used to my cup, I'm not sure what I should try. I never really used tampons before, but the idea of going back to pad makes me a little squeamish. Any recommendations?

(I've tried looking around online for the Instead cups, but I can't seem to find them locally. Anyone in Pittsburgh got a source?)

TIA!

tea tree oil for yeast infection

[hey-kayla-jay.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to treat a yeast infection fro home for the past few days. Two nights ago I tried inserting a clove of garlic before bed, but I felt no different in the morning. This morning, in my early morning half dead stupor, I scratched away at the area. Worst decision of my life; the area immediately became very inflammed and painful. I drove to work sitting on a damn ice pack trying to get it to go down. I bought a three-day monistat pack and took the ovule for the first day, but the burning and itching is still driving me up a damn wall.
I got some tea tree oil to try to take the irritation away. However, I dunno how to go about applying it, and I'm concerned over all the warnings telling me that it may burn and cause more damage. Can anyone who has used tea tree oil for yeast infections tell me about their experience with it?

Vulvodynia

[vagueexistence.livejournal.com]

So after months of being in pain and a change of doctors, I was diagnosed with Vulodynia. I'm relieved and sad at the same time.

I was on nuerotin once a day for 2 weeks and then had to up it to 2x a day. After two weeks, I'm in pain again and am moving it up to 3x a day. My doctor is fabulous and I love her a lot.

Just looking for advice/suggestions, anything from other sufferers out there?

Question about plan b

[lovelikerain.livejournal.com]

hey everyone, i was just wondering.. for those of you who have taken emergency contraception before, what were some side effects that you experienced up to the time you had your next period?

i just took the plan b pill for the first time within the first week of february. this was just as my period was ending--which i understand pregnancy is unlikely, but it was for my own peace of mind. i was expecting to maybe feel sick but nothing much different from when i was on HBC (i am not currently). i had some light spotting a day or two after, but felt fine otherwise. now.. i also ended up taking a second plan b pill about week and a half later due to a second accident (sigh!). ever since i have taken the second plan b pill, i've been experiencing frequent cramping.. they feel exactly like menstrual cramps, but come in small waves a few times a day and only last a few seconds. i am not bleeding or spotting, just cramping. my breasts are also extremely tender, a side effect i'm not accustomed to though it does not concern me as much as the cramps do, since i understand plan b effects may be similar to HBC side effects.. now, am i just being paranoid? or is this a normal side effect? : [

problems with BV and yeast?

[clementine-fell.livejournal.com]

After several months of a BV/yeast free existence, I've seemed to have developed another reoccurring case of it.If anyone has some suggestions on how to combat this, I'd love some suggestions. I'm going back to the health clinic tomorrow but I believe I may have developed another yeast infection after recently being treated for one.

( details )

Bruise ? Breast pain

[justforapicture.livejournal.com]

Hey all. I'm 20 years old and never had much of breast issues before, other than being confused as to why they're a bit lumpy, but soemone explained to me that they are still developing and that's why they're sorta...bumpyish.
Anyway, I've been having a bruised kind of feeling when i press on a certain part of my right breast. It is towards my "cleavage" line, on the inside. I don't press too hard, and it's not sharp pains, but more like a bruise. I vaguely remember hurting it somehow a few months ago, and this pain has been going on for quite a bit.
All I can think of is BREAST CANCER AT 20. so if anyone could help me out i'd appreciate it!
I went to the gyno today and forgot to ask, so I can't go right back to the doctor :/.

Maybe I'm just a slow healer? I do bruise easily. I also have Van Willebrand disease. Not sure if this helps any, but just lettin' you know.

There's also no other abnormalities (no bruised color, no nipple discharge, no immovable lumps)
Help please!! 

first time at the gynecologist - eek!

[plasticpepper.livejournal.com]

Hi all! I'm going to the gynecologist for the first time on Wednesday, so as you can imagine I'm pretty nervous. Would love some advice and words of wisdom from all you lovely people!

Any and all information is much appreciated. Especially if you can think of anything I should do beforehand or anything I need to know that I might not know.

( And then I do have a few specific questions too... )

I think that's all of my specific questions. Sorry - I know that was sort of a jumbled mess of questions. Really, I'm SUPER appreciative for any info or advice anyone can share, whether it's related to any of those questions or not. Anything you can tell me that will help me be prepared for and know what to expect from my first gyno visit would be GREAT! As the day gets closer I'm just getting so nervous even though I know it's not a huge deal. So I know the more information I have and the more I know what to expect, the calmer I'll be.

Thanks so much in advance! If there's any background info or anything I forgot to mention that might be a factor, please feel free to ask!