First, I've always had my period for 3-5 days, heavy on the first, gradually lighter as the week proceeds. Since about November, maybe December, my period has only been 2 days, and very very light. What's up?

And the second, I'm in the Navy, and while we were out to sea, getting dressed in the close quarters a girl was like, not that I'm looking but I noticed you wore thongs alot, have you ever had a urinary tract (sp?) infection? I never have, and she said that she went to medical and the male doctor in training, told her that it was becuase thongs are too tight and can cause UTIs. Now she is completely paranoid that the second she puts one on she'll get another one. Is this true? All I could tell her is that I wear thongs every day for about the past 4 or 5 years and I've never had a UTI. So, I told her I'd ask you.

Then she showed me this feminine powder she puts on and around her vagina, I always thought that those types of products are bad for your since your body produces it's own um...cleaning fluids and that changes something. Oh I forget, I just thought powders would be just like douching, even though its not going inside her vagina I thought it'd do the same thing? Know anything about that either?

To your first question, are you sure you might not be pregnant? Sometimes women have one or two very light periods when they are pregnant. But it could very easily be stress - I am sure being in the Navy is stressful. It could also just be a fluke. Unless there is a chance you are pregnant I wouldn't worry about it.

The reason thongs are potentially bad is two reasons. One they may stay closer to your body and allow less air to circulate because of their design. And second, thongs are often made of materials that are not cotton - and anything but cotton or pure silk can increase your chance of UTIs.

And yes, the powder designed to perfume women are without exception very bad for you. Women's vagina's do not need to be perfumed or cleaned. The only time something like this should be used is if you have an infection and it is rescribed by a doctor.  It is OK to put it on your inside thighs if you really think you need it - but no where near the entrance to your vagina.

Susan

 

 

I'm trying to get pregnant, so I take tak-home tests very frequently. Negative always comes up fast and very clear. No sicknesses, and no weight gain, so I just assume that I'm not. The weird thing is, the women in my family get pregnant very easily and we've been trying since november. The men in his family also make babies very easy. When is it time to start worrying if there's something wrong and we should go see a fertility doctor?

On average, most women will get pregnant with 6 months of unprotected sex.

But there are alot of things you can both do to help things along. Have you read any of the books out there about fertility and trying to get pregnant?

For instance, you should be taking your temperature every single morning when you get up (if you do not use a fertiity monitor) to chart your  body temperature. When you ovulate and are fertile your temperature goes up.

Another for instance, a man should not use a hot tub if he is hoping to get his partner pregnant. The heat of the hot tub can effect sperm production for up to 4 months.

There are dozens of things you can do that might help. See a fertility doctor now if you like, but I would wait untiil it is six months of trying and you have read a book and made some changes in your life that make it more likely that you get pregnant.

Susan