W R I T E Y O U R
’ V
«
Dear Auntie Pearl: I want to know if
other lesbians experience this
frustration. Whenever my lover and I
have oral sex, one or both of us comes
down with a yeast infection soon after.
Then we have to wait the inevitable 7
days while the medicine takes effect
before we can enjoy each other again. Is

there a secret we don’t know about? Or
is this a sign that we’re incompatible?

 

Itching To Know

Dear Itching To Know: Yes, you’re
incompatible — with your treatment plan.
Auntie suspects that one or both of you
is carrying the infection orally. It's
called thrush, and it may not display
symptoms. This unamusingly little trick
of nature leads one to think it’s safe to
dive back in just when conditions are
ripe for reinfection.

Your solution? Put your money where
your mouth is before you put your

 
      
 
 

—-———-‘

 

I Name

sweetie there. Treat the partner with
symptoms and her lover who is able to
sit still. And while you're waiting to have
sex, use that pent-up energy on a spring
cleaning. Your infection can be
transmitted via toilet seats, shared sex
toys, towels, clothing and bedding. Use
condoms on your sex toys.

After you control your symptoms, find
the causes. Too much sugar or alcohol,
stress, tight or non-cotton underwear,
vaginal deodorants, frequent douching,
certain medications, perfumed toilet

paper and scented laundry products can_

trigger an infection. Products used by a
woman or her partner can be a cause:
perfumes, scented soaps and lotions.
Include sources of acidophilus - such as
yogurt — in your diet.

Treat your prized parts well, and they
will return the favor. Now go tell your
doctor what your Auntie Pearl suspects.

Dear Auntie Pearl: Please end an
etiquette debate between me and my
lover. Our good friend Ed is the sperm
donor for an out—of—town lesbian couple
he knows. Ed just told us that one of the
women is definitely pregnant. My lover
says we should throw Ed a shower,
because the women wouldn’t be parents
without Ed. I said that’s ridiculous,
because Ed isn’t raising the kid. We
decided this is a job for Auntie Pearl.
Your wisdom," please!

Your Loving Nephew Lawrence

Dear Lawrence: Before Auntie gives
her answer, she must pause to address
your lover’s revolutionary biological
discovery that “the women wouldn’t be
parents without Ed”. Auntie strongly

Out in the Mountains

VERMONT'S NEWSPAPER FOFl LESBIANS, GAY MEN, AND BISEXUALS
_ y subscning now to OITM, not ony will you guarantee
: mailbox (in a discreet envelope, of course), but you will also help under-
: write the rising costs of publishing the newspaper. We also welcome any
n additional contributions you can make to support our continuing existence.
I Checks should be made payable to OITM and sent, along with this form, to:
E OITM, P.O. Box 177, Burlington, Vermont 05402-0177.

    

e Ivery to your

E Address
E City

El One-year ($20) El Low-income ($10) Cl Sponsor ($____j
Sponsors are especially welcome from those who prefer to pick up 01 M at one
of the paper's distribution points rather than be added to the mailing list.

E El Please also let us know if you'd like to get involved in the newspaper. 4/94

State Zip

15

April 1994

suspects that Ed - while no—doubt a
stellar fellow — is not the only person of
the species capable of donating sperm.
Let’s not confuse the miracle of
creation with Ed’s generous
participation in it.

Now to your question: Auntie’s answer
depends on the agreement Ed has with
the parents—to—be. If the mothers have a
hands—off policy, simply give Ed a small
gift, flowers, or dinner. But if Ed
expects to be involved in the child’s life,
a shower would be a lovely way for his
friends to help the mothers out with
gifts and money.

Write Your Auntie Pearl appears in
publications nationwide.
questions or comments to: Auntie
Pearl PO Box 4156 Burlington VT
05406.

 

Forconfidenfial

AIDS
Information

 

Call

Send your _

Q-800-882-AIDSJ