Women's Health Issues: LadyGardening for Dummies

Wibbs

But whats the point of it if statistically the chances of finding what it's testing for are so low? Some women may actually want to retain their hymen, if they have one as for them it is part of their virginity(people can be funny about such things). Also, breaking of the hymen can be quite painful for some women. If a woman is a virgin, she may have an intact hymen and she should inform her doctor of this and see what the doctor advises as far as undergoing a test that may not be particularly warranted. I happen to agree with you re scaremongering but I don't dismiss others who may attach more importance to such things.

liliq

If the hymen is intact, I don't think a doctor will take a smear.
A doctor/ nurse taking a smear would usually ask whether or not a person is sexually active, and would then know whether to possibly expect an intact hymen!

Statistically the chances are lower, but HPV can be transmitted without penetrative sex. If a woman never has sex with a man throughout her life, there is still a significant chance that she has contracted the virus, and therefore a possibility of developing cervical cancer. Would it still be appropriate for that woman to not have a smear done??

sam34

Wibbs wrote: »

But whats the point of it if statistically the chances of finding what it's testing for are so low? Some women may actually want to retain their hymen, if they have one as for them it is part of their virginity(people can be funny about such things). Also, breaking of the hymen can be quite painful for some women. If a woman is a virgin, she may have an intact hymen and she should inform her doctor of this and see what the doctor advises as far as undergoing a test that may not be particularly warranted. I happen to agree with you re scaremongering but I don't dismiss others who may attach more importance to such things.

that's veering away from the point which was someone stating that a smear "will do harm" to a virgin. that's just scare-mongering, pure and simple.

i'm well aware that some people and cultures hold having an intact hymen in high regard, but it's very possible that a virgin may not have an intact one for other reasons. not having an intact hymen does not equal not being a virgin, as you know. it seems to me a bit silly to place such value on something that is outside someones control, ie women may break the hymen without realising it through exercise or whatever. but this part of the discussion is best suited to humanities i think!

back on-topic, its something the individual woman should discuss with her doc/nurse, and weigh up the risks/benefits. but it cannot be blankly stated that its a harmful procedure based on the fact that shes a virgin.

Mrs Garth Brooks

Has anyone ever taken the morning after pill before? How long are the side effects meant to last? The leaflet doesn't say and its not something i usually ask a doctor or pharmacist. Though think i might call into a chemist tomorrow and ask the pharmacist, though its embarrassing.

Im having a nightmare. I had my lady friend last week and finished on thursday. Took morning after pill on saturday and on monday i had very light bleeding. 2 days later and its heavier. The leaflet does say you may get bleedding but how long is this meant to last? I have had other side effects after taking it but it only lasted a day. Its a nightmare!

This may be a stupid question but the blood that comes out during your period is the blood that lines the uterus ready for a fertilised egg? If its not fertilised, its comes out as the period and it starts all over again?

I just had mine last week, surely i shouldn't have much blood to lose. But where is it coming from?

LegacyUser

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

Has anyone ever taken the morning after pill before? How long are the side effects meant to last? The leaflet doesn't say and its not something i usually ask a doctor or pharmacist. Though think i might call into a chemist tomorrow and ask the pharmacist, though its embarrassing.

Im having a nightmare. I had my lady friend last week and finished on thursday. Took morning after pill on saturday and on monday i had very light bleeding. 2 days later and its heavier. The leaflet does say you may get bleedding but how long is this meant to last? I have had other side effects after taking it but it only lasted a day. Its a nightmare!

This may be a stupid question but the blood that comes out during your period is the blood that lines the uterus ready for a fertilised egg? If its not fertilised, its comes out as the period and it starts all over again?

I just had mine last week, surely i shouldn't have much blood to lose. But where is it coming from?

A few days after taking it I started bleeding lightly. I basically had a full period, only a little lighter than my usual heavy periods. Then a week afterwards (when it was due as normal) I had a real period. I admit that I found it very odd to have two periods in the one month!

LegacyUser

Hi everyone,

I just started nuvaring two weeks ago and I put it in on the first day of my period. Last weekend I had sex with my bf. But from last Monday, I have had light bleeding - like, really light, but enough for me to start worrying. Has anybody else had experience of this? I've got one more week before I take out the ring for my next period.

NicsM

ALR wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I just started nuvaring two weeks ago and I put it in on the first day of my period. Last weekend I had sex with my bf. But from last Monday, I have had light bleeding - like, really light, but enough for me to start worrying. Has anybody else had experience of this? I've got one more week before I take out the ring for my next period.

