I'm a woman in Texas. I'm married and have a school-aged child. I have a medical background. I'm quite liberal, socially. I love helping people with medical, parenting, and social questions. Don't ask me about tech stuff or finances, because I need advice on those things myself!
Gender: Female
Location: Texas
Age: 34
Member Since: December 17, 2006
Answers: 795
Last Update: September 2, 2007
Visitors: 50041
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Xenolan
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I know the whole ovulation thing, but is there any other ways to improve your chances of getting pregnant? (link)
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Yikes. I've never heard about this pregnancy pill that helps a normally-functioning woman get pregnant. There is provera, which will correct a hormonal imbalance and start your periods if you're not having them, and there are hormone shots you can get to prepare your uterus for fertilization. You can take Clomid to cause your ovaries to ripen and release eggs, but these options are for people who see the doctor for intertility. When I worked for physicians, we would refer to a fertility specialist if a couple had been actively trying to conceive and had not become pregnant despite intercourse during twelve consecutive months of trying.
Other things are 1) Take a prenatal vitamin before you start trying 2) Get adequate nutrition and rest - no alcohol 3) Make sure that any other pelvic issues (such as possibly genital herpes) are taken care of and in remission and everything is healthy 4) When having intercourse, for the man's ejaculation, try lying with the woman's hips up on a pillow and her abdomen lower. This will tilt her uterus so that the semen has the extra help of gravity to get inside her cervix. 5) Try aggressively, meaning A LOT, during your most fertile times, right around ovulation. If you don't know when your ovulation occurrs, you can use either ovulation predictor tests available at the grocery store or the rhythm method with a basal thermometer. 6) It has also been shown that a man produces more semen in ejaculation if he has not ejaculated for 24 hours prior to the intercourse, so ask him not to "save it up" for your best time.
I hope it helps!
Sabine
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does smoking pot affect your period at all? (link)
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I have never seen anything about the effects of marijuana on your period, except that it might help relieve pain associated with cramping. If you look marijuana up on wikipedia or in any respectable text, you will find that we have canabinoid receptors in our brains which are similar to opioid receptors (which are affected by narcotics). The THC binds with a canabinoid receptor and stimulates a nerve pathway. You don't get high due to lack of oxygen. Smoking nicotine and taking narcotics also can decrease oxygen, but their primary effect is on the receptors in our brains. Also, I have seen no evidence the THC affects our immune systems. If it did, would it be prescribed for cancer and AIDS?
Sorry I can't give your question a direct answer. I couldn't find any research on it. I'm just writing to let you know that previous advice you received may not be factually sound.
Sabine
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Hey all I am a 15/f.
Ever since I started watching the T.V show Grey's Anatomy I have been kind of attacted to Kate Walsh (Addison). It's not in a (very)sexual way though, I guess I kind of admire her. But, it is more then that though because I don't want to be her, howeve,r I would like to meet her. I guess I look at her as kind of a mother- figure, because I am not all that close with my mom.
Kate Walsh is not the frist woman that I have felt this way about. I has been the same way with people that I know in person as well, like my middle-school counsoler (as well as a few other people).
So I guess I am not really sure what I am asking for, I guess I want to know if this is this werid? Would You call it a girl crush? Just Kind of helping me clarify my feelings would be great.
Thanks! (link)
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I also did not get some of the things I needed from my mother and a close, caring relationship was one. She is not the type. So I have also developed 'mother'-like feelings toward other women. It's okay and it doesn't mean anything. Now that I'm a mother, I see myself on the other side of the equation. I totally want to mother Izzie's character. Of course, Katherine Heigl (like Kate Walsh) is smokin' hot to look at, but I don't feel the same way about her as I do my husband. It's different. Women are beautiful and it doesn't make us lesbians that we admire and desire that beauty. If you have ever fantasized about having sex with a woman, you may be farther on that side of the spectrum than you previously thought. I wish it were easy to find a mother-substitute. Fortunately, my mother-in-law gives me all of the nurturing and attention I need now. I hope you can find yours. If not, it doesn't hurt to have feelings that Kate Walsh is a maternal figure to you. It's not a girl-crush.
Sabine
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Ok so i'm really bad at doing my homework because i usualy dont because when i dont do i get yelled at and when i do i get yelled at so i dont know what to do because i want to do good at school but i'm really cofused and stressed and i'm starting high school next year well if i pass and i really need to do better but everytime i go to do my homework i get yelled at by a teacher and even my parents so i need help anyone please (link)
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Time for you to find out what your school offers in the way of homework advisors (student volunteers) or tutors. If you can't understand your homework and you can't do it right, so you're not doing it at all, tell your parents and teachers that you're not getting the material. They may be able to help.
