Where to start? I am currently 2 weeks into my period and there seems to be no end in sight. Sure, it had been 9 weeks since my last bleed (which was from a D&C for a molar pregnancy), so I expected it to be a bit different and perhaps a bit longer, but seriously I've had enough now. I've heard of things like Parsley for inducing periods, is there anything natural to make one stop!?  I am on Depo by the way, still have a few weeks left before the next shot is due.

Also, any ideas on an itching/soreness I have? It's currently on the inside of my labia minora. It looks red and bumpy. The exact thing happened last time I bled after the D&C about 14 days into it, just like this time. Last time it developed into the most extreme itch I've ever experienced and also spread to the entire inside of my vagina. I'm wondering if it's a hormone thing or if it's a change in the blood that I'm reacting to. I saw my doctor last time, but by the time I could get in to see her the worst of it was over and she had no idea of what it could be. These two times are the only times I've experienced anything like this. I use cloth pads, but I use them even when I'm not on my period so that can't be it (also, the fact that it's inside doesn't point to that being the cause). I wasn't using anything other than pads after the D&C either. No signs of a YI either, although I did get one last time, but that was only after all the skin from inside my vagina peeled off after the itching episode was pretty much over for a few days. I'm baffled, so any ideas would be appreciated. 
Oh, something of note, back when I used disposable pads I used to get a rash on my labia majora near the end of my period which I always put down to the disposable pads, but now I am kind of thinking it sort of fits in with the idea of hormones or reacting to the blood...

Is it normal for cycles to suddenly become much shorter? I'm 16, have had my period since I was 10 and after a year or two of irregularity it's settled down into a very regular 28-30 days long cycle. My previous period came 2 weeks early, but lasted for the normal 5 days. Now I've got my period again, and it's 1 1/2 weeks early. I'm definitely not pregnant, not on any birth control and I haven't had any major weight changes recently, so I don't know what's causing this. Is it something to be worried about or will it just settle itself down again?

The past day or so I've been feeling a kind of weird sensation in my lower abdomen area, at the level of my hips, pretty much where I would assume my ovaries to be. It's concentrated pretty much to the right center area (in the middle of my hips, but more to the right side, if that makes sense). It's not painful, and not a cramp... it just feels kind of like pressure... it's hard to describe. My period, which was totally normal, basically ended Sunday and has been kind of trickling to an end since then (also normal for me). I've never really experienced anything like this before, and while it's not painful, it just doesn't really feel "normal" to me either. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I don't have insurance so I'd like to avoid going to the doctor if not necessary... But I'm worrying about what this could be. Hopefully it's just me being overly paranoid because I recently lost my health insurance. Or is it actually something I need to worry about? I'm not sexually active so I know it's nothing to do with pregnancy. I'm also not on any kind of birth control. Thanks!

My mom just bought me a load of very expensive ginseng supplements, which I've read can interact with HBC (I'm on Aviane which is a generic version of the estrogen pill). Does anyone know what these effects are?? I feel really guilty not taking the ginseng since it was so pricey. :P

Hey guys,
I'm pretty scared right now. I shaved for the first time today in a few months and I have a few pimple like spots. I get cold sores and this doesn't really feel like it nor is it in clusters. I have been looking online to see what genital herpes looks like and this doesn't really look like the graphic photos I've seen. I really am a paranoid person and I know you guys are not doctors but maybe you can help. I have included some links of pictures of what I'm experiencing because for some reason my lj- cut does not want to work and I'm feeling frantic. Please let me know what you think. Thank you thank you thank you. 

 i47.tinypic.com/5ybygp.jpg
i46.tinypic.com/33yp2te.jpg
i49.tinypic.com/1t27t3.jpg
i46.tinypic.com/2z5vvi0.jpg

Hi there! I was just wondering of someone could recommend a vibrating cock ring. I looked through the memories but what I could find was really just people asking what one was.

I guess the only thing I should mention that may make a difference is that my BF is a bit smaller than average I think (I haven't actually measured it, but I think it is). He MIGHT be right on average as far as length but as far as girth I'd guess it's about a 1 inch diameter (disclaimer: I am bad at guesstimating measurements. But it's about the diameter, though slightly smaller, of two of my fingers and when I measure that they're an inch), so I worry about buying something that will be too big and will make him feel bad.

Also, as I've seen they can be worn either way, something that doesn't have to go around the testicles may be best, as BF is already a bit skeptical about one around his penis and may not be comfortable with something that goes around the whole system. He's willing to try but wants something that can be worn either way, just in case. He also is not keen on anal stimulation (neither am I), though perineum stimulation is fine (though not necessary).

A quieter one would be best as well, as we live with housemates and our walls are really thin, and replaceable batteries would be ideal.

What I'm looking at right now are these:

Ring one

Ring two

Ring three

Ring four The glowing aspect of this one is a little weird, but eh. May make it more fun :P

Ring five

Does anyone have any experience with these? Or have any other cock rings that they would recommend?

