So, here’s the deal: I want to get an ultrasound just to be safe. My periods are incredibly painful and my ovulation hurts sometimes too. I know that can be normal, but I worry it might be a sign of something else, like endometriosis or a cyst, God forbid.
I got a referral, but I honestly can't make out the handwriting. I'm about 90% sure it's for a transvaginal ultrasound 😁. My question is: how should I prepare for that specific type (is it the same as a standard pelvic exam or...?); and for those who know—where is the best place to go in Chicago, and what are the wait times like?
If anyone has any other helpful tips from their own experience, please feel free to share...
I think you're better off taking a pill that actually works for you and just settling the issue. If you don't want to go that route, I get it—I wouldn't touch pills unless it was absolutely necessary myself. Also, I'm a little confused by your question about how Dobroston speeds up menstruation, hmm...? You can find some info on how to use the medication right here, so take a look... From what I understand, you'd probably need to see a gynecologist to get Dobroston anyway, so your best bet is to just head to her office.
Yeah, sounds like an infection for sure... just go see your OB-GYN and you'll be fine. Once you start being on a first-name basis with them, stick to that. Just keep up with the checkups without the stress or the panic. 😉
That stinging sensation is likely a sign of a UTI, which can sometimes be a side effect after having sex for the first time. It happens to plenty of women. Just so you know, don't panic—it’s nothing life-threatening—but you really should see a gynecologist right away. They might want to run a urine culture or some other tests. That kind of stinging can also be caused by E. coli bacteria; it's naturally part of our bodies, but if it moves into the vaginal area, the urethra, or the bladder where it doesn't belong, you'll need antibiotics. If left untreated, things can get complicated, and you could end up dealing with this for years... I just wanted to use that example to show how important it is to get to a doctor as soon as possible. In the future, please don't take weird symptoms like stinging lightly. Go straight to a doctor and get everything checked out. Good luck 🙂
I used to sleep without underwear so everything could just "breathe," but I stopped once I realized it wasn't really practical.😂
Plus, my OB-GYN was very strict about avoiding tampons.🙂
Right?👍
Sleeping without underwear is healthy—assuming you aren't on your period—just to let things breathe.
Personally, I wouldn't dream of sleeping with a tampon, especially if I end up drinking too much... You aren't supposed to wear them for more than 3-4 hours according to the instructions. They should be changed every 3 hours, so wearing one for 7 or 8 hours while you sleep is out of the question.😲 No way.
It's better to just wear underwear. Even if you layer up with boxers or use a towel like stormymaker24 suggested.😉
I don't really have any habits like the ones you listed, 😬 For instance, I’ll say it again: wearing tampons overnight? No way. A pad stays on the outside, which is much better. My only "bad habit"—if you can even call it that—is using a liner during ovulation. There's just no chance I'm heading out to the mall, to campus, or anywhere else feeling like something is sticking to me... 😍
Here's a tip for those nights when your flow is heavy: try putting on a heavy-duty overnight pad right before bed. Wear some loose panties—we all have those "period panties" at home specifically for sleeping, right? 🙂 If you have an old pair of oversized boxers, throw them on over the underwear to keep everything secure. I know being too compressed isn't great, but give it a shot; it works for me. Also, during those days, I try to limit my sleep to about 7 hours so nothing has a chance to leak... I manage to power through on much less sleep than usual, even though I'm a total sleep lover by nature. Usually, I need a solid 10 hours. :P
I only have Neofen at home this time... you're right—it takes forever to kick in and it’s pretty weak, but I figured anything is better than nothing, so that's what I grabbed. I usually take Advil, but it makes my head spin so badly it’s actually scary, so I stopped. Sometimes I’ll take Tylenol, but when the pain is this intense, I might just try some Motrin instead. 🙂 thanks for the tip! yeah, heat definitely helps. I've been taking longer showers and using the warm water to massage my lower abdomen while I'm in there. I'm feeling a lot better today, so I'm actually heading out. Great advice. 🙂
and as for everyone leaving me alone—haha, true... but the pain is still there, so unfortunately that just solves the problem of me potentially strangling someone because I'm so cranky. haha.
Hey guys, I’m going through it this month too... I've been curled up all day. I just took my second dose of Advil (about 8 hours apart), but honestly, it’s doing zero for the pain. I’m starting to get worried that this isn't just standard period cramps. Could this be a symptom of something like endometriosis, even if my cycle is regular and everything else seems fine—like, my Pap smear was clear and there are no signs of infection? 😢 help....
swiftbear86 said:use Elon Musk for up to 7 days... for care, grab a Johnson & Johnson hand cream with at least 5% urea.. helps with itching and dry, cracked skin..👍
Exactly. Johnson & Johnson is pricey, but one tube lasts a while. Also, my dermatologist told me last time to use Elon Musk very thinly for 10 days... you need at least 7 days. One day just offers temporary relief; you have to build up a certain concentration in your system. It’s tough because it’s a corticosteroid—do a little Googling if you want to stay informed. Good luck! 😉
Just one question... you mentioned it's on the fingers of your left hand. Are you left-handed by any chance? 🙂 For me, it only happens on my right hand, and I'm right-handed.
I’m dealing with something similar—a chronic issue with one finger. I also have dermatitis that flares up occasionally in different spots. I haven't used anything recommended by a dermatologist until recently, but they did prescribe Elocom cream. Just a heads-up: while it works great in the moment, you shouldn't overdo it. It’s a pure corticosteroid, which can mess with your hormone levels if used too often. Usually, you apply a thin layer once a night for about 5 to 7 days, then gradually taper off the amount. That way, you aren't just masking the issue, and you give your body a chance to step back in and handle things on its own. I'm not entirely sure what to call it, but I doubt it's psoriasis. Try following the Elocom routine first, then protect the area from hot water and harsh detergents for a few days. Use a bandage to shield it from certain fruits or vegetables, too—I have specific ones I can't touch without a reaction. When you're out on the bus or subway, keep it covered with a patch so bacteria doesn't interfere with the healing process. Once that settles, start the final phase: protecting the skin with a heavy-duty, moisturizing hand cream. That’s my routine, and it works for me. I don't have much else to offer, but it might just be an allergy or contact dermatitis, maybe triggered by something blooming outside right now.
