Swithered about posting this in here or a medical subreddit, so apologies if I've gone the wrong route here.
I saw a post on Twitter by a woman who'd recently had a C-section and was expressing her anger and frustration at the fact women get sent home shortly after such major surgery with the bare minimum pain relief. It's something I've read/heard about often and it always blows my mind.
I've never been pregnant but I have undergone two laparotomies in the past for the removal of a large ovarian cyst (and ovary) in the first instance, and other bits in the second one. After both surgeries I was on morphine for most of the day after waking up, then was moved onto diclofenac in addition to whatever other pain meds I was allowed to take. I was in hospital recovering for a week each time. After my first surgery I had a drain in and a catheter for the first 48hrs or something? I was weak and unable to move too much, and I had staples in for about 10 days after leaving hospital. (Or a week? Can't recall now) I was still incredibly weak and feeble when I got home after a week in hospital. I was sent home with more diclofenac and whatever else they prescribed me for pain. Recovery took weeks until I was functioning semi normally, but months for proper full recovery.
After going through those laparotomies I just find it absolutely impossible to imagine having a C-section, being given bare minimum pain relief, AND be expected to leave within 1 or 2 days to look after a baby... And yet, this is routine!
I guess I'm curious to hear from any medical professionals as to why I can be kept in hospital for a week for my laparotomies while in the aftermath of C-sections women are expected to just get on with it?
For context, my laparotomy incision runs vertically down my front. It was quite a large incision (and now scar) that runs from about an inch below my boobs down to about 2 inches above my vulva. It required 29 staples. I know C-sections run horizontally, but they're still big incisions and a whole baby is being removed! That's pretty bloody major to me.
So what's the difference here? Is there a medical explanation? I would ask if it was down to women's pain being minimised as usual and being expected to get on with things, but why was I given reasonable aftercare from my laparotomy in comparison to women who go through C-sections?

I started with an uncomfortable feeling right at the top of the vulva, like the very top before it opens on 3/27, it felt similar to when I had ureaplasma back in 2022. Went to get tested & was BV+ & did metro. gel. Symptom persisted, got tested for mycoplasma/ureaplasma & tested positive on 4/18. Did Cipro & Levaquin because results showed those meds would be best. No complete relief from this feeling. I went last week to get re-tested for everything & now I have BV again (atopobium vaginae, not gardnerella) & a UTI (e. choli) I’m finishing up Flagyl & Amoxocillin for the infections still with no relief from this one & only symptom. The only thing I can think of is that it’s the hair causing the irritation. I waxed 2-3 times BEFORE my symptom started in March so I’ve been letting it grow because I didn’t want to cause more damage. It’s been 2.5 months of hair growth & it’s on & off throughout the day. I wake up & don’t have it but once I start moving around it starts up again. Does this sound more like it could be my hair rather than a symptom of my infections? I’m about to go on 2 months with this symptom & I’m SOOOO tired & over it.

Hi everyone, I was recently diagnosed with hsv1 genitally. I am 19F and am a student at a university. I feel like my life is over. I ended things with a very toxic ex boyfriend of off/on 3 years, and was so excited to meet new people and move on with my life finally. My ex had always called me dirty, a manipulative whore, etc because I have had sex and had seen a few other people while not being with him. He was very abusive and just horrible and treated me like garbage. He was awful and i just had enough, I felt like I was forcing myself to have sex with him and i was scared for what would happen if I left. After I finally built up the courage to end it and dealt with all the drama, I started seeing this guy, very casually, and we hooked up a few times. Maybe 3 times. The first 2 times were fine, but the last time we had sex a few days later I noticed a lesion on my inner vulva. Immediately I freaked out, and I went to the ER. They told me it didn’t look like herpes, and may have been a bump due to a detected yeast infection and Bv. However I wanted to be 100% sure so I went to planned parenthood for a full panel including HSV. There they swabbed my lesion and later I found out I have HSV1 down there. I confronted the guy because I didn’t see any outbreaks on him, and he said he knew he got a cold sore recently but that it’s “not herpes” and he could NEVER give me herpes down there from a cold sore. 😒 Anyways, I’m very depressed. I feel like my toxic ex was right about everything he ever said about me, and I just know he would be so happy to hear that I have this. I feel like as a girl in college I will never find a boyfriend or have a normal sex life again. I guess I’m just looking for peoples opinions and thoughts as I’ve bottled this up since I found out and haven’t been able to talk to anyone about it. Thanks 🥲

I (22f) have been having pelvic and abdominal pain on and off for over a year. At first I wrote it off as muscle strain or maybe ovulation cramps, but it keeps coming back. It becomes noticeable around the time I'm ovulating/on my period. The pain is infrequent and is located in one spot in my lower right abdomen. It's dull, but can become sharp at random (if that makes sense lol). It doesn't hurt to touch, but it gets worse when moving/ walking.
I've also noticed it in one spot right above my pubic bone towards the right side. This pain is a little more uncomfortable and shoots down my groin/inner thigh. I've always had somewhat heavy/painful periods and I haven't noticed any changes with them (although I was about a week late my last period when I'm usually pretty regular). I have a feeling of "fullness" around my pelvic area, and sometimes feel bloated. My lower abdomen will very occasionally feel so pressured that I have to pee constantly, and it will hurt to wear loose-fitting pants.
I've also experienced sharp pains in my vulva, especially when aroused. It's like I'm being pinched at various points around my genitals. I'm still a virgin, so no risk of STDs or pregnancy, but this is flat out preventing me from having a dating life. I'd like to have sex eventually, but it's hurting to the point that even thinking about it isn't worth it. I've mentioned this to my doctor and he told me that it was probably just stress/anxiety, and my mom keeps trying to talk me out of being examined because I'm still a virgin and she's afraid it will hurt. I'm in the process of finding a new doctor, but it will be some time before anyone will be able to get me in. Does this sound serious, and what could it be?

