Thomas Roberts9 said:I feel it isn't quite right to move my thread, especially since I provided such a clear explanation for why I started it in this specific section. I would really prefer it not be relocated to the contraceptive pill category, because I’m hoping to connect with someone who actually has the answers but doesn't happen to be on hormonal birth control themselves. There are so many discussions here regarding various tablets, yet none of them seem to address my specific inquiry, which—while perhaps not strictly tied to tablets—might still find an answer if placed elsewhere. I would be truly grateful if you could move my topic back to the main forum index, as I am hoping to reach those members who might possess the right knowledge to help me out. Thank you.
First off: You know the subforum rules as well as anyone, and you went ahead and bypassed them by opening a new thread anyway, even though this current one covers the subject.
Second: If all you wanted was to discuss chest discomfort—regardless of whether it involves birth control—then you should have posted that in General Health (which is where that belongs) rather than Women's Health. So, really, your argument doesn't hold much water. Besides, based on everything you described, I suspect the pill is indeed the culprit.
Third: Just because there happen to be other threads about contraceptive pills doesn't mean you get to start a new one here; this space is intended for general issues, experiences, and anything falling under the umbrella of contraception—including what you mentioned, which has already been chewed over two hundred times already. And yes, we keep separate topics for each specific pill just to make things easier for everyone; otherwise, the forum would descend into absolute chaos and these threads would become miles long.
Fourth: You're well aware that commenting on moderator actions or warnings is strictly prohibited in threads that aren't specifically designated for that purpose.
The absolute worst part is walking in with the expectation that a guy’s skin is going to stay perfectly smooth for, say, two weeks. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who can actually maintain that kind of smoothness for even fourteen days after hair removal. For some people, things start popping up after just a couple of days—which, let’s be real, is even more likely to happen with guys.
At some point, you just have to accept things as they are. I have a colleague over at a local landscaping firm who basically grows a forest on his chest; he’s shaving down to his sternum every single morning because his entire neck is covered, so what? If someone finds that bothersome or thinks it isn't "standard," well, they are always free to go browse some dating apps.
In any case, following a diet like this at your age—or honestly, ever—just isn't a smart move if you actually want to see results. You’re essentially just wrecking your health; losing 20 pounds, especially in such a short window, can seriously mess with your cycle and throw your hormones completely out of whack. It's particularly risky when you're basically starving yourself on just tea and water while simultaneously relying on processed chicken bouillon and white flour. Since you're about 5'9", hitting 145 lbs should be more than enough; anything beyond that feels like overkill. I'd suggest aiming for maybe 10 pounds over five months—roughly 2 pounds a month—and then focusing on toning up once the diet is over. Anything else won't have a lasting effect. Once you stop, you'll likely just snap back to your old weight, and it might even be harder to lose it the second time around.
By skipping meals, you're almost certainly walking straight into a trap—especially if you're feeling that "emergency" pressure to drop weight immediately. You end up spending long stretches of the day starving, which eventually causes your metabolism to crawl. The timing of your meals is off, and frankly, the nutritional composition is poor too. That's the fatal flaw in these kinds of diets, particularly when you're younger and your metabolism shouldn't be slowing down like that. On top of that, your immune system will take a hit, and you're looking at potential anemia and just general, crushing fatigue.
So, please, be really careful about how you choose your diet. Fiber is key, and you need actual variety in what you eat—don't skip meals. Make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals. Starving yourself? Definitely not a good idea.
If you head over to the Food & Nutrition forum, you'll find much more specialized info on various diet plans—honestly, I’d suggest starting a thread there instead. Since you posted this here, we can really only comment on whether your meals seem balanced and healthy enough.
My personal advice would be to steer clear of those nasty refined carbs and processed stuff—you know, things like bouillon cubes or thickeners—especially if you aren't sticking strictly to olive oil. It looks like you skipped the most vital part of the day, though—breakfast! You should definitely incorporate whole grains (not the sugary kind loaded with chocolate bits and whatnot); also, try adding some whole wheat flour if you prefer thicker textures, as I noticed that's missing, and it's quite important. In general, the more varied your menu is with all the necessary nutrients (definitely include fish), the better; having a repetitive, monotonous diet isn't exactly ideal. Regarding that chard risotto—instead of using flour to thicken it, just sauté the chard with a few boiled potatoes, drizzle some olive oil over it, and add some garlic and herbs. There’s really no point in thickening soups with extra additives when you could just load them up with vegetables. Just make a hearty vegetable soup, add a splash of olive oil, and then use an immersion blender—or just mash it down—to get that thicker consistency. So, the goal is: less processed food, less fat, less frying, and significantly less white flour, white sugar, white bread, and other highly processed junk. And, of course, try to stay active.
How much weight you actually lose will depend on whether you're exercising, how much you move in general, and your portion sizes. It's usually better to eat five smaller meals a day (like a piece of fruit for a snack) rather than just two or three massive meals.