What kind of amateur is this, making up diagnoses just by glancing at someone or doing a quick exam? Seriously? These people are completely unhinged... And they actually teach this in med school? Is this how doctors are trained now? Unbelievable.
Don't let it get to you too much. Just try to calm her down and make sure she goes to a legitimate clinic to see an actual OB-GYN specialist.
My girlfriend is dealing with some spinal issues, so I picked up a large pilates ball for her. The idea is for her to sit on it while she studies, since sitting on her bed was causing her constant neck and back pain. So, here’s the question: How much should I inflate this thing? What pressure are we talking about? The woman at the shop where I bought it just said, "just feel it," but I want a rough idea of how firm it actually needs to be, because... honestly, I have no clue lol. Also, if anyone has any tips, tricks, or advice, please share. 🙂 Thanks, cheers. Roger Smith6
You actually have the exact same topic over in the fitness and sports gear section under pilates balls...
Just use a hand pump and fill it up. If she plans on sitting on it for long periods during the day, pump it up until it's nearly full. You could even use a tape measure to check the diameter once you're done and compare it to what the box says. I hope you got the right size, though, because height matters a lot here. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how smart it is to use a ball as a permanent study chair... It's great for desk work, writing, or using a computer. I've been using mine for almost three months now and it's awesome—I also use it for my daily workouts—but maybe she could switch things up by studying lying down on her stomach or something. cheers!
thanks Elizabeth Jackson64 🙂 It’s definitely possible for the bacteria to come back. Apparently, the H. pylori wasn't causing issues like pain before... but then again, who really knows? Anything can happen. You're telling the truth, regardless. So, checking the liver is the next step on the list. That could be the culprit since the pain is more on my upper right side, not centered. Thanks again, everyone!! I'll keep reading if you have more to share..
I just skimmed through your posts and I'm honestly shocked by some of the weird parenting styles I'm seeing here. 😬Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with anyone's individual choices, but this approach seems totally irrational and could lead to real problems. Maybe they think by "forbidding" their daughters from seeing a doctor, they can somehow delay them becoming sexually active, but they don't realize what they're actually doing... or do they? Anyway, off-topic: the truth is that infections and diseases are spreading like wildfire these days because girls are becoming active so much earlier, and on top of that, they don't seem to care about their own health at all... not everyone, obviously, but I hear about it more and more often. It’s like someone said—it's like having a toothache and refusing to see a dentist until the pain is so unbearable you're losing your mind. Wtf... I don't think a girl needs to rush to the gynecologist the second she gets her period; that feels like overkill. What, is it just another shock after supposedly "entering the world of women"? No. In my opinion, every girl should probably establish a file with a doctor around the time she starts high school (or sooner, obviously, if there are issues like irregular periods, extreme pain, or strange bodily changes). But she could wait for actual exams until her first sexual encounter (though she should definitely consult someone about contraception before then). That’s just my take, though. Everyone has their own views. Personally, I got my first period at 13, everything was perfectly fine, and I didn't even really feel it (unlike today, when I feel like I might die from the cramps). My records were set up, but I didn't have my first exam until I was about 19, after I became sexually active. I did all the paperwork properly and have been going for regular checkups ever since...
As for those of you dealing with complicated moms—just go. It's a standard medical appointment just like any other. Sure, it's a little awkward because it involves intimate areas and you aren't used to being touched down there by anyone except maybe yourself or a boyfriend 😬, but it isn't painful. There's really no reason to avoid it...
Sarah Williams37 said:H. pylori is H. pylori. If she cleared that infection, then that isn't the issue anymore. Even if she had her gallbladder removed, she could still deal with liver issues. Once the gallbladder is gone, the liver takes on extra work. I'm not sure what else to tell you. I struggle with gastritis and sludge in my gallbladder myself, so the problems are constant. Right now, I'm trying coconut oil. She could try neem; she should be able to find some at a local health food store in a town like Columbus. When conventional medicine stops working, we usually turn to natural remedies. That's just how it goes. Fingers crossed.
Thanks, Sarah Williams37.🙂 Of course. She's skeptical about all those medications, which is why I'm reaching out to everyone here. I want to see if anyone has experience with alternative options. It's generally healthier, or at least it won't hurt if the pills aren't helping. So, the next step is coconut oil. Thanks again! I'll keep this thread open, so any future advice is welcome.🙏
Laura King24 said:I'm not sure what kind of follow-up tests she’s done since the surgery—the stuff you might not be aware of. When dealing with stomach issues, things like an endoscopy, a duodenoscopy, or testing for H. pylori wouldn't be a bad idea.
She already had a gastroscopy and tested positive for H. pylori, though I think she cleared that up a while ago.
Thanks for the advice. I'll mention the duodenoscopy and the H. pylori test to her.
If anyone else here dealt with long-term issues after gallbladder surgery... I'm all ears for any advice.
Cellulite doesn't care if you're thin or curvy—it's something at least half the female population seems to misunderstand. It’s often triggered by things like certain birth control pills that really mess with your system—they help one way, but they take a toll elsewhere. Or it just comes from sitting all day at an office job and not staying active. The good news is you can actually get rid of cellulite; it's much easier than dealing with stretch marks, which stay with you. Good luck on the other thread about supplements!😉