Thread: chronic bacterial vaginosis

It is an extremely harsh drug (it's what they use to kill Anthrax), has a number of nasty side effects (including the possibility of spontaneous tendon/ligament failure) and should really be reserved for life-threatening infections, we're running out of drugs that virulent bacteria aren't resistant to. I had to take it for a severe throat infection that was giving me 102-104 fevers, but I won't again if I can avoid it. It gave me tendonitis in my wrist and elbow for a week or two afterward, before I knew that that was a side-effect. Anyway, that and two other rounds of antibiotics this past year brought on the double whammy of a bacterial infection and a yeast infection back to back. My whole ph was just completely screwed despite eating a low-sugar, vegetarian diet and lots of yogurt for years. Inserting yogurt, however, worked perfectly. I used organic with live cultures from a local farm and just inserted about a teaspoon (not frozen) each night for four nights. Lo and behold, weird smell and uncharacteristic discharge are totally gone. I recommend spreading some around the whole vulva/perineal/anal area. The bad bacteria are getting into the vagina from elsewhere, you know, and the yeast must spread at such close proximity.

I wanted to thank all who have contributed their stories and remedies to this thread. After reading the info here and doing some of my own research, I have devised a plan for myself which I hope will be very effective. I hope to update other BV sufferers to encourge others to try home remedies as well.

I have suffered from BV for 8 years and didn't know what was really wrong with me until about 3 years ago. Even at that time, I didn't have the patience for home remedies, plus I was living with my grandparents and would have been moritfied if they had suspected me putting yogurt or other things in my vagina, lord forbid! I actually felt defeated and had almost resigned myself to living this way, until last week, when my EXTREMELY supportive boyfriend had gently mentioned that my smell was displeasing and the reason why he didn't always initiate sex when he wanted to. It was hard to hear that, but really, he has been kind and gentle about this problem for going on 4 years. I feel like its time to take control back over my body, and have the sex life I always dreamed of with the man I love. Heres my plan:

1. Clindesse to get rid of the years and years of yucky bad bacteria, sort of a fresh start. I had some on hand from a failed gyno visit last year (you know, the visit where your gyno brushes of your concerns and writes out a script.....)

2. Hydrogen-peroxide vaginal wash once a day for one week, then as needed after sex or during/after my period.

3. Probiotics of L. rhamanosus and L. reuteri, taken both orally and vaginally. I am waiting for my Femdophilus to come in the mail, then I will take 3/day orally and 1 every other day vaginally until I feel ready to slowly decrease my intake (after the colonies are reestablished).

4. Aci Jel to help maintain vaginal pH <4.5, definitely after sex and after my period. I am also waiting for that to come in the mail, I will probably do a couple days of Aci Jel before doing intravaginal probiotics, then alternate the two treatments.

5. Other steps such as no panties at night, using condomns for the next few months until things are normal, and taking other dietary supplements will all contribute to continued vaginal health. I think steps 2-4 are most important in establishing a healthy vaginal environment.


So far I have just done the clindesse and hydrogen peroxide wash while waiting for my other products to come in the mail. I have been odor-free for 5 days and it feels great, however, I haven't had sex or had my period, so I know the BV will be back if I don't get some happy bacteria back in me, lol. Oh, and I did one of those Vagisil pH kits, it said my pH is 5.5 (still too high), but the kit came with two testers, so I will do a retest after a few weeks to a month of my home treatment plan.

I want to thank everyone for the advice and ideas that contributed to my plan. I want to update everyone in the future, I feel very very hopeful that this can be a pernanent cure for me. I can plan on taking probiotics for the rest of my life, with peroxide washes and Aci Jel treatments occasionally, as needed. I would be perfectly happy with that if it means a spontaneous, clean, odor-free sex life, and no worry or embarrassment of a bad odor at the end of my 12 hour work day. Take care and good luck to all of you.

OMG....I thought I was the only one suffering from this condition. I have been fighting with this condition for years now. It is just recurring. I have been on pill form flagyl along with Clindesse, I have done Clindesse alone. I have done flagyl alone, I have done Metrinidazole cream. Me and my partner have washed before and after sex. I sleep with no underpants on. I am soooooo frustrated with this condition. It has now become life altering and I am so sick of it. I have noticed it would come after my periods and then I got an ablation and I have no periods now and I am still dealing with them...I am at my wits end. I am just glad..someone else can relate. This is something that no one wants to talk about, so you really don't know how many people around you are dealing with this. I am now a single woman and am afraid to have a new sex partner because sometimes the odor only is noticeable during sexual intercourse. How mortifying if you have not shared your condition with your partner. That felt good to vent...thanx

KPQ

I have been dealing with this since I was pregnant. My daughter just turned 12 years old!!! I thought I had a veneral disease. All my tests came back negative. My gyn told me it was a bacterial infection, and gave me the Metro, which in turn gave me the worst yeast infection I have ever had. Then he gave me something to clear that up, needless to say-it came back after a month. I tried everything(a friend recommended douching with bleach!!!) That didnt work. I was at my wits end. I have been with the same partner for over 6 years, he smells it.Its horrible that fishy odor. I work in a small office, I know if I can smell it, so can they. No intimacy in my relationship, sex maybe twice a month. I'm 33 yrs old. I finally got frustrated and went online, since my doctor wasn't helping me. I came upon this websiite, and was literally in tears. I thought I was the only person dealing with this. Always thinking that something was wrong. Some people smell so clean. Im dealing with a discharge everyday and that smell!!! I tried a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (70%) and distilled vinegar (30%) and the smell and discharge was gone in hours!!!! I didn't have to wear a pantyliner in years. My boyfriend, said you are glowing. We had sex 4 times the next day. There was absolutely no smell, no discharge. I was alot tighter, but that was a relief after years of my boyfriend thinking that I was cheating on him-because I was always so wet down there. Its been a week and half. And still no smell. Some lower back pain. But I feel renewed, more confident. Not afraid to go around others, always knowing that I smell bad. I'm hoping that this will keep working. I douche every other day now and after sex. If it comes back, I've made notes of other remedies I've found on this site. Thank you all so much. And I hope and pray, that one day they find a real cure for this, and all women, don't have to live with such an awful, life-hindering infection. THANKS AGAIN