Sabine
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I'm feeling really tired. Should I go to bed? (link)
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No. You should immediately start playing a game, which will undoubtedly give you a second wind at approximately 2:30. Then, when you go to bed, you will likely lie awake, unable to sleep due to a snoring partner for approximately 1 hour. Then, your alarm clock will go off at 7:00, and you'll be refreshed after 4 hours of sleep interrupted by the snoring bitch next to you. You'll go to work, get a big promotion in recognition of not screwing your boss's wife, and bada bing, you'll be all set. Until 10 PM tomorrow.
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I've been in love with this one guy for six years, but hes more like a brother to me than anything else. He's going to college in May and i really really really want my chance with him before he leaves. I don't know if I should go for it because I don't want to kill the friendship. You don't understand. I mean, I'm IN LOVE with him. Help me!! (link)
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Oh. Having been on the straight side of this equation, I'd have to say you should find out how he feels about homosexuality and whether he's interested in boys (bi or gay) before you spring it on him that you want a relationship with him. You may not expect it, but he may be both your friend and gay and still not be interested in a relationship with you as well. If you do say something, even if he has nothing against homosexuality and nothing against you sleeping with guys, he may feel betrayed, as if you've just been with him all of this time to seduce him (I'm not saying that's the truth, by the way). He may feel uncomfortable continuing the relationship because he would question what you say and how you act around him. He may question his own feelings for you and become confused about his own sexuality. i.e. 'If I love him and he's gay and I know that, does that make ME gay?' Be careful. Let him know that you'd never try to force more out of the relationship and if he says no, that will be the end of the conversation. That is your best chance of keeping the friendship while trying to find out whether there could be more.
Been there. Done that.
Sabine
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Okay I wasn't sure what catagory so I hope this one is okay. Okay so I'm 15 female and got braces when I was 13 and wore Rubber bands to help move my front teeth back, during that time I began to have troubles with my jaw, but didn't really notice too much. Now i'm 15 and have had my braces off for 5 months and now everytime I open my mouth to eat or yawn I here a snap and it hurts. But it isn't every day. But somedays it just hurts when I'm not even doing anything. So I was wondering is this something to worry about or just keep living with until it gets worse and also should I tell my dentist or my regual doctor?? Thanks so much! (link)
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While the answers you have already received are good and point you in the direction I endorse of going to see your dentist, you can also find out more information by looking up TMJ or temporomandibular joint. It will help you to know if your symptoms fit this category and tell you which triggers to be aware of. By the way, medical insurance will not usually pay for TMJ problems because they consider it a dental issue.
Sabine
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I was in Brownies and Girl Scouts from Kindergarden through 7th grade. My Catholic school that supported my troop was both poor and sexist, so my troop ended up the same. More money and honor went to the Boy Scouts; they were able to camp in tents during the summer. They swam, pitched tents, climbed trees, ran races, and played sports. My troop, though, stayed in a one-room cabin in winter. There were dead mice and we didn’t have enough mattresses. We learned how to arrange flowers, make macrame, and clean. Whenever we went to other troops' cabins (which had linoleum rather than cement floors), we cleaned up after them because we were told that good Catholic Girl Scouts clean up after the more priviledged.
I’ll call my troop leaders Mrs. L and Mrs. D. Mrs. L had daughters in our troop and was a housewife. Mrs. D had a daughter too and was a police officer. They fought so much that Mrs. D left. We cleaned, sewed and did our nails. Mrs. L taught her daughters’ friends to help those who, for example, spilled things. When my friends and I spilled, however, she had us clean up alone while she yelled. We were scolded when we asked if we could do the Boy Scouts’ activities; good Catholic Girl Scouts shouldn't ask for things, especially to do what boys do. We were to be like Mrs. L: quiet and pretty.
I've heard similar stories. It wasn't until reading an article in "Bitch" magazine that I realized what a problem this is. Have you had or heard of any similar experiences? I emailed Girl Scouts about it and have been to several other online message boards to ask for other experiences, but I don't know what to do next. (link)
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You had lousy leaders, it sounds like. Juliet Gordon Lowe would not have approved! Girl Scouts is all about empowering girls. Yes, we were encouraged to clean up after ourselves and others, but we also went camping, hiking, swimming, sledding, etc. We earned sewing badges as well as Ms Fix-It badges. When I was in Scouts, I thought my leader was a hag, but now I like her and claim her as my mother again. ;) She would never have told us to clean up after the privileged. She would have told us to clean up after the poor, elderly, and disabled. The concept of gaining God's love by totally humbling oneself is, in my experience, a Catholic thing. You had a leader who tried to apply Catholic tennets to her entire life, including Girl Scounts, and, since they overlapped, to your (little girls')lives as well. Sorry about that.
