bowiespants' Friends

prolonged effects of HBC after use
http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/news/20060103/less-sexual-desire-after-pill

Anyone have any more information about this? I've been wondering about this for about a year now. I got off the pill for about 4 months and my sex drive still did not return. I talked to my doctor about this and she said there was no evidence of the pill causing prolonged libido problems after taking it, so I got back on it. This is incredibly frustrating and there really should be more studies involving this. :(

short irregular period?
I don't know if this is just my body being really irregular or what, but i got what i assumed was my period ten days ago, i think on dec 21st, which was more than a week early by my count, and usually i'm around 27 to 30 day girl, so it definately caught me by surprise, normally i wouldn't expect my period until like today. I had pretty regular period like cramps, bright red bleeding, absolutely nothing dark or clotty, the latter of which is more normal for me. it only stuck around for two days. if that. and then disappeared. typically, my periods last between 4 to 6 days.

Now i'm not on any HBC, and the only method we use is withdrawl. my partner and I had sex in the days prior to me getting my 'period'. what i'm worried about is that maybe this was actually implantation bleeding. but everything i've read describes implantation bleeding as very light spotting. I wouldn't describe this as spotting. I don't know whats going on. and to make things worse i woke up this morning with more period like cramps and feeling generally like crap. like i was going to start my period. so now i'm just baffled. although i haven't started yet.

whats going on? oh and just for details once again, i'm 24, not on BC, not using condoms, and wondering if implantation bleeding can be experienced as more than just light spotting. or if my body is just being crazy. i've never been this irregular.

PREGNANCY RELATED MAYBE?
For the last week or so I have been having these really weird feelings in my lower abdomen/pelvic region. The best way I can describe it is a tightening, then pushing/pulling feeling, and sometimes a slight fluttery feeling. I have had my period since I was 13 and have never had this feeling, so I don't think it's just PMS related. It is not painful in anyway, just really weird. The people I described it to said that's exactly what a baby kicking around feels like. I have had a completely normal 28 day cycle wrt my period since the last time I had sex, and I have ALWAYS, without fail, been completely on schedule as far as my periods go. I had 2 negative pregnancy tests, so I'm pretty positive this isn't a pregnancy. I'm just wondering what else this feeling could be? I don't have insurance, so I don't just wanna go to the doctor if this isn't anything serious at all( and really my only options at this point would be ER/Urgent Care.) Also just FYI I DO NOT cannot stress enough DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT WANT TO BE PREGNANT (so it's really not just wishful thinking/hoping/etc.) I'm just at a loss, because every symptom I google comes up with something pregnancy related.

Current Mood: anxious

Vertical Hood Piercing (VCH)
First, I just wanted to say thank you to those kind ppl who answered my last question. Based on the responses, I have given a lot of thought to getting a VCH piercing. I've done a lot of research and looked at a lot of pictures but I'd like to know what you guys think about it. What was the experience like? Did it enhance your sensitivity? Was it worth the money/trouble?

Anything you're willing to share about getting your VCH piercing would really go a long way towards helping me make my decision. Thanks so much!

Current Mood: curious

Herpes question.
So as posted a while ago I recently found out I have HSV. What I need to know is that, generally, are sores kind of roundish?
I'm still trying to figure out when I'm having an outbreak and I think I may be having one now. I have an open cut on my perineum, where sores have happened twice before since I've had HSV. It looks more like a tear than something that swelled and then opened (as far as I understand this is what happens? something like a blister that then opens up?) .
Basically I don't want to use my Zovirax if this isn't an outbreak, as I cannot afford to misuse it.

Also. There needs to be a facebook version of VP too. All in favor?

Second Depo Shot
I posted a few days ago about getting the depo provera shot a day early. I decided to just reschedule the appointment to tomorrow. I have a new series of questions though. When I get my next shots do I get an examination each time? I should only need the full examination once a year, right? I basically want to know if I should shave my legs in preparation of the stirrups or not. :) Also, do I take a pregnancy test before the shot is given? Thanks!

Negative pregancy test + soreness
Ok, so, I'm desperately in need of some advice/opinions, whatever.

So, I was stupid. I had unprotected sex on the 20th, 22nd, and the 23rd of December. I wasn't on birth control at the time. My period is due any time now (it usually gets here around the last week of the month). I went to the local health department and took a pregnancy test which was negative. They said that if I don't get my period in the next two weeks that I should take another. What are the chances that it was too soon to register on the stick if I am pregnant? Has anyone had this happen?