Originally Posted by msoftshell

I tried a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (70%) and distilled vinegar (30%) and the smell and discharge was gone in hours!!!! I didn't have to wear a pantyliner in years. My boyfriend, said you are glowing. We had sex 4 times the next day. There was absolutely no smell, no discharge. I was alot tighter, but that was a relief after years of my boyfriend thinking that I was cheating on him-because I was always so wet down there. Its been a week and half. And still no smell. Some lower back pain. But I feel renewed, more confident. Not afraid to go around others, always knowing that I smell bad. I'm hoping that this will keep working. I douche every other day now and after sex. If it comes back, I've made notes of other remedies I've found on this site.

msoftshell,

Right now, while you're symptoms are at bay, start the probiotic treatment. The reason that the hydrogen peroxide works is because it simulates the environment that the friendly bacteria create. Also, hydrogen peroxide can have harmful effects if used long term on healthy skin. It will work well as a temporary fix, but if you start the probiotics now, you may find yourself cured.

Originally Posted by Ginger_Ark

msoftshell,

Right now, while you're symptoms are at bay, start the probiotic treatment. The reason that the hydrogen peroxide works is because it simulates the environment that the friendly bacteria create. Also, hydrogen peroxide can have harmful effects if used long term on healthy skin. It will work well as a temporary fix, but if you start the probiotics now, you may find yourself cured.

hi ginger ark!

i'm new and i've been dealing with this bv thing for over a year now. i am on femd and floramore. i just finished a treatment of metrogel(metrozinole?) for 10 days and i still don't feel normal but i know it takes time but just in case this doesn't work i was wondering with the peroxide douche, how many times can you do it a week? what portions, like half h.p. and h20? i'm gonna do femd vaginally to but i have to wait until next tues or wed to see if i still have bv at the dr's office. i've been on flagyl (oral) and it went away but i always had a discharge then 2-3 weeks later i had bv again. i read all your post and when you put that you just want to be a woman that can have sex with your husband that you love it just made me feel so sad and cry. i feel the same way with my boyfriend. i want this to end. i was really thinking about commiting suicide because this thing make me NOT feel like a woman. i can't play with my kids or do anything without thinking about the itch and discharge. for a year i've always had to wear a pantiliner and i hate it, but when i started femd back in april the discharge is less but still there. also i've tried boric acid, do you think that is kinda like the peroxide douche? i just want to be normal

thanks in advance
sad21

sad21,

I understand the frustration, but don't give up. Get mad & get determined to cure yourself.

If the femdophilus isn't quite doing enough, here are my suggestions:

Up the dosage, or better yet, find the variety that has to be refrigerated. I don't know if Femdophilus has a variety like that, but I know Nature's Way does, & I've had much more success with that variety, as it has more active cultures.

Buy the powder variety of the Nature's Way Primadophilus Reuteri & mix it with unsweeted, unflavored, organic yogurt & insert some before bedtime.

Go on line & buy some Biofem Active Gel. I can only find it available in the UK, but it's worth the extra effort & cost of shipping. I used it often in the beginning, & now I just use it when I feel a little off or after sex. It stings a little when you're having symptoms, which I always felt like was a good thing. After the stinging wears off, I always feel some relief. Unlike RepHresh, it doesn't give me that gross chunky discharge.

Use condoms (without spermicide) faithfully.

The problem with douches is that whatever medicine they are delivering don't stay. I really feel like they might even wash away some of the secretions that contain the good bacteria that are trying to combat your problem. I would replace the boric acid douches with the Biofem.

Give it some time. You've been sick a long time. You won't be cured overnight. Go to Learn more about Bacterial Vaginosis | Vaginal Discharge | Vaginitis & order the pH test strips. Get to know your body. When your symptoms are down, do a strip & see what the pH is. When your symptoms are bad, do the same. Start working toward achieving the right pH, & don't just treat according to symptoms.

Good luck.

Hi all, I too have suffered from chronic yeast infections and BV. I discovered I would get the yeast infections after having sex with my boyfriend... And after I had my appendix out a few monthes ago, I got worst yeast infection EVER (from all the antibiotics I was told). So I took the one time fluconazole rx, it cleared up... Then came back... Then went away... And I got BV after that! My doctor prescribed me the Flagyl, as many of you have noted taking. After I completed the dose, my symptoms cleared up. BUT, the important change I have made was that my boyfriend and I use condoms now everytime we have sex, which we never did before. I started doing research, and I discovered that sperm screws up the Ph of your vagina, which can make it difficult for BV and yeast infections to 1) go away, 2) stay away and 3) keep new infections from arising. It has worked for me for monthes now. I have been BV and yeast infection free! Just a thought to those of you trying everything else but this, if your still having sex Good luck!