Edit: If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Poor food choices combined with starving yourself—especially if you're still growing—can be pretty bad for your health. Plus, it's often counterproductive; people tend to just fall back into their old habits once they quit the diet, leading to that classic yo-yo effect.
He certainly isn’t the first—nor will he be the last—to deal with this much hair; at the end of the day, he is a man, after all.
How can anyone truly know if there isn't an underlying health issue at play here? I suppose he ought to get his hormone levels checked and perhaps have a serious consultation with a physician to determine whether this level of hair growth is actually within the normal range.
Dana Reyes5 said:Maybe she’s exaggerating—losing 5 pounds in two weeks seems a bit much—or perhaps there is actually some underlying issue going on where exercise alone won't cut it.
It is certainly possible she's being a bit dramatic, though I suppose everything she needs to do was laid out by her doctor; at this point, it’s really up to her, and I guess it depends on which medical report we happen to be looking at.
The only reason I moved this thread over here was because of this specific question:
copperbison34 said:Does anyone know any good exercises to tone my thighs and glutes without ending up looking like a professional bodybuilder?
Jessica Wilson76 said:It seems you’ve done quite a bit of research on HPV. I was diagnosed about two and a half years ago—the mildest strain, of course—and I’m still dealing with it. I honestly can't tell if it really lasts this long or if something is actually wrong. I go to my OB-GYN every six months, but it’s always the same story; my doctor tells me it’s perfectly normal, that almost every other sexually active person carries this specific type and that it just clears up on its own once your immune system kicks in. It’s true that I’m not exactly doing anything special to boost my immunity—and I am under constant stress, I suppose—but I really expected it to be gone by now.
Well, that all depends on an enormous number of variables—things like sexual behavior (switching partners, not using protection, etc.), your immune system, how long you've been carrying it, the specific strain, and—of course—your gynecologist. I don't know which type you have, what your Pap results look like, or how often you're getting HPV testing, but if it has been lingering for a while—especially if there have been any changes to the cervix that haven't been treated—it is possible you might have a persistent infection, though maybe not. HPV is notoriously unpredictable, which is why you really have to stay on top of it. A clean Pap smear doesn't necessarily mean the virus is gone; usually, it takes a few consecutive negative HPV tests to confirm the virus has actually cleared. You have to be diligent, because there are certainly people for whom the virus prefers to stay... indefinitely.🙂
rustywalker89 said:So, here’s the situation—my last three cycles have been incredibly short, lasting only about two days each. To make matters even more confusing, the third one was nothing more than some light brown spotting. On top of that, my cycle length has dropped to around 21 or 22 days, whereas it used to be a much more predictable 30 to 32 days. I guess I’m wondering if any of you have dealt with similar shifts... should I actually be concerned about this?
If this has been dragging on for this long—and if your cycle is already all out of whack—then I suppose you really ought to go get your hormone levels checked. You should probably have a gynecologist take a look at your ovaries via ultrasound, too. It’s entirely possible that you might just be dealing with a bit of heightened stress lately.
shadowheron19 said:I was wondering—is it actually possible for your period to be late after using vaginal suppositories? I had a bit of a minor infection, so I used those treatments for about 14 days straight... and now my cycle is running behind schedule.
Not quite. It’s really our hormones that dictate the cycle—specifically ovarian function—which, in turn, is influenced by a massive web of variables. We’re talking about how stress levels, underlying health issues (like thyroid dysfunction, for instance), general lifestyle choices, diet, and even genetic predispositions all converge to impact those hormonal fluctuations. It’s a complex system, I suppose.
Jessica Wilson76 said:Look, the reality is that nobody is truly certain about anything these days. Even if you’re using a condom, anything can happen—and if you aren't, well, the risks are even higher. But what I was actually wondering is whether it’s possible to pick up a virus just through skin contact, without any actual contact with semen?
Of course it is; that’s really the core of the issue. You don't necessarily need semen involved at all. While a condom does protect you from most STIs, it won't provide one hundred percent protection against HPV. So, if we are talking about viruses specifically, we're likely talking about that. The reason? It’s quite simple: a condom just can't cover the entire genital area that the virus targets—or rather, where it can strike. And naturally, high-risk strains often present no symptoms at all. With low-risk strains, you might see genital warts, but those can develop internally rather than externally, so they frequently go completely unnoticed. Honestly, the symptoms you're experiencing probably aren't related to HPV, since it’s mostly asymptomatic, and even when there are symptoms, they wouldn't look quite like yours.
I've already started applying some Johnson & Johnson cream on my own and it seems to be helping so far, though I suppose a full three-day course is needed to clear it up.
You apply the cream externally, unless it came with an applicator meant for internal use. As for the suppositories, you get three of them, and you're supposed to insert one every night before going to bed.
There are plenty of them out there. You can definitely find those answers in the Recreation PDF, but honestly—it might be worth looking into why you’re seeing such sudden weight gain. I mean, I suppose it could be improper training techniques, though I find that hard to believe. Moving this over to Recreation.
