Posts by Jose Williams78

Can you actually get your period if you have an ectopic pregnancy? And if you did, would a pregnancy test even show up positive or negative?

Okay, this works for both posts:

crimsongull20 said:Three herniated discs in my lumbar spine and a messed up symphysis pubis joint where two bone spurs grew. I've been basically semi-disabled with constant pain for six months now, and who knows how long this lasts—maybe forever. I can't even pick up my baby, let alone crawl around on the floor with her. Doctors can't really help me either, other than just handing out painkillers to dull the ache.

Joints, bones, connective tissue... they just age, I guess. It’s depressing. I never really thought about it, or even knew this kind of stuff could happen, until it hit me.

Did that all happen six months after you gave birth (if I got that right)? Or was it during the pregnancy or labor itself?

If it helps at all, I've dealt with a herniated disc too—still have it, by the way, never had surgery—plus some other injuries, though mine were from a car accident rather than pregnancy. At first, the pain was honestly unbearable; I could barely walk, and sometimes it took me like two hours just to get out of bed. Eventually, I figured out which exercises actually work (and which ones to stay far away from), and after years of sticking to a routine and changing up my diet, things improved a lot. Now, I often forget I even have it. I move around normally, stay active, lift moderate weights...

Keep your head up, it gets better. Believe it or not, sometimes these things can actually improve as you get older.👍

My grandmother actually had three kids after she turned 30. And honestly? Zero issues. They’re all healthy and have families of their own now. That was back when people actually thought you were getting "too old" to start. But then I lived in Germany for a while, and I realized that over there, most women don't even seriously consider having kids until they're well past 30. Before that, it's seen as way too early, especially if you're still grinding through college or trying to climb the ladder at work.

I mean, sure, the odds of conceiving drop as you get older, and yeah, there's a higher risk of things going sideways. But on the flip side... it seems like older parents tend to be more grounded and responsible. They usually have their lives together, fewer divorces, established values—and most importantly, they actually *wanted* those kids. It wasn't some unplanned accident or something they felt rushed into, so the kids often end up feeling more loved. I guess it's just more responsible to marry someone who's actually mature and that you truly love, rather than dealing with a divorce down the line because the dad spent his youth being reckless, or a mom who’s totally bitter and unfulfilled because she feels like her career took a hit for a kid she wasn't ready for.

I'm not saying waiting is better—obviously, biologically, it's easier and more likely to happen earlier—but I'm just saying there's another perspective here. It’s not all as black and white or simple as people make it out to be.

I mean, I honestly think a lot of us are doing this stuff without even realizing it—not like Dr. Kegel just invented it out of thin air or anything. Our grandmothers knew all these tricks way before Dr. Kegel was ever a thing...

I don't think it's such a big deal if you end up tensing your stomach at first; you'll get the hang of it eventually, I guess. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to practice diaphragmatic breathing at the same time (which is good for other things too), so you can actually figure out how to consciously relax or tighten your core while you're doing other stuff. The whole point of these exercises is, among other things, to make us actually notice parts of our bodies we usually just take for granted.

Sarah Rodriguez68 said:But I get bored with it so fast...

So, I did a little digging through the forum and stumbled onto a subforum I don't usually check out. It looks like this group knows a lot more about this, especially regarding how to exercise without getting bored.😉

http://www.reddit.com

gentletrucker29 said:🙏🙏 You're a lifesaver... everything makes way more sense now. I only started doing them because a friend of mine who does yoga mentioned they were super helpful, so I figured, why not give it a shot? But honestly, I've been overthinking it for days. I can't tell if I'm actually doing it right because I don't really feel that "external" vaginal muscle contraction, you know? It's like, I only feel it when I actually put a finger in there—then it kind of squeezes, like it's inhaling or something. I guess I'm just confused.🙂🙂 And at the exact same time, I feel these muscle contractions happening further down... closer to my anus. Maybe I just totally imagined how this was supposed to work? I guess I might have had the whole thing wrong in my head.🤷 So, wait... if the vaginal muscles actually squeeze a finger, that’s basically it? Is that the whole thing? I guess that's the test, right? Maybe?