Also, they said I have a UTI, but I don't have any of the usual symptoms (and I've had a UTI before) however my vag feels sore and kinda irritated. Like when you have rough sex with no lubrication. But it's been days and we didn't have rough or unlubricated sex so it doesn't make any sense. Is soreness a rare UTI symptom or could I possibly have something else? Please give me some peace of mind here; I'm going crazy.

Oh, and I don't know if this matters but I'm 19. Thanks in advance!

Oral sex sweeteners
Just wondering... So people say that eating fruits, especially pineapples, can make you taste sweeter, thus probably making oral sex more enjoyable. (I say "probably" 'cause I haven't tried it yet; haven't received it, haven't given it. But I'm pretty sure you can cross that "probably" out of the sentence...) Anyway, I was just wondering: how long before having said sex should you have eaten the "sweeteners"?

Oh, and other than pineapples: any other suggestions that can have the same sweetening effect? I myself love pineapples, so it won't be any problem incorporating them into my diet, but I'd like to have a wider variety of options... I know alcohol, caffeine and asparagus are big no-nos.

Thanks in advance, as always.

pregnancy worries..
Alright, starting off. Im just a generally really paranoid person to begin with so hopefully this is just me driving myself crazy and not anything really to be worried about.

I Had sex towards the end of november and when my boyfriend pulled out after he came the condom was still in my vagina. I kind of freaked but since he has a genetic disorder we figure he probably isnt the most potent. I forget the exact date now but it was right after my period ended and so I calculated it wasn't in my most fetrile period.

So I was supposed to get my period the 27th. It was a bit late so I started to freak and have been stressing about this whole thing. I ended up getting it this morning and thought I could breathe a sigh of relief, but my period is a lot lighter than it usually is, especially on the first day. The cramps have been really awful and I have a terrible headache. I havent really had any symptoms of pregnancy other than moodyness and peeing all the time. But thats not that rare for me haha.

So what do you guys think? Am I pregnant or just driving myself crazy? Hearing about "i didnt know I was pregnant" stories are making it worse. heh. Regardless I plan to buy a pee test tommorrow but I figured posting here would help me calm down

Itchy rash-like bumps. And how to get rid of them?!
Hello VP'ers. I am having lady-part woes. About a week ago, my labia area started itching. I scratched (bad, bad idea) and irritated it more. Then decided maybe shaving would help and am now noticing that I have rash-like bumps and redness all over my labia/inner thighs. I don't know if the bumps are related to shaving or the itching, but here are some facts:

-Am on NuvaRing
-Had unprotected sex 3 months ago
-Have some whitish/slightly yellow discharge
-Took my NuvaRing out tonight and there was thicker white discharge on the ring
-Vagina started itching while I was on a cruise (this is probably completely unrelated, but who knows?!)

Anyway, I am hoping this is just irritation from shaving/soap/the scratching/etc. and that it will clear up by Saturday (when I plan to have sexy-time with my bf)... If it's just irritation, any tips to make it go away faster? Or could it be something else?

sponges for menstruation
hi all...
i'm trying to find a place near me that sells menstrual sponges... i can't find one at the moment, the one place i think sells them is very far right now... so i was wondering if i could use the sea sponge loofas that are sold at like cvs? does anyone know?
i know this is kind of a dumb question but it doesn't hurt to ask... i know some are synthetic and that probably can't be good, but there are some all natural ones...

thanks in advance!

Fixing botched month of BCP
Hello, Everyone.

I just had a quick question about fixing the timing of my birth control. I take Alesse28 for the record.

Here's the sitch. I normally take my pill 11am everyday. I just finished up my sugar pill week and was supposed to start my new pack on Sunday 11am. Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, I was unable to start on time. The first time I was able to take a pill was Tuesday evening. Now, I know that my protection is compromised until I have taken seven active pills, that's not a problem, and my boyfriend and I are using backup. I took two pills on Tuesday, and have been taking one a day since, and I'm thinking that in order to maintain my protection further on I just need to keep taking them once a day till the end of the pack and then if I wanted to keep my cycle the same I could just start the new one on the Sunday instead of waiting until the Tuesday start its moved to.

Does this make sense?

Is there a better way to do this. Basically I'm concerned with keeping a Sunday start day, and maintaining protection with this pack of pills going forward, and I'm thinking if I stop with the one extra pill left over then I won't have taken the full 21 days worth and will lose that months protection.

Any help you guys can give me, I would really appreciate.

Taking sugar pills early?
Hi everyone, I checked the tags and didn't see this question posted...hopefully it hasn't already been answered!

I take Yaz as a form of birth control and, since I am home away from college, decided to begin taking my sugar pills a few days early so that I wouldn't have my period when I returned to school for classes. Normally I begin my period two days after I take the sugar pills, but I am almost through the third day and I have yet to start. I'm wondering if starting my period early (5 or more days) is throwing off the rhythm of my cycle or if I should be concerned about pregnancy?