I've been on the Nuvaring for nearly 10 months now and spotted constantly for the duration of the first ring-my period finished as normal and then I spotted right up until a couple of days before I was due to take the ring out. It was very very light and at times unnoticeable. If you read the information leaflet with it, it does say spotting is to be expected during your first ring.

spur

perri winkles wrote: »

Hey ladies,

Visited my GP to talk about contraception. She suggested the injection or the implant.

Anyone tried either of them? I don't really like the idea of the bar in my arm. Is it really sore? Does it hurt if you hit off something?

Also with the injection, she said that your period usually disappears altogether. Is it not a bit weird not having it? Do you not wonder if you could be pregnant if it doesn't arrive ? :eek:

Any help greatly appriciated

I used implant for a while. It's great as once its in, that's it, no need to remember anything and after 1 follow-up appointment, that's it until its taken out. It was a little painful to put in - but as another poster said its the anaesthic that hurts! I had it in for about 2.5 years. For a while I just had normal periods, but over time they got very heavy, to the point where some months I had 2 weeks of really heavy bleeding - the kind where any normal sanitary item wouldn't do - I can remember shiftign slightly in a car seat one day, feeling an absolute gush and knowing that I needed to get to a loo fast!! I got this every 2nd month for about 6 months and then it all went back to normal - slightly heavier than usual periods - I was also planning a wedding aroudn this time, so I wonder if some of it was stress-related.
Although it was uncomfortable, I actualyl didn't consider taking it out!!
I took it out later on and that hurt!! It was a locum did it and she couldn't grasp it - it took 20+ minutes. It did hurt, but not to the point where I couldn't bear it.
I could always feel mine and I think i was supposed to be able to - once the initial bruising went, touching it didnt hurt at all - it was under my left arm (I am right-handed, which is why she chose left)
Good luck wiht it. My GP also offered me the injection, but she did say that fertility was slower to return with the injection after stopping - I didn't wnat to be backand forth to her for injections anyway!!

LegacyUser

Hi,

I'm on Microlite for 2 years. Started taking it because I was having painful periods, would miss college etc. Recently (last 6 months or so), I still feel like I'm having a 'period' during my free week - I have cramps, feel tired etc. It's nowhere near how I used to be before I started taking the pill, but I certainly find it annoying. I don't know why I'm feeling these pains, I thought taking the pill was meant to get rid of those symptons!

Anybody else in the same boat? I need to get my prescription updated next month so I'm def going to tell my doctor but I'm just wondering if anybody else goes through the same thing as me?

ugliest

Hi girlies!

Just wondering if anyone can give me a bit of info about weight loss on the pill. I just started a month ago and noticed a bit of weight loss pretty suddenly. I've tried fairly hard to stay at my original weight (which involves eating lots of junk food which seems like a silly thing to do to be healthy :-/). I was nowhere near underweight (bit tubby if I'm honest ), but it's my understanding that if you're under 7 stone it can make your cycle go kinda erratic (which makes me think I may be giving myself health problems :-/).

Anyway, my question is, should I just go back to eating normally and let my weight naturally go to whatever point it finds, or should I start making an effort to eat extra meals etc. to stay around the 7 stone mark?

Any help would be great, thanks!

LegacyUser

I was just wondering if i was normal or not. My labia protrudes out about an inch outside, not the prettiest garden ever but i was curious did anyone else have this???

Adelie

ugliest wrote: »

Hi girlies!

Just wondering if anyone can give me a bit of info about weight loss on the pill. I just started a month ago and noticed a bit of weight loss pretty suddenly. I've tried fairly hard to stay at my original weight (which involves eating lots of junk food which seems like a silly thing to do to be healthy :-/). I was nowhere near underweight (bit tubby if I'm honest ), but it's my understanding that if you're under 7 stone it can make your cycle go kinda erratic (which makes me think I may be giving myself health problems :-/).

Anyway, my question is, should I just go back to eating normally and let my weight naturally go to whatever point it finds, or should I start making an effort to eat extra meals etc. to stay around the 7 stone mark?

Any help would be great, thanks!

Sudden weight loss is something you should talk to your GP about. I guess you have to have a Pill check up again in 2 months so you should decide yourself if it's serious enough to go now or wait until then. But definitely say it to your GP next time you have a check-up, or sooner if the weight loss continues or if you have other symptoms. The 7 stone thing totally depends on your height & build and noone here can advise you on that.

ugliest

Thanks Adelie.

I'd read weight loss can be a side effect, grand. I'd also read/heard something on tv about 7 stone being the point when most girls start their period (hence the number of girls starting earlier these days (cos of the massive numbers of childhood obesity)), and I was kinda concerned it might be the cut off point or something.