That’s basically exactly what I’ve been doing, and honestly? It seems to be working for me. I mean, I guess we should probably ask Dr. Kegel if this was actually his intention, though. 🙂
Look, besides the fact that you’ll probably thank them one day when you aren't stuck buying up a mountain of adult diapers or facing some major surgery to fix everything that's sagging... there's more to it. Strengthening that entire lower region isn't just about keeping your pelvic organs in place; it actually helps with your posture and getting a flatter stomach, too. Plus, it gets the blood flowing to everything down there, which keeps things working properly. For me, personally, I haven't missed a single period in all these years—so, I guess my hormones are doing just fine for now. It's hard to say exactly how long I've been at this, though. Like I told you before, I just kind of started doing them on my own, but it’s definitely been a long time.

Just to clear things up regarding my last post. Look, Nauli isn't actually hitting your pelvic muscles; it’s more about the abs and helping out with digestion. These Kegel exercises, though? They target the pelvic floor and everything around it. I guess you could try combining them later on, but honestly, it’s probably better to keep them separate at first. You really need to get a feel for each muscle group individually so you can actually control them—plus, it helps make sure you aren't accidentally using one muscle to cheat for another.

gentletrucker29 said:But how am I supposed to squeeze just the vaginal muscle? 🤷What if it's all just one big muscle? 🤷I tried checking myself and my muscles just squeeze around my finger... plus I have another question: is this the same muscle that causes vaginismus, or vaginal spasms, or whatever?

If your muscles squeeze your finger—like a ring tightening around it—then yeah, that's it. Don't overthink all the other muscles; they mostly just tighten up as a side effect anyway. The whole point is just to strengthen that entire lower area. It's a group of muscles, obviously. I mean, I don't really know what your end goal is, but I'm sure these will be useful for something eventually. Honestly, I've never even done them intentionally; I just kind of do them spontaneously throughout my life, so I figured out that's what it feels like. 😁

The good thing is you can do them super discreetly, like while you're sitting at your desk at work or riding the bus. You don't have to spend extra money or time on them like you would with, say, a gym membership. There are plenty of benefits, both now and when you're older. The only complication is... uhm... 😍... (which isn't always funny, but hey, let's stay positive)... if you get too good at it, it might be hard to let go of a guy later on. 😉

There are also exercises where you combine those movements with your lower abs, which involve the vaginal muscles too. One is a yoga move called "Nauli," which is supposedly great for you.

gentletrucker29 said:And am I supposed to be squeezing my glutes too, or what?

Not really, though I guess it doesn't hurt if you squeeze them a bit by accident. It’s just not the main focus—you're supposed to be targeting the pelvic floor. Here, check this out, there are instructions on how to make sure you're actually doing it right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kegel_exercise

Btw, if you try that other way of checking, it might actually be fun for your partner, too. Not just for you. From what I gather, guys absolutely love it, and apparently, only a tiny percentage of women can actually pull it off successfully. So, yeah... probably worth learning. There are plenty of reasons to do it. 😉

A neighbor passed away... 🙂

My mom was telling me about another acquaintance of hers who died from breast cancer pretty shortly after finishing up hormone replacement therapy. She never really connected the dots before, though, because she didn't realize there might be a correlation.

says:
I take red clover phytoestrogens, which have effects similar to estrogen

So, what’s the actual difference between phytoestrogens and actual hormones? I read somewhere that soy and flax also contain phytoestrogens. My gut tells me it's hard for something natural to do as much damage as synthetic chemicals, but I wonder if, say, consuming massive amounts of soy could also increase the risk of things like breast cancer.

says:
When it comes to Big Pharma, all they care about is moving product and hitting sales targets. They don't give a damn if what they're selling is biodegradable, toxic, or even fatal. Just buy it, pay for it, and deal with the fallout. That's basically their motto.
And honestly, along with the doctors here in the States, they don't seem to care one bit what happens to women.
...
Sorry for the long rant.

I mean, you hit the nail on the head. It’s just depressing when you think about how many people die for the sake of "their own well-being" (or at least that's the lie they're sold), when it's really just someone else's profit margin. It's heavy stuff.

amberheron64 said:So, my doctor handed me these referrals for a full panel—CBC, glucose, urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, GGT, iron levels, kidney function, a metabolic profile, plus a urinalysis and sediment microscopy... he even checked my blood pressure and listened to my lungs yesterday.
It isn’t that shortness of breath you get after a workout; it’s just... out of nowhere. That’s what’s getting to me. In the morning, I feel fine, but by the evening, I feel like I absolutely cannot catch my breath.
The doctor thinks it might not be lung-related, but I haven't found anything in the Logest literature regarding this—so, who knows?
Should I ask him about a coagulation profile? Honestly, I have no idea anymore. I scoured the Logest instructions and couldn't find anything about respiratory side effects, but I'm planning to tell my OB-GYN today that Logest just isn't working for me... because this breathing issue started right after I finished the first pack.
I was originally on Diane to clear up acne—which, of course, has come crawling back—but now I don't even have coverage for them anymore.
My GP won't approve any contraception, so even if I told him I was taking something, he’d probably just insist it's my own fault anyway. That’s why I’m heading to the gynecologist instead; there’s really no point arguing with him. There's also a chance I'm anemic since I have, like, nine out of ten symptoms, but then again, I'm terrified it might actually be the pills.