Sabine
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okay i asked a question about whitening teethe and i heard about baking soda and salt. then my mom said she doesnt know why need salt its just baking soda. does it make a differentce? and if i swallow or taste baking soda will it like make me sick (link)
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Someone probably recommended salt because it is abrasive and would scrub stains off of your teeth. Yes, you can taste and swallow baking soda. It is actually a food ingredient, after all. If you drink peroxide, you will likely vomit. It is used to induce vomiting sometimes. Good luck.
Sabine
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I had a few (maybe 3) bumps on my pelvic region (not actually on my vagina or in anywhere used for sexual activity)...I had these bumps in these upper area where the triangle of a bathing suit would cover. They were small and red and after itching them, one got extremely painful if touched too hard and appeared to be a whitehead. Then they dissappeared and have not come back...I'm pretty worried, and my boyfriend and then me are getting tested to make sure nothing is wrong (I am sexually active with my boyfriend). Could this be anything serious? (link)
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If I'm understanding this, you had maybe 3 bumps which were itchy and tender to the touch. They went away and didn't come back. They were on your abdomen, but not on your genitals. You're getting tested for STDs just to make sure.
I think you're worried about nothing.
Sabine
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so im 16, 5foot7 and like 120 pounds. id like to tone up a bit soo pretty much jus runnin, dancin around lol, different crunches, and maybe weights, and some spot toning. the thing is im kinda slender built i guess and im only a 32 A. and im worried if i start workin out that'll be burned off and ill have nothing left and id like to be able to fill out clothes & bathing suits at least a little lol!! push up bras dont work so yeah is workin out gonna affect my size much? (link)
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I'd suggest that instead of doing things like aerobics to tone up (keep doing whatever cardio you already do), use light weights with lots of repetitions for muscle tone. Don't try to lose weight, just make those muscles more defined.
Sabine
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becuase i overplucked my eyebrows. i let them grow in, and its almost like its growing off my head, in a different directing, not along it.
how can i help it? (link)
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The first answer was good. Also, there's a special gel (?) for eyebrows. It looks like mascara, only it's clear. You can buy it at places like Walgreen's or Target. I don't know any brands, but it should help tame wild eyebrow hairs.
Sabine
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I know this is grose, but when you have sex for the first time.. what if you do it wrong?
or what if the guy puts it in the wrong hole..
??? (link)
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Take a look at this:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/1112.htm
The bottom pic shows the vagina in relation to the anus. There are three holes in the woman's genital area. One is the urinary meatus, where the urine comes out (no, we don't pee out of our clitoris). The second is the vagina, which has a relatively loser ring of muscle at the opening. In the relaxed state, it gives way fairly easily to pressure. The anus is located probably a couple of inches away, and you would have to push harder and use lube to get into it, usually. It will be obvious to the woman if the man has his penis in the wrong hole, whether she is intending to have vaginal or anal intercourse. The two areas feel very different. Like you rarely stick a forkfull of food up your nose on acident when aiming for your mouth. ;)
Make sure you are having sex the first time with someone whom you trust. If you make a mistake, hopefully, you are both mature (and horny) enough to just keep going. [One warning, don't have vaginal intercourse without washing and changing condoms if the penis has already been in or near the anus. The other way around is fine.] If you're worried, have the woman guide the man's penis to the opening of her vagina with her hands. And relax. People and animals of many different intelligence levels do it all the time. It's not rocket science. You'll be fine. :)
Sabine
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I know...or I think appendix is on the right side...but I've been having this pain on my left side. It hurts alot sometimes and sometimes you can barely feel it. It feels like gas from not eating on time...but it hurts an has been hurting about a week now.
Sometimes the pain is rreallly unbareable like 2 weekends ago when I could barely walk! What could it be.....could it be appendix:S? (link)
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Age and gender would be helpful here. It is not likely appendicitis. More likely, it is either bowel-related, such as gas or irritable bowel syndrome or, most likely, an ovarian cyst if you are female. A doctor can say for sure.