Okay… so this is kind of a secret thought I hold close but it’s the internet so whatever. I long for a future where it’d be possible for me to have undifferentiated genitalia closer in form to a vulva & clitoris as a default state - that could at my whim begin the process of changing into either a fully functioning vagina or a fully functioning penis based on my desires at the time.
The process would obviously take time, but it’s a trait I’d find desirable for myself.
I’m a nerd & a hard science fiction writer so naturally I’ve thought about what this process might be like from an external perspective… and I want to know if it makes sense?
Firstly, I think the gonads would need to be altered to become a kind of functional “ovo-teste” so they could produce both kinds of reproductive cells when needed.
Further, going from vagina to penis would involve the clitoris lengthening and the labia minora fusing to form the extended urethra males possess. I’m kind of lost on how the process of the “ovo-teste” would descend and how the sack they’re contained within would form… anyone have ideas based on sound biology?
Is the labia majora the analogous structure here?
Lastly, the process of going from penis to vagina or the undifferentiated state would involve the penis shrinking and becoming a clitoris (how scary lol) and what remains of the shaft gradually unfusing to become the labia minora.
As for the ovo-testes, I think they’d move back up into the body to function as ovaries or wait to function as ovaries (in this case of the undifferentiated state).
Thoughts, constructive criticism & kindness are welcome!
This was partially inspired by the culture series :)

“Is it true?”
“Is what true?” asked Simon.
“That your mother is my father?”
“Well just think about what you’ve just said. Actually think about it, and then get back to me,” smirked Simon. He loved patronising anyone and everyone.
“Back to you,” whispered Oscar.
“Yes.”
He turned his back from Simon and faced the other way.
“Are you an actual fucking dumbfuck?” asked Simon.
“My ex always said I was a boringfuck.”
“Explains a lot...” smirked Simon. His grin literally ate shits on weekends.
“Yea, she said ‘Your phallus is so ridiculously small and mushy that I’d get more satisfaction dragging my vulva across a floor covered in frozen peas’”
“Is that so?”
“Yep,” said Oscar. “And that’s how I ended up with my pea son.”
“Oh I was gonna ask,” said Simon.
Pete the pea son was gargling in a nearby pram. He was a little green round baby rich in vitamins I think. I don’t know, I’m not a vegetable doctor.
“And your niece?” asked Simon.
“Yep. My ex made love to a carpet of peas and that’s how I have my pea niece.”
“Your pea niece,” smirked Simon.
“That’s what I said.”
“Is she....tiny and mushy?” laughed Simon.
“No she’s half frozen.”
“Heh,” Simon said.
Heh Simon said. Heh Simon said. Heh Si- I haven’t played Simon Says for seventy nine years so I don’t know if that’s how you play it or not.
“So anyway,” said Oscar. “If your mother isn’t, then who is my father?”
“Aren’t you more invested in how your ex wife gave birth to your niece?”
“N...no...that makes...”
“Sense?” smiled Simon. “That makes sense?”
“Yea coz my ex woz my auntie. Auntie antijoke was her name.”
“But that would make the kid your cousin.”
“Oh yea shit,” said Oscar. “So I....”
“Fucked your...”
“My...sister?” asked Oscar, head tilted.
“Correct!”
“And that’s your mother?”
“Yep!” said Simon.
“Ok cool. She’s hot too so go me!” said Oscar. He highered his palm for a hoi foive. Simon clapped dat shit so quickly it was just a fleshy blur, like Japanese genitals. “Well, I’m glad we got to the bottom of this,” said Oscar.
“Me too.”
“Now we can go back to this in depth game of chess,” said Oscar.
“Yep. Your turn.”
“I’ll move my castle to that black square.”
“I’ll move your pea niece,” winked Simon.
“Oh please do naughty boy!”
They both laughed in beautiful love times.
The End
Is what is said when it’s the end of a story, just like now. The End.
“Touch my pea niece with both hands you filthy boar-cunt.”

Is it nornal for there to be changes to yoir inner labia and clitoris with age and/or weight changes? I've been noticing over the last some months that my labia seem to have changed. They have always been uneven, with the right one being super short and the left being a bit longer, though still fairly short. However now it feels like the right one just kind of went away. It was always really short but there was still SOMETHING I could grab with fingers or move around a bit, and now I can't do that any longer.
Meanwhile the left one seems to have gotten even longer. It can get in the way as I wipe when using the restroom and just feels odd overall when I try manipulating it with my fingers. In addition to these, my clitoris seems to have receeded. It was never overly prominent but it still poked out enough to be able to feel it. Now it feels like it's just flush with the rest of the area.
I've always been overweight, but have put on some extra weight in the last few years. Could this be the cause? Is it possible for a vulva to gain fat during weight gain? I also turn 40 this year, so while still not "old" I'm not exactly super young, either.

24F, on sunday night my vag started feeling achy and I started getting period-like cramps but no period. Monday night it hurt even more, not the inside of my vagina but the lips area, and the cramps did get worse and moved to my stomach and back. I went to see the gyno on tuesday and they swabbed me for STDS, did a urine sample and sent me on my way, no yeast or BV swab. UTI negative. Everything came back negative. My symptoms cleared up, with just slight weird feeling in my vag lips every now and then. But today (saturday) I peed and my vulva was burning, no pain when I touch it, but it just burns every time I pee. The pee itself doesnt burn, just the skin. Now I’m laying down and my urethra area feels tingly and uncomfortable.
Does this sound like a UTI or something else? I am worried about herpes as well because I had sex almost two weeks ago now, and my symptoms started 6 days after being sexually active. No lesions, but just that weird tingly ache feeling on my vulva, cramps, and now it burns to pee. I also dont want to wait too long to see a doctor again but its the weekend and I’m on vacation, so I dont want this uti to turn into sepsis or something either. Thanks!

Hi, all. I could really use some help. My 1 year old, Silky/Schnauzer mix has an awful prey drive. We have multiple other dogs, one of them including a 17 week old Yorkie Puppy.
He is incredibly sweet, has not gone after wild animals, and has an incredibly awful history. He was pulled him from an abusive owner that isolated for the first 5 months of his life. He was so scared when he got him that he couldn’t move, and would foam at the mouth. 10 months later; we’ve put him through training, and he’s been house broken. However; he is still one of the worst behaved dogs we’ve ever had.
Yesterday, our Yorkie Puppy got injured while playing (she was crying), and he attacked her. (She was seen by a vet! A torn vulva, some bleeding but internally she is ok 🤍). We couldn’t get him to let go. He didn’t care if he loved her at all. He only saw her as prey, and he was going to try and kill her if he could. At one point I had gotten away, and he grabbed my side. Tore a chunk of my skin off, and tore up my hand really bad. Although we love him so much, I think we’ve decided that he needs to be rehomed. This isn’t the first time he’s attacked, as he has attacked our 10 year old chihuahua before.
Some of my family wants to keep him, and try anxiety medications/ or a desensitization training. But from my understanding, you will never break prey habits. Like I said, i love him SO MUCH. He is the biggest sweetheart until it comes to food, counter surfing, and prey instincts. I could really use some advice on what to do. If we rehome, I will be heartbroken. I made a promise to make sure he would have better life and a forever home. I feel like I am letting him down by doing this, but can’t risk him killing any of my animals- or being the reason somebody gets hurt. I think a home where he would be the only dog, and he would get plenty of attention is a must for him. It just really hurts. We have a woman who offered- it is just her and her husband.

