Starting BC

[mypinksock.livejournal.com]

Hello, I hope it's alright to ask this here.

I had a surgical abortion a month ago (April 30.) Two weeks after that, I had a follow up exam, where the doctor prescribed me BC, Lo Loestrin Fe. He told me to start taking it the Sunday after my first period.

Well, I got my period today which I guess means I should start the BC tomorrow. However, the package info on the Lo Loestrin Fe says to start it the first day of my period. I know it's only one day difference, but I want to make sure I do everything right. So should I take it today or wait until tomorrow? (And of course since it's a Saturday, I can't call the clinic and ask.)

Also, can anyone share their experience with this BC? I was on Apri last summer, which aside from the occasional back ache and some spotting (mostly due to me stacking the pills) I had no problems with. I read the LLE will make your period last only about 4 days, is that true?

Thanks in advance!

Started birth control but having problems

[whatsherface162.livejournal.com]

I recently started birth control (ortho tri cyclen lo). I got it from the local health dept. My problem is I have been spotting and/or bleeding since I started it almost. Here's the rundown:
Before I started the birth control, my cycle was irregular but it was never less than a 23 day cycle or more than a 41 day cycle with a standard deviation of 5.2 days. I would get sick, bad cramps, migraines, etc. So, I was hoping birth control would help with all that.

I was on day 8 of my cycle when I started birth control. 7 days after taking the birth control I started to spot old stuff which I would do for a week before my period. Now I am on day 15 of my pack and I am bleeding every day for a few hours then quit, like nothing was there. I can tell when I am about to bleed because I get pain down there, almost like when I ovulate.

I want to also mention I have been feeling (worse the past 3 days) sick and daily headaches, border-lining migraines. I even threw up today. It's becoming a strain on me and my job, which is why I wanted birth control in the first place :(

What should I do? I got the birth control from the health dept because I don't have insurance so I can't just go to a gynecologist. I can make an app to see the nurse at the health dept but you have to call at the end of the month to make an app and be put on a waiting list of about two weeks. I can pick up birth control any time though. Maybe I should ask for a different brand and see of they will give that to me if they have it?

[Anonymous Post]: HSV-1

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Hi all,

As you know, sometimes a VP maintainer will post on behalf of someone who wishes to remain anonymous. This is one such time.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your support and advice here.

Thanks,
Tori
For the VP Team
contact_vp

---

I have a lot of anxiety about HSV-1, cold sores. As long as I can remember, I've been paranoid about getting cold sores - that other people have them doesn't bother me. It's that *I* might get them, if that makes sense.

I think I might have one now. I have this redness at the corner of my mouth. It tingled a bit, but it hasn't blistered (slightly flaky skin) yet, and it's day 3.

Anyway, I went to a pharmacist on day 1 with my husband (who suggested it, to "ease my mind", which I agreed to), and the chemist said yes, he thought it was a cold sore, and gave me some cream. Another female chemist popped her head around and said (quite loudly), "And remember no kissing! It's highly contagious! Just in case he was too embarrassed to say anything! Haha!" (yes, with a haha at the end). I wanted to die for two reasons: 1, embarrassment from the chemist, and 2, because I couldn't believe I had a cold sore.

On the way back to the car, my husband gave me suspicious looks, and tried to make "light" of the situation, saying things like, "well, I'm surprised we avoided them for so long", and "Hah, it's not the kissing I was worried about... hehe". I know he was trying to make me feel better but it made it worse... I felt like I was/am diseased, not to be touched, infectious, and unattractive.

Anyway, this has been going on for three days. He doesn't really come near me - I tried to... ahem... fondle him last night as he undressed, and he stepped away from my hands :( This is making me anxious and leading to silent sobs and tears while he's not looking.

I don't know what to do to make this better. I feel utterly shamed and dirty and like he doesn't trust me any more. I don't think he means to, but I feel awful. I tried to talk to him, but pretty much everything he says triggers me into either crying or I shut down because I feel so, so, so ashamed.

I've attached two photos with the area circled. I have bumps at the corner of my mouth at both sides.

( Large but SFW images under the cut. )

I don't know if this *is* a cold sore, and if it is how will I convince my husband I'm still attractive and not dirty or infectious? I feel a little bit like my life is over because I can't kiss him when I want to, or that he won't touch me...

Planning my period (for lack of a better way to put it)

[miss-bushido.livejournal.com]

I'm currently using the Nuva Ring, have been since about 2007, and I had a question about using it this month.

I'm supposed to be getting my period today (it hasn't come yet, but sometimes I get it on Saturdays or Sundays), and because of how my cycle is, I'll be getting it again on the 29th/30th of this month. The problem with that is that I want to have my boyfriend over while my landlords are out of town for a nice romantic weekend *winkwinknudgenudge*

My question is, what would be better in this case; delaying putting the Nuva Ring in for another week, making my next period come on July 6th/7th or taking the old Ring out and putting in a new one right away on the 25th, thus making it so that I don't get a second period this month? I would try to make the period come one week earlier, but I have automatic refills so I don't know if I can get away with that.

I ask about putting a new Ring in right away after taking out the old one because I was informed by a doctor that I could do that, and though I'd never heard that before, it doesn't seem like it would be something awful to do to my body.

Advice please? Thank you!