Back when I was working at a different radio station, we put together this rather polished "In Memoriam" special to mark his birthday. It moved through the years at a relaxed pace, weaving in his most iconic tracks to capture the essence of each era—though, naturally, we made sure to lean heavily into his post-Beatles years and that solo career of his. Besides, with the Christmas season right around the corner, it feels like the perfect time to revisit "War Is Over."
Have you ever gone through allergy testing specifically for chlorine? I’m not entirely sure why we would just rule that out completely, right?
From what I can tell, though—and this is just my take—it looks like contact dermatitis. It could be an allergic reaction, or maybe just simple irritation. Honestly, showering multiple times a day isn't helping at all; it'll probably just create this endless loop where things actually end up getting worse. You should definitely see a dermatologist—and in the meantime, I'd suggest staying away from pools and avoiding any harsh shampoos or cosmetics (like heavily scented lotions or perfumes) that might aggravate it, even if we aren't 100% certain yet.
Since there’s already an active thread over on ZZ, I suppose we should probably just move this discussion over there and leave it for people to browse through at their own leisure. We actually have a dedicated topic covering that specific subject—as well as our general approach to nutrition 😉
Diane 35 is typically prescribed for PCOS—though I suppose I don't know if you actually had your hormone levels checked or an ovarian ultrasound performed prior to starting birth control? If your cycles were already irregular before this, then it’s quite likely just a matter of hormonal imbalance; it doesn't necessarily mean you have both "combination" pills and polycystic ovaries simultaneously. Usually, once you stop taking the pill, things tend to revert to their previous state—meaning your cycle might get a bit "messy" or longer again. That's why we often refer to them as "masks" in PCOS cases; they essentially just touch up the symptoms while you're on them.
If you haven't had any formal hormone testing done up to this point, then I would strongly suggest you do so. Your OB-GYN can write you a referral, and you really ought to check your LH, FSH (their ratio is quite important), prolactin, estradiol, free testosterone, total testosterone, progesterone, androstenedione, DHEAS, and your thyroid levels. 🙂
Let’s try to bring things back down to earth for a moment. urbanorca, until there are extensive, statistically significant studies available—and until we aren't just talking about "some" doctors or isolated individuals scattered across different countries—you have to accept that people aren't going to jump on this bandwagon overnight. There is a healthy level of caution here, and frankly, there always will be among patients; that is simply something you need to wrap your head around. Attempting to push further explanations at this stage might actually be counterproductive. Are Americans perhaps overly skeptical? I suppose they can be, but they certainly aren't the only nation to feel that way, and that’s perfectly fine. It isn't just limited to this specific topic, either—it applies to a whole host of others. Just imagine the chaos if everyone blindly believed every single thing they read online about miracle cures for every ailment under the sun. The internet is a wild west, and a certain amount of skepticism and caution is actually quite necessary, especially when reliable, large-scale studies are lacking. I realize you’re coming from a place of wanting to help, truly, but you must understand that most people are going to put more trust in their real-life specialist managing their care than they will in some random website or strangers they've never met. 😉
William Sanders5 said:What are your thoughts on detoxing the system—and more importantly, which methods actually work? I’ve been having this nagging sensation that I desperately need to flush out all the excess sugar and junk I've been consuming lately. It feels like a necessary step if I want to get back into decent shape after months of being, well, somewhat neglectful regarding my diet. 😉
I suppose you could say this falls somewhere in that gray area between an alternative lifestyle and pure gastronomy.
I’m not entirely sure what your personal definition of "cleansing the system" entails—everyone seems to have their own peculiar theory these days—but if you ask me, true detoxification isn't some magic pill or a trendy juice fast. It is, I suppose, much more about discipline. A proper, moderate approach to nutrition—focusing heavily on whole, unprocessed foods, plenty of leafy greens, nuts, and perhaps some herbal infusions—combined with steady, moderate exercise, is likely the only realistic way to actually get back in shape.
Fasting for a few days and just chugging water isn't exactly going to do you any favors—not really. Sure, maybe you’ll feel like you're "detoxing," but you might just be flushing out the good stuff along with the bad. It doesn't quite work that simply, or as quickly as most people imagine it does. I suppose I should mention that I'm a pretty big advocate for a healthy lifestyle, so if your plan is to "cleanse" yourself with nothing but water for a couple of days, only to revert right back to your old habits immediately after—or even cycle in and out of these phases—then I guess it doesn't make much sense at all. 😉
I suspect you're letting paranoia get the better of you—totally unnecessary, if you ask me. First off, you don't fall into a high-risk category, and I don't believe that girl does either. Of course, those in high-risk groups ought to undergo retesting, given there's always that slim margin where a result might come back false negative or false positive.