I am currently trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I’ve had most of these symptoms for as long as I can remember (well, at least since I got my first period at 10). I have a suspicion of what’s wrong with me, but I won’t state the medical condition on here because I want unbiased answers for a different perspective. I believe a lot of my symptoms have been masked because I am on the combined pill (Estelle-35).
Feeling this way has been all I know… I think of worst case scenarios experienced by sufferers of the condition I suspect, and in comparison to my own experience I just assumed I am weak or have a low pain tolerance — so I must not have anything “wrong” with me. I’m the type of person to push through, so it’s not like I have many sick days from work (or school as a teenager) but I’ve come to realise that my symptoms still get in the way of my life — I just assumed that because I’m still physically at work/school that it must not be “that bad” but I have been suffering for years, and I’m really only realising it now. I have never been fully productive in my personal/work life because of these symptoms.
For reference, I am a 21 year old female.
The symptoms are as follows:

• Chronic fatigue/low energy. In primary school I hated PE class because I didn’t have the energy to even kick a ball or run after something, it just took so much effort to even move. When I was 15/16 this became even worse though and I would avoid hanging out after school so I could go home and sleep. I’d just collapse in bed and wake up at like midnight, a few times waking in my school uniform because I was too tired to even get dressed. I work full time now and most nights I take naps until really late and it gets in the way of my personal life because I don’t have the energy to cook or clean. It takes tremendous mental strength to force myself to stay awake but I usually lose the battle to overwhelming fatigue. Some days are worst than others, though.
  
• Heavy periods ever since my first period at 10 years old. During one of my first periods I was sitting in class during primary school for maybe 2-3 hours but I went to get up and felt a massive pool of blood. I sat back down and saw a LITERAL puddle of blood in the chair that had leaked from my pad… since a young age I have used pregnancy pads up until I went on the combined pill which has given me a lighter and much shorter period. I went off the pill temporarily last year and after waiting 3 months for my first “real” period, I was shocked to remember just how heavy my periods were (I needed to purchase pregnancy pads again because I kept leaking at night). I don’t know how heavy my bleeding is in comparison to others or if it’s even “bad”. I’m sure it is not as bad as my bleeding as a 10 year old but I’d say it’s still quite heavy. Let’s just say regular pads wouldn’t cut it on my natural cycle.
  
• Relatively painful periods. On my natural cycle it’s worst on the third day from memory which is also my heaviest day. My cramps are enough to make me a little light headed and wince in obvious pain when they are hitting hard but I’ve never passed out or vomited from it.
  
• Chronic Pelvic/lower back pain that radiates down my legs, hips and butt (as low as tailbone area and a bit below). This is a symptom that has been getting worse the last few months. Pain is deep/achy (sometimes sharp in the pelvic area, like random sharp pains that come out of nowhere but this might be nothing). Worsened by little activity, sitting in a chair, but also by movement. Walking for 10 minutes is enough to make me achy. Pain concentrated on right side (at least it has the last few days) but feel it on both sides. Given I work in a corporate office full time, sitting has been a lot more agonising than usual & I find I need to keep pretending to get up for something when in reality I’m just trying to escape the ache/pain :/
  
• My heel and bottom of my feet become extremely stiff when I get up from sitting. I have to “walk it off” and limp for a bit to warm my feet up. On bad days, it sort of feels like if I put my full weight on my feet my heel will snap or pop.
  
• Stiffness
  
• “Ring of pain” on periods. Lower back pain is a killer, and this pain extends to my pubic bone/pelvic area and hips.
  
• Pain on pubic bone or pelvic area, sort of feels like pressure against the bone. Worsened by period.
  
• Random sharp pains in vulva area. Sometimes it feels like gravity is heavily pulling my vulva/vagina downwards when I am standing which makes me feel really sensitive and achy.
  
• Poor sleep. Wake up constantly throughout the night.
  
• Cramps and aches in bladder after peeing. The bladder area will feel sensitive and sometimes this pain extends to my right pelvic/hip area (this pain is on the left too but I notice it more on the right side…)
  
• Constant peeing/can’t pee fully. I will sometimes feel the last bit of pee that just refuses to come out no matter how hard I try or how long I sit on the toilet for. I constantly need to use the bathroom to either finish peeing or because my bladder has somehow filled up quickly again.
  
• Pain after sex. The pelvic/hip/back/leg pain worsens the day after sex and I get cramping and feel even more stiff than usual. Certain positions hurt but the pain the day after sex is the worst. I’ve almost left work early because it was so agonising and distracting.
  
• Chronic headaches/migraines
  
• Poor memory/brain fog. I kind of always feel disorientated and have to really focus to be in the present or to remember things being said to me. I think this is due to poor sleep/chronic fatigue.
  
• Hot flushes/overheating when sleeping/waking up in a sweat
  
• Bones loudly crack a lot, particularly my knees. This has been a problem for as long as I can remember, even as a child.
  
• Moving legs a lot to compensate for the aches/pain I feel
  
• Painful poops on period
  
• Painful bloating on period (pregnant-level bloating). Right now my stomach is absolutely massive and the feeling of fullness is unbearable, but I believe this is due to the pill. From memory, pre-pill (4 ish years ago) bloating/feeling of fullness was mainly associated with my menstrual cycle.
  
• teeth grinding at night/jaw clenching. I think this leads to my headaches/migraines. This may be a completely unrelated issue but thought it worth mentioning.
  

If you or anyone you know has these symptoms, please let me know what medical condition you have. I’m doubting myself a lot and I think it would help to get some other perspectives.
Thanks!

I am currently trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I’ve had most of these symptoms for as long as I can remember (well, at least since I got my first period at 10). I have a suspicion of what’s wrong with me, but I won’t state the medical condition on here because I want unbiased answers for a different perspective. I believe a lot of my symptoms have been masked because I am on the combined pill (Estelle-35).
Feeling this way has been all I know… I think of worst case scenarios experienced by sufferers of the condition I suspect, and in comparison to my own experience I just assumed I am weak or have a low pain tolerance — so I must not have anything “wrong” with me. I’m the type of person to push through, so it’s not like I have many sick days from work (or school as a teenager) but I’ve come to realise that my symptoms still get in the way of my life — I just assumed that because I’m still physically at work/school that it must not be “that bad” but I have been suffering for years, and I’m really only realising it now. I have never been fully productive in my personal/work life because of these symptoms.
For reference, I am a 21 year old female.
The symptoms are as follows:

• Chronic fatigue/low energy. In primary school I hated PE class because I didn’t have the energy to even kick a ball or run after something, it just took so much effort to even move. When I was 15/16 this became even worse though and I would avoid hanging out after school so I could go home and sleep. I’d just collapse in bed and wake up at like midnight, a few times waking in my school uniform because I was too tired to even get dressed. I work full time now and most nights I take naps until really late and it gets in the way of my personal life because I don’t have the energy to cook or clean. It takes tremendous mental strength to force myself to stay awake but I usually lose the battle to overwhelming fatigue. Some days are worst than others, though.
  