Thank you very much for your help!

So I've been reading this community for the past couple of days, and I think you guys might be able to give me some insight for my problem..I think that I have a problem of settling down. I really want to be in a committed relationship because I love being intimate and I just need that emotional connection, but every time I end up having sex with a person- I no longer see that person as very desirable. I feel like I've been leading on many guys, and I end up hurting them because of this issue. I can't just tell them "Hey I know we have had an amazing time for the past 4-5 months, But as soon as we have sex, I'll have to drop you." I feel like they have all been great guys, and the sex was amazing, but I am just no longer interested in them after I have sex with them. I tell myself, that it was lust to begin with, and I just need to find the right guy that I will be able to fall in love with! Sorry if this is a stupid question, but does anyone have any insight?

okay, so i started Apri birth control three and a half weeks ago hoping to control pains i had been having but i'm not sexually active. it worked, pain-wise. but i was wondering- will the awful side effects go away? my skin's been a mess lately- way oily and lots of zits. especially frustrating because i had just found a skin care routine that really worked for me. also, i've been very, very irritable and angry. i'm usually pretty calm and reasonable but i just turned into a beast this month. i'm hoping these will go away next month?

also, is this normal? i took my last active pill on friday night. i forgot my sugar pill saturday night and by the time i noticed it was 15 hours late. i've taken them every day since but haven't had any signs of a period yet. is that okay?

thanks.

Hey - So I grew up being told that I'd get TSS (or whatever it's called) if i wore a tampon to bed. Now I hear that you can have one in for up to 8 hours? I never sleep more than 8 hours, so is it okay to wear tampons to bed now? I just got new fleece sheets, so it'd be really awesome if I didn't stain them! Thanks!

Hello, first time posting here.

So usually my period is very consistent and on schedule (last few days of the month and sometimes going into the first few days of the following month). I started my period November 28 and lasted about 5 days - nothing unusual.

But then I got my period around December 12th (give or take a few days) which was right before finals week started so I figured I might of been a little stressed out from that which induced a period.

Today (January 5th) I started my period again.
so I'm trying to figure out why I've had three periods in a short amount of time.  At the moment I'm not any more stressed out than usual.  I don't think my diet has changed much - maybe I might be eating a little more because of the holidays. but I don't really think I'm eating that much more than I usually do.

So I'm thinking stress most likely caused this (even though when I've been more stressed out in the past I didn't have more periods than usual), but it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion.
Are there any other things that can cause more frequent periods like this? and should I be worried?


some info about me: I'm 21 years old, not sexually active (so that rules out pregnancy/miscarriage), and not on any birth control.

Thanks in advance.

Today in yoga we were about to do a shoulder stand and the teacher told us not to do it if we were menstruating. I couldn't figure out why. Is there a medical reason not to spend too much time upside down while menstruating?

I've been taking Estelle HBC (I'm in Australia) for about 2 years now, mainly to help clear up my skin and make my periods a bit lighter. But one thing that I'm finding extremely frustrating is how long it takes for my period to come. I take my last pill on a Friday around 6pm; it's now Wednesday morning and STILL no period. How come? is this normal? I usually will either get it sometime today or even tomorrow. My period normally lasts maybe 3 days. It's just strange because I have to start my next pack on Saturday night - is that OK to do when I'm in the middle of my period?

Hi, I have somewhat of a question to ask all of you! It's kind of hard to phrase so I will just go right in, hopefully you all can follow along.
So as background info to my question, it should be worth noting that I am 18 and have been in a monogamous relationship with my boyfriend of 2 and a half years and we intend on staying together/getting married if our situations work out to our advantage. I've been on and off birth control since I was 16. I first went on depo for 9 months, then went off for about 9 months, then went on Lutera, which I've been on since June of 2009. We always practice 'safe' sex (That is, consistent use of birth control + withdrawal).
Now, my mother found my birth control pills approximately 3 weeks ago. She wasn't surprised but at the same time didn't know I was having sex. She acted supportive and told me to just practice safe sex and she would be happy. After that, she told my Dad. He proceeded to treat me like a child and then tried to have the 'sex talk' with my boyfriend and me. Also, it's worth noting that every time I told him I was going to my boyfriends house, he asked if his parents were there, which is extremely out of character.
During the 'sex talk' he had with my boyfriend and me, he treated the idea of sex with this...almost fearful sort of attitude. He kept saying that I was gonna have a baby and that I wouldn't be able to do anything and that it would all be terrible.
What I don't quite understand is why 'older' people don't trust birth control? I'm on birth control and use the withdrawal method, so I don't have any fear of pregnancy. At all.
I heard him talking with my 20 year old brother about sex this morning, and he said the same thing. It's like he doesn't understand the concept of birth control.
It's almost humorous that my dad would have the sex talk with me after I had already been having sex for two years.

