safe sex practices

[atticladder.livejournal.com]

 Hey guys,

Sock puppet-- sorry. I have a question that might piss some people off... we'll see.

I had a bit of a pregnancy scare recently (mostly psychological-- i was ovulating, condom almost got lost inside me but the rim was -just barely- resting on the outside of my vagina-- had to do a bit of breathless, careful retrieval to remove it but nothing appeared to have spilled and i didn't take plan b-- then, period 2 days late, giving me 2 days of extreme paranoia). 

anyway, this scare has got me thinking more than ever about my form of contraception, which i am the first to admit is pretty thin. i am not and never have been on HBC, don't have an IUD-- all i use are condoms. and i don't use them perfectly. i'm in a monogamous relationship where STDs aren't an issue. i used to be very rigid about using condoms from the moment PIV was initiated, but in the past few months have gone lax on that. this is partially because condoms often just dry out my vagina too much at the beginning, and i haven't yet found a lube that doesn't irritate/burn me-- both things that make sex painful very early in. instead, we usually start PIV sex without a condom, and don't put one on until we're both pretty close to climax.

this has worked out well for keeping my vagina wet and happy, and if he hasn't peed since the last time he came, we absolutely use a condom from start to finish. all of that said... does this sound like it's "safe enough" to anyone out there? i know that managing risk is a personal decision but i'm just looking for some other opinions/experiences. we also use this technique whether or not i'm ovulating.

(also, somewhat related-- anyone with highly sensitive ladybits have any suggestions for lube that is both condom and ladybit-friendly?)

thanks!

First Internal Exam

[devinedenial.livejournal.com]

I'm going for an exam at my new OBGYN tomorrow and I'm very nervous. I had my previous doctor for the past four years, starting when I was fourteen and was diagnosed with PCOS. She knew my history well and was very busy, so never had done an internal exam on me, because I was a minor and I'm not sexually active.

However, due to many mishaps with her practice, I've been forced to change doctors. The new one comes with great recommendations, but it's very likely I'll need an internal exam before she'll prescribe my birth control. I turned eighteen this year and I'm still sexually inactive. I'd like to have the internal exam because I will be sexually active this year.

Still, I'm absolutely terrified. I have butterflies in my stomach and I'm close to tears when thinking about it. What if it hurts? What if the vulnerability just ruins my only day off this week?

Can anyone offer some guidance and help?

why are pelvic exams required

[noctilucenteye.livejournal.com]

I always wonder why a pelvic exam is needed to get birth control pills. I understand that it's probably a really good idea but I don't see why it is required. It almost seems like some doctors hold the birth control prescription hostage and make a lot of people feel forced into getting examined. Why can't doctors just say that they recommend a pap smear, give reasons why they think it is a good idea, then give the woman a choice of whether or not they want that test.

So my question for you is why is the exam required? Again, I know why it might be a good idea, but I want to know a medical reason why it is usually required.

D&C and IUD

[justforapicture.livejournal.com]

 Next week, I'm getting  a D&C for suspected polyps/fibroids. I'll also be getting an IUD put in.

What should I expect from these procedures? I'm really scared :(.
For the D&C,  I hope they find fibroids, because I have extremely bad cramps/weak spells that wake me up during the night right where my uterus is located, and it travels through my legs. I know polyps don't cause pain, but fibroids can, so I'm scared I won't get an answer if it's polyps. I'm going under completely for the procedure, and am very scared about that, too. I want them to be totally honest with their findings and not miss anything. Also, how bad is the pain when you wake up? And what was your experience?

I've been told the strings hurt your partner during sex and also that they can reject with small uterus' (which I do have...), but it's supposedly worth the risk, because I have extremely heavy periods (I have a bleeding disorder, but birth control hasn't been able to control the bleeding). I'm scared of it rejecting and I'm scared of it implanting itself into my walls or something. Ahhhh :(.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

Yellow discharge...

[katrina-splat.livejournal.com]

Hi guys,

A couple of days ago I started getting itchy and thinking I had a yeast infection. I've been on antibiotics for a sinus infection, and was on other antibiotics for sickness a couple of weeks before. Yesterday I went and bought the cream and tablet, and realised when I got home I was having yellow discharge, not at all like yeast. I've booked into the doctor, but would really like to know what I might be expecting to be diagnosed with. I'm sexually active and while the possibility of a STI is not awesome I think I can deal and would just really like to be better armed when I go in. I thought it might be BV but there isn't a hugely strong smell and it's very definitely yellow discharge. I'm my first month back on the pill.

Thanks superstars!

Monistat Allergy?

[nightmer.livejournal.com]

I get yeast infections on occasion, and usually treat them easily with garlic. But since I caught this one slightly later than usual, I decided to try some over-the-counter meds. That should be more effective, right? I picked up the generic Monistat 7.

Three days in my body is constantly shaking, I barely want to stand on my own, my chest is tight, and I twitch when I try to sleep. Freaked out, I actually read the Monistat side effects - yup. Dial-a-nurse agrees with me, prescribes Benadryl, and the shakes start going away.

The day I get a doctor's appointment I wake up with my first UTI. Double the fun! Now, I'm almost done with the antibiotics and of course the YI is in full force.

