Hi everyone, i've been reading this forum for over a year now but just now joined (not sure why I took so long). I've had chronic BV for over 4 years now and it seems like i've had it constantly! It almost never goes away. I take the Natures Way Reuteri pearls (also have Rhamnosus in them) and they help but not enough. Nothing else has worked except for the Vaginal Vitamin C which I can't even find anymore so I think they've stopped making it.

Less than a week ago I bought " Femance Cala-Gel" from the health food store, not cheap $37 but i've been BV free and feel great!! If they stop making this stuff I will scream. As far as I can tell it's all natural and I put it on right after my boyfriend and I had sex last time and no BV (which would happen every single time we had sex".

I'm not sure if it's possible to order it on the net, it is a Canadian product but here's a link to the company page for the product:

I don't have this condition but I have read a lot of these posts (not all, there's just too many) and I really feel for you women. You're all very strong for dealing with this issue.

I just wanted to make one suggestion, with the hope it might help even a tiny bit. I've seen some of you mention having to constantly use pantyliners and/or having symptoms return or get worse after your period. Do any of you use reusable cloth menstrual pads? I read several forums about cloth pads and SO MANY women talk about how using cloth pads has made their vaginas much happier. Many say they had chronic yeast infections and skin irritations due to using disposable pads and tampons that can contain harsh chemicals and plastics. Even just the normal smelliness that some women can get during their periods aside from any infections almost disappears when you use cloth pads because they breathe so much better and use only soft cotton and other natural materials against your very delicate skin.

If anyone is interested in giving them a try, even just for overall comfort's sake, I recommend it. You will probably never look back. There are full-fledged companies that make them but some of the best come from work at home moms who sew them by hand.

If anyone wants more info I would be happy to supply it! Using cloth pads is not gross at all and they're simple to wash and reuse.

I'm not suggesting this will be a cure-all because I know you all have tried so many things! But I really hope it might help a bit or at least make some of you feel more comfortable while trying to find other cures.

Ginger Ark-

You are amazing! The sophistication with which you write is quite impressive, as is your medical knowledge! Thank you for sharing all your research and wisdom.

I've NEVER had this thing until last November. I'm now 42 and have plenty of sexual partners, but I bedded a new boyfriend last September. It didn't take long for me to realize something was horribly wrong.

I went to the doctor and got Clindesse. It worked for awhile but the smell came back. Because my boyfriend is a physician, I had him call me in another prescription. Again, it worked for awhile but the smell came back...again. REPEAT CYCLE!! Also added Rephresh, per doctor's advice. Finally visited my GYN again and got Flagyl. We treated me AND my boyfriend, who was less than thrilled about missing his wine for awhile! It worked for 4 weeks...now I have it back, again. !!!!

I looked at my calendar. The pattern is clear - the BV comes back after my period has finished. I could do another course of antibiotics but we all know what would happen.

I bought the Femdophilus today at Vitamin Shoppe. It was pricey - $19.99 for 30 capsules. ( I plan on purchasing the Primadophilus Reuteri on-line now, as it is much less expensive!) I've already taken 3 today. I also bought the rip-off Vagisal test kit today and my Ph looks to be around 4.5-5. Not too horrible, but too high. I'm thinking about pouring a bottle of hydrogen peroxide up there but not sure if that would be a good idea. I bought Aci-Gel from New Zealand instead...

I'm still smelly so hoping the probiotics will help in a day or two. If not I guess I'll do a course of Metro-Gel and chug down the probiotics at the same time...

I'd like to check my Ph regularly but feel the strips Ginger Ark recommends are still too expensive. I purchased these (link below) and will tape them to a pediatric tongue depressor. Should work - I'll let you all know!! Very inexpensive - only $16 for 100!

If symptoms don't resolve, I'll visit my GYN again and present him with the article on Atopobium vaginae. Maybe 7-10 days of Ceftin or Durifef (cefadroxil)???

I love sex WAY TOO MUCH to let this get the best of me! I'll get to the bottom of this!!

BTW...I am wondering if the problem could be THIS boyfriend. Again, never had this before with any other guy. Could his penis/skin just be too alkaline for me??? I've noticed a lot of women on this site notice onset of symptoms with a new partner...

Thanks for the compliments. I don't really have medical knowledge, other than what other women have led me to with their own findings. I just have a logical brain & tenacity!

As to your question above, I have come to the conclusion that it's not that some men are giving us an infection, I believe it's that some men have higher alkaline semen than others. For most women it's probably no big deal. For those susceptible to pH imbalance, this higher pH semen is enough to change our vaginal environment. Just a theory.

When we get ourselves "cleared up" & sex or menstruation causes a flair up, I really think just doing a preventative treatment to add acidity (like the Acti-Gel or the Acid Jelly) should keep us in check. Another option is to always use condoms.

Right now the medical field isn't sure if the bad bacteria causes the imbalance or if the imbalance causes the bad bacteria to thrive OR if the good bacteria causes the good environment. I really believe that at some point we will find out that acidity is related to hormones & that changing hormones cause the acidity change, making us susceptible to the infection. Again, just another theory.

Ginger Ark -

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering... My boyfriend does NOT ejaculate inside of me. He always pulls out. Therefore, how could his seamen be the problem?

Also, do you think I will "clear up" just increasing acidity and taking probiotics, or should I do a course of Metrogel and start fresh?

Thanks a ton...

Vanessa, you know of course that there is some ejaculate that is emmitted without climax. I don't know. Maybe that's enough.

Has the Metrogel been working for you temporarily? It never worked for me, which tells me I had a different particular bug (probably the A-vaginae). I don't think it sounds like a bad idea to take the round of antibiotics while starting the other regiment. Theoretically, the Metrogel doesn't kill the good bacteria. (shrug) Not sure I completely buy that.

When doing the same thing over & over again doesn't work, you have to do something different. You're intelligent. What's your gut instinct? Listen to your own logic, & go with that.

Ginger Ark -

I hear what you are saying about a small amount of ejaculate...but my gut tells me there might just be something with the reaction of my skin (vaginal) on HIS skin (penile). Just a thought...

I've never used Metrogel, but oral metronidazole (Flagyl) worked to eradicate the assumptive pathogens in the past...until my period came! I'm only thinking Metrogel b/c of Dr. Christians link you have sent. His algorhythm suggest Metrogyl 1st line.

I' took 3 Femdopholis yesterday and 3 today. Last night I dissolved one in a little bit of water and "dropped it in there" with a medicine dropper. I smelled better today, but still on edge...

Check in tomorrow???

Thanks again for everything...you are amazing.

Vanessa