Well, it’s certainly possible—though I suppose everything with hormone therapy is highly individual, much like how people react to oral contraceptives. I know there is a list of documented side effects out there; they probably aren't identical to what you'd experience with the pill, but from what I can gather, things like headaches and breast tenderness are frequently mentioned as potential issues during those first few weeks or months. 🤷
To be perfectly honest, I don't really know, but I would love to hear if there is anyone else on this forum who actually uses this and how they are managing with it. 🙂
Thanks, darling, 😉 such an interesting topic—it's a good one to bring up!
In any case, I've heard things about this—though, in person, I haven't actually met anyone who uses that little wonder or seen what it actually looks like. Like any other form of birth control, I suppose, it has its pros and cons, and there is a definitive expiration date.
As for the whole thing regarding menstruation—I'm not entirely sure if it’s true that it stops altogether. If that really is the case, then perhaps it isn't the wisest choice for young girls who haven't given birth yet. At least, that's my take. It feels to me like one of those contraceptive options people turn to once all the other "supplies" have been exhausted—meaning, they aren't viable for various reasons.
Here, the community members (and even the guys 😁) can read more: Contraceptive implants.
And this is quite useful. I had no idea they had been on the market for this long. I suppose that's because I'm here in America rather than in Sweden 😁:
Implants have been on the market since 1987, when Norplant first appeared in Sweden and Finland. Norplant consists of six flexible silastic rods, each containing 36 mg of crystalline levonorgestrel. Through the refinement of Norplant, we got Norplant 2, which consists of two rods with 70 mg of levonorgestrel each, though it is completely surpassed by Implanon, which consists of a single rod containing 68 mg of etonorgestrel (3-keto-desogestrel).
The implant is placed under the skin on the underside of the upper arm of the non-dominant hand; the rod itself is invisible, though you can feel it if you touch it. Insertion of the implant is usually performed under local anesthesia, and in 90% of cases, the insertion takes less than 3 minutes. Removal of the implant is done after 3 years, and in 83% of cases, it takes less than 5 minutes.
Where did you pick up that tea blend? I’m wondering if someone just whipped it up themselves or if it was bought pre-packaged from a local health food store like Whole Foods. One really ought to exercise some caution when it comes to these herbal mixtures—after all, you never truly know what might trigger an allergic reaction, and I suppose whoever is responsible for the "mixing" should be paying much closer attention to the ratios involved.
If I may offer a suggestion, perhaps it would be wise to see a physician; it probably wouldn't hurt to ask for a referral to a dermatologist for some allergy testing. That way, you'll actually know exactly what to avoid in the future.
It’s possible you’re dealing with some localized inflammation in the gum tissue—molars can be particularly finicky, especially if you've recently had a tooth erupt or are still navigating that particular stage of dental development. That said, I suppose you should probably head to a dentist if things don't settle down on their own—though, honestly, it might be worth making an appointment regardless just to have a professional give your teeth a thorough once-over. 😉
Have you been back to the dentist lately? It’s entirely possible the issue is tooth-related—though, I suppose, cavities aren't always immediately obvious when you're just performing a quick self-examination.
Could you perhaps clarify exactly where you're feeling this discomfort? For instance, is the pain localized, or does it seem to encompass your entire mouth—like the whole gum line, for example?
So, I actually dealt with secondary oligomenorrhea myself, though my experience was a bit different from yours. 🙂 For the first few years, my cycles were practically as predictable as a Swiss watch—until they started stretching out. On average, I’d be looking at somewhere between 34 and 39 days, though it always fell within that window. Occasionally, I’d get lucky and it would show up on day 30. Throughout that entire stretch, all my ultrasounds came back perfectly normal—meaning absolutely no adhesions or those clusters of follicles on the ovaries.