Just looking for clarification - HBC Withdrawal

In ref to this post: http://community.livejournal.com/vaginapagina/17656471.html

I've been off HBC for 1 month+ few days. When my period arrived this month, it was precisely on time (mirror to the date/days if I were still taking HBC). I experienced absolutely no symptoms of ovulation or PMS. No sore breasts like I normally would off HBC, etc. It was just.. Boom. There on the 17th.

If I'm ovulating right now, because many women do not ovulate textbook every 14 days(?), could my current symptoms of nausea, sore breasts and period-like cramps be the culprit of ovulation and my hormones going back to the norm (and not pregnancy)? Even if I were taking HBC for ONLY 3 months, is it still possible I could still experience withdrawal symptoms?

I'm sorry to be a pain in the arse. I just really do not feel 'right', though realize from the responses to my previous post it's utterly impossible my symptoms are cause of pregnancy -- and so quickly, too. I can't attribute any of this to being sick/something viral.

Again -- many thanks

Sex soon after pregnancy
Why can't you have sex for so many weeks after giving birth?

also, I've heard some women who did not follow the rule and had sex sooner than what they were supposed to..for those who did did it hurt or feel funny?

first post
I checked the memories, and they answered my first question but now I have more. lol

has any one had any experience with nature's bounty probiotic acidophilus capsules for digestive health for treating yeast infections?

if so, how long do I take them and how far up do they go when inserted vaginally?

one more,
if taken by mouth by a male,
would it clear up a light infection? and how long should he take them?
or would just the creams work?

um, I should also probably mention that I've had this one yeast infection for like 5 or 6 years. @_@
I've tried to treat it, but the over the counter stuff doesn't work
(it dried me out REALLY bad and made my inner vagina(lol) all irritated)
and I tried the stuff the gynos give you but was only able to take one pill of the 6 month medication she gave me
(though, I think it was for mult. yeast infections not just one I've had forever and ever) so I figured to try those pills and maybe douching with the duluded apple cider vinigar stuff I found in the memories.

sorry I know real little about this stuff. @_@

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: rose of may-katethegreat19

Dry, cracked skin around vulva
(Using the search function, I've tried to find anything similar to my question, but have not)

I've been plagued over the last couple of years by very dry and cracking skin at the top of my vulva, appearing like a continuation of the creases between labia majora and minora. The skin splits and flakes for no apparent reason.

I have been trimming away the hair in that area for easier access and gently cleaning it often. Normally I would apply some vaseline and it would go away. However, over the last few weeks it has been constant with a LOT of itching (keeping me awake at night- as bad as a Y.I.!). I've tried using Polysporin but that seems to make it worse. Due to recurring Y.I., I prefer not to use lotions around my vaginal area. It definitely isn't an STI, in any case.

I'm wondering if any of you are familiar with this and know a solution! Thank you :)

Hair removal
I want to try an at home permanent hair removal system. I have heard of 3 that are on the market Tria Beauty, Silk'n, and no!no! All 3 use different things to remove the hair and I don't know which one would be better. Has anyone ever used any of these products? Do they really work? Any info would be really helpful :) Thanks.

http://www.triabeauty.com/

http://www.silkn.com/

http://www.my-no-no.com/

Provera Question?
So my periods have been way off since having my son almost 14 months ago. They just never seem to come on time. My shortest cycle was 14 days and my longest has been 65 days. So I finally made an appointment with my GYN. She said that they could be off due to stress from having a baby but still wanted to check me for PCOS.

So here is my question. For those of you who have taken Provera How long did it take you to get your period on it? Problem is that my GYN office only does Ultrasounds ( that are non OB ) on Wednesdays and she said that I had to be 3-5 days into my cycle. I am trying to figure out when to take it. They rushed me out of the office before I could ask. The nurse said to take it now and the pharmasist ( who was a guy and didn't know much ) said to start tomorrow. Should I got with the nurses advice and take it now or wait a day or two? My biggest fear is that my period is going to start right away.

I am scared to death of being diagnosed with PCOS.

My sex life sucks right now
So, my fiance asked me the other day "are you satisfied?" And I told him the truth, "no." And it's not that he's a bad lover, it's more me. Like yesterday, I wanted to have sex, I was aroused, but when he touched me, I felt nothing and it crushed me. I cried for a long time afterwards because of it. However, he's extremely supportive. He has encouraged me to masturbate more often both to decrease stress (which will help) and to maybe increase my drive (which will also help).