And yeah, I was planning on getting my bloodwork done this Friday. I emailed my professor to see if I could skip the first hour or two of class, but he shot that down immediately—said it wasn't an option because I'd lose my attendance credit.😲The referral isn't marked "urgent," either; if it were urgent, I could just go in the afternoon or whenever I had a spare moment.
So, I'm stuck not knowing when I can actually get this sorted out. It is truly unbelievable how unreasonable they are at the university.😢
Plus, I need to switch gynecologists ASAP. I have a feeling that when I show up today, they'll just tell me to get a CBC for my primary doctor, claim I still don't qualify for Diane, and tell me to just stick with Logest... but like I said, I took Diane specifically for the acne, and Logest does absolutely nothing for it.😢

That probably isn't what you're dealing with, and look, I don't want to freak you out or anything, but better safe than sorry, right? One potential side effect of being on birth control is a pulmonary embolism. You really should get that checked out, like, ASAP.

Let us know if you're okay 😉

So, I just found out my neighbor—this incredibly sweet, bubbly, active woman who always seemed to be bursting with health—is dying of cancer. It hit her out of nowhere, apparently. By the time they actually figured out what was going on, the cancer had already metastasized so much there wasn't anything left to do. She’d been on hormone replacement therapy for the last few years, and she used to swear by it, saying she felt better than ever while taking it.

It made me think back to some studies I read a few years ago over in Germany. There was actual scientific evidence showing that HRT significantly bumps up cancer mortality rates, which led their healthcare system to overhaul their recommendations. I started digging into the research myself... it covers several types of cancer, like uterine, ovarian, breast, colon, and lung. The increased risk ranges from maybe 25% to, I don't know, even over 80% in some cases.

I guess I’m not quite at the stage where I need to worry about this for myself yet, but that day will come eventually—maybe sooner than I’d like. I’m curious, though... are any of you currently on that kind of therapy? And how exactly did your gynecologists pitch the pros and cons to you? Did they actually bother to warn you about the potential risks or consequences?

When you're reading studies, it's all just numbers and statistics on a page. But when it's someone you've known for years, it's more than just sadness. I feel this heavy sense of resentment toward how poorly the public is being informed.

So, I’ve had my belly button piercing for 10 years now, and honestly? I’m so glad I went through with it. Even though all those self-righteous "experts" were breathing down my neck, telling me it was a bad idea... you know, claiming that the body usually rejects them after about six years because the hole starts shrinking or whatever. This is actually the only piercing I’ve ever gotten—I didn't even do my ears. And I haven't had a single issue. The piercing site hasn't changed much in years. I mean, sure, it tightened up a little during those first couple of years—which apparently happens a lot—but ever since I switched to white gold jewelry, it’s stayed perfectly stable. No signs of rejection at all.

Maintenance-wise, I just stuck to cleaning it with boiled saline solution until everything healed up. I didn't bother with any fancy sprays or those overpriced retail solutions. I was pretty disciplined about it, too; I kept cleaning it religiously for almost a year before I even thought about swapping out the jewelry. My first piece was a ring shape, which they suggested would help with the healing process.

I didn't just walk into some sketchy mall jeweler, either. I went to a highly recommended professional studio where the person doing the piercing was an experienced pro who actually worked as a nurse.

The bottom line? If you're careful and actually follow the aftercare, it was definitely the right call.

I’ve had my belly button pierced for ten years now, and honestly, I’m just so glad I went through with it when I did. Even though all those "concerned" voices were breathing down my neck, telling me it was a bad idea and claiming it takes about six years for the body to reject a navel piercing because the hole just shrinks up... yeah, they were wrong. This is actually the only piercing I’ve ever gotten—I haven't even bothered with ear piercings. I haven't dealt with any issues at all. The piercing site hasn't changed size in years; I mean, it did shrink a little bit during those first couple of years, which I guess is pretty common, but ever since I switched to white gold jewelry, everything has stayed perfectly stable. No signs of rejection whatsoever.

