Reoccuring bacterial vaginosis...

... I keep getting BV, it's really getting me down. I've been to the doctor several times about it and been put on anti-biotics, it clears up for about a week - 2 weeks tops then comes back. I've tried everything, the only thing that seemed to work as douching with a medicated iodine solution i brought off the net but douching is supposed to be bad right? I even tried a solution of vinegar and water which helps, but surely its not healthy :confused:

It's practically ruined my sex life, im too embarassed to have sex with my boyfriend anymore. Does anyone have an suggestions as to what i should try next? I'm at my wits end, I cant take anti-biotics for the rest of my life. I don't even know why it just suddenly started out of nowhere either.

Reply 1

Jennybean

13

Are you seeing the same doctor each time or are you seeing a different doctor who won't necessarily know that this is a recurring problem? The trouble with taking the same antibiotic repeatedly is that you create a resistant culture of bacteria and the drug gets less and less effective each time. You need to stop douching as this will kill off all the healthy bacteria necessary to maintain the delicate pH balance in there and just perpetuate the problem. I know it's embarrassing and easy to turn to quick fixes but you're just creating a longer term problem for yourself. Go back and see a doctor, and try and arrange to see the same one each time. Explain that it's a recurring problem and you've tried antibiotics several times but that you need a different, stronger type.

Reply 2

claireabelle

using perfumed soap with a too high ph can cause it, aswell as washing your genitals to frequently- so probably best to stop with the douching, also having sex underwater can also be a cause.

BV can also be caused by thrush so maybe its worth ruling that out aswell. if it is thrush your partner although not showing any symptoms (men rarely do lucky buggers) can still be passing it to you after sex.

like it was said above you really need to go back to the doctor and stress that its a recurring problem, also you might wanna try your local GUM clinic as although its not a sexually transmitted infection it is sexually aggravated so they might be able to help you out alot more.

Reply 3

gagol

eating yoghurt should help, i dont mean like ski, i mean natural, possibly buy your self an easy yo, I used to suffer alot as I was always on antibiotics tonsilitus but they allways gave me thrush but it cleared up after eating natural yoghurt, it might not work but sure its worth a try?

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

try douching with natural yoghurt

Reply 5

gagol

that could work but isnt douching bad?

Reply 6

Anonymous #2

douching with natural yoghurt is totally fine as it introduces more 'friendly bacteria'

Reply 7

Jennybean

13

Gaylee

eating yoghurt should help, i dont mean like ski, i mean natural, possibly buy your self an easy yo, I used to suffer alot as I was always on antibiotics tonsilitus but they allways gave me thrush but it cleared up after eating natural yoghurt, it might not work but sure its worth a try?

The principle is good but the fact is that eating "friendly bacteria" to increase the supply in your body is "like topping up a swimming pool with a teaspoon" <- beautifully put there by the New Scientist. That also goes for anyone who happens to be reading this that likes to buy those hideously expensive little yoghurt drinks which will "top up your body's natural defences" - any difference you feel in your health is completely psychosomatic. The number of bacteria contained in your digestinal tract outweighs those contained in each little pot by hundreds of millions, so even if they were injected straight in they would make little difference, but furthermore the manufacturers seem to conveniently skip over the fact that the drinks must pass through the acid bath that is the stomach before they ever get close to the intestines. The same goes for the bacteria in the vagina. Bacteria ingested through the gastrointestinal system will never reach these far flung anatomical places. So in your case Gaylee it was probably entirely coincidental, but it was still a good suggestion. Natural yoghurt can sometimes be used to promote necessary flora in the hind gut of small animals (such as chinchillas!) when taking antibiotics, which will kill off all bacteria indiscriminately, but humans are just too big for this to work. However, natural yoghurt can make a temporary difference if inserted directly into the vagina, as mentioned by the clever people above. I completely forgot about that. The best thing to do is coat a tampon in the stuff then leave it up there for a half hour or so. It's not a cure but will temporarily help to restore the pH balance and will certainly cool any itching.

Reply 8

Lauren Hart

3

Honestly, i think you need to stop trying to "clean up" down there. next time you get it clear, just wash with water, and wash gently. Adding anything else is just gonna upset the ph and cause a reccurance.

Talk to your bf, im sure he'll be fine. its worth you both having an sti test, just in case. Because that could cause problems if one of you has one. Its not a nice thing to ask him to do, but if he cares about you he'll do it. If he wont, well, one has to wonder why not.

Reoccuring bacterial vaginosis...

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