Thread: Does anyone have answers for Bacterial Vagnosis (BV)

Hi Melanie,
Sorry to hear you have been dealing with this too, and for so long! Have the doctors been able to pinpoint what is causing the vaginitis? Have they said it was a particular bacteria or anything? Treatment/relief would kind of depend on what is causing it. Also, what are your symptoms exactly? Do you just have an odor or do you have discharge/pain/burning?

Do you take the acidophilus/probiotic by mouth too? If you don't do that, I would recommend starting. I've found that Jarrow's femdophilus works the best for me personally, and though it hasn't eradicated the problem, it has helped a little.

Also, I'm sure you've heard this a billion times, but take the usual precautions: cotton underwear, not wearing tight fitting clothing, using hypoallergenic soaps, etc. I've also found that there are triggers in my diet. Anytime I have a lot of sugar or cheese/dairy, my discharge is worse. Not sure why the dairy does anything, but sugar feeds both yeast and bacteria, so it's best to keep that to a minimum.

also wanted to add that semen can mess with the pH of the vagina if you are using some other form of birth control aside from condoms

Hello,
Thank you for the responce.
My doctor told me that they dont know why woman get this so there is no answer on how to avoid it, they do say no tight clothes, etc. but i dont wear overly tight clothes, and always wear the cotton underwear.
I think i am going to see about going to someone else. He said that our bodys change once we have children, but this is crazy and i have lots of friends that have children and dont have BV.
My symptoms are, horrible smell, tons of discharge, pain during intercourse. and i think thats it... its the worse thing i have ever had to deal with and is killing me.
I never want sex anymore because i am always worried about it, and it just hurts when i do.
It could very well be my diet, i do have a sweet tooth, and i drink a ton of coffee.

As for the birth control that you said, i have the IUD, i get blood clots so i cant take the pill or the Depro. I should try condoms and see if that helps, i didn't realize that sperm could be the problem.

You said you have this too? How long have you had it for?
My doctor said it was rare, but not when you start researching it, Its actually sad, when i google it i see lots of storys of woman fighting to get rid of this, and its really depressing that most of them have had this for years and there is no doctors that have found a cure for this.

I keep reading that its from multiple sex partners, but that cant be, i have had the same one for the past 9 years.

Please let me know if you read or find anything that gets rid of this, and i will do the same if i do.

I've had BV since January of 2009. I had a UTI, was put on Cipro and then after I fiinished those meds, I was left with this BV from he** . I am 22 and don't have any children, so I doubt it has something to do with that. Also, I have only been with 2 guys, and only 1 during the time this happened, so I doubt it's really from multiple sex partners either. For one reason or another, the vaginal flora (bacteria) just get thrown out of whack. Apparently for some, it's harder to get back to normal than others which is unfortunate. I really don't think it's a rare condition at all. So many message boards have hundreds of women posting constantly about it. It's one of those conditions that is just now really starting to be researched, so hopefully sometime within the next couple of years they will come up with a cure. It's ridiculous for an infection to last years. It's always good to keep an eye on your diet. Bacteria and yeast both feed on sugar so try to keep it to a minimum. Also, anytime you do have something sweet, it's a good idea to either take an acidophilus pill or just eat some plain unsweetened yogurt. That way the good bacteria will help cancel some of that out.

Originally Posted by melanie123

Hello,
Thank you for the responce.
My doctor told me that they dont know why woman get this so there is no answer on how to avoid it, they do say no tight clothes, etc. but i dont wear overly tight clothes, and always wear the cotton underwear.
I think i am going to see about going to someone else. He said that our bodys change once we have children, but this is crazy and i have lots of friends that have children and dont have BV.
My symptoms are, horrible smell, tons of discharge, pain during intercourse. and i think thats it... its the worse thing i have ever had to deal with and is killing me.
I never want sex anymore because i am always worried about it, and it just hurts when i do.
It could very well be my diet, i do have a sweet tooth, and i drink a ton of coffee.

As for the birth control that you said, i have the IUD, i get blood clots so i cant take the pill or the Depro. I should try condoms and see if that helps, i didn't realize that sperm could be the problem.

