on HBC and missing a period

[babydeeps.livejournal.com]

Hello VP
Was curious how strong the possibility of being pregnant while on the pill with near perfect (maybe off by 2 hours at most taking it) usage.
I have been on my placebo pills week since Tuesday and nothing has shown up. I have been taking birth control for 3 months now with 2 very regular periods happening in between the first two months. I had sex the 22nd, 23rd of October where he did ejaculate inside me. I'm quite worried since last month I had a very noticeable period. I've had a bit of brown discharge which I do see sometimes before a period, but I have no other symptoms of PMS which I usually have such as cramping or emotional feelings. I'm still holding out hope it could still show up this weekend for maybe a couple of days but I just have the feeling it's not coming at all. Should I buy a pregnancy test? How long should I wait to take one if I do miss my period completely? I've been using Apri birth control so so perfectly I didn't even think about Plan B or any 2nd method of contraception. : /
edit to change the dates

Tips for stopping a herpes outbreak before it starts?

[morwensdoor.livejournal.com]

Greetings, Vagina Warriors!

First, can I say how much I freaking HEART this community? I was at a book reading the other night (Heather Corinna was reading from S.E.X and Jaclyn Friedman was reading from What You Really Really Want - both FANTASTIC books) and in the subsequent drinks-and-chatting I ended up getting a whole conversation with another person about how rad y'all are. She heard me mention VagPag across the table and turned to greet me with "Aren't they the BEST?!"

Alright, on to my question:

I'm 25 and I've had herpes (type 1) vaginally for the last 10 years. I had one outbreak when I was first infected (the very first time I ever received oral sex, whee!) and have had absolutely no outbreaks since then. I basically have the best herpes ever - we usually get along quite well.

A few times in the last 10 years I've had "twinges" that I've felt in my vulva, usually in my inner lips. Every time this has happened it's been a great reminder that I need to calm down, get enough sleep ... decrease all the stress-factors that could lead to an outbreak. Other HSV-positive friends/partners have said that when they're nearing an outbreak they get those twinges, and so far I've managed to head any potential outbreaks off.

I've gotten twinges less than a dozen times in the last 10 years and they've never lasted longer than a day. Yesterday and today, though, they've been pretty persistant. It's no mystery why - I've been incredibly stressed, not sleeping enough at ALL, and been a mad tangle of emotions. I take 1500 mg of lysine daily (and have for years), and doubled that dose today. I got plenty of sleep last night and am planning on keeping up that trend for at least another day or two. Usually, though, I feel better by now.

So, my question: If you have herpes and can sense outbreaks before they happen, what do you do to fend them off? I don't particularly care which type you have or where you were infected/experience outbreaks. Of course, this assumes that other folks can "head their herpes off at the pass," but I figured it was worth a try to ask! I'd love to add some extra tactics to my arsenal.

Thanks in advance, VagPag!

ETA: Oops, I forgot to title this post! Fixed now.

Spotting

[thusbands.livejournal.com]

Hello all!
Background info: I'm 18, not on any form of birth control or sexually active although I do occasionally masturbate.
My periods have changed in the last 6 months and I was wondering what everyone thinks. About 6 months ago it got so heavy that I filled my large fleurcup in an hour and a half when usuallly it takes 8-12 hours. It did that for a day and then went back to normal. The next month it did the same thing. Then I started spotting between periods. Not enough where I need a pad or anything. I only notice it when I wipe. I also seem to spot the day after I orgasm. I have a doctors appointment in a week and half but it's with my regular doctor to talk about other issues so I was wondering if maybe I should get in sooner with a different doctor to talk about these issues? I've also seemed to have menstrual cramps throughout the month even when I'm not bleeding. Does it sound serious or like it can wait? I'm not uber worried but I would like to know what's going on. Anyone else had similar issues?