However, late last year and moving into early this year, things shifted—I started seeing acne, specifically on my forehead, followed by a massive breakout along my jawline and neck. My forehead became oily, which was a total departure from my skin type; I’ve honestly never had acne in my life. I knew intuitively that something wasn't right, and it turned out to be PCOS. At that point, the ultrasound showed ovaries that looked distinctly polycystic. All my hormone levels were technically within the "normal" range, except for my LH, which was elevated—which meant my FSH to LH ratio was essentially trashed. Since my blood work suggested I wasn't exactly the ideal candidate for birth control pills, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started eating much cleaner, tried to manage my stress levels (and believe me, that has been—and still is—a massive hurdle 😠), started exercising, and cut out a huge amount of sugar—even though I spent days crying like a toddler over chocolate and everything else I missed. My next ultrasound showed ovaries that looked slightly polycystic, though one was almost clear while the other was a bit more pronounced. I kept up with the lifestyle changes, and by my most recent ultrasound, they were as clear as a bell. This month, however, I was a little less than disciplined—I did quit smoking, but I ended up putting on a few pounds and indulged in far too many treats. Naturally, after being so consistent, a few breakouts surfaced and my cycle drifted again, just when I thought I had everything under control. That's the reality of self-discipline, I suppose. Plus, there was quite a bit of stress involved 😛.
Ultimately, my doctor told me the exact same thing he told you—that I shouldn't worry about fertility prospects because I am indeed ovulating; it was clearly visible on the last scan (and I’ve been tracking it successfully for about six months now). He basically said my ovaries are just being a little "lazy," and I should simply maintain this healthy routine.
But if I'm being honest, the hardest part for me was that during that whole period of irregular cycles, none of the three different gynecologists I saw ever mentioned a thing—except for one single doctor, to whom I am eternally grateful!
Daniel White15 said:Hi! Here is some more great news from my side—there is NOTHING left on my left ovary!!! And get this, it’s been there for a year, despite all those hormones I was taking. I’ve been drinking herbal tea for four months straight now—I mean, every single day. My routine is simple: I brew about a liter in the morning, let it steep covered for about 20 minutes, strain it, pour it into a liter bottle, and take it with me when I head out to work. Honestly, whenever I get thirsty, I reach for my tea instead of plain water. What's in the mix? In that one liter, I add a teaspoon of calendula, a teaspoon of chamomile, a teaspoon of valerian, and a teaspoon of nettle leaf (you can find the root too, but for our specific issues, the leaf is what you want). I buy everything from local herbal apothecaries; I just feel like I can trust them the most. On top of all that, I’m also taking evening primrose oil and Vitamin E. Just a heads up though—be prepared to be running to the bathroom a lot! 😁.
I totally agree—stress and everything that hitches a ride with it really does a number on our skin. It’s just science, right? You get those stress hormones spiking, which then trigger a whole domino effect of hormonal imbalances, and suddenly, you're facing all that trouble. It's like a vicious cycle!
Was it some magic herbal tea or just the stars aligning? Honestly, who cares! All I know is that my tenant—who was absolutely nothing but pure trouble—has finally been gone for over two years now. I’m pretty convinced those herbal brews did the trick and cleared the air.
Good luck!
I’m genuinely happy to hear you’ve managed to get everything back on track—and honestly, the point about stress is spot on. We rarely even realize the sheer scale of what stress does to us or the damage it can actually cause. It’s all just one massive, messy chain reaction, I suppose.
So, we’re looking at an irregular menstrual rhythm here, but specifically regarding oligomenorrhea—which essentially refers to what we call a prolonged cycle. To put it simply, periods are generally present, but they seem to be consistently late. They stretch beyond the standard 28 or 30 days, usually landing somewhere north of 34 or 35 days. In most cases, this typically stems from an extended follicular phase.
If we assume a normal cycle threshold is a maximum of 35 days—supposing a woman's cycle is consistently longer than that, or if she experiences, say, fewer than nine (the milder version) or six periods annually—then it is quite likely oligomenorrhea.
There are two types: primary oligomenorrhea and secondary oligomenorrhea.
Primary oligomenorrhea would involve prolonged cycles dating all the way back to your very first period; in other words, it has always been this way.
Secondary oligomenorrhea, as the name implies, refers to cycles that have become prolonged only later on—meaning they developed after an initial period of regular cycles. And, interestingly enough, this second type is significantly more common—accounting for about 70% of these disruptions.
What causes it? Well, much like many other cycle irregularities:
- excessive stress levels - elevated levels of male sex hormones (androgens) - increased prolactin levels - thyroid issues - dysfunction in the ovaries or adrenal glands. - the presence of a pituitary tumor…
It’s all interconnected, really, and many people might probably guess the connection—there is a massive link to PCOS. In fact, over 80 percent of those dealing with oligomenorrhea also have PCOS, whether it manifests in a mild, moderate, or more pronounced form.
Anyway, if you are currently facing these issues, or perhaps have dealt with them in the past, it would be helpful to hear about your experiences and what kind of diagnostic testing you’ve undergone. Did your doctors ever actually bring up this specific term, and have you noticed just how much stress and lifestyle factors can influence all of this?
