Q: My vagina hurts so much all the time. It’s been going on for a while now and I don’t have an infection or anything — I went to my doctor and she gave me a full STD panel and checked my vagina for yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis. So if it’s not an infection, what could it be? I have to do something, this is awful. I can’t handle it. Sex hurts, everything hurts, I’m going absolutely insane.
Q: I’m tired of using tampons and pads — it’s so much waste. I’m an environmentalist! I’ve been thinking about getting a menstrual cup, but honestly, I’m a little wary of it. I’m kind of a clean freak. I like how tampons and pads come all pre-wrapped and sanitized, which is bad for the environment, but feels more secure that I won’t get an infection. How do I make sure that my menstrual cup is safe and sanitary when I’m using it? Is it actually going to be clean?
Q: My whole life, I’ve noticed that my discharge changes in a bunch of different ways depending on the week — stuff like smell, color, and consistency. What I’m wondering is, what do the different looks and types of vaginal discharge mean? Can I tell what’s up with my body by checking it out? How do I know if my discharge is normal?
Q: When my mom had “the talk” with me, she told me to pee after I had sex, and I’ve been doing it religiously ever since. But I’m not exactly sure why you need to pee after sex, and now that I’m an adult with real knowledge about my body, I’d like to know. I know it does something to clean your bladder so you don’t get an infection, but how does that actually work? How does having sex get stuff into your bladder in the first place?
Q: I get a lot of yeast infections. I know what to do when I have a full blown one (an antifungal cream, but if it’s really bad, I call my doctor for an antifungal pill), but I feel like there should be something I can do when I feel that first itch or notice smell or texture changes in my discharge. There have to be some homeopathic remedies to rebalance my vaginal pH before I get a full blown infection! Right?
Q: I’m freaking out, because I’ve realized that I’m not as into sex as I used to be. Seriously, I used to be excited about sex (not any more than normal I don’t think, but definitely excited about getting it on with people I liked) but now I just can’t get into it. What could be happening to me — can your libido just disappear? I’m not sure if anything major has changed in my life, so I can’t explain it. Help, I want it back!
We’ve all had that moment. You’re talking about that person you’re dating, and suddenly a descriptor pops out of your mouth that sounds a bit off. Or alternately, someone asks you about your “boyfriend” or “partner” … and it just sounds wrong and you bristle.
It all started when I was 12, when I got my first period. I reached this milestone a bit earlier than the rest of my friends, so it took me a couple of years to figure out that the cramps I got each month weren’t like the ones my friends had. My girlfriends would be complaining about how they felt not great and didn’t want to go to PE, while I’d be literally lying on the gym bathroom floor, unable to get up off the cool tiles. As I got older and learned that I had more menstrual pain than was “normal” (let’s not even get into how messed up it is that any pain is considered normal), I started hearing the word “endometriosis” mentioned as something I might have.
Q: I just got what I think is a yeast infection. I’ve only ever had one before, and it was a while ago so I’m not sure. I’m feeling itchy and not great, and I know how I treated my yeast infection last time, with an over-the-counter cream. Should I assume this is a yeast infection and use that, or go to the doctor to make sure I’m right about my diagnosis? I mean, what if it’s something more dangerous that has a similar feel?
Q: I was having sex with my boyfriend the other day and while he was inside me my vagina started hurting a lot. Like a lot. I had to stop immediately because the pain was so bad, and I’m really worried there’s something wrong with me. A penis can’t, like, break your vagina, right?