[CVSTINKS]

They told me I had BV or Yeast for years, no wonder nothing was working.. it was never either it was:

Cytolytic Vaginosis


Be sure to get checked out by a specialist who knows what it is, many doctors confuse it or don't even look for it. It causes itching, discharge, etc..i'ts worse right during or after your cycle.

Best of Luck!

[BVcure4u]

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.

[PA-Agan]

GO and get a vagasil screening kit from your local drug store. It will telly ou if you have a more acidic problem or an alkaline problem i.e. yeast vs. Bacteria. If there is a problem noted ont he home test bring it to your doctor. If you are still not getting any help try a second opinion. My recommendation is to try rephresh pro-B and rehresh vaginal gel in conjunction with each other. This will keep yeast and bacteria at bay and may help significantly with vaginal pH. Good luck if I come across any other ideas I will surely let you know.

[CVSTINKS]

We have been talking about it here..in this thread No growth from cultures, but told BV? you may find some interesting information towards the last few post.

[PA-Agan]

No, the Natren didn't do anything...but yesterday I ordered the Yeast Arrest and Natren to try them together...and the rephresh pro-b, and Bragg's apple cidar vinegar..These things are so expensive ...This morning I have been googling naturopathic doctors in my area...I'm so desperate that I don't even care how much it costs. I have already spent so much the past 4-1/2 years trying to get rid of this already and nothing has worked...I tried using straight hydrogen peroxide on Monday (just inserting it with a medicine dropper) and that seemed to make it worse. I have only had luck with boric acid taking away the smell, not the discharge, but only if I use it every single day. I'm worried that I probably don't have any good bateria now because I have been using it for so long already. If I didn't use it though I would just rather lock myself in my house because I am afraid everyone can smell me.

Has anyone tried acupuncture?

How did it all start? I am wondering if there is something in your diet or maybe an allergy that could be contributing to the problem. How much yogurt do you eat? I assume you have tried all of the over the counter remedies. Please do NOT use Hydrogen Peroxide...you poor thing!! Try Rephresh pro-b and The Rephresh vaginal gel and see how that works in conjunction with each other.

[Awoman2]

Karen83, BV has been the most frustrating experience of my life.

I have tried many of the remedies recommended here and on many other sites. I am of the firm belief that BV can not be cured vaginally; the cure must come from the top. Whether it's probiotics or lactic acid or vitamins. I have had success with a lactic acid supplement called A. Vogel's Molkosan which immediately got rid of the odour. Unfortunately, the discharge remained. I finally started taking vitamin B12 and folic acid, sublingually, and I have seen a major improvement in both the reduction of the smell and in the discharge as well.

I would douche with H2O2 and water when I wanted to have sex but I don't think that's necessary anymore. For some persons folic acid alone has worked, but I chose this B12/Folic acid combo because I wasn't sure if I was getting enough B12 from my diet and I learnt that these two work hand in hand.

I would recommend taking at least a folic acid supplement but please don't take more than you need, just be patient. Please do as much research as possible so that you'll feel safe about trying this. There are many many sites which offer information on these supplements as well as the experiences of others. I'd be happy to give you direct links to these websites since I can not post them here.

Good luck.

[karen83]

Hi Everyone,
I'm kind of at the end of my rope and need a little advice which is why I'm posting.
I would say that for the past year or maybe more I've been having BV symptoms.
I spoke with my gyno during my yearly (back in July) and explained my symptoms - she ran some tests and stated that everything was just fine. Meanwhile, I continued to have the same issues - strange colored discharge with the fishy odor etc.
I finally made another appt this past month and they ran a bunch of tests again and apparently the discharge and everything came back fine again.. I just don't understand. It's starting to affect my life because I have to constantly wear pantyliners or even pads sometimes to try to mask the smell and I'm extremely self conscious that others around me will be able to smell it. Has anyone else had a similar experience where they may not be being properly diagnosed? When they send the vaginal culture out to be tested they would have tested for everything including BV right?
I feel like I want to make another appointment but the doctor is going to think I'm crazy or something. I just don't know what else to do considering the doctor can't seem to find anything wrong.
Any advice would definitely be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[taralyn317]

lauren,

when you get your period your pH goes up ALOT. normal vaginal pH is 3.5 - 4.5 but the normal pH of blood is 7.0 (or so). So when you get your period the blood effects your pH level. My suggestion is to use RepHresh Brilliant Tampons. They help to keep your pH level down during your monthly. You can research them.... I just discovered them myself and I'm going to try them next month!!

[lauren_laughs]

Hi,
I was treated for bv a few months ago and it cleared up alright but now every month for a week after my period I get a bad odor and a lot of discharge, eventually it goes away and I feel fine until next month, sex doesn't hurt the rest of the time and the whole the odor is different then when I first was treated. Anyone else experiencing this? What do you think I should do?

[taralyn317]

OMG its so sad the sh*t we go thru with this chronic BV. I swear until I found this site i had it the worst. For the last yr I've been in the drs every 2-4weeks for bv. The only time I had any success with the antibiotics is when my GYN treated me AND my fiance. I was bv free for 4 months and then it came back AGAIN.

Katie: I think maybe the bv doesnt travel for us because we are constintly on meds for it. So the maybe the meds keep it at bay by not allowing it to spread into our uterus?? lol truthfully idk im just guessing.

Its obsurd that there isn't a cure yet. The only thing i can think is that they cant come up with a cure because each case is different? each flare up is caused by something different for each case? I seriously think from allllllll these antibiotics its stripped all the GOOD bacteria. I have read a few things on here that I'm going to try like the RepHresh tampons.

Currently, I do have an infection (to no suprise) and this time after research and asking my Aunt who is a GYN, before starting the metrogel YET AGAIN. I douched with 2oz peroxide/2oz distilled water the morning before I started the metrogel, and I'm taking Acidophilus pills with dinner. So far I'm good, BUT this is always our story. We are all always saying SO FAR and then a week later we have full blown symptoms again. I'm going to keep updating on here and reading replies to see what is working for everyone else.