Jessica Wilson76 said:A few days after having sex, I’m feeling this itching and redness in my genital area—it's incredibly uncomfortable, and I honestly can't tell if it'll just clear up on its own or if I really need to see a gynecologist. We mostly used a condom, but apparently, I still managed to pick up some kind of infection. Is it possible to catch something just from contact with semen, or can it happen simply through skin-to-skin contact with the penis??
Pretty much this entire subforum is dedicated to this exact topic. Of course you can contract an infection—not just from semen, per se, but through any contact with the penis and the surrounding area, as well as via oral, anal, or even just general foreplay. That is... how shall I put this... something one ought to understand before engaging in sexual activity in general. Most STIs are caused by bacteria or viruses, many of which don't even present symptoms initially. What you're describing sounds like a classic case of Candida—a fungus that actually lives naturally within us and just flourishes when conditions become favorable (perhaps a reaction to the lubricant on a condom, more vigorous intercourse, excessive dryness from either the vagina or the condom itself, using too much fabric softener or harsh detergents on your underwear, wearing thongs, or perhaps using non-breathable fabrics; antibiotics, high sugar intake, stress, or a weakened immune system). This typically results in white discharge—sort of a cottage cheese consistency—along with stinging and itching. And I suppose the more you scratch or try to wash it away with aggressive soaps and various treatments, the worse it gets. And, of course—fungal infections aren't technically considered an STI or a contagious disease.
Now, look, no one here can give you a definitive guarantee that this is actually what you have; you know as well as I do that you really need to visit a gynecologist for a proper exam to confirm whether it is indeed a fungal issue. It seems somewhat pointless for me to sit here and lecture you on every single possibility, especially since there are countless useful threads about different pathogens and transmission methods, and plenty of information online. Just go see a doctor; it's the best way to get clarity. If you truly do have that thick discharge along with the itching and stinging, I might suggest pausing sexual activity until it clears up—meaning, perhaps, while you use some Johnson & Johnson cream and the corresponding vaginal suppositories to start a treatment regimen. But, I guess, gynecologist first.
fadedmarlin402 said:I also feel it’s worth noting—though I suppose it goes without saying for some—that abdominal exercises don't actually contribute to weight loss. They merely increase the mass of the abdominal muscles through anaerobic training...
Bottom line. 👍 I was under this same misconception for quite a while before I was properly educated on the matter. Which is why I stick to light jogging.
Get a full hormone panel done—definitely include a thyroid check along with a complete blood count. It probably wouldn't hurt to start by seeing a gynecologist for an ultrasound; they could also write you a referral for the hormone testing while you're there.
A friend of mine actually ordered one of these through eBay, and even though he’s married with kids now, it still hangs on his bedroom wall to this day 😁 As for finding something similar here in the States—I'm not entirely certain—but you might have some luck at those local kiosks that sell band tees; I've seen various flags, pennants, and scarves floating around, so I suppose it might be worth doing a bit more digging, at least in larger cities like Chicago or Seattle.
Regarding that cervical swab for ureaplasma and mycoplasma—that is actually a distinct test, performed separately just to target those two specific little pests. You will receive a report indicating whether they have been isolated or not; if either of them shows up, the lab will most likely include an antibiogram as well—which basically means they'll suggest which antibiotic is probably your best bet for treatment.
Well, this post is from over six and a half years ago. I suspect—though I can't say for certain—that he's likely figured quite a bit out in the interim.
redbadger10 said:So, I was just looking in the mirror—just a routine check, really—and I noticed this tiny little speck on my forehead. It’s roughly 1x1mm, maybe a bit less, and honestly, it looks somewhat like a small skin tag. Now, I find myself feeling a bit unsettled by the whole thing—if there's even a way to be "unsettled" by something so minuscule—and I suppose I'm wondering if anyone else has dealt with this sort of thing? What could it possibly be?
It’s probably for the best that you’re scheduling that appointment with the urologist. If the lesion actually resembles a wart, then there is a decent chance it is indeed a condyloma caused by a low-risk strain of HPV—though, typically, those don't present with the kind of redness you described. A specialist will be able to clear things up for you, and I imagine they’ll likely want to run a few swabs just to be certain.
I am honestly not entirely sure whether she has actually seen her primary care physician yet or if she’s even gone through with the necessary lab work. I suppose it remains to be seen if they have managed to isolate anything specific—though, given the circumstances, one can only hope. Regardless, she really ought to schedule an appointment with her gynecologist to get those cervical swabs done; and I should clarify, I don't just mean a standard Pap smear, but the full battery of swabs to be certain. Only then—once everything is truly accounted for—can we say she has undergone a complete diagnostic workup.
Betty Chase54 said:I guess I can never be 100% certain if someone is actually using a clone account...
btw, the author wasn't banned from cloning herself; she was just banned from using a clone if her original handle is already flagged...😉
I suppose one could attempt to post using a clone account within the same thread as their primary handle—essentially engaging in a bit of self-dialogue to offer oneself some much-needed moral support. It’s a rather peculiar way to go about things, I guess, but there it is.