• Heavy periods ever since my first period at 10 years old. During one of my first periods I was sitting in class during primary school for maybe 2-3 hours but I went to get up and felt a massive pool of blood. I sat back down and saw a LITERAL puddle of blood in the chair that had leaked from my pad… since a young age I have used pregnancy pads up until I went on the combined pill which has given me a lighter and much shorter period. I went off the pill temporarily last year and after waiting 3 months for my first “real” period, I was shocked to remember just how heavy my periods were (I needed to purchase pregnancy pads again because I kept leaking at night). I don’t know how heavy my bleeding is in comparison to others or if it’s even “bad”. I’m sure it is not as bad as my bleeding as a 10 year old but I’d say it’s still quite heavy. Let’s just say regular pads wouldn’t cut it on my natural cycle.
  
• Relatively painful periods. On my natural cycle it’s worst on the third day from memory which is also my heaviest day. My cramps are enough to make me a little light headed and wince in obvious pain when they are hitting hard but I’ve never passed out or vomited from it.
  
• Chronic Pelvic/lower back pain that radiates down my legs, hips and butt (as low as tailbone area and a bit below). This is a symptom that has been getting worse the last few months. Pain is deep/achy (sometimes sharp in the pelvic area, like random sharp pains that come out of nowhere but this might be nothing). Worsened by little activity, sitting in a chair, but also by movement. Walking for 10 minutes is enough to make me achy. Pain concentrated on right side (at least it has the last few days) but feel it on both sides. Given I work in a corporate office full time, sitting has been a lot more agonising than usual & I find I need to keep pretending to get up for something when in reality I’m just trying to escape the ache/pain :/
  
• My heel and bottom of my feet become extremely stiff when I get up from sitting. I have to “walk it off” and limp for a bit to warm my feet up. On bad days, it sort of feels like if I put my full weight on my feet my heel will snap or pop.
  
• Stiffness
  
• “Ring of pain” on periods. Lower back pain is a killer, and this pain extends to my pubic bone/pelvic area and hips.
  
• Pain on pubic bone or pelvic area, sort of feels like pressure against the bone. Worsened by period.
  
• Random sharp pains in vulva area. Sometimes it feels like gravity is heavily pulling my vulva/vagina downwards when I am standing which makes me feel really sensitive and achy.
  
• Poor sleep. Wake up constantly throughout the night.
  
• Cramps and aches in bladder after peeing. The bladder area will feel sensitive and sometimes this pain extends to my right pelvic/hip area (this pain is on the left too but I notice it more on the right side…)
  
• Constant peeing/can’t pee fully. I will sometimes feel the last bit of pee that just refuses to come out no matter how hard I try or how long I sit on the toilet for. I constantly need to use the bathroom to either finish peeing or because my bladder has somehow filled up quickly again.
  
• Pain after sex. The pelvic/hip/back/leg pain worsens the day after sex and I get cramping and feel even more stiff than usual. Certain positions hurt but the pain the day after sex is the worst. I’ve almost left work early because it was so agonising and distracting.
  
• Chronic headaches/migraines
  
• Poor memory/brain fog. I kind of always feel disorientated and have to really focus to be in the present or to remember things being said to me. I think this is due to poor sleep/chronic fatigue.
  
• Hot flushes/overheating when sleeping/waking up in a sweat
  
• Bones loudly crack a lot, particularly my knees. This has been a problem for as long as I can remember, even as a child.
  
• Moving legs a lot to compensate for the aches/pain I feel
  
• Painful poops on period
  
• Painful bloating on period (pregnant-level bloating). Right now my stomach is absolutely massive and the feeling of fullness is unbearable, but I believe this is due to the pill. From memory, pre-pill (4 ish years ago) bloating/feeling of fullness was mainly associated with my menstrual cycle.
  
• teeth grinding at night/jaw clenching. I think this leads to my headaches/migraines. This may be a completely unrelated issue but thought it worth mentioning.
  

If you or anyone you know has these symptoms, please let me know what medical condition you have. I’m doubting myself a lot and I think it would help to get some other perspectives.
Thanks!

I am currently trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I’ve had most of these symptoms for as long as I can remember (well, at least since I got my first period at 10). I have a suspicion of what’s wrong with me, but I won’t state the medical condition on here because I want unbiased answers for a different perspective. I believe a lot of my symptoms have been masked because I am on the combined pill (Estelle-35).
Feeling this way has been all I know… I think of worst case scenarios experienced by sufferers of the condition I suspect, and in comparison to my own experience I just assumed I am weak or have a low pain tolerance — so I must not have anything “wrong” with me. I’m the type of person to push through, so it’s not like I have many sick days from work (or school as a teenager) but I’ve come to realise that my symptoms still get in the way of my life — I just assumed that because I’m still physically at work/school that it must not be “that bad” but I have been suffering for years, and I’m really only realising it now. I have never been fully productive in my personal/work life because of these symptoms.
For reference, I am a 21 year old female.
The symptoms are as follows:

• Chronic fatigue/low energy. In primary school I hated PE class because I didn’t have the energy to even kick a ball or run after something, it just took so much effort to even move. When I was 15/16 this became even worse though and I would avoid hanging out after school so I could go home and sleep. I’d just collapse in bed and wake up at like midnight, a few times waking in my school uniform because I was too tired to even get dressed. I work full time now and most nights I take naps until really late and it gets in the way of my personal life because I don’t have the energy to cook or clean. It takes tremendous mental strength to force myself to stay awake but I usually lose the battle to overwhelming fatigue. Some days are worst than others, though.
  
• Heavy periods ever since my first period at 10 years old. During one of my first periods I was sitting in class during primary school for maybe 2-3 hours but I went to get up and felt a massive pool of blood. I sat back down and saw a LITERAL puddle of blood in the chair that had leaked from my pad… since a young age I have used pregnancy pads up until I went on the combined pill which has given me a lighter and much shorter period. I went off the pill temporarily last year and after waiting 3 months for my first “real” period, I was shocked to remember just how heavy my periods were (I needed to purchase pregnancy pads again because I kept leaking at night). I don’t know how heavy my bleeding is in comparison to others or if it’s even “bad”. I’m sure it is not as bad as my bleeding as a 10 year old but I’d say it’s still quite heavy. Let’s just say regular pads wouldn’t cut it on my natural cycle.
  
• Relatively painful periods. On my natural cycle it’s worst on the third day from memory which is also my heaviest day. My cramps are enough to make me a little light headed and wince in obvious pain when they are hitting hard but I’ve never passed out or vomited from it.
  