So now that I've rambled on about my back story, here's my question. Why is is that some people don't trust birth control? And why is it that parents have such a fearful view of sex? I think it's beautiful and it's something I have educated myself on without either of my parents help. Why must it be something looked down upon?
I don't know if I will get any of these questions answered but it certainly helped getting all of this out. Thanks :)

So... I think I have a reoccuring YI. At least, I think thats what it is. I got tested for STIs a while back and came up positive for chlamydia (sp?) but everything else came back fine, so I don't know if it's possible it's another type of bacteria-related issue? I'm going to get this checked out. I was on antibiotics for YEARS for my acne and I'm wondering if this messed up my ph levels? My real question is, realistically... I might not be able to get an appointment for a few weeks. Would it be okay if I treated this YI (or at least, thats what I think it is), for now, and still go in? Or would that defeat the whole purpose? Even if it it clears up, could they still tell if there was an issue with yeast? Is there anything I can do to keep my PH levels in check? Maybe I should do some home remedies? I've always used the creams but I think I've built up a tolerance to them, tbh. I use them and it seems to come back a month or two months later. I just dont think I can go a few weeks with this mess. Grrr.

Another question... (I'm not sure if this is an appropriate question, but I think it is). I came out of an emotionally abusive and destructive relationship a little over eight months ago and I'm having trouble regaining my sense of self. Could any of you recommend any good empowering literature, particularly directed towards females? (I'm in therapy and am exploring medication right now)

Thank you.

I was on Yaz for 4.5 years, and stopped taking the pill in September. I had clear skin until October, and have been breaking out like crazy ever since. I had clear skin before the pill and while I was on the pill. I was going through a lot of stress in November, and thought maybe my skin was acting up, but now I'm feeling a lot and better and my skin is atrocious. I had a normal period for the month of September, October, and December. I think I skipped November's period due to stress.

Has the bad skin happened to anyone coming off the pill? How long should I give my skin to go back to normal? will it ever go back to normal or should I get back on the pill?

Hi VPers! I've googled this but just wanted to make sure.
I watched a massage video where the guy used grapeseed oil and he said it was safe for the vagina/vulva. Just wondering if this is true?

Also, what kinds of body oils or liquids do you use for body rubs and safe for the vulva?

Ty!

Have you ever been to Planned Parenthood for a consultation and birth control? Do you remember how much it costs? I'm a student with no job, and the insurance my parents have isn't covered by PP, so essentially I have absolutely no money, and I was wondering what I need to say to them in order to convey the fact that I need to get out of there with as small a fee as I can get away with.

ETA: Is calling ahead tomorrow going to do any good, or do I just need to turn up as a walk-in?  I don't need an exam - I'm not having sex.

do you guys think it's possible to catch an STD from toilet water?

i know this sounds ridic, but hear me out. take HSV, for example. i know you can get oral HSV from sharing a glass with someone. so wouldn't it then follow that you could get genital HSV if toilet water splashed on you?

i ask this because our toilets at work have kind of a mind of their own, and today one went crazy when i flushed and splashed dirty water all over my ass. i know. gross. and it's not like i could shower at work; i had to wait until i got home. so i'm just wondering if you guys have heard of people getting diseases this way - i know it's probably unlikely, but i wasn't sure if it was possible, and i tend to be a bit of a hypochondriac, so i need you guys to be my sanity check.

I've been on Nuva Ring for almost a year and have loved it and have learned to trust it. With my partner I rely on the nuva alone and we dont use condoms.I leave it in all the time during sex and have adapted really well to it. I've always thought to be at the point in my life that if a baby came along ... it would be manageable, but not ideal as of right now.
Well I could say those WERE my thoughts. The other day my friend had a baby and I was with her through the labor, delivery and now staying to help her care for the infant. Needless to say I have become extremely gun shy about having children of my own now and know that right now is NOT the right time for a baby.

Has anybody else had similar experiences to make them suddenly lose trust in their birth control? I really want to add condoms to the routine but dont know how to go about it. I am in a longterm relationship with my boyfriend who is amazing. We have talked about our plan of action in case we get pregnant and are pretty open about talking and stuff.  I have been his only partner and we've never used condoms before. He is my second parner and I have used condoms before him.  I'm afraid that my fear of getting pregant is going to negativly impact our relationship. Any advice on how to go about the condom conversation with him? I'm afraid that it will be a huge adjustment for him... any advice about how to smoothly transition from condomless sex to sex with a condom?
Thanks so much.

so i broke my thumb boarding with a friend and had to spend new years on the couch after sugery. the biggest thing i was concerned about was how many calories they pumped into me after surgery. i guess i was really dehyrated. so yea. i gained like 5 lbs because of this. im gona cry. i hate this disease. i want to be normal. i want to be happpy. but then when i think of it, i'd rather be THIN. wat is wrong with me??