Taylor Smith3 said:And yeah, just a quick heads-up—since I stopped taking the pill a few months back, I’ve basically been eating like there's no tomorrow (put on a few pounds) and I’ve noticed I'm getting way hairier. Thankfully, the acne hasn't kicked in, though I have spotted some on my back.
So, that’s really it—you just have to work your way back to a "healthier" baseline. For some people, it’s enough to just drop a few pounds, get moving—meaning walking or jogging for at least 30 minutes a day—and cut out the sugar. If you pair that with some decent herbal tea or even just a simple detox, manage your stress levels, things tend to settle back into place. As for me, I actually managed to get my cycles back on track over the last few months—though this current one has stretched out a bit longer than usual, and I know exactly why that is. I quit smoking, but then I started eating more, and well, everything else too... mashed potatoes and holiday parties were everywhere, and I just wasn't being careful, nor was I exercising. So now, I have to get back to a healthy routine because, up until now, I had managed to get my PCOS under control quite well; my ovaries were completely clear, and my overall health and cycles were great and predictable. I wish you luck—you can definitely handle this (assuming you've decided to go pill-free) 👍
Taylor Smith3 said:They did an ultrasound on me, my left ovary shows polycystic morphology, there aren't any actual cysts, so why isn't there much fluid? 😢
It’s because you have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Believe it or not, one of the most common primary symptoms is irregular cycles—among many others. These aren't actually cysts, but rather numerous small follicles; it isn't a single disease, but a syndrome accompanied by a range of symptoms. Some are visible—like acne, hair thinning, weight gain, or increased hair growth in certain areas, such as the chin area—and some are functional, which we don't see. That said, you don't necessarily need to exhibit all of these symptoms; having irregular cycles alone is enough to qualify.
Don't worry too much, you'll get your period eventually, though it would certainly be wise to have your gynecologist order some hormone testing. If the ultrasound points toward PCOS, then checking your hormone levels is necessary to figure out where the "short circuit" is happening—somewhere in the system, for sure. Depending on what they think is best, your doctor might suggest birth control again after a break, or perhaps you'll decide to manage things naturally (there is plenty of info on the PCOS thread). It's more of a lifelong condition than a curable illness; you either use medications like the pill to mask the symptoms, or it's largely up to you to manage it as best as possible through diet, a healthy lifestyle, minimizing stress, cutting out bad carbs, and staying active. But first, just ask them to write you a referral for blood work.
I've already done everything you mentioned. We still see them around the house, especially when it's humid. Back home in California, whenever the wind dies down and the sun is out, they seem to disappear. I'm not positive if I'm actually allergic, but lately, I've been dealing with symptoms—waking up with a scratchy throat and a stuffed-up nose and all that.
Have you tried that Acarosan spray or something similar based on Benzyl benzoate? I haven't tried that yet, but I've been reading nothing but good reviews online. Apparently, you just spray it on the bed and around the house and it lasts for six months. They say it absolutely kills the mites.
Best!
Now, I’m certainly no entomology expert, but I honestly don't know if people can actually see those mites with the naked eye. From what I understand, the only ones you might actually spot are those larger varieties—the kind that cause issues for honeybees, I think.
As far as finding a more thorough solution, perhaps you should take the advice of Susan Hall3 regarding professional pest control; essentially, call in the pros and ask them about using ACAROSAN while they're at it. Also, regarding your situation, it might not even be caused by mites—it would probably be wise to rule out all other potential causes first.
I'm from the South as well, so I know how much we rely on those refreshing breezes and clear skies to just... clean everything out. It’s such a relief when the air finally clears up and everything feels fresh again. 🙂
Are you asking because someone is dealing with an allergy, or what?
The reality is, you can’t actually eradicate dust mites entirely—nothing can—you can only manage them. At the end of the day, we are essentially hosting these mites (for instance, in your eyelash follicles), and you’ll find over a thousand of them just sitting in your bed
If someone is hypersensitive to mites, then by all means, you should do everything within your power to mitigate the situation. That basically means stripping away anything that acts as a dust magnet—think carpets, upholstered furniture, tablecloths, curtains, throw pillows, or even the clothes in your closet (like heavy winter coats or extra layers hanging on the rack that aren't currently in use). And, of course, there's the perennial, most difficult issue: the bed itself.
Nowadays, there is a massive variety of covers and mattresses available, and I suspect that investing in anti-allergy versions would be a wise move regardless.
There are plenty of various topical treatments on the market too, though I’d suggest consulting with a specialist before jumping into those.