As for upkeep, I don't use any fancy sprays or store-bought solutions. It’s enough to just clean it with some boiled saline solution until it’s fully healed.

So, I found some natural ways that actually work for me—without relying on pills—after years of just dealing with constant pain. Now, things are mostly under control. It varies; sometimes it's barely there, other times it’s pretty intense for the first few hours and then just fades away (and I don't even need meds for it). I remember back in the day, I used to honestly curse my life every time my period showed up, even after taking whatever painkillers I could find.

- Belly breathing.

- Heat, in every sense of the word. That doesn't just mean throwing a heating pad on or using wool wraps; it means dressing so your whole lower half is "well-packaged." This is especially huge lately with how low-rise jeans are back in style, leaving your hips exposed. You probably noticed it too—period cramps love to target the hip area. Also, being cold in the hips can definitely make the pain worse. Keeping your feet warm is a big deal, too—think thick socks and boots with warm linings instead of thin shoes and tights when it's chilly. Wear warm pants, maybe even layer up with regular underwear and boxers, and tuck a slightly longer undershirt into them so it covers your stomach and hips. And yeah, don't forget you're more prone to bladder issues during these days, so try to avoid those.

- Also, when getting dressed, stay away from anything tight around the waist—like jeans or skirts with stiff, narrow belts. It just makes everything worse when your stomach starts bloating. On those critical days, I usually opt for something warm, soft, and loose (even though I wear all sorts of stuff normally). I want something where I can just let my bloated stomach relax without worrying about how I look. You need that relaxed belly to actually do the belly breathing thing. The idea isn't just to help while you're lying down, but also while you're sitting at the office or stuck in a meeting you can't skip.

- There are some easy yoga moves that don't require any crazy fitness level and aren't hard at all. You can do them during your period or during that PMS phase to take the edge off. Honestly, prepping beforehand is key—if you do the right exercises, the pain won't be nearly as bad. If anyone's interested, I can go into detail or send you some links.

- Generally speaking, just strengthening your core muscles throughout the month helps.

- Focus on keeping your digestion regular (probiotics like yogurt, high-fiber foods, fruits, veggies...). Trust me, if you're regular every day, the pain is way easier to handle than when you're dealing with constipation on top of everything else.

- The day before and especially once it hits, stick to light meals. A stuffed stomach combined with cramps and gas is just asking for trouble; it's not going to make things any easier on your uterus.

- Soothing herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, or even anise, cumin, and fennel (those are great for reducing gas and settling your stomach).

- Magnesium, which basically helps relax muscle spasms (you can find it in bananas, beans, and plenty of other foods).

Hannah Roberts86 said:I’m not totally sold on this bolded part. My cycles are super irregular and my periods hurt like crazy. People used to tell me I’d have a hard time getting pregnant the second time around. They suspected PCOS because my ovaries were packed with these tiny little follicles, and they said I rarely even ovulated. Another gynecologist told me I *was* ovulating, but honestly, my period just shows up whenever it feels like it—usually once every two or three months. I almost always skip one, so I take Duphaston to kickstart things. And when that period finally hits? It hurts so bad it actually feels like I'm having pregnancy pains. My stomach and all my muscles just ache. Plus, the bleeding is heavy and lasts forever—like five or six days straight. So how do you explain that? I wouldn't exactly say I'm ovulating regularly if my periods are this painful and heavy... I just don't know.

That happens quite often for those of us with regular cycles—though obviously, the pain and heaviness vary from person to person. That’s what my doctor told me, and I’ve read similar things, plus I’ve personally dealt with all three scenarios myself. Though, I guess I can never be 100% certain if ovulation actually happened or not. Besides, I think there were a lot of overlaps given the age and the specific situations involved.

But what you’re describing could be caused by other stuff. I mean, painful periods can stem from a whole laundry list of factors that point to an actual issue or disorder—like PCOS, endometriosis, various infections, and so on. I know a woman who recently found out she had uterine polyps after her periods started getting more painful and heavier. So, generally speaking, I think it’s better to go get checked out if your periods are extremely painful (which, from what I can see, you already did), rather than just masking the pain by loading up on meds. I mean, if it's truly unbearable, sure, grabbing something to make life easier is fine.

