Posts by Joseph Ortiz6

Michelle Price66 said:Thanks! My aunt pointed me toward Dr. Vrčić. He splits his time between the Mayo Clinic and his private practice. She mentioned this needs to be taken care of before the baby arrives. My uterus is perfectly fine, but I have a vaginal septum, which could cause issues during a vaginal delivery—unless I end up having a C-section.

Dr. Vrcici is an excellent physician. He’s relatively young and just a very easygoing person to talk to about any concerns you have. For his private practice, he's located over on V. Lisinski street in the historic district, but he likely sees patients at the Mayo Clinic too, so he can coordinate everything for you. Honestly, your best bet is to run all the specifics by him directly. Good luck!🙂

I was actually one of Miroslav Hašpl's students myself😍 and I can tell you, he’s incredible. He’s always there when you need a quick chat, some solid advice, or a helping hand. 🙂

Jeffrey Edwards5 said:Wait, where is their shop located?
I saw some really cute stuff on their website, but when I checked the store locator, there wasn't anything listed in the US.

There’s one right on Illick Street, just before you hit the Nike store.

Jason Baker57 said:Hey everyone, I'm new here. I just realized today that there are actually people out there talking about these kinds of issues. I've read all 17 pages of your posts... but I haven't found anything quite like my specific problem. What hurts most is that I'm only 19 and I'm already struggling just to use the bathroom. I assume it's genetic, since my dad, my grandmother and grandfather (who somehow managed to heal himself) on my mom's side, plus my uncle and aunt deal with this, while my brother and mom go several times a day like clockwork. 🤷 Honestly, I'm incredibly jealous of them. 😠 To cut to the chase, here's my issue: every time I have a bowel movement, an olive-sized gland pops out beforehand. It’s pretty painful. After the whole process, I wash it with cold water, rinse it with chamomile, apply some Factu ointment, and try to tuck it back in. It hurts like crazy. 😲 Then I use a Factu plug, and I'm in pain all day long. It leaves me feeling stressed and just crying. I don't even know if it's internal or external anymore. I saw a doctor who referred me to someone at a clinic, but she tried to perform a digital exam and it was just too painful to finish. So now she's sending me to a proctologist. But I hear he always has medical students shadowing him, and I would feel absolutely mortified having someone my own age performing an exam, only to run into them the next day out in public... but I know I have to go. My mom is losing her mind over this. Plus, my movements aren't regular; at worst, it's once every two days, even though I eat healthy. (The only thing I can't resist is my grandma's pizza, but that's maybe twice a month). So, please, if anyone has any advice—and I know there's been plenty, and I've written down every medicine, ointment, cream, and even the doctors from the Mayo Clinic—please reach out. I don't see myself reflected in the discussions here yet. Thanks in advance, and congrats to everyone who has managed to beat this, just like my grandfather did.

Look, I just have to weigh in on the comment about the students. I'm one of those students, and believe me, you don't need to feel embarrassed. In a year or two, we'll be the ones doing this. If we want to do our jobs RIGHT, we have to learn, and the only way to learn is from doctors seeing actual patients. I'm sure it isn't pleasant at all—partly because you're young and partly because the issue itself is sensitive—but please try to push the shame aside and see the doctor. I really want you to get this resolved as soon as possible. 🙂

I shop at Elena Miro Ducan in Chicago. They’re definitely on the pricey side, but the quality is top-tier and they have something for everyone. Personally, I'm all about that sporty elegance, and I can always find exactly what I'm looking for there.

coppergardener said:No.

Did you only get an ultrasound?

A lot of women have polycystic ovaries (PCO), which usually doesn't cause major issues and can be managed easily or even resolve on its own. That isn't the same thing as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Basically, having PCO doesn't automatically mean you have PCOS.

If you’ve only had an ultrasound, a doctor can't diagnose you with PCOS—they can only identify the PCO. To confirm PCOS, you have to look at clinical symptoms like acne, excess hair growth, irregular or missed periods, weight gain, or insulin resistance. You need further testing: primarily a full hormone panel and potentially an oral glucose tolerance test. If your hormone levels come back normal but you're still dealing with things like hirsutism, long cycles, or even amenorrhea, a doctor needs to rule out other conditions, such as adrenal hyperplasia or Cushing's syndrome, which can mimic PCOS symptoms perfectly.

Ask your OB-GYN or primary care physician for a referral for hormone testing if you don't have one yet. In the meantime... watch the calories if you're carrying extra weight, and cut back on sugar and white flour (I know, I sound like a broken record 😵.).

Thanks🙏

I’ve been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries—is that actually Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), or am I looking at something else entirely?

Harold Stewart92 said:Anyone know where I can find a shop for bigger guys? Looking for XXXL shirts, maybe.
Thanks.

You can find larger tees and button-downs at Gjuro XXL (over on Vlaska), but you'll have plenty of options at Navigare stores—there's one right in the downtown plaza.

George Collins97 said:I’ll tell you this based on my own experience.
HPV can be transmitted through sexual contact both with and without a condom. Even if you aren't having intercourse, skin-to-skin intimacy can still lead to transmission. That said, using a condom does help reduce the risk.
There are many different strains of HPV. Some are more serious than others, but the main concern doctors always highlight is that, for women, it increases the risk of cervical cancer. We definitely want to avoid that, right?
Roughly 60% of the population in the US—and likely even more globally—carries some form of the virus. It isn't that it isn't dangerous; it's just incredibly widespread, and most people have no idea they are even carrying it. Often, the body eventually clears it on its own. This could easily apply to a guy you happen to be interested in.

The good news for you (and all of us) is that about six months ago, the vaccine was approved on a global scale, including here in the States. I'd suggest reaching out to your gynecologist; they can point you toward where you can get vaccinated. I suspect there might be a cost involved, though I can't say for sure, but I truly believe it's an investment worth making.

🙂

The HPV vaccine isn't available in the US just yet (it should arrive this fall). It costs roughly $1,100 for the full three-dose series, and there are age requirements—I think the cutoff is 26 or 27—and you have to have NEVER been infected with the virus before.

Dennis Alvarez4 said:I'm currently on a strict diet, training hard, and taking several supplements, which is why my numbers came back like this. Are these slight increases a non-issue, or should I actually be worried?

These results are definitely outside the standard range!

- creatinine 131 umol/L (normal range: 79-125)

- bilirubin 21.0 umol/L (normal range: 3.0-20.0)

- alkaline phosphatase 59 U/L (normal range: 60-142)

- ALT - 67 (U/L) (normal range: 10-48)

Creatinine is an indicator of kidney function. Essentially, if it’s elevated, it suggests your kidneys aren't filtering quite as efficiently as they should be.

wearyowl98 said:What kind of panic are you even causing? Just don't do those things next time and you won't have anything to be afraid of. Having sex without a condom with strangers nowadays? Are you guys actually sane?😠 🤣 🤣 🤣

HE WASN'T A STRANGER AND IT WASN'T UNPROTECTED SEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to give you all an update: my period finally arrived. Huge thanks to everyone for the support and advice here.🙏 🙏 🙂

neonhound32 said:I actually thought I was pregnant once. My period was a week late—which isn't normal for me—so I grabbed a test. It turned out negative, and then my period showed up just two hours later.
Just take it easy and try not to stress. Getting worked up honestly does more harm than good. 😉

It’s been a solid two hours since I took my test and nothing has happened yet, but oh well... hopefully it shows up soon.

nordea said:Physically, you’re looking at about a month of recovery. You probably won't have your period for roughly a month after that, and then it'll return. Mental recovery is a whole different ballgame, though. For the first six months, things might be a bit unpredictable—you could deal with heavy flows or even skip them entirely. I always think of it like a Planned Parenthood procedure; it basically clears out all that uterine lining, and it takes some time for everything to rebuild itself and for your cycle to get back to its normal rhythm. Plus, your hormone levels need time to level out, too.

Thanks, I appreciate it.
Do private clinics in Chicago offer this service, or is it strictly hospital-based?

quiethound45 said:🙂

Watch out—this isn't foolproof. You have to remember that sperm can live inside you for up to three days, while an egg waits about two days to be fertilized.
So, what happens if you accidentally ovulate earlier than expected?
If you have a standard 28-day cycle, those first five days after your period are usually safe. But if ovulation shifts forward by just a few days, you're in trouble.
Technically, blood kills off sperm mobility, so having sex during your period is mostly safe, but don't risk it during those last two days because of early ovulation.
Honestly, the safest bet is one day in, though I wouldn't recommend days two or three—if your flow is heavy, it’ll be a total mess. Even so, those two days are actually your most reliable window.

I'm not really into those methods myself. My boyfriend and I just use condoms for now, and I'm crossing my fingers that everything goes fine—that I get my period and can finally switch over to the pill. Thanks again for the support; I'm really hoping my period shows up soon.🙂 🙂

slydrifter33 said:Ugh... I spent the last two months obsessively posting in every single thread about pregnancy, tests, and abortions... 😠
I totally get where you're coming from since I'm a college student too. And let's face it—sex happens, even when you're trying to be careful... My boyfriend finished inside me right during my ovulation window (it was a weekend, we had some drinks 🙏 )
Yeah, I was waiting for my period like my life depended on it. It didn't show up exactly on time, and I was buying tests like there was a sale at CVS, but they all came back negative. Once I finally relaxed, my period showed up! High fertility, perfect ovulation, and then boom—my period arrives!! 😍 Pure luck over logic there.
Now, he only finishes inside me during the very end of my cycle... just those last few days when it's almost over. We don't use condoms then.. 🙂

Honestly, he has never actually finished inside me. I am terrified of getting pregnant, so we are extremely careful.

quiethound45 said:It’s not weird at all. Honestly, I feel like I’m looking in a mirror. I was exactly the same way when I first started college and navigating my sex life—I used to overanalyze every tiny little sign and spiral into total panic. I’ve been through about ten pregnancy tests myself, so I know exactly what kind of mental state you're in right now.
Eventually, you get some experience under your belt. You learn how your body works, you understand your sexuality, you relax, and before you know it, you’ll be doing exactly what I’m doing now: helping some other new soul through their own panic.
A test is 99% reliable. Personally, I’d say even 100%, because neither I nor any of my girlfriends have ever had one fail us—whether they were saying "no" to a pregnancy or confirming one. Plus, if you take it two days before your period is due, it's pretty much foolproof. If you wait until you're actually two or three days late? It's incredibly accurate.
By the way, if your periods are regular, tracking your fertile and non-fertile windows is a huge advantage. You really need to learn your cycle and listen to your body. During my fertile window, we always use condoms. Around those peak days, we're extra careful. But toward the end of the cycle, once I know ovulation has passed (usually signaled by cramps, bloating, and PMS), we don't bother with protection at all. We just relax during those last two or three days before my period arrives.😉 🙂
And honestly, anxiety plays a massive role here. If you panic, you stress out, and stress can actually delay your period. If yours is running late, I recommend skipping sex for a day or two. Even the act itself can sometimes cause tension that delays things—you've got to let everything relax down there. Just breathe and relax; it will come.😉 ...it definitely will.😉

Thank you so much. I truly hope my period shows up soon because I really don't want to go through this experience again—not mentally and certainly not physically. Even though I have an amazing boyfriend who is standing by me and supporting me through everything, I wouldn't want something like this to mess with our otherwise perfect relationship.

quiethound45 said:Oh, come on... you aren't pregnant... stop panicking...
Are you perhaps relatively new to all of this?

Well, it hasn't been incredibly recent, but I suppose you could say I'm still pretty green when it comes to this stuff. And honestly, I am panicking—is that really such a strange reaction?

Rachel Ross2 said:It’s way too early to jump to conclusions about being pregnant. Home tests are generally reliable, but if your period doesn't show up in two or three days, try again. As for an abortion, almost any gynecologist will perform one; the only real difference is the price range they charge. Recovery usually takes about two to three hours after the procedure, then you can head home.

Thanks so much. I'm heading to Washington, D.C. to see a specialist at a Mayo Clinic facility.

The home pregnancy test came back negative. I just took it... does anyone know how unreliable these things actually are? I really needed an answer from my doctor today.