sore, swollen nipples?!

[ltb4.livejournal.com]

hey there, I am a 18 year old female and as of late my nipples have been really tender and tonight i noticed they are a little swollen. They've been this sore for about 4 days now.. The aeriola around my nipples are normal, no color change or soreness, and my whole actual breast is not tender, just my nipples. it isnt common for me to have this around or near my period, so im a little worried. I had intercourse last about 5 days ago, we didnt use a condom. im on birth control - on my 2nd week of my 5th month of taking it... i dont really think im pregnant, but im just not sure what it is thats going on, any ideas? thanks girls.

MMMMonday! Avoiding problematic Halloween costumes.

[mangofandango.livejournal.com]

It's MMMMonday! Each Monday, we bring you special, maintainer-curated content intended to enrich your VP experience. Please note that you can find past MMMMonday posts using the "mmmmonday" tag.

Also, a quick reminder about the other places you can find VP: vp_bulletins for local announcements; contact_vp for questions and feedback on the way VP is run; the Vulvapedia for basic questions; and don't forget about our sibling community over on Dreamwidth!

For many people, it's the time of year for Halloween costume planning. What you might not be aware of is that some Halloween costumes that a lot of folks take for granted as acceptable are actually pretty problematic, appropriative, and/or insulting. Before you head out to your Halloween festivities this year, we invite you to check out these links that will help you avoid choosing a costume that may be hurtful to others.


(This image is from the 2011 "We are a Culture, Not a Costume poster campaign. This one features an image of an Asian woman holding a picture of a woman in a geisha costume, and the text reads "This is not who I am, and this is not okay.")

First, a piece from a Native American woman on how using her identity as a costume feels to her: My identity is not a costume for you to wear

Next, here are a couple of links illustrating the scope of racist Halloween costumes available for sale...clearly, this is not a major concern for many costume manufacturers and retailers, so it's up to the consumer to change things!

Halloween costume shopping: a sampling of the racism for sale

And more over here!


(These are a few of the 2012 series of "We are a Culture, Not A Costume" campaign posters, featuring people of various races next to photos of folks dressed in stereotyped versions of their race or culture for Halloween. The text on each reads "You wear the costume for one night. I wear the stigma for life.")

For many people, at least some of these types of costumes have never really been questioned or examined as problematic. Also, there is obviously a lot of mainstream acceptance for many of these kinds of costumes. If you're feeling uncertain and would like some specific pointers as to how to avoid a costume that may be hurtful, you may want to check out this article. It's pretty basic, but it does address some popular broad Halloween costume concepts to avoid. Some probably very incomplete, but simple, guidelines: don't use blackface, aim for representing a specific person rather than a broad representation of an entire race or culture, don't dress as any kind of hate group member, and don't fetishize a culture with a "sexy _____" costume.

And if you need a costume idea, you might want to check out Take Back Halloween.

Do you have questions or experiences to share? You are invited to do so in the comments! It's fine if you don't fully understand and want to know more, but please remember to check your privilege as you discuss this issue, and be respectful. Thanks, superstars! And happy Halloween. :)

ovulation pain?

[bikinidip.livejournal.com]

Hello, VP!

 

I'm 27, NP, and have had Pragard for 18 months. Prior, I was on HBC for about 4 years and stopped because I could not tolerate the side effects.

 

Last Thursday I had my usual mid-cycle cramping, which I usually attribute to ovulation. It's typically mild to moderate, and I take a painkiller if it becomes an inconvenience.

 

Initially, I had the usual pressure in my lower abdomen --this time was on the left side-- and cramping. But it kept getting worse! For about an hour I was either writhing on the floor, or in the bathroom vomiting/voiding my bowels (sorry if TMI). Suddenly, it felt like something popped around my left ovary, more pain,  and then I started to feel better. My poor mom was freaking out and wanted to take me to the ER.

 

The next day I went to the doctor and told them (doctor and resident) what happened, they asked me a ton of questions, did a bimanual exam then scheduled an ultrasound. The doctor felt a small bump on the left side.

 

Today, I had the transvaginal ultrasound (it would have been nice to know beforehand that I was going to be probed). It was a bit uncomfortable, especially when she imaged the ovaries but otherwise, not too bad.The technician said everything looks normal and that I had ovulated from my left ovary this month (it was much bigger than the right), hence the cramping. She looked at me like I was wasting her time coming in for no reason and I left feeling kind of stupid for making a fuss. My left side is still sore, and it's getting worse with pre-period cramps.

 

So, VP-ers, did I just experience a case of angry ovulation and then panicked for no reason? Is this what what happens sfter HBC? Will this be the new normal for me? If you've had a similar experience, please share.
 
Thank you, superstars!