As for pregnancy, I guess you shouldn't lose hope. I know plenty of cases where women were basically told they were sterile due to certain diagnoses, only to end up having two perfectly normal pregnancies and births later on. 😉

Alex Patel96 said:That's interesting. For me, every OBGYN I've ever known seems like a total jerk. My ex used to tell me—his colleagues are his buddies, by the way, he isn't a doctor!—that they're all huge players. One of my friends even said a guy was hitting on her during an exam. What a coincidence, right?☕

I wouldn't say I'm particularly conservative—not by American standards, anyway—and I've always been pretty open to seeing either men or women, but I've realized I'm just way more comfortable with female doctors. There are two main reasons, I guess:

- It's just easier to relax when I have to climb onto the table, spread my legs, and let them poke around down there.
- They actually have the organs they're working on, you know? So they have a better sense of how everything feels, where the nerves are, how much it hurts, and all that stuff.

Plus, it really used to get under my skin when I’m already vulnerable in front of some guy, and then he starts, I don't know, trying to "relax me" by patting my thighs or my butt. It doesn't exactly make me feel relaxed... 🙄

Brenda Ramos2 said:

I don't know, man. Just sitting here thinking about how much everything changes, you know? Like, one day you're all set, everything's clicking, and then—bam. Life just happens. It’s messy. Honestly, it’s always been messy. I feel like people try too hard to make sense of things, to put them in these neat little boxes, but that’s just not how it works in the real world. It’s more like a constant stream of chaos that you just have to learn to ride. You can't fight the wave, you just gotta stay on the board. That's the only way to survive it, really. Simple, but nobody ever wants to admit it because it's not "polished." Whatever. Just my two cents. kaže:
The absolute wildest thing I’ve ever heard is that line... "Once you give birth, the pain is over." Like, okay? Cool story. Based on that logic, I guess I should’ve just gone ahead and had a kid when I was twelve years old.😲

Look, it’s not like everyone experiences things the exact same way. My sister, for instance—she had it even rougher after giving birth. And my mom? She dealt with intense pain both before and after both of her deliveries. So... yeah. There are definitely cases like that out there, but it's just not some universal rule.
Some months are just a total nightmare. I’ll be lying there feeling like I’m actually dying from the pain, and then other times? It’s like nothing is even happening. Just total silence. I still haven't cracked the code on why it swings so wildly like that. No clue yet.
Anyway, whenever things really go south for me, Knavon is always there to step up and help me out. He’s got my back through everything.

Supposedly, when you actually ovulate, the bleeding gets heavier and the cramps get nastier. Then, during cycles where ovulation doesn't happen, things are usually lighter or even painless.

Ovulation frequency tends to drop as women age, though I guess it’s pretty different for everyone. The intensity and how often you deal with pain is also super individual—and honestly, it can shift throughout your life depending on all sorts of physical and mental changes (some people see those shifts coincide with pregnancy, but I suppose that's not always the case).

Then there’s this third scenario. For women who usually have regular cycles, if the period shows up a few days late after ovulation, the pain can be way more intense, and you end up dealing with a lot more "material" being passed. This might happen when conception occurs but doesn't take hold—which I think happens quite often with women trying to get pregnant without protection, or even those using an IUD where the body just doesn't accept the embryo.

Hey everyone,

I actually wrote something similar as a response to another thread earlier, but looking at this one, I figured it might actually be more useful here...

Seeing how much this girl relies on heavy painkillers just to get through her period—and knowing how much that eventually wrecks your liver and kidneys after years of it—made me realize I should probably share this with you all...

Let me paste it again:

For about 15 years, I absolutely loathed my period. Honestly, I was disgusted by the blood and the whole process. I guess switching from pads to tampons helped a little, maybe because of the smell and everything, but the feeling stayed. Plus, I hated how it would just totally derail my life and throw me off my game. And the cramps? Ugh. I used to pop pills like candy on day one just to function.

Then, something weird happened. I was out hiking with a close friend on a Sunday. We were in such a good mood, just being silly, talking about whatever... we both kept saying how much we needed an escape from the city and the daily grind. Well, a day early—but totally unannounced—my period decided to show up. I realized it when I had to make a sudden "nature call" in the bushes. At first, I was just pissed. Seeing blood on my hands made me feel nauseous, and then panic set in because there wasn't a bathroom for miles and we weren't home. I was so angry that I’d have to rush back and potentially ruin our trip.

