chronic bacterial vaginosis - Page 22

necr12 · #**211** 10-14-2008, 10:33 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad to have found this site! I'm relatively new to the world of BV but tired of it already! Went out today and bought the bio fem and it really does give instant relief to the itch! Will definately use it after sex as well because I'm convinced it's my new partners sperm that is the problem (he told me his ex girlfriend used to have recurring BV as well...not sure if anyone else has come across that before)!

Anyways just a point on douching, I live in London and this is one thing that my Dr in the GUM clinic told me to avoid no matter what! On leaflets published in this country by the family planning association douching is actually listed as something which causes BV just something to maybe think about.....I've copied and pasted the relevant parts from the leaflet:

Bacterial vaginosis
What causes bacterial vaginosis?
The cause of bacterial vaginosis – sometimes called BV – is not really understood. In women who have bacterial vaginosis you find:

less of the normal vaginal bacteria (lactobacilli)
an overgrowth of other types of bacteria in the vagina
a change in pH of the vagina (acid/alkaline balance) with the vagina becoming more alkaline.

How do you get bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis can occur if you:

use scented soaps or perfumed bubble bath
put antiseptic liquids in the bath
douche or use vaginal deodorant
use strong detergents to wash your underwear
smoke.
Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, semen in the vagina after sex without a condom, use of an intrauterine contraceptive device and genetic factors may also play a part.

Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection, but women who are sexually active and have had a change of partner are more likely to have it, including women in same sex relationships.

What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Around half of women with bacterial vaginosis will not have any signs or symptoms at all, or may not be aware of them. If you do get symptoms you might notice a change in your usual vaginal discharge. This may increase, become thin and watery, change to a white/grey colour and develop a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell, especially after sexual intercourse. Bacterial vaginosis is not usually associated with itching or irritation.

I was also told by my doctor not to use any types of soap for my lady area just water so avoid dove and femfresh etc!

So good to know that other people are going through the same thing! Had no idea what BV even was until recently!!

xxx

red_berry · #**212** 10-18-2008, 01:57 AM

This is amazing, if this works for me I will be the happiest girl in the world!, Thank you for having the creativity to try this!! First thing tommorow i'm going to get whey. I now I also read somewhere that colostrum may help which is made from milk but I never tried it because I am lactose intolerant but i'm sure that doesn't matter down there!!

Thanks again!

>So what does lactobacilli live on? Lactose and other sugars.

>I went to like 5 health food shops trying to buy lactose(milk sugar) but even tho it seems to be in everything - it's really hard to buy. So i got some powdered whey (which is 75% lactose) and I made a thick solution with water and put it in a syringe (5mls or less of whey solution in a 10ml syringe)(without needle ok) and put it up before bed and went to sleep so it had a chance to work.
I've done this on nights i am not sleeping with my boyfriend - because you do end up with a milky vagina - kinda sweet smelling, like milk. but not like fish.

Rosalyn00 · #**213** 10-18-2008, 01:46 PM

Doctors really don't know why B.V occurs or why it keep coming back. The info that they give you at the doctors office or website are things they think could be why we get it .My Doctor told me str8 up that no one really knows ,but studies are being conducted. Im just going to add some other reasons my dr. said we could be contracting B.V that are not mentioned. #1. oral sex(if your partner performs this on you, don't let him or her go to the rectum area then to the vigina( he or she are just bringing the bad bacteria to the vagina).#2. Don't douche( it washes away the good bacteria, the female body cleans it self).#3. When you wear pads make sure u change them reg,because remb pads holds in moisture.

ames102 · #**214** 10-20-2008, 07:27 PM

Hello! I too have had BV chronically for a year. I noticed it started around the same time I started seeing my boyfriend. I really think it is connected somehow. They say if you mess around (fingers around butt and then vagina) that causes it but I kept getting it after we worked on that and then found out he was a cheater. I suggest everyone here keep an eye on their man because he could be the cause...

Ginger_Ark · #**215** 10-20-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetectiveSarah

ok HI!!
...
So I thouhgt...alkaline vagina means not enough healthy bacteria making lactic acid. Equals alkaline environment and hostile takeover of BV bacteria.
So I did hydrogen peroxide douche but then it always came back .
So I want to have more lactobacilli in my vagina to make the lactic acid.

So what does lactobacilli live on? Lactose and other sugars.

I went to like 5 health food shops trying to buy lactose(milk sugar) but even tho it seems to be in everything - it's really hard to buy. So i got some powdered whey (which is 75% lactose) and I made a thick solution with water and put it in a syringe (5mls or less of whey solution in a 10ml syringe)(without needle ok) and put it up before bed and went to sleep so it had a chance to work.
...

So I'm wondering... could the lactose sugar cause a yeast infection?

Update on myself:

I've been up & down. I was doing great until I got a UTI & had to go on an antibiotic. I did the yeast infection, then BV cycle, but I got it under control again.