You said you have this too? How long have you had it for?
My doctor said it was rare, but not when you start researching it, Its actually sad, when i google it i see lots of storys of woman fighting to get rid of this, and its really depressing that most of them have had this for years and there is no doctors that have found a cure for this.

I keep reading that its from multiple sex partners, but that cant be, i have had the same one for the past 9 years.

Please let me know if you read or find anything that gets rid of this, and i will do the same if i do.

Im 34yrs old, Ive got 2 kids and had an abdominal hysterectomy late last year. I have had the same bed buddy for close to 2 years and over the last 6 months I have had BV approx. 4-5 times. Each time I am prescribed Metronide 400 which clears it up only to return within 2wks. It is driving me insane as I enjoy a very active and adventurous sex life but with BV I am put off, I only suffer mostly with the odour and slight increase in vaginal discharge. I have recently discovered that anemia seems to be associated with many people who suffer from BV and also read that women who have had pelvic surgery seem to be more likely to get BV. I have anemia and had surgery. Any other ways people know of to stop this annoying BV? It's getting me down as Im worried that people can smell me when I go out, so I tend to stay at home more now. HELP!!

I know this is so frustrating to so many women, men and even the Dr's. I have dealt with this for ten years but finally came up with so much with doing so much research. You really have to become your own advocate. I hope that this is helpful information. I am not a nurse, nor a Dr, just a wife, mother and women who has struggled with BV. I thought I would share this with you all since I used to read forums all the time. To start, I have read that many women have taken that flagyl (generic name for metordinazole) and the BV has came back. Ok, ready for this.... make sure that your boyfriend or husband also gets a prescription. I have been told by pharmacists that indeed the partner needs to be treated as well. They also need to wash well before sex. Good o dial soap & friction, but they have to clean well. Also make sure their hands are clean. The reason for the shower is because think how many men go into public places and do not wash before they urinate. Then they spread germs when they have to hold their penis to pee. Make sense huh? So when you both are treated, I would make sure that he does not ejaculate inside until the infection is cleared. Also I would wait at least three days after taking meds. If you use the cream, I would wait the 5 or 7 days. I have learned that men can be carriers. In fact, my man had that fish smell every so often. It has to do with the protein and acid in their semen. The reason it gets to that point, at least from what I researched is because they release semen too much; too much sex. They need time to build that up again. I guess that saying is true, "too much of anything is not good." When you notice that your man has that smell, you know that an infection is coming on. Tell him to pull out. Also talk to your Dr about getting preventive meds. I have been using acidophilus. I bought some from health food store. 20.00 for a bottle but last for a long time. I take 1/2 tsp when I notice symptoms and have not had a problem. If you have symptoms, take 1/2 tsp in the morning and 1/2 at night. Or consult with someone at the health food. Don't be afraid to tell them what it is for. They have heard it all. I bought the "Better Health" brand. I keep mine in the frig. I would suggest to buy the ones that are kept in frig. Works better. I am not sure if you need folic acid. Ask them at the health food store as well and how much you need to take. I take 600 mcg every other day when I start to get an infection. So cleanliness is the main focus point. Most women are prone to bacteria. And yes, it gets worse as we get older. Our ph changes all the time. Stay away from hot tubs too. Just my suggestion. Hot water+bacterial=growth of bacterial. Try not to use hot water during baths or showers too. That one is hard for me. I love hot water, but I prefer hot sex. Sorry, just being truthful. =) Also use doze unscented. The bacterial soap will kill the good bacterial as well and heaven knows we need the good bacteria there. I use dial in other areas. One last thing. Do not forget to have your boyfriend or husband get med as well since you will not be passing it back and forth. So many Dr's now are reconsidering the fact that "yes" men do carry it. I could swear that it all started from my husband. Not to blame him but maybe it's a mixture. Whatever it is, I never had that problem. Also, the fish smell comes from him now and then, not me. It's more like dead fish. lol What we do for love and sex huh? Last, pray and ask God for help and wisdom. Keep up on the research. Talk to pharmacist too. They see the meds prescribed. They will tell you if men are being treated more now than ever. K, I think that is it. I will check back on here next week.