Women’s issues - bodily functions and such

[KimMH]

I like wearing dresses now that I’m not forced to do so- they’re much more comfortable when they’re your choice!

Otherwise I’m in jeans and t- shirts although I’ve also found wearing workout wear as casual wear is pretty comfy too.

These days comfort and durability/quality are my biggest drivers.

 

[May 20]

My body shape won't let me wear men's jeans or slacks. But I'm so frustrated with sizing, too. For me, the biggest issue is inseam. I'm too short for "regular", but I'm too tall for "petite". It's truly one area where I wish we sized our pants like men do.

I broke down and ordered new bras last night. Hopefully, they will fit better.

One of the clear benefits of the SAHM gig is being able to wear tshirts (from the men's dept.) and knit athletic pants/shorts at home. Comfort is key these days.

 

[T'Bonz]

Sizing blows. Why they can't standardize it is beyond me. I'm in more of an average size these days with the weight loss, but even when I was 40 lbs heavier, I wouldn't have fallen for the "gee, I can fit into size 10 jeans!" (they actually sold ones as 10s that fit me and even when I was 14 lbs lighter (high school days)). I didn't wear a 10!

Same with shoes. Now my size 10 can be too big. I sometimes can get into a 9 1/2 or even a 9 (regular foot size, not wide). It was SO easy in the past - as the sizes were standard and I could got shoes online without worrying.

Not anymore. Hey, manufacturers and ad folks, I have worn a size 10 since I got my growth. My feet for my time were big (not anymore - they go up a few more sizes now. Back in the day the highest size I ever saw was an 11). Making shoes sizes smaller to "flatter" me was rubbish, as I knew full well I had big, not tiny dainty feet. I didn't give a shit either. I wasn't overweight back then. Just had big feet and long fingers.

Just standardize them across the industry. And if you don't like your clothing size #, either eat more or eat less, whichever applies. You're stuck with your shoe size.

 

[KimMH]

Vanity sizing is silly. People still have to wear clothes regardless of a number on their tags. Consumers will still have to buy clothes.

 

[Velocity]

Back when I was working for the Coast Guard, one time I was walking through the office and passed a knot of engineers talking. One was saying, "My sister-in-law just had surgery to reduce the size of her breasts! Why would any woman DO that?" I stopped and whipped around to face them and they all took off and scattered across the hangar. I was only going to talk about the back aches, etc, that heavy breasts cause, but they ran away like I was scary or something.

 

[May 20]

I'm not a fan of plastic surgery in general, but if I could have a reduction, I would take it.

My shoe size increased a half size after my first pregnancy. I was surprised by that, but apparently it happens often enough that it's considered normal. I have short wide feet, always have. My dad told me that my feet were little squares when I was a baby. All through childhood and early adulthood, shoes were an issue. Nothing fit right, ever. I hated wearing shoes because they hurt. It's easier nowadays to find wide shoes that are comfortable and somewhat cute.

 

[rhubarbodendron]

A reduction on one side would be nice as my breasts differ by more than a cup size. The unequal weight distribution twists my spine and the muscles have to constantly work against that The result are severe back pains, strained muscles and pinched nerves.
But I decided to postpone a surgery since with several brest cancer cases in my family I might propably be able to kill two birds with a stone in a few years
(No offense meant to breast cancer patients - it's just my gallows humour. A bit grim but helpful as an emotional safety belt.)

 

[KimMH]

A reduction on one side would be nice as my breasts differ by more than a cup size. The unequal weight distribution twists my spine and the muscles have to constantly work against that The result are severe back pains, strained muscles and pinched nerves.
But I decided to postpone a surgery since with several brest cancer cases in my family I might propably be able to kill two birds with a stone in a few years
(No offense meant to breast cancer patients - it's just my gallows humour. A bit grim but helpful as an emotional safety belt.)

Will your insurance company let you go ahead with it now given your family propensity towards it? It seems like they’d be more inclined to pay for prevention than cure because it seems like it would probably cheaper in the long run, and less stress for you.

 

[May 20]

Gallows humor has gotten me through several dark spots over my life. I appreciate its benefits.

 

[Marynator]

I get pretty lucky with ordering online, most things fit pretty well. But sometimes I do have issues, and fortunately I can send those back for free ... I've found Amazon has a huge selection of wonderful clothes, and if it doesn't fit right they'll pay for your return shipping.

Four out of five times a "medium" works perfectly for me, and maybe one in ten I need either a small or (eek!) large. Really annoying ordering a sweater in medium and finding it's just too tight ... luckily Amazon also has a thing where other customers rate how it fits by size, so if you see a lot of "too large" or "too small" you can adjust your purchase easily enough.

One brand I like is called "Woman Within" ... they make plus-size clothing, but I love their products as they're super comfortable. I look for if they have XS, which works well enough for me.

 

[May 20]

I like "Woman Within" too, especially for shoes. They have a pretty good selection of wide widths in cute-enough styles.

 

[Marynator]

I really like Dexflex Comfort for shoes ... they have surprisingly cute and comfortable styles at very low prices.

 

[May 20]

Yes! I have a couple pair of those!

 

[rhubarbodendron]

I'll definitely have a look at those!

Will your insurance company let you go ahead with it now given your family propensity towards it? It seems like they’d be more inclined to pay for prevention than cure because it seems like it would probably cheaper in the long run, and less stress for you.

No, the insurance would pay only if it was a life-threatening condition. I'm toying with the idea of buying 2 different sized bras and sew a fitting one from them. Frankenstein's bra

 

[May 20]

When we lived in Chicagoland, there was a shop that made and sold custom bras. She apparently had a thriving business. To this day, I wish I had been willing to buy at least one.

 

[rhubarbodendron]

that's precisely the sort of shop the (female) world needs! I'm tempted to fly to Chicago..

 

[May 20]

If I were a better seamstress, I would consider opening such a shop here.

 

[Marynator]

I told this guy I have a crush on him, and now I'm feeling sick from nerves.

I told him I wanted to clear the air, because of how he makes me feel, and to let him know it's only an infatuation and I'd never want anything serious to happen. I feel ashamed I have these feelings for him, especially since I'm getting married next week. He doesn't diminish how much I love my DH, it's just something flighty, if I'm making sense?

He's incredibly cute ... I seriously feel he could play a prince in a Disney movie. He's also so very kind, sweet, and intelligent (he's studying for his doctorate) He recently broke up with his girlfriend, and I think he likes me too. But basically seeing him makes my heart beat fast, and my breathing gets heavy. I feel he and I have been sort of flirting back and forth for a little while, and for me it's harmless fun, however attractive he might be, but I felt wrong not letting him know.

I'm just terrified now he's going to hate me or be mad at me, and I'm going to screw things up like I usually do. I want to keep him as a friend I have playful banter and teasing with, but I felt I couldn't go on not letting him know how he makes me feel.

I'm sorry, I just had to put this here, I'm feeling very scared right now.

 

[Doom Shepherd]

The terrifying capacity of the bighearted to have warm feelings towards more than one person at a time strikes again!

 

[rhubarbodendron]

excellently put, DS!
If he's a good friend, he'll stay one. If he doesn't you haven't lost much. I'm always a bit wary of men who appear to be so perfect. Usually they hide some major flaw (a bit like a freshly laquered car with a ramshackle old engine)