-probably me being silly and a case of "a little knowledge being a dangerous thing".

I'll just see how it goes and not worry too much about it till I see her again, thanks!

aceygray

trasder wrote: »

I was just wondering if i was normal or not. My labia protrudes out about an inch outside, not the prettiest garden ever but i was curious did anyone else have this???

Like any other body part, the vulva varies from person to person. As duckula said, there is no "typical" or set way for them to look. I think the reason some women are insecure about this, is that they are unlikely to have ever seen another woman's genitals, so they don't know what "normal" looks like.

I actually have a link to an interesting art project which involved making casts of lots of different women's vulvae. I'm sure it would make you feel better about what you have, as it shows the great variety in size and shape of all the bits, but I'm a bit reluctant to post it here, as it's not exactly SFW! Maybe someone can advise if it's ok to post?

LegacyUser

thanks my boyfriend says he loves it but Im not 100% comfortable myself I would like a little neat one!

flowerchild

trasder wrote: »

I was just wondering if i was normal or not. My labia protrudes out about an inch outside, not the prettiest garden ever but i was curious did anyone else have this???

Unless you have a seriously ill man taking high resolution photos of your fanny no-one is going to see the details of your vulva except your gynaecologist. And he/she knows the infinite vatiation in women's bodies that is normal.

There is a famous movie made by a feminist where she put herself forward to be groomed by a group who make porn movies so she could know and analyse the process. It was at the point that they were folding in her labia that she broke down. She understood that they were taking a woman and creating the image of a child. Complete oppression.

Just be comfortable with yourself and know that whatever your body looks like it is perfect. If you are worried what a lover may think, know that anyone who is worth your while will appreciate all of you.

muirthemne

hi ladies,
im having a bit of a problem.....i have the mirena inserted for 14 months now and have lately been experiencing the symptoms of pregnancy....is thia at all possible and has anyone got pregnant with the coil, especially after having it in for a lengthy period of time......any feedback would be excellent....

worried

muirthemne

OuchO wrote: »

Hi,

I'm on Microlite for 2 years. Started taking it because I was having painful periods, would miss college etc. Recently (last 6 months or so), I still feel like I'm having a 'period' during my free week - I have cramps, feel tired etc. It's nowhere near how I used to be before I started taking the pill, but I certainly find it annoying. I don't know why I'm feeling these pains, I thought taking the pill was meant to get rid of those symptons!

Anybody else in the same boat? I need to get my prescription updated next month so I'm def going to tell my doctor but I'm just wondering if anybody else goes through the same thing as me?

I know exactly how u feel......i have been there.....I got the mirena coil inserted and have not looked back since.....i was fainting....missing college....in bed for days with the cramps...they were unbearable.....i have a life now since i got the mirenaq coil inserted....hope this helps

baileymay

would you recommend it? how do you feel about it? have you experienced side effects? weight gain? does it help you with your skin at all? low sex drive? mood swings? head aches?

thanks

Morag

muirthemne wrote: »

hi ladies,
im having a bit of a problem.....i have the mirena inserted for 14 months now and have lately been experiencing the symptoms of pregnancy....is thia at all possible and has anyone got pregnant with the coil, especially after having it in for a lengthy period of time......any feedback would be excellent....

worried

It is highly unlikely you have become pregnant with the Mierena IUS in place as it's very effective but you should ring your dr and talk to them asap.

LegacyUser

Hi

First off I am not seeking medical advice, just advice based on personal experience. I have been prescribed microlite, but have not started taking it, as I was advised by my doctor not to start taking it for a couple of months. I have never taken the pill before and just wondered if anyone has used microlite before?
I am due to go on holiday in the summer and from working out my dates my seven day break falls on part of my time away which I would prefer not to have at this time; so my question is- from reading up on microlite I understand you can take two packets back to back without a seven day break, but breakthrough bleeding can occur, has anyone had this experience or is breakthrough bleeding just a possibility? I understand I would be better off asking my doctor or chemist but I'm really just looking for other girls' experiences with microlite.

I would be grateful to hear any experiences about using microlite but in particular regarding my issue of using two packets back to back.

Many thanks!

Maple

OP, there's loads of advice to be found here so i'm moving your thread.

Unregistered posting is also allowed.

Maple.

microlite_user

microlite_user wrote: »

I have been prescribed microlite, but have not started taking it, as I was advised by my doctor not to start taking it for a couple of months. I have never taken the pill before and just wondered if anyone has used microlite before?