Sabine
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when i get home from school at 230, all i can think about is eating. i regularly eat a bagel and drink a glass of orange juice for breakfast, and i have a balanced lunch. i know im not hungry when i get home, but i make myself feel like if i eat something its not a big deal. but when i do, i just wanna cry cuz i feel so bad about it. there have been a few days where im been able to not eat until dinner, and when i do i'm so proud. what could i do to make me get my mind off eating?! :[ (link)
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Go ahead and eat something - a single serving of baked potato chips or a piece of fruit or something. Bingeing is not just snacking or eating when you're bored. It's eating way too much at one sitting until you're uncomfortable and feeling guilty. What you have written isn't convincing for an eating disorder, just for anxiety relating to food. We all eat things we shouldn't and then have guilt. We all have times when we eat because we want to, not because we're hungry. Take control of the situation and eat things that are good for you and eat reasonable portions. Examine why you are eating if you're not hungry and deal with that. Are you eating because you're tired? Bored? Work on those issues.
Sabine
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Ok, so im not talking about losing a ton of weight or anything like that. I just want to like trim down my size. I'm 16 and i play volleyball, soccer and i occaisonially swim competitvely. I have really muscular legs and yes i know that is important for playing sports but i just really hate it because my legs look HUGE. like for volleyball games, wearing spandex..ahh i just hate it...what are some things i can do do like trim down my muscle i guess (link)
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The way to trim down muscular legs is to not use them. When the muscle atrophies, your legs will get smaller. Is it worth it? Probably not. You can't burn fat from a specific area of your body. If you lose weight, you will likely lose fat from your breasts and glut area and thighs equally. Also, remember that muscles help us burn our fat. They are one of the regulators in our metabolism. The more muscle you lose, the less efficient your metabolism will be. I know it's not what you want to hear, but there are many, many types of bodies and we should see beauty in the variety. I would start doing light weights for added muscle definition, but not heavy weights, which add bulk. Hope I helped.
Sabine
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My school is going on a trip to Islands Of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. Does anybody know how much express passes are? You know, the passes that let you get on the ride faster? Answers will be greatly appreciated. (link)
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A quick Google search showed that it varies from $25 to $50 depending on the date.
http://secure.universalstudios.com/webstore/shop/ticket-selection.aspx?Merchant=UOMainOnline&SalesCategoryGroup=UOMaina&SalesCategory=UOa2ParkUEPLive
Sabine
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k basically i waited until the last min to study and i have mid terms 2marrow for one of my hardest classes its history and i already have a D in that class and if i fail this mid term i gonna have to work my ass off so that i wont fail for the year. The thing is that i have ADHD and a short tension spand and its hard for me to focus on school work including studying and it sucks for me cuz im really not trying to retake a 10th grade class again when im in the 11th.. I was only thinkin the only way for me to pass is to cheat and i really dont want to do that but thats really the only way for me to pass cuz i cant focus to study and i have tried to study but i cant remember half the stuff i looked over, or i cant stay focused on it..
So someone please help me i really dont kno what to do i just kno im gonna fail it and stay back in that class next year and thats gonna suck (link)
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Okay, this isn't the advice you asked for, but... For the ADHD, are you getting treatment? If it's not working and it's interfering with your schoolwork, I think you should speak with your parent or a doctor to make sure you're getting what you need. If you are doing what you can behaviorally to make sure you pass and it's still not enough, you need medical help again.
Sabine
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Okay, so the last three or two teeth in the bottom back hurts only SOMETIMES when I chew gum. Like I'd be chewing gum and all of a sudden I feel a sharp pain for like 15seconds and it goes away. This happens only sometimes -not often..is there anything wrong wtih my teeth or am I chewing gum too much =? (link)
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If your teeth are sensitive to sugars such as gum, it's likely you have a cavity. They can also be sensitive to heat or cold. If it's pressure, or chewing, that causes the pain, it could be other things as well. Teenagers (I don't know how old you are) sometimes get pain in a molar when their wisdom teeth are coming in if there's not enough room. You just need to see the dentist to find out. Hope you feel better.
Sabine
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My dog has been super depressed lately, she just lays under the bed. & she hardly comes out all day, & when she does.. I try to play with her, & she growls at me. Shes never done this to me before. So, I'm thinking about getting one of those dog pyschics..
so, i'm just wondering, do you think they work? I mean I don't believe it that much, but I'm to the point where I'll accept help from anyone.
Has your dog ever done this?
If so, how long does it last? (link)
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Have you taken her to a vet? When one of my dogs acted like that, he had a brain tumor. He was having bad headaches, so he didn't want to play. Just make sure your dog is okay. Good luck.
Sabine
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