Then the UTI didn't actually go away, so I got a different antibiotic. This time the cures that have cured me every time before didn't cure me. I'm barely keeping it at bay right now. To make matters worse, the acid jelly and the Biofem have suddenly started causing me a rash on the outer parts of my vulva, and it's really painful. It's like those two products have started to give me a chemical burn or something. I'm really down about the whole thing.

On top of everything else, I suspect I actually still have the UTI.

I have an appointment with my Dr. Thursday... we'll see, but I doubt that's going to do much good really.

JAZZYT33 · #**216** 10-21-2008, 07:44 AM

I tried this last night. My question is, how long did you do this for? 1 night, 5 nights? Thanks for the information. I hope it works. I have had recurrences of BV at least 5 to 6 times this year alone and now I have a strong fishy odor. My boyfriend said he could smell it bad the other night while having sex. It's very embarrasing and makes me feel dirty. I'm glad there are other people out there who are going through the same thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetectiveSarah

ok HI!!
First post. Chronic BV for 1.5yrs. Tried it all. Affecting my sexual confidence

I had a really alkaline vagina and my boyfriend said it burned his . And then the smell started and we all about what happens next - visit to drs, etc., depressed, crying my eyes out. reading forums like this. etc...

So I thouhgt...alkaline vagina means not enough healthy bacteria making lactic acid. Equals alkaline environment and hostile takeover of BV bacteria.
So I did hydrogen peroxide douche but then it always came back .
So I want to have more lactobacilli in my vagina to make the lactic acid.

So what does lactobacilli live on? Lactose and other sugars.

I went to like 5 health food shops trying to buy lactose(milk sugar) but even tho it seems to be in everything - it's really hard to buy. So i got some powdered whey (which is 75% lactose) and I made a thick solution with water and put it in a syringe (5mls or less of whey solution in a 10ml syringe)(without needle ok) and put it up before bed and went to sleep so it had a chance to work.
I've done this on nights i am not sleeping with my boyfriend - because you do end up with a milky vagina - kinda sweet smelling, like milk. but not like fish.

And I have not got BV since. And my vag is not so dry - my vag began to get dry when it turned alkaline, so dry and i swear i thought i was having early menopause which was also distressing/depressing, or that I had lost my mojo for my boyfriend. but it's better, moist in the right way now.

Anyway I wanted to share this with everybody. I am not saying it's a cure or will work for everyone but it's cheap to try and it has changed my vag ph. from base to acid. yay.

I don't know how this might be if someone is lactose intolerant but it's a different orifice, it's not like eating it. maybe if you are lactose intolerant, talk to your doctor first and see what she/he has to say. (and if it works for you, tell them, tell everyone. )

I would like to get some pure lactose and try it with that, and work out what dose works best but i'm not scientific.this works for me, if anyone has any comments or more info i would love to know, and if it works for anyone else.

You know I hate BV it totally ruined my sex life. Nobody apart from people on forums know what it's like. I have never posted before and also i feel silly recommending people put lactose or whey up their vaginas but i wanted to share and also i think it's not dangerous to try. We have to stick together. I feel that my hope was not lost, because i knew i wasn't alone. Spread the word.

thank you everyone and also Ginger Ark. You rock.

DetectiveSarah · #**217** 10-21-2008, 04:11 PM

Yeast does not live on lactose. I don't know what it does live on, but lactobacilli live on lactose and other sugars and yeast lives on something else. or does it? all i know is i never got a yeast infection from using whey for months now. If someone else gets this - post it on the board and we can find another way to help if we all put our minds together.

Plus - I don't know if whey/lactose would cure forever BV... i use it as a maintenance. I don't see it as a cure. because it's a mystery why it's happening in the 1st place.

All i know is that after 12 years of sexual activity and 6months into seeing the same partner, out of the blue, i started getting BV.
And before that, during the 12 years, I used pads, tampons, went camping, did all the things that doctors say give you BV and i never got it.

and then it just took over my vag.

so i haven't got a clue. I just didn't want to be taking courses of medication that weren't working, and i don't want to put acid or harsh substances into my vagina - because i am planning to have a baby in the next year. So all i wanted was a safe was to re-acid my vag without damage or paying a lot of money. and i did try all everything and it cost a lot and didnt work.

I may need to put whey/lactose in there as maintenance until the cows come home! all i know is that i got my sex life back. and it cost me $7/500g which will last me a year!!! to feed my little lactic acid producing lactobacilli.

I think that it is the similar principle when yoghurt is used and also the l.reuterii tablet inside your vagine, and have some success. because these both have lactose as an
ingredient.

I'm not 100% happy because its messy. I am a beauty therapist not a scientist.
thanks for everyone getting involved. we are going to fix this once and for all.
Anyone have anything to add - - - i want to hear from you.