Biotin and Yaz

[cherokeefawn.livejournal.com]

Apologies if this has been asked already, I did not see it though!

So, recently went in to get my hair done in a partial foil (my second time), bleach is evil and had to cut off 2 1/2 inches, blah blah blah. (Sorry, I know this isn't a hair community! :p) In addition to using proper treatments and having the real damaged parts cut out, I wanted to start taking biotin to see if it would improve my hair growth/time it takes to regrow even slightly. (If not, no real harm or foul...just an experiment.)

And here is where I need you, lovely VPers! I'm currently taking beyaz (yaz, but with folic acid supplements for your nonhormonal days is how my gyno explained it to me. It was just the sample she gave, so I'm hoping when I switch to real yaz there will be no difference-but I digress!) and was slightly worried biotin might affect my birth control's effectivness in some way?

A quick internet research adventure seemed to show me that no, taking biotin/vitamin B supplements is okay and even good for women on HBC, but I wanted to get advice straight from some superstar VPers-maybe someone has been in the exact same situation? And I trust this comm. much more than I could ever trust, say, yahoo answers. If I'm being paranoid I apologize, but hey, better safe than sorry, right? I know stuff with saint john's wart, or antibiotics can totally mess with HBC. 

Much love!

What to do about semen ...

[fushigi-na-chou.livejournal.com]

Okay, this is sort of a weird question, and I've put off asking it in here for as long as I could. I know everyone in here is really good about being non-judgmental and open-minded, and is generally very helpful in answering questions, but I feel like this question is just so weird. Hopefully, I'm not the only female in the entire world who has this issue, and someone in here can help me with this. 8D

So. My boyfriend and I have ditched the barrier method contraceptives now that I'm taking HBC. Overall, it's more enjoyable for both of us. However, I'm never entirely sure what to do afterwards. I'm not sure about any of you, but generally, after having relations, the last thing I wanna do is get up and search for my underwear and/or rush to the bathroom. However, I cannot stand the sensation of semen coming out of me (please tell me I am not the only one with a leaky vagina omg). Any time we have sex, I have to find my clothes and then hurry to the bathroom, and then I'm in there for a good five minutes. Even after I'm sure I've gotten most of it out, if I have to go about the rest of my day, whatever's left comes out at its leisure and to me, it feels incredibly uncomfortable (and I'm also so afraid I'm going to get a rash or an infection or something just from all the moisture).

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there anything other than what I'm doing (and aside from having him pull out -- that's the whole reason I'm on HBC) that will help with this? Thank you so much in advance, and please don't laugh at me. DD:

How much does exercise affect estrogen?

[totheminute.livejournal.com]

If I suddenly loose a lot of weight or suddenly begin working out very intensely, will my period be affected?

After three months of abandoning it, I just began my workout routine again (weights & cardio 5 days a week), and my cycle went nuts. I had my period a week early, and then I had it AGAIN eight days later. The second time was lighter, no cramps, no bloating, essentially no warning signs.

This is just a result of working out, right? There's nothing wrong with me?

Pain after sex

[estrellafugaz85.livejournal.com]

I've been having ongoing gyno problems for years and one of them has been some pelvic pain. It's never too bad, but it is often there, especially after sex. I saw the doctor in April about this and also the weird 'twinge' pain I sometimes get on the right side of my abdomen and was referred for a pelvic ultrasound, which was 'clear'. I kind of forgot about it until Saturday, when I had some sexy time with my bf in the morning and then had an ache for an hour or two in the afternoon. He did (I think) touch my cervix a LOT while he was fingering me - could this have anything to do with it?

Also, can polycystic ovaries cause this kind of pain? I definitely have those, and the doctor I saw in April said that could be the explanation, but that also he's never heard of them causing people pain before.