[meesha]

Hi ladies! Just wanted to share my story:

I had BV a couple of times in the past, which were the result of new partners. But both times, it went away after one round of antibiotics and was never an issue again.
However, last year, my boyfriend and I started having sex, and BV returned. Went to the doc, got treated, and a month later, it was back again. Another trip to the doc, another round of Flagyl, and of course, back the following month. For nearly a year, I scoured every forum, every website, tried every tip and trick, all to no avail. It would go away momentarily, only to come back the next time we had sex.
Finally, I was reading about how new studies are investigating the link men may play in BV. I know we're always told it's a "woman problem" but I raised the issue to my boyfriend and he decided to talk to his doc. She prescribed both of us a round of Flagyl, and what do you know . . . it's been 3 months and I am officially BV free!!
I know all the information out there makes BV out to be our problem, but having my boyfriend take antibiotics as well was the cure for me. Best of luck!

[Sandgrouse]

Hello, I fear I may be getting dragged into the 'metronidazole-should-work-cue-endless-doctor-visits' process. I have had BV for over 6 years and it was only this year that I found out that my 'smell' was in fact caused by a real condition called bacterial vaginosis, and it wasn't just something I had to live with. I have been struggling to understand why I was the only person I knew with a fishy smell, because I shower just like other people, I am a virgin, I have never had any sexual contact and I have never taken any contraceptives. I'm lucky to be otherwise healthy, but BV has had a real effect on me psychologically - I'm sick of people telling me in a derogatory way that I smell of fish/that I need to wash more, I was bullied for it at school and now I try to avoid standing near to people because the smell is there.

I went to the doctor's, they gave me a 2g dose of metronidazole antibiotic (I had to take 5 tablets at once) which I took. I had been reading about the lack of success with antibiotics for treating BV, but I thought it would stop the discharge for a few days at least. I took the tablets just as instructed and I had no stomach upset so I knew they were digested. The metronidazole had no effect whatsoever, the same discharge and the smell were there every day as usual. I waited 6 weeks for my next period to see if it would still smell bad, and it did. Today, I went back to the doctor (a different one even though I was told I would have the same one as before), I explained that the smelly discharge never stopped, so this time they gave me a week's worth of metronidazole tablets, with the word 'Flagyl' on them, making me think of all the stories I read online about it not working. I noticed that the tablets were made in 2008 and their use by date says they expire next month. I know tablets should not be wasted, but it seems foolish to assume that 5-year-old tablets will be as good as fresher ones.

The doctor said that if this two-a-day course of tablets doesn't work, I will need an 'internal examination'. I told her about my previous visit to the other doctor, who tried to put a speculum in me but I had to get her to stop because it felt so painful and she just took swabs (which still hurted). The doctor I saw today said 'we need to see inside from all angles' and then mentioned that toxic shock syndrome could cause discharge, despite me telling her I never use tampons. This doctor didn't seem to accept that I definitely have bacterial vaginosis yet my samples of discharge taken before have proved that I have it!

I'm no medical expert, but from what I have read online and experienced, doctors seem to ignore the high pH involved with BV, instead they suggest that the vaginal pH and good bacteria will reset itself after the metronidazole has killed the good and bad bacteria. This might work for some people, but if the 'bad' bacteria are thriving in a high pH environment, you can't expect the high pH to change just with the use of metronidazole - I think the bad bacteria will just regrow before the good bacteria have chance to. I have never tried any of the home methods such as hydrogen peroxide, but it seems likely that something should be done to lower the pH of the vagina as well as killing the bad bacteria, otherwise the good bacteria would not survive.

I would like to know: is it even worth me taking the week's worth of 5-year-old tablets? I doubt their usefulness and I really don't want to have another painful examination to 'exclude' toxic shock syndrome or other things when I already know what infection I have.

[Falana]

Well, I just spoke about this issue in another thread, but here it goes again: I had a vaginal stenosis, it's a narrowing in the vagina. The problem was that blood during my period did not clear out all the way, some got left behind due to the stenosis. This caused infection, over and over, itchiness, weird discharge, you name it.
I had been in treatment for over two years for pain during sex/exam and a chronic yeast infection. I had surgery in 2009 and have not had an infection or pain since.

[spie89]

Ladies,

I have been reading this thread for several days now, and it's a blessing that the internet has brought our heads together to solve this beyond burdensome problem of bacterial vaginosis.
Chronic BV has severely affected my life for over 8 years now. It has not only caused me to hate my own body, but it has ruined relationships, steered me away from new relationships, and made me feel like doctors think I am a crazy dirty wh**re.
In the past 8 years I have taken metro many times, and spent hundreds of dollars on doctor visits and medicine because I do not have insurance. The antibiotics are a burden in themselves not even proving to be worth it because the BV always returns.
I have recently met someone wonderful, and I simply cannot allow BV to ruin another relationship, therefore I have been heavily researching the topic and have come across several threads including this one. After collecting and researching tons of information from the thousands of BV suffering women I think I, and several other women, have finally found a treatment that works. Hence the word treatment, not necessarily a cure. Yet. No thanks