But since there wasn't really another option—we were deep in the woods, far from anything—I kind of realized there was no point in whining. I just had to deal with it and do the best I could in the moment. Luckily, I always carry wipes, a tampon, and a little water bottle (it was tiny, maybe like a few ounces, but it did the trick), so I handled things in the brush without any drama. It didn't even force us to head home. But here's the thing: seeing that blood on my fingers under the natural sunlight, out in the wild... it didn't look gross. It didn't smell bad, and it didn't feel revolting. Something just shifted in my head right then.

I talked about the whole experience with my friend afterward. We sat there on the grass, just chatting about it for ages; it was actually really relaxing. By the time we made it back to town later that afternoon, I realized I actually found car exhaust way more disgusting than my own blood. And, strangely enough, neither that day nor the next, I had those brutal cramps that usually haunt me.

It's been about 10 years now, and I haven't touched a painkiller for my period once. It doesn't mess with my schedule anymore either. Sure, sometimes there's a little ache or a cramp for an hour or so, but then I just warm up, try to chill out, and let it happen. It comes fast, the worst part passes quickly, and it's over. Instead of getting cranky or irritable, I often feel this sense of happiness or relief on the first or second day—like a little internal celebration. I actually enjoy the feeling of my body cleansing itself and starting a new cycle. During those heavy days, I often find myself super inspired and efficient, tackling problems I've been putting off for ages. I've literally solved major issues in a single day during my period.

Man, when I think back to how much I hated it when I was younger!

If she’s eating a normal amount but just can’t seem to put on any weight, she should probably get her thyroid checked out. Basically, if your thyroid is overactive, you stay skinny no matter how much you eat, and honestly, thyroid issues can mess with fertility too.

You didn't mention if you guys have actually been trying to conceive without luck yet, or if you're just asking hypothetically?

A low BMI isn't really enough info to go on, though. I mean, if she doesn't have much muscle mass, that drags the weight down even more—since muscle weighs more than fat—but she could still have enough body fat to support female hormones. And where that fat is located matters a lot, too. If it's mostly in her hips and thighs rather than her stomach—you know, a pear shape—that usually means better fertility.

Having a regular cycle doesn't necessarily mean everything is fine, though it might. There are cycles where ovulation actually happened, and then there are ones where it didn't. You can have women who bleed every single month but rarely, if ever, actually ovulate, which makes getting pregnant pretty tough.

At the end of the day, it’s all so individual. My mom was super thin and had really narrow hips, so she was terrified she wouldn't even be able to deliver a baby through them. But she got pregnant twice without any issues, delivered totally fine, and then later on, she actually had to work hard to *avoid* getting pregnant.

casualowl32 said:Anyone else here recently started sipping on kombucha? I’m curious—what are your honest thoughts so far?

So, I've been drinking this stuff for ages, but I'm new to this forum. I got my own SCOBY and started brewing about 13 years ago. Before that, I mean, every single year I’d end up bedridden with the flu for a week, plus two or three nasty colds every winter, sinus issues, digestive stuff that was just... a mess.

Ever since I started, I didn't just feel more immune; I felt this surge of energy and, I don't know, optimism? Looking back, even the music I listened to felt more upbeat—before that, everything I played seemed so dark and heavy.
Digestion has been totally regular all these years (at least once a day... 😉). Since that first autumn, I haven't really gotten sick for seven years straight, except for that one time when I moved to a different state, and then basically eight years of being solid and flu-resistant without needing any shots. I've always struggled with my immunity, ever since I was a kid.

Plus, over the last few years, strangers constantly tell me I look younger than I am. I'm in my 40s now, but people honestly ask if I'm still in college. I actually stopped drinking it for a year just to "reset" and make sure I wasn't getting too dependent on it. But then my joints started acting up (after being off it for maybe six months), so I went back to the tea, and the pain just... vanished. During that year I skipped it, I noticed gray hairs coming in faster and my skin started looking way more wrinkled. Now? It’s better again.

I've moved it with me through various cities and states, and I never saw a speck of mold or anything weird happen to it. I've shared it with plenty of people, and everyone I know had good results. A few folks who can't stand sour flavors or vinegar types wouldn't touch it because they hated the taste. And one acquaintance who usually deals with loose stools complained he had to hit the restroom more often when he drank it. Those were basically the only downsides I've seen.

To answer an earlier question: yeah, I've kept it in all sorts of college dorms, and there was never a problem. Things don't need to be hospital-sterile, I guess. You just have to wash the jar, boil the sugar water because microbes can hide in there, and cover the top with a cloth and a rubber band so the SCOBY can breathe, but keeps fruit flies and other pests from getting in to lay eggs.