spotting part 2

[new---noise.livejournal.com]

Hi again everyone,

I posted the other day about having some spotting while my body is getting used to being on HBC (Junel). This is my first time taking any sort of birth control, and I've been on it for almost two months (I will be starting my placebos next week). I haven't had any spotting up until now.

Its been about five days now, increasing in amount, and I'm getting more red blood than old brown blood. I'm also having bad enough cramps where I need to take something for it, and the amount of blood has increased to the point where I'm wearing small light-days liners.

Honestly, this feels almost like a mini period! Before the spotting, I had all the symptoms I usually get before getting a period (breast tenderness, some breakouts, and moodiness) and then the bleeding started! Could it be possible that my body just reeeally wants me to have a period now?

I'm inclined to wait it out and continue taking my pills as normal, assuming that this bleeding will eventually stop, and that I may or may not have an actual withdraw bleed next week. I was previously told that this is normal, and luckily I have a doctor's appointment in two weeks so I will ask for clarification then, but until I go, has anyone experienced this to this extent? At what point should I be worried? I expected some spotting, but not this!

moisterizing the vulvar skin

[chipie.livejournal.com]

Hello!

I recently got diagnosed with vulvodynia, and I was given a list of skin care recommendations to follow.  One of those is to moisturize the vulvar skin after showering.  They recommend using regular moisturizers such as Clinaderm, Lubriderm and Glaxal Gase, or using a vaginal moisturizer, Replens.

Replens is really expensive, but I don't feel very comfortable with the idea of putting normal moisturizers on my vulva (I generally wouldn't use any of those on any part of my body because I avoid products with potentially problematic ingredients, so it seems odd to use those on my vulva).

Do any of you moisturize your vulvar skin?  What do you use?  I've been using coconut oil but it seems to stain my underwear (odd because I use it as deodorant and it doesn't stain my clothes).   What are some other options I have?  Should I go with the Replens or would a generic brand vaginal moisturizer be just as good?  I'm totally okay with spending the extra money on Replens, but I wonder if it's worth it.

To summarize: what do you recommend to moisturize the vulvar skin and what should I look out for when picking a product?

Thanks!

Questions about Canada, UK & IUDs?

[sarahlynn27.livejournal.com]

Hello Superstars!
I'm posting this question on behalf of a friend, since she didn't want to be anonymous or use a sock account.
I have an IUD, and have been raving about how happy I am being off HBC & the hormones. I received my IUD for free from planned parenthood back in November, and now my friend has come to me with an interest in getting one. She has spoken to PP & her insurance provider about the cost, which for her would be about 850$ for either place, and she is going away to college in the fall so she doesn't have that kind of money to spend. After we had a discussion about this, I remembered that here on VP I had seen people talk about having gone to Canada & the UK in order to get their IUD put in free of charge. My friend is more curious about Canada (As it's a lot closer to us, we live in PA) and if she could just go up there on a trip and come back with a souvenir that would last for quite a while. Google hasn't helped us much VP, so we're looking to you for answers! Thank you in advance, my friend is incredibly appreciative for the advice & knowledge :)

Adiana procedure

[noctilucenteye.livejournal.com]

Have any of you had the Adiana procedure?  I mentioned to my doc yesterday that I was interested in the Essure and she recommended the Adiana instead. She said that with the Essure inserted you can never have an endometrial ablation if I should need one in the future.
Until yesterday I had never heard of Adiana so I am wondering if anyone has any experience with them.
Also I see the effectiveness reported as being 98.4% with the pill being quoted as 99% or greater. I know it's not much difference but that little bit worries me.

pelvic pain with orgasm

[charlyruckus.livejournal.com]

What would cause minor left-sided pelvic pain after orgasm?

For the past couple of months, I have been experiencing a very minor yet quite uncomfortable feeling that begins moments after orgasm and lasts for approximately 2-3 hours. It feels as if the pain (if you could call it pain) radiates from behind the left side of my pubic bone, at my mons.