Does anyone else have this allergy to miconazole? I get the feeling it's somewhat rare. If you do, are you allergic to other yeast drugs (my PA and pharmacist thought it was likely I'd be allergic to the oral prescription drugs but they both didn't seem to know much)? What do you use instead?

Also (general question), are pantyliners with YIs a bad idea? I thought it might keep things dryer/cleaner since they can be changed easily, but they aren't breathable, so do you use them?

Planned Parenthood Birth Control

[temporary-title.livejournal.com]

 

SO, i moved to LA from massachusetts in septemeber in hopes of finding a job after college.
well i just found one. so i dont have insurance and my parents insurance doesnt cover me out here.
my doctor is massachusetts will not write me another RX for birth control (apri) without seeing me. which i obviously cant do. i cant go to a doctor out here because i dont have insurance- my new job will give me insurance but not until septemeber.
i have no more refills left.
i was wondering if i went to planned parenthood do they just give you whatever birthcontrol brand they have on hand or would they be able to write me an RX for Apri because i do NOT want to switch brands. ive been on the same one for years...

thanks for the help!!

Faint fish smell..

[lingering-kiss.livejournal.com]

Hello lovely people,

Got a bit of an embarrassing query..

I've noticed a very, very faint fish smell to my discharge. It's not strong and it's not wildly unpleasant at all, it's barely even there.. But it's new, i'm usually quite neutral scented.

I've never had BV before.. Could this be it? I'll be annoyed if it is, i get enough hassle with YIs...!

Not been using anything strongly perfumed, no soap, no changes to anything etc...

Thank you for any help x

Issues with sex

[ladyoolong.livejournal.com]

 I'm a new poster here, but have been reading vaginapagina for several months. I have a question/issue that I'm hoping someone can give me advice for.

I lost my virginity a few months ago to my boyfriend, and everything was going fine until it wasn't. We're still in high school, so any sexing that happens is very rare, an awkward situation with the parents (who are somewhat okay with it but aren't thrilled), and kind of unpleasant. To begin with, it hurts for me. We've had sex five times and it's gotten a little better since the first time but it still hurts an insane amount when he's entering me. We use condoms but have no way of getting lube, and try to wait until I'm ready but because we want to do it before the parents get home I'm usually not relaxed and wet enough when we start. Sex also just doesn't feel good for me. It's kind of nice for maybe five minutes (after the initial pain of penetration is gone) and then it just starts feeling numb and I've never been anywhere near an orgasm. It ends up feeling bad for me because it hurts like hell, doesn't feel good at all, and it's impossible for me to relax because I'm worrying about my parents getting home. I also feel like my boyfriend and I share unequal parts of the responsibility/results of sex, because it hurts and doesn't feel good for me, when I was on the Pill I had to ask my mom for refills and deal with how awful being on the Pill was, and deal with my parents knowing that we had just been having sex when they would get home (which is awkward and unpleasant, not to mention me feeling bad about losing my virginity at 16) and for him it was a lot better (because his parents don't know that we have sex and because he does get off from it). I know I'm still young and that this isn't the end of my sexual experience, but I'm starting to feel really opposed to sex because of how bad my few experiences have been and I don't know what to do to not have such negative feelings about something I really want to enjoy doing. Does anybody have any suggestions about this?

Also, my boyfriend has been unable to give me an orgasm since January. We're tried intercourse, manual stimulation (both clitoral and penetrative), and oral sex, and nothing works. I've told him specifically where and how to touch me, but usually it doesn't feel good at all or if it does, the feeling quickly goes away. I am able to come when I'm by myself (and have masturbated successfully in front of him), but I don't like masturbating and am becoming frustrated and a little embarrassed by this issue. We've had no trouble with this in the past. Again, does anybody have any suggestions about this?

Lost Nuvaring

[pinkpromises.livejournal.com]

I have searched but have yet to find my answer.

Here is how it goes. 2 weeks ago I took my ring out. 1 week ago I put it back in after having a normal period, 2 days ago I had sex (unprotected I suppose). Today I went to the bathroom and realize I am bleeding. Then feel around and the ring is gone......

I have no idea where it went, felt everywhere, will feel more later I am sure.

I am unsure if I should put in a new one, or wait it out. Could I be pregnant? I don't know when I lost it to tell you the truth. (I don't check everyday, I have been on it for years and never had a problem)

Maintainer post: Othering Discussion

[mangofandango.livejournal.com]

Hi, VPers!

Recently, we have been having a lot of discussions here and in VP about inclusive language choices. This is something that VP as a community is all about--after all, we thrive on safe and accountable spaces. As a community, it's impossible to build the trust to have personal, difficult, and joyous discussions if we aren't accountable to one another.

Head over to contact_vp to read more and join in the conversation!

Skipping my period leading to odd symptoms...?

[starsinshapes.livejournal.com]

 So I decided to skip my period for the summer.  I'm taking Sprintec.  I'm supposed to be having my period this week (this is my first period I'm skipping since my last cycle).  Though I'm not bleeding, brown clots are coming out when I pee and show on the toilet paper as well as a brown discharge (I'm assuming this is blood?).

I guess I'm wondering is this normal or if I should be worried?