 

Depression and HBC

[ginny587.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone,
I've been noticing some mood patterns coinciding with my birth control, have talked to my doctor and am trying something new but there still are a couple of oddities and the new pill has only harmed my mood.
So, story time!
Back in the day I used to deal with irregularity (anywhere between 2-8 weeks), heaviness (super plus tampon in 2 hours for 3-4 days), and cramps (prescription strength ibuprofen sort of took the edge off a little and that was it). Went on HBC at 19 after glossing over those problems for maybe 2 minutes with my doc.
One year later and Mircette was giving me migraines at the start of the new pack, so I was switched to Levlen (higher estrogen) right when some huge personal drama took place, which was what I thought was the cause of my crummy mood and sudden sleeplessness.
Fast forward 5 years (seriously, it's taken that long...) and I'm learning that the pill can cause depression. Talked to the new doc and was put on Mononessa (even higher estrogen) and my mood has plummeted. Also, I'm starting to get concerned about clot risks since I've been on it for about 6 years already.
My thoughts: the higher the estrogen the worse my mood, so lower should help. Does that sound on to anyone else or way off? Most of what I've read says that estrogen usually helps mood, but also that everyone reacts differently to these hormones.
Does the mini pill (progesterone only) help control cycles? Even if I lost the regularity combination pills have provided I could still deal as long as heaviness/cramps were at bay and I wasn't depressed any longer.
Also, are there any ways of controlling cycles without HBC? I'm starting to question how "normal" my cycles used to be and if there's something that should have been diagnosed all those years ago. I've discovered the glories of the menstrual cup as of late, which lets me sort of measure what I'm losing and it's currently about 100+ml/cycle while on the pill, which seems off.
Thank you!

Revised Safer Space Reminders

[kaberett.livejournal.com]

Hi all!

Following our discussion last week, we've incorporated your last few bits of feedback and we'll be rolling out the new-style SSRs from today. Thank you so much for all of your input and patience with us while we've been working through the process!

As ever, if you've got any questions or concerns please feel encouraged to get in touch with us either in contact_vp or by e-mail, on vpteam@vaginapagina.com!

--alex
for the VP team

cross-posted to contact_vp, where comments are on!

Featured content: avoiding problematic Hallowe'en costumes

[kaberett]

This week's round-up includes: insurance companies and robotic hysterectomy, the disbelieving of women, on labeling women "crazy," and "Dear Prudence" and victim blaming.

It's MMMMonday! Each Monday, we bring you special, maintainer-curated content intended to enrich your VP experience. Please note that you can find past MMMMonday posts using the "featured-posts" tag.

Also, a quick reminder about the other places you can find VP: contact_vpfor questions and feedback on the way VP is run, and the Vulvapedia for basic questions.

For many people, it's the time of year for Halloween costume planning. What you might not be aware of is that some Halloween costumes that a lot of folks take for granted as acceptable are actually pretty problematic, appropriative, and/or insulting. Before you head out to your Halloween festivities this year, we invite you to check out these links that will help you avoid choosing a costume that may be hurtful to others.


(This image is from the 2011 "We are a Culture, Not a Costume poster campaign. This one features an image of an Asian woman holding a picture of a woman in a geisha costume, and the text reads "This is not who I am, and this is not okay.")

First, a piece from a Native American woman on how using her identity as a costume feels to her: My identity is not a costume for you to wear

Next, here are a couple of links illustrating the scope of racist Halloween costumes available for sale...clearly, this is not a major concern for many costume manufacturers and retailers, so it's up to the consumer to change things!

Halloween costume shopping: a sampling of the racism for sale

And more over here!


(These are a few of the 2012 series of "We are a Culture, Not A Costume" campaign posters, featuring people of various races next to photos of folks dressed in stereotyped versions of their race or culture for Halloween. The text on each reads "You wear the costume for one night. I wear the stigma for life.")

For many people, at least some of these types of costumes have never really been questioned or examined as problematic. Also, there is obviously a lot of mainstream acceptance for many of these kinds of costumes. If you're feeling uncertain and would like some specific pointers as to how to avoid a costume that may be hurtful, you may want to check out this article. It's pretty basic, but it does address some popular broad Halloween costume concepts to avoid. Some probably very incomplete, but simple, guidelines: don't use blackface, aim for representing a specific person rather than a broad representation of an entire race or culture, don't dress as any kind of hate group member, and don't fetishize a culture with a "sexy _____" costume.

And if you need a costume idea, you might want to check out Take Back Halloween.

Do you have questions or experiences to share? You are invited to do so in the comments! It's fine if you don't fully understand and want to know more, but please remember to check your privilege as you discuss this issue, and be respectful. Thanks, superstars! And happy Halloween. :)