The Thong!

In celebration of most of my thongs now being in the garbage, I thought I should write a blog entry on why I did so and why thongs are so not good for your vagina.

First of all, thongs are normally made out of some sort of unnatural material, which allows them to stretch, like nylon or rayon. If you are going to wear thongs, make sure at least the 'crotch' part of the pantie is cotton. In fact, if you experience vaginal itching of any sort, you should always opt for cotton underwear, thong or not. Cotton allows the vagina to breathe, as well allows sweat to evaporate more readily, and makes it less likely that your pubic region is going to produce sweat.

Secondly, the string at the back of the thong that sits right near your, for lack of better terms, anus, or perineum, can serve as a 'transportation device' for bacteria to travel to your vagina. Bum bacteria getting into your vagina is a big no-no, and is not something that you want happening. It can lead to all sorts of problems.

Furthermore, as you move around during the day, thongs tend to rub and can cause micro-tears in the delicate skin around your vulva and clitoris, which can then create easy access for bacteria. Because of this, NEVER wear a thong when working out.

Thongs are also quite constricting, which can limit air flow, and your vagina needs to breathe.

Anyway, if you experience recurrent yeast infections, itching, or problems of any kind down there, switch to cotton boy-short panties and your vagina will thank you!

Breast Health

Ladies, girls, please, do your breast self exams, check for any changes or lumps in your breasts, and report back to your doctor if you find anything that is not normal, or that concerns you.

Healthy breasts come in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures, including lumpy. Your breasts can go through a variety of healthy changes in your lifetime, but it doesn't hurt to tell your doctor about these changes when you experience them, especially if you find any of the following abnormalities:

• Distinct single lumps that are either hard or soft
• Changes in breast shape. This can include dimpling (depression), bulges, or flattening. 
• Changes in skin colour or texture. This can include redness, skin that has the texture of an orange peel, thickening, roughness or puckering. 
• Bloody or cloudy discharge
• Breast sores that don't heal
• Changes in nipple location or shape

Causes of breast changes can include: hitting puberty, the menstrual cycle, weight changes, pregnancy, menopause and birth control pills.

Pap Smear Once (or Twice) Per Year

Depending on your results and what your doctor recommends, you should be going for a Pap Smear once or twice a year. The Pap Test, also called the Pap Smear, "checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus... that opens into the vagina" (Source= http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/pap-test.cfm#a). During the test, a doctor or gynecologist inserts a speculum into the vagina, allowing him/her to collect a number of cells from the outer opening of the cervix. The test lasts a maximum of 5 minutes and is uncomfortable at times, but is virtually painless.

I cannot stress how important it is for young girls and women to get at least an annual pap test. Pap tests can help prevent, and treat cervical cancer; they also screen for HPV (Human Pappillomavirus), which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The test can also help to detect many STD's/STI's. Nothing really negative can be said about the pap test, and so, please, GET YOUR PAP!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a side note, some things to remember at least 2 days before getting your pap are:
- Do not use vaginal creams, foams or jellies
- Do not have sex
- Do not use tampons

Doing any of these activities on the days before your pap can cause incorrect results. If you forget and do one of the above activities, talk to your doctor about whether or not you should reschedule your pap for another day.

Talk to your doctor/gynecologist if you have any questions about HPV, Cervical Cancer, or the Pap.

If you would like to take the Woman's Health Magazine's Online Quiz on Cervical Cancer, click on this link: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/cervical-cancer-quiz