I have been to the gynecologist about it, have received ultrasounds, had a pap smear and an internal exam, and I appear to be completely fine. The pain, however, is still there. It's more annoying than anything.

I only ever engage in non-penetrative sex with my girlfriend (I don't like having anything inside my vagina), and I masturbate via clitoral stimulation. Whatever the pain is is strictly caused by the act of having the orgasm.

I've had no other symptoms and before a few months ago, I've never experienced this before in my life.

Thanks.

Experiences with Fluconazole

[zannadance.livejournal.com]

Hi VP! I'm interested to hear about the side effects (if any) that people have experienced after taking Fluconazole (or the brand name Diflucan). I've been having mild yeast infection-like symptoms so I made an appt with my doctor, but wasn't able to get one until next week. I'm pretty sure it's a YI and not something else because I've been using some leftover internal YI cream (Terconazole) externally and it's relieved the discomfort significantly, so I convinced the doctor to send over a prescription (one tablet) of Fluconazole since I have to wait so long for my appointment. However, after reading about the possible side effects, I'm now scared to take it :-( Among the scary ones for me are nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach. The first two times I took this drug (about 3 years ago) I had no negative side effects, but thinking back to the more recent time (4 months ago) I took it in the evening and was up all night with stomach cramps and discomfort. I thought it was due to anxiety because there was a lot going on in my life at the moment, but I'm wondering if it was the Fluconazole. I have a severe phobia of getting sick to my stomach, so I want to avoid a night like that at all costs! I also have a very important exam to take on Saturday morning and I'm worried about the side effects lasting until then. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

FYI, I know there are lots of alternative YI treatments out there - yogurt, garlic, etc. - and I will look into them if I decide not to take this pill, but for now I'd just like peoples' experiences with taking Fluconazole. TIA!

EDIT: I took it last night and only had very mild stomach discomfort. Thanks for everyone's advice you all made me feel a lot better!

Acid Vagina??

[catalina-royce.livejournal.com]

 So here's the thing. I don't know if this really belongs here because, while it's sort of vagina related (i.e. it could be the cause), the problem is actually to do with my boyfriend's penis. So if this doesn't belong, feel free to delete it, etc. 

Would put this under a cut but can't figure out how, sorry!

I've been with this guy for about 8 months and I'm on the pill, but we aren't using condoms. We're both STI-free [or were upon last check, which was a couple of weeks ago] and unless he's a cheating jerk, he's not sleeping with anyone else. Neither am I. A couple of weeks ago I got checked for STIs because I had my first YI and I freaked out that it might be something else. Turns out it was pretty run of the mill and caused by glycerin based lubricant we'd used one Saturday night. I had sex with him again on the Wednesday, and I was diagnosed with a YI the next Friday. Obviously abstained from sex with him until all had cleared up.

The problem is now that the past two times after sex, he's seemed to have a reaction. His actual penis is fine -- no smell, no [unusual] swelling, no bumps or lumps. He does seem to be scratching a bit, but it's possible that I've just become hyper-vigilant and am noticing it more.] but the part of his thigh that it touches welts. At first I thought maybe it was just a random patch of eczema because it has that look of dry skin (though not scaly), except it came up exactly where his head touches his thigh. Then again today it happened, but it raised up along where his entire shaft had touched his leg.

Since we're both STI free, there's only two things I can really think: 1) that I might have unknowingly given him a YI and it's just starting to present [does anyone know if this is a symptom in men?!?] or 2) that my, uh, vaginal juices are some sort of deadly toxic chemical for some reason. (Or, drama free, that the PH levels are messed up.) Interaction with me certainly seems to be the cause...

Does anyone have any experience with this? A little concerned that he seems to be having this reaction....

(no subject)

[eiffiels.livejournal.com]

Okay, so some backround. I was just diagnosed with PCOS, i'm on the NuvaRing, i'm 200% not prego and I just had a cyst on my ovaries rupture. My breasts have been insanely sore for the past two days and it's getting to the point where it is soo uncomfortable. Anyone have any idea what I can do to ease the discomfort at all? If not anyone want some boobs cause i'm about to cut them off!