• Chronic Pelvic/lower back pain that radiates down my legs, hips and butt (as low as tailbone area and a bit below). This is a symptom that has been getting worse the last few months. Pain is deep/achy (sometimes sharp in the pelvic area, like random sharp pains that come out of nowhere but this might be nothing). Worsened by little activity, sitting in a chair, but also by movement. Walking for 10 minutes is enough to make me achy. Pain concentrated on right side (at least it has the last few days) but feel it on both sides. Given I work in a corporate office full time, sitting has been a lot more agonising than usual & I find I need to keep pretending to get up for something when in reality I’m just trying to escape the ache/pain :/
  
• My heel and bottom of my feet become extremely stiff when I get up from sitting. I have to “walk it off” and limp for a bit to warm my feet up. On bad days, it sort of feels like if I put my full weight on my feet my heel will snap or pop.
  
• Stiffness
  
• “Ring of pain” on periods. Lower back pain is a killer, and this pain extends to my pubic bone/pelvic area and hips.
  
• Pain on pubic bone or pelvic area, sort of feels like pressure against the bone. Worsened by period.
  
• Random sharp pains in vulva area. Sometimes it feels like gravity is heavily pulling my vulva/vagina downwards when I am standing which makes me feel really sensitive and achy.
  
• Poor sleep. Wake up constantly throughout the night.
  
• Cramps and aches in bladder after peeing. The bladder area will feel sensitive and sometimes this pain extends to my right pelvic/hip area (this pain is on the left too but I notice it more on the right side…)
  
• Constant peeing/can’t pee fully. I will sometimes feel the last bit of pee that just refuses to come out no matter how hard I try or how long I sit on the toilet for. I constantly need to use the bathroom to either finish peeing or because my bladder has somehow filled up quickly again.
  
• Pain after sex. The pelvic/hip/back/leg pain worsens the day after sex and I get cramping and feel even more stiff than usual. Certain positions hurt but the pain the day after sex is the worst. I’ve almost left work early because it was so agonising and distracting.
  
• Chronic headaches/migraines
  
• Poor memory/brain fog. I kind of always feel disorientated and have to really focus to be in the present or to remember things being said to me. I think this is due to poor sleep/chronic fatigue.
  
• Hot flushes/overheating when sleeping/waking up in a sweat
  
• Bones loudly crack a lot, particularly my knees. This has been a problem for as long as I can remember, even as a child.
  
• Moving legs a lot to compensate for the aches/pain I feel
  
• Painful poops on period
  
• Painful bloating on period (pregnant-level bloating). Right now my stomach is absolutely massive and the feeling of fullness is unbearable, but I believe this is due to the pill. From memory, pre-pill (4 ish years ago) bloating/feeling of fullness was mainly associated with my menstrual cycle.
  
• teeth grinding at night/jaw clenching. I think this leads to my headaches/migraines. This may be a completely unrelated issue but thought it worth mentioning.
  

If you or anyone you know has these symptoms, please let me know what medical condition you have. I’m doubting myself a lot and I think it would help to get some other perspectives.
Thanks!

Hey, Since February of this year, out of the blue I started having severe burning, itchy and feeling of swelling in my vulva (specially in the entrance of the vagina), vestibule and anus.
I thought it was thrush, I tried everything nothing worked. I did treatment for every thing you can imagine that could cause this symptoms, you name it, didn’t work. Actually most of the treatments made my symptoms worse. I also got tested for all infections, swabs, etc, all negative, three times negative! And then I started to think that it could be related to my brain. When I looked at it, I thought it was red, but now I am thinking that maybe it’s the normal colour, I don’t know anymore, honestly can’t remember how it looked exactly before. And also thought that the swollen feeling could be an interpretation of my brain, and not a real symptom. Anyway, all of that happened when I went on my first trip with my new boyfriend and I was so anxious and so nervous about it, that something could go wrong, I waited for it for so long… Since then I have been having panic attacks because the doctors don’t know what else to do. I am depressed because I can’t do the daily activities I love because everything I want to do hurts. It feels like I am rubbing it against the asphalt/sandpaper. Even sitting, walking, moving, wearing loose jeans, having showers… My last option now is trying to take antidepressants/ medication for chronic nerve pain as I have no motivation to deal with that anymore. I just stay in bed crying all day. But I also saw that some people improved by taking this kind of drugs. I need some success stories to give me reassurance, give me hope that this will work for me too. 🙏🏽

Hi all,
Just wanted to get opinions on whether you think this is Pudendal Neuralgia (Haven’t managed to get a GP appointment yet! ☹️)
My symptoms started early April when I felt like I constantly needed to wee, even when I had just been. Naturally I thought it was a UTI but I didn’t have any of the other UTI symptoms. This feeling went away after a couple of days, but a week later it was back and this time combined with pain, where it was uncomfortable to walk/sit but not painful enough to take painkillers. Again this went away and a little over a week later, I woke up and felt mostly fine (felt like I needed to wee but no pain) and then when I arrived at work this suddenly progressed into sharp stabbing pains on the right side of my pelvis that were making me double over and cry from the pain, was painful to walk/sit/stand, lasted for a couple of hours and eventually went after four painkillers.
Everyday since then (about a week) I’ve had various levels of pain - some days it’s just been a slight twinge here and there, other days it’s been stabbing pains in my right hip/pelvis, occasionally shooting up both my stomach and to my lower back (all on right side), a frequent feeling like I need to wee all the time, and what I can only describe as a pain that feels cold on the right side of my vulva (this happens on and off). Had no rash or itchiness around my vulva so I don’t believe I have any sort of infection. Sometimes the pain is manageable and I’m able to ignore it, sit/stand while it happens, and other times it’s unbearable and I end up like I do when I have period cramps - constantly moving around unable to find a position that is comfortable. I have no idea what to do anymore and my GP never has any appointments when I ring :( I don’t feel like the pain has ever been bad enough to go to the hospital or call 111, aside from that one day a week ago where I was in so much pain that I was crying - luckily it hasn’t been that painful again since.
My only other thought is that it could be an ovarian cyst that is pressing on my bladder, but other than that I have no idea. Please do help if you can, any advice/opinions are appreciated.
Thank you!!

Hii! I have an appointmed to my doctor scheduled but i am freaking out haha A few weeks back i noticed a lump in the zone that connects the vagina to the thigh. Didnt hurt at all but it was there u know. I can touch it and move it and its kinda squishy.
Last week while i was on my period and a few days prioe i noticed it went down a bit but yesterday it came back ( with some discomfort while it was growing again)
Has anyone had something similar? Its on the upper part of the vulva/ thight conection.