I understand you can take two packets back to back without a seven day break, but breakthrough bleeding can occur, has anyone had this experience or is breakthrough bleeding just a possibility?

I take microlite, as with all pills, the affects can vary from person to person. You may have breakthrough bleeding or you may not, but the possibility of breakthrough bleeding exists for the first few months of taking it, regardless of whether or not you've taken two packs in succession. I had been taking microlite for 2.5 months when I got breakthrough bleeding. I had been taking it normally, no back to back packs or anything. Unfortunately for the first 3 months it's a possibility.

baileymay

baileymay wrote: »

would you recommend it? how do you feel about it? have you experienced side effects? weight gain? does it help you with your skin at all? low sex drive? mood swings? head aches?

Sorry for the double post, only saw yours now.

As I'm not a doctor I wouldn't necessarily recommend anything, but I went on it for medical reasons rather than contraception, and so far I haven't had any of my previous problems. I used to have unbearable periods, and now I coast through them with nothing more than cramps and bloating (which is pretty much a miracle compared to how I used to be). As for weight gain, it never causes weight gain, just an increase in appetite in some cases. I experienced a slight increase in appetite, but no direct weight gain. It didn't help me with my skin but I had very bad acne so I wasn't expecting anything in that department. I went on an acne medication a while afterwards so I can't comment on long term skin affects. My sex drive is as healthy as ever, and I've had no head aches.

It might be worth mentioning that a friend of mine tried microlite and she began having bouts of depression. I however have a history of depression but found the pill didn't cause any relapses. My boyfriend commented that I actually seemed a lot more stable after going on the pill. I think the pill really is a very personal thing, and the most important thing is to remember to keep a look out for side effects, and to feel brave enough to speak out to your doctor if you're not happy. There's loads of options, if one doesn't work, ask your doctor about another.

LegacyUser

Hey guys,

Not sure if this is in the right place, if not mods please move and I'm sorry.

I started taking the pill, Microlite, on 8th March. I lost my virginity about 3 hours after taking the 8th pill and we didn't use a condom. He didn't cum inside me but I took the morning after pill the very next day which was about 26 -27 hours after. Am I safe enough or is it likely I'll get pregnant? I'm a little worried. I know it says 7 days on the insert of the pill but still, I am a little worried.

Thanks.

Novella

Worried1988 wrote: »

Hey guys,

Not sure if this is in the right place, if not mods please move and I'm sorry.

I started taking the pill, Microlite, on 8th March. I lost my virginity about 3 hours after taking the 8th pill and we didn't use a condom. He didn't cum inside me but I took the morning after pill the very next day which was about 26 -27 hours after. Am I safe enough or is it likely I'll get pregnant? I'm a little worried. I know it says 7 days on the insert of the pill but still, I am a little worried.

Thanks.

I wouldn't worry tbh. I mean, you're on the Pill, you took the MAP and your partner didn't ejaculate. I'd say relax and if you miss your period, take a pregnancy test but imo, it's quite unlikely you could be pregnant.

Ectoplasm

Worried1988 wrote: »

Hey guys,

Not sure if this is in the right place, if not mods please move and I'm sorry.

I started taking the pill, Microlite, on 8th March. I lost my virginity about 3 hours after taking the 8th pill and we didn't use a condom. He didn't cum inside me but I took the morning after pill the very next day which was about 26 -27 hours after. Am I safe enough or is it likely I'll get pregnant? I'm a little worried. I know it says 7 days on the insert of the pill but still, I am a little worried.

Thanks.

It's highly unlikely that you are pregnant, given that you are both on the pill and also took the morning after pill.

Just a quick word of caution though, and I hope you don't mind, but if you've just started to have sex, it's a good idea to get into the habit of using condoms.

Sure, pregnancy is a big, huge massive deal and you have protected yourself from that but there are other risks associated with having sex and a condom is your best friend when it comes to protection.

LegacyUser

Hi everyone, got my first ever smear test done just over 5 weeks ago, and haven't gotten results back yet. Just wondering on average how long have people waited to get the results as am getting nervous waiting for it to come everyday!!

Neyite

I think it was a good few weeks too for me - in fact I had forgotton about it by the time I got the letter.

Dont worry - I'm pretty sure that if you were not clear for whatever reason they would notify you a lot quicker than if you have nothing to worry about.

They might have updated your GP sooner, so its worth a phone call to them maybe?

LegacyUser

Well I ended up on the cervical check website and went into the check the register section and went through all my details. And at the end of it, it gave me a date in late 2013 for my next smear so I take it that all is well! Big relief :-)