Spitting on Yeast Infections

This just in, using spit as a lube may cause a yeast infection. I know what you're thinking, and I'm thinking it too. "Ewwwwwwwwwwww!" Also, if a man/woman (I'm no homophobe) gives you oral sex, this could also cause a yeast infection, possibly from the spit in general, or from something that is known as 'thrush', which is basically just a yeast infection (candida) of the mouth. What causes thrush?? Certain medications such as birth control pills and antibiotics, stress and certain illnesses can all cause thrush. Partners can transmit this yeast to one another through the mouth and the genitals. Please, talk to your doctor if you suspect you or your partner have any sort of a yeast infection.
Symptoms of a thrush in the mouth are pain or difficulty swallowing, the feeling that a piece of food is lodged in the chest or throat, and possibly a fever. 
Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are: irritation, itching, thick white discharge, redness, soreness and swelling of the vagina and vulva. Causes of a vaginal yeast infection are many and include wearing clothes that are too tight, certain antibiotics or birth control pills, spermicides, perfumed toiletries (toilet paper!), lotions, and femenie hygiene products, douching or using tampons, or, of course, sexual contact (either oral or genital) with a carrier of the candida infection. (Source= avert.org/stds.htm).
NB: candida is often not considered a sexually transmitted disease/infection, because sex is not required for the infection to surface.
I hope this has taught you a thing or two about yeast infections!

Hypoallergenic Toilet Paper

So, in my research into this whole 'vaginitis' conundrum, I've discovered a bit of a break through! It could be.................. the Toilet Paper!!! I read a study that suggests an allergy to toilet paper (or to an ingredient that they put it the toilet paper ie. fragrance, chemicals, etc.) could be what's making those girl parts itch. But honestly, where's one to find hypoallergenic toilet paper? Perhaps in a health food store or organic store or something? I have yet to go looking, but if I find anything, I'll let y'all know. In the meantime though, there is something you can do that could help curb your itching. Instead of wiping your vagina after you pee, try 'dabbing' it, lightly, so that you transfer as little as the toilet paper onto your body as possible. Now, it may not be the toilet paper that is the culprit for the itchiness, but, it can't hurt to start ruling things out, right?

Decidual Casts #2

Well, I had another decidual cast last night. At least this time I wasn't as alarmed, since I knew what the thing was. It is now in a bag in my purse; if I get a chance to see the doctor soon, I will show him (yes, my doctor is male. I do feel slightly uncomfortable talking to him about some things, and this is why I need a gynecologist- preferably female... But ah well, when I bring up my vagina, he does try to help out the best he can and doesn't seem too awkward about it all. I wonder what he would do if I did end up showing him that piece of my uterine wall...). So anyway, I need to do more research on these things, and see why exactly they are formed. I'm wondering if it's because of my seasonale (the birth control that only makes me have my period 4 times a year). Maybe my uterus was getting tired of not shedding it's lining, and so decided to do it in one swift move. I am honestly hoping having more than one in a few months is not a symptom of some disease or cancer or something. I'm sure I'm just overreacting, as always. More to come on this. Oh, and this may be gross, but here's a picture of what a decidual cast (my decidual cast) looks like: (squeamish people, don't look at these)

Now I've just gone too far, right? Oh well, if you want to know about decidual casts, you should know what they look like.

Vaginitis

So, I think I may have vaginitis. I went to my doctor a while ago and let him know that I had a red, itchy pubic mound, labia and the surrounding area, and he said it could be caused by a number of things: a yeast infection, perfumed soap/bubble bath/laundry detergent, rough sex, itching vigorously, or wearing non-cotton, too-tight underwear.

Well, I was treated for a yeast infection with this topical/vaginal ointment, but the itch never went away (it's itchy right now). Anyway, so I suppose I might have to go back to my doctor and see what else he has in mind that may cure it. Until then, I may possibly go and get an over-the-counter treatment for a yeast infection (such as Canesten) and see if that helps at all. I looked it up online (on this PubMed Health site) and it says on there that a treatment can be used without a prescription if there is no fever, if this is your first yeast infection (which it is), and if you are not pregnant (which I am not). It says then if that doesn't help, see your health care provider. So that's what I'm going to do!

I wonder though if I should quit going in the hot tub, as it says that hot tubs can sometimes case vaginitis (there is lots of chemicals in there, as well as hot water, which can just dry out the skin anyway). Silly infection that I may have... More to come on this!

I think another course of action that I'm going to take is to start using dandruff shampoo/conditioner down there (non-scented of course). We'll see if any of this works.

Oh, I've also started to bathe in tea tree oil, but haven't tried this enough times yet to really tell if it's making a difference or not. My mom swears by tea tree oil, so you never know, it could help.