Made a post about how good sex had been since healing to give people hope and ease concern about sex post op. Then like hours later I discovered a bulge in my vagina and felt so scared!!! It didn’t hurt that day, but over the next few days the pain intensified and even crept up to my lower abdomen. It hurt to walk, to sit. It was a sharp, burning pain. The bulge also seemed to grow bigger. At first I thought maybe it was a prolapse, which really scared me. But I was able to pee and have bms normally, and I didn’t feel a fullness in my vagina or some of the other symptoms I’ve seen attributed to prolapse. I was so discouraged too because after years of struggling with endo I was finally able to have sex with the love of my life again!!
By Saturday I was spotting, my pee was cloudy, my whole body felt off. A day after that my vulva was huge and swollen. I can’t even explain the pain. I was walking like a penguin.
I just went to the doctor and my pelvic floor pt yesterday and turns out it was a bartholin abscess. In all my years of issues I had never had one of these before!! Holy shit I was so grateful it wasn’t prolapse or something worse. It has already started draining on its own, I was prescribed antibiotics, and hopefully it’ll keep draining. Wow. Having a vagina can be so difficult omg. I asked how to prevent these and the doctor said good hygiene (check) and that sometimes they literally just happen. Girl!!!!
So I feel much more at ease, the pain is dwindling, and I am excited to get back to moving my body again and having sex. I was literally on cloud nine before this, hoping to get back there. Thank you all for listening and being kind and supportive. 💕💕

Wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and curious how you may have reacted-
I last minute booked a massage on the day of and wanted a deep tissue massage bc I was sore from workouts and a tired hormonal mess from PMDD. A massage seemed like the best idea.
I get massages from men since they tend to be stronger and help relieve tension better in my experience. By no means did I have any intention of being seductive or off in any way, and I refuse to believe I led the professional to believe I wanted anything different than a deep tissue massage.
When I flipped over to the front I was mildly turned on but hiding it, I do have a massage kink and most people do I feel? He ended up touching my breasts and massaging further down than pecs and I didn’t stop him as I wasn’t sure if this was normal. Later he went down and massaged my leg one at a time, going EXTRemely close to my vulva. Nothing happens on the first leg but the second he moved the sheet over and massaged my outer vulva and clit briefly and I orgasmed. I was shocked but not too bothered and there was no penetration, it all happened very quickly.
Later he asked me if I was okay, I said yes, but I felt super “post nut clarity” awkward about it. I don’t feel as though I was necessarily violated, but I’m curious what gives a massage therapist the idea that someone is into that when there could be a loss of job or a lawsuit that could come of something like this.
Keep in mind this is a totally normal massage establishment in a major Midwest city and I spent over 160.00 for a 90 minute massage. The establishment had hundreds of good reviews, some specifically referencing the person that massaged me, from over a year ago meaning he’s been there a while.
Obviously I shouldn’t have allowed it but who can blame someone when you’re in the zone of relaxation and general pleasure?
Just curious (I don’t want to hear “you should have stopped him”) i’m not going to say or do anything or report this man, but I am just wondering what would give someone the impression that this is what I came in here wanting. Seems bold, and it’s confusing. Do male massage therapists get off to that so much that they’re willing to jeopardize their careers for it?

some of ya'll really got it twisted, some of ya'll really got it fucked up this is something ya'll can't even begin to grasp because for some of us, this shit is deep in our dna this shit is a bond this shit in our blood we fused to this. I used to think drake was gay and lame it was like 2010 2009 people was hating on drake back then, but as time went on I started listening to more and more drake like 2010 2011 type shit. I was fat as hell, no bitches, no desire to even get with a girl I was just chillin in my room, I had no direction, no mentors for this shit, my dad had me old so his dick throwin days were long gone atp and he ain't even wanna coach me through shit, didn't teach me about girls. When I started listening to drake and really listening to the lyrics, shit hit me like a fucking truck, something about his music gripped me in that moment. The way drizz was talking about women made it sound like an addictive drug that would shock your body in the best way, and would bring you eternal euphoria, like pussy was going to cleanse you of all bad thoughts, and bring pure bliss. i was on a higher plane in these moments, it was like I had always looked up at the sky and seen it, but this time my body was up there and I had seen things I couldn't really see when I was looking at the sky from the ground, I was like floating way up higher and higher, it felt golden, I reached a layer of the sky that looked like a bottle of honey that I levitated right into above the clouds. That's when I knew drake's shit had shook me to my core, clairvoyance, excellence, my mind felt prophetic, my veins throbbing throughout my body and it felt like my brain had been engorged with more thoughts and ideas than ever before.This shit changed me, take care, so far gone, they made me feel things and motivation I never thought existed, suddenly I was wanting girls, I imagined gripping their slimthick/bbw thighs, I wanted to taste the sweat dripping down their skin like it was going to get me high, I wanted to smell their aroma waft into my nose and carry me away like a tom and jerry cartoon, I imagined the vulva and clit gushing in my head everyday, I worked out so much, I lost weight to look better and get attention from girls, to feel more confident, to feel just good for once in my life. All I wanted was to experience women cause of how drake sang about them in his songs, it was poetic, beautiful, it felt like a georgia o'keefe painting put into words, my mind was hooked on the pussy and drake's music was the gateway. I knew I was on demon mode, locked in, in my bag at this point, when take care came out I felt like time was stopped, like I was in full control, gripping the world in my hand, the sprout had fully blossomed. I was fully unleashed atp, like drake's music was odysseus' bow, it was my ultimate weapon, it was my sexual energy evolving, my body changing, my pure strength. I was abdicated as the jester I was always treated as up to that point, this was leah's ring for me, I would not trade one drake song for 5000 kendrick albums, it was the greatest thing to grace me in this life. Whenever I was fuckin on a baddie, giving the lickerooni, deep stroking her I felt that fucking energy in the room, like drake was lowkey there with me or could feel me, and was proud of me, when I was driving around those late nights, never stopping, bad bitch in the passenger seat, my g in the back with his treeshiana, playing some nothing was the same (connect the goat song real talk) no worries at all. I was in harmony, his music was like the simple cross stitch pattern of a basketweave, it put me together, I was fully assembled within myself, every bit of me was on the same page with every other part, my inner ecosystem was in harmony, there was no disruptions in this, the mellifluence was amazing. I watched a lot of interviews of drake, I remember so many things I took notes on, things that I still practice to this day, like for example when he said he always keeps his ass clean in a nardwuar interview, I was shitting one day and my mom was going through chemo treatment and needed to sit next to the toilet cause she was nauseous and was going to be puking for awhile, I argued with her that I can't open the door cause I need to wash my ass after I shit, I wasn't going to let it slide at all and let my mom in cause drake's word was bond to me, I was never going to deviate from the habits he taught. I remember in one interview him talking about how much OVO meant to him, I started taking that shit serious, and would always put OVO next to my name on school papers where you put your name, yea the teachers argued with me about it cause it was weird or asked me about it cause they were curious, but I always told them they just wouldn't get it. Sometimes even, I feel like drake says things in my head or something to me DIRECTLY, like idk, how some people hear god, I hear drake rapping or singing to me, not songs that he's sung or rapped before either, like he's speaking complete whole new sentences to me and guiding me, telling me personal things in my life that I need to fix, things I need to look after, things I need to GO after. I feel like his shit will always guide me, feel like he's watching me sometimes and proud of how I put it down on the baddies. When ya'll are disparaging drake, putting these weird rumors on him, accusing him of weird shit, that's disrespectful, not just to him, but also me, and other drake fans that feel similar ways, he got me through my formative years and still helps me to this day giving me wisdom and inner peace, when I make mistakes I know I can move on because of him, he's saved me from multiple trips to the psych ward and other people too most likely. Just don't forget this next time you are about to write some witty cringey weird little dumb joke about drake or want to discredit him and put dirt on his name. Drake deserves his pound of flesh from kendrick, I know that respect is hard to give up, but he really deserves it even if it makes kendrick uncomfortable, we all know drake won, even if he did lose he still won cause I know he still in that embassy posted up, healthy and wealthy, 10 toes down, soldified, never going down, all 12 rounds he fought hard. Anyways ya'll I wanted to write this cause pure melancholy and depression over this situation had me remembering good shit about how much drake's music helped me to help me feel less depressed and more calm, shot all the good memories and feelings back into me quickly that drizzy really like a shot of heroin.

Hi y'all, this is my first post here but this subreddit has already helped my mental health regarding HS diagnosis so much, I'm so glad you guys are here!!! I searched for a post on this but didn't see anything this specific...
So I just recently saw a derm for HS, in stage 1 but has been going on over a year and getting worse. She prescribed me clindamycin pledgets to use around my groin twice a day (as well as doxycycline 100mg twice daily) and I don't know if I'm using it too close to my vagina/labia, but the last couple shifts I've worked, about halfway in I start feeling really irritated and dry with like a burning itch kind of around my clit/vulva area. I can't tell if it's just from sweat, as I have gotten this feeling in the past just from being too dry/irritated and then sweating a lot. But I'm starting to think the sweating is just causing the clindamycin to migrate inwards lmao and irritated pretty much everything.
Should I be like changing my underwear halfway through my shift or something? I don't have any that are draining right now, but I have a couple flares and one is right on the edge of my labia like at the top, so ideally I would be applying clindamycin around that as well. I also occasionally use boric acid suppositories when I feel my balance is off because it keeps the yeast infections at bay for the most part.
UGH if it is the clindamycin irritating me, wtf am I supposed to do?? Are there different products that won't dry my vag out, increasing my risk of already chronic yeast infections? I know it's not a uti, and I know it's not yeast, I don't have any other symptoms I would normally get and it's not irritated up inside at all, just inside my labia.
This fucking sucks, I keep getting so uncomfortable at work. I have to keep moving and standing the whole time during work so there's no rest for irritation or to stop sweating except for my hour lunch break.
If anyone has experienced this before please help me out lol I just want relief that doesn't fuck up my whole system that I've already worked to get under control.

First will start by saying that I'm not on birth control due to health reasons and we didn't use a condom, I know it sounds like a recipe for disaster but please keep reading.
Yesterday my partner and I were fooling around and it led to us having unprotected anal sex and for a moment while I was pulling away (I was straddling him) his penis fell slightly forward and grazed (probably touched, but I'm not sure) my entrance (I think it was only my labia, not literally up my vulva and I quickly moved away in fear) he hadn't cum yet and didn't do it anywhere near me, but I fear precum might've been present when his penis grazed my entrance.
I think his penis might have touched my vulva but fear won't let me think properly, I keep trying to remember but I'm still not sure. I've read lots of posts saying that the chances of pregnancy with precum are very low, but as we didn't use any protection I still panic. Please, help?

Raising a teenage boy can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. As parents, we often find ourselves navigating through the hormonal changes, academic pressures, and emotional disconnections that come with the territory. Understanding and addressing these common challenges is crucial in providing the support and guidance our teenage boys need during this crucial phase of their lives. In this blog, we will explore some of the most common challenges parents face when raising teenage boys and provide strategies for effectively navigating these obstacles. Whether you're dealing with mood swings, academic struggles, communication barriers, emotional disconnection, or simply trying to survive the rollercoaster ride of parenting a teenage boy, this survival guide is here to help. So let's dive in and discover how we can navigate the teen years together!

1. Understanding the Hormonal Changes: Dealing with Mood Swings and Unwanted Boners

Navigating the hormonal changes that come with puberty can be a challenging time for both teenagers and their parents. As a parent of a teenage boy, it's important to understand the role of testosterone in the body and how it can affect mood and physical changes.
Testosterone is a crucial sex hormone that plays a role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as body hair growth and muscle mass. It also has an impact on mood and sexual health.
Recognizing the signs of high testosterone levels in people with vulvas can help you understand what your teenager may be going through. Some signs include abnormal body hair growth, increased muscle mass, and irregular periods. It can also affect sexual health, leading to a reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness, and difficulty getting pregnant. Mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, and depression, can also be a result of high testosterone levels.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your teenager, it's important to consult with a doctor. A doctor can help determine the best course of treatment, which may include medications or lifestyle changes. It's important to emphasize to your teenager that these changes are a normal part of puberty and that seeking help is important for their overall health and well-being.
Additionally, it's important to address common concerns and questions that may arise. Some teenagers may experience acne due to high testosterone levels, while others may notice changes in breast or clitoral size. It's important to reassure your teenager that these changes are normal and that they should feel comfortable discussing any concerns with their doctor.
Parenting teenage boys can be a challenging and sometimes stressful experience, but understanding the hormonal changes they are going through can help you navigate this phase with empathy and support. Encouraging open communication, teaching them to think for themselves, and helping them form their own opinions and values can also be beneficial during this time. Remember to prioritize their sleep, as hormonal changes can affect their sleep patterns, and support their academic success by creating a conducive environment for learning.

2. Balancing Academics and Hobbies: Nurturing Academic Success in Teen Boys

The challenge of balancing academics and hobbies in today's fast-paced world is a common concern for parents of teenage boys. As parents, we want to support our children in exploring their passions and talents, whether it be through acting, sports, or other extracurricular activities. However, the fear often arises that these pursuits might overshadow the importance of academic development.
Striking a balance becomes crucial to ensure that our young talents not only excel in their chosen fields but also receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for a successful future. This is where Schoolio, with its innovative approach to customized learning, plays a pivotal role.
One of the primary reasons parents are turning to Schoolio is its commitment to personalized, flexible learning solutions. The traditional one-size-fits-all education model may not cater to the unique needs and schedules of children engaged in acting and sports. Schoolio's tailored approach allows students to design their academic schedules around their commitments, ensuring they can pursue their passions without compromising on their education.
Flexibility in learning is key to finding the right balance. Schoolio understands that every child is different and requires a personalized learning journey. With customizable curriculum options and flexible schedules, students can maintain a healthy balance between academics and extracurricular activities. Whether your child is preparing for an upcoming play, a sports competition, or simply needs extra time for rehearsals, Schoolio ensures that their education is not sacrificed.
In the next section, we will explore the specific ways in which Schoolio supports students in balancing academics and extracurricular activities. From providing resources for time management to offering support for specialized interests, Schoolio is dedicated to nurturing academic success in teen boys while allowing them to pursue their passions.

3. Communication Strategies: Teaching Teen Boys to Think for Themselves and Form Opinions

Communication Strategies: Teaching Teen Boys to Think for Themselves and Form Opinions
Understanding teenage communication patterns is essential for parents who want to effectively communicate with their teenage boys. Teenagers, in general, have unique communication styles influenced by their peers and the advancements in technology and social media. However, when it comes to teenage boys, there are specific strategies that can help parents navigate the challenges and foster independent thinking and opinion formation.

1. Acknowledge and Validate Emotions: Teenage boys, like all teenagers, experience intense emotions during adolescence. It is important for parents to listen to their sons and accept their feelings, even if they seem overwhelming or irrational. By providing a welcoming space where boys can freely express their emotions, parents can build trust and encourage open communication.
2. Encourage Exploration and Self-Expression: Communication is a powerful tool for teenage boys to learn about themselves and develop their identities. Parents should create a safe environment where boys can explore different methods of self-expression, such as through art, music, or writing. This allows them to develop their unique voices and gain confidence in expressing their thoughts and opinions.
3. Address Peer Influence: Peer pressure and the need for social approval can heavily influence teenage boys' communication habits. Parents should be aware of the impact of peer dynamics and keep the lines of communication open. By understanding their son's social connections, parents can better support him in navigating peer influence while encouraging independent thinking and decision-making.
4. Navigate Technology and Social Media: The influence of technology and social media cannot be ignored in today's digital age. Parents of teenage boys should be proactive in understanding the impact of these platforms on communication patterns and relationships. Setting clear boundaries and guidelines for technology use can help boys develop healthy communication habits and critical thinking skills.

By implementing these communication strategies, parents can not only navigate the challenges of raising teenage boys but also empower them to think for themselves and form their own opinions and values. It is important to remember that this phase of adolescence can be challenging, but with patience, understanding, and effective communication, parents can support their teenage boys in becoming confident and independent individuals.

4. Coping with Emotional Disconnection: Navigating Teen Boys' Shunning of Affection

Ideas for coping when your adult child cuts you out of their life:

1. Allow yourself to grieve: Being cut out of your adult child's life is a shocking loss, and it's important to give yourself permission to grieve. Acknowledge the pain, sadness, and sense of loss that comes with this estrangement.
2. Don't pretend everything is well: It can be tempting to put on a brave face or pretend that the estrangement doesn't affect you, but it's important to be honest with yourself and others about your emotions. Give yourself permission to cry and express your feelings.
3. Seek support: Reach out to others who have experienced similar situations. Connecting with support groups, online communities, or therapy can provide guidance and solace in navigating through this difficult time.
4. Take control of your own life: While you can't control your adult child's behavior, you can make choices about how you respond and move forward. Focus on making sound decisions for yourself and finding ways to live happily and successfully, even in the midst of the estrangement.
5. Adopt coping strategies that work for you: Not every coping strategy will resonate with you, and that's okay. Find what works for you and discard what doesn't. It's important to take control of your own healing process and do what feels right for you.
6. Remember your strength: Going through the pain of an adult child's estrangement can be incredibly difficult, but remember that you have the strength to get through it. Believe in your ability to find acceptance, peace, and happiness in your own life, even if the relationship with your adult child remains strained.

5. Parenting Survival Guide: Handling the Stressful and Challenging Phases of Raising Teenage Boys

Handling the Stressful and Challenging Phases of Raising Teenage Boys
Introduction:
The previous section discussed the author's personal experience with their son's transition into adolescence and the flood of emotions that came with it. In this section, we will delve deeper into the challenging and stressful phases of raising teenage boys and provide practical advice on how to handle them.
Understanding the Negative Stereotypes and Common Behaviors:
Teenagers often get a bad reputation for their rude and self-centered behavior. If you find yourself facing statements like "No, you can't make me" or "Why don't you trust me?", you may be wondering what happened to your once adorable and adoring child. It's important to remember that these behaviors are common during this stage of development and do not necessarily mean you have failed as a parent.
Reassurance for Parents:
Parents may start questioning themselves and wondering if they are becoming redundant in their child's life. However, this is far from the truth. Despite their push for independence, teenagers still need their parents. They need a solid platform from which they can safely explore the world, a moral framework to guide them, and a role model to look up to. Your child needs to know that they matter, are loved, and have someone who has their back when they make mistakes.
The Role of Parents:
As parents, it is crucial to provide support and guidance to your teenage boys during this challenging phase. Although their behavior may be undesirable, it is important to remember that there are reasons behind it. Instead of taking their behavior personally, try to listen and understand their perspective. Teach them that the world does not revolve around them and that their actions have consequences. Encourage them to think for themselves, form their own opinions and values, and make responsible choices.
The Temporary Nature of This Phase:
It is important to recognize that this phase of teenage rebellion and disrespect is usually temporary. While it may feel like an eternity in the moment, most teenagers eventually outgrow these behaviors and mature into responsible adults. It's crucial to maintain open lines of communication, set clear boundaries, and provide a stable and supportive environment for your teenage boys.
Raising teenage boys can be challenging and stressful, but with the right approach and mindset, you can navigate through this phase successfully. Remember that your role as a parent is more important than ever during this time. Stay patient, understanding, and consistent in your approach, and soon enough, you will see your teenage boys grow into confident and responsible young men.

To Sum Things Up

Parenting teenage boys can be a rollercoaster ride filled with challenges, but with understanding and effective strategies, we can navigate these years together. By acknowledging and addressing the hormonal changes, balancing academics and hobbies, improving communication, coping with emotional disconnection, and utilizing a parenting survival guide, we can provide the support and guidance our teenage boys need. Remember, these challenges are a normal part of their development, and by being patient, empathetic, and open-minded, we can help our teenage boys grow into confident, independent, and successful individuals. So let's embrace the journey of raising teenage boys and celebrate the incredible young men they are becoming!Raising a teenage boy can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. As parents, we often find ourselves navigating through the hormonal changes, academic pressures, and emotional disconnections that come with the territory. Understanding and addressing these common challenges is crucial in providing the support and guidance our teenage boys need during this crucial phase of their lives. In this blog, we will explore some of the most common challenges parents face when raising teenage boys and provide strategies for effectively navigating these obstacles. Whether you're dealing with mood swings, academic struggles, communication barriers, emotional disconnection, or simply trying to survive the rollercoaster ride of parenting a teenage boy, this survival guide is here to help. So let's dive in and discover how we can navigate the teen years together!