My biggest problem is that I am unsure of how to talk to him about sex now. I used to be so open and willing to discuss anything. Now I feel uncomfortable and insecure. This insecurity about discussing sex happened right after I had an abortion, and it just hasn't gone away. I have discussed what happened surrounding the abortion in therapy to make peace with it, but I guess something didn't come out? Maybe it's a hormonal backlash?

I think my best bet though is to try to just start talking to him again. But I'm not sure how without hurting his feelings. I don't know how to give him direction. Like sometimes he will be massaging me, down there, and he's really rough (like he presses too hard) and it's uncomfortable, but I don't want to tell him "hey, you're pressing too hard" because I feel like it ruins the mood. Plus I have issues with getting wet and orgasm issues. I can orgasm from a vibe, but I get like "stage fright" if I use it with him. I feel like I have to put on a show and it freaks me out.

Any ideas that might help the overall situation?

BV?
Hey everyone,

I've got some questions about BV. I've been using a menstrual cup for almost a year now and I love it. But I THINK I may have noticed some changes in my vagina, though I can't be sure, since I don't really keep a journal about these things and I can be a little paranoid about my sexual health. FWIW, I'm on the pill and in a monogamous relationship.

Anyway, occasionally I'll have a significant amount of discharge. Like yesterday, the crotch of my black underwear was significantly stained white. One time a few months ago, I was standing in the kitchen and felt a "PLOP" down the side of my leg (ick). It's always white/clear - never yellow or green - and many other times my discharge seems pretty normal in its quantity. As far as smell - sometimes my vagina smells a little "fishier" and sometimes it smells like garlic - but never is it a strong smell. I notice it on my hands after using the Diva cup or after masturbating. With BV related odor - is it like, a smell that bowls you over? I've had some periods of irritation (towards the end of my period I often get irritation in my vag/vulva if I'm not careful about avoiding soap when using the Diva Cup), but it always goes away and generally, day to day, I experience no irritation.

I guess the bottom line is that these symptoms are really intermittent and never really severe, but I was wondering nonetheless if this sounded like it could be BV. Anyone who's had BV - any insights?

Thanks a lot everyone! And Happy New Year. :)

Vibrators and Orgasms

I'm wondering if I'm the only one who rarely (like maybe 1% of the time) can get off with a vibrator. Also, I feel like it takes me a very long time to orgasm in general. I'm on antidepressants but it was like this before I ever started taking them. Is it possible that all this time I've simply had no idea what I was doing, or...?

Anyway, if anyone can sympathize with a really-hard-to-achieve orgasm, I'd be so grateful to hear what you found that finally worked (or if its a permanent thing.)

pill stacking and persistant bleeding
Just a random question.
I am on Yaz, and have been for about a year and a half. In the last half a year me and my gyno have decided that it would be beneficial for me to stop taking the placebos at the end of the month and just generally not bleed. This is due to my mother's growth near her uterus because of a thick mucus wall (or something equally as strange) plus that I've had ridiculous cramps every month since the day I got my period. Anyways, I was enitially a little nervous, but it works out great.

First, I can't recall exactly what she said but I decided maybe it would be best if I took the placebos every few months and let all that stored up blood out. But when I tried to do that I found that I just kept bleeding. It would be a week after I've started the real pills again and I would still be solidly bleeding. Is that how it's supposed to work? If I was on a pill designed for only bleeding a few times a year (such as Seasonique), would I still bleed like a stuck pig?

Second, I had a yeast infection. Not odd for me. I was prescribed antibiotics and took them the full 10 days. I've heard this happens and I read up on it, and I knew my birth control was probably not going to work. Yes, I used a back-up method and what not. And my period started, completely, like I had a feeling it would. But I bled for a month straight. I never stopped taking my pills, just the real pills, no placebos. Never missed any or anything. It was heavy as usual for about 2 weeks and then it was just light, but once a day, every day. I ruined so many pairs of underwear saying to myself "Today is the day it will stop. I'm sure I won't bleed today." I'm just wondering Why?

Condom Lube Question?
My boyfriend and I have been having sex since about April and I've been on HBC (Loestrin 24), so we haven't used condoms much. However, the past couple of times I've slipped up and missed my pill, we have, but I have a question.

The lube on the condom seems to wear off really, really fast. Today, we were using just a regular Trojan lubricated condom and after about three minutes, it started getting really uncomfortable, like the lube had wore off or something? That's happened one other time, with a Trojan Twisted Pleasure, but I'm not sure if that's normal or not. Are you supposed to have lube handy when you use condoms or is this just something weird about my vagina environment? I'm just confused. Can anyone enlighten me?

(This is my first post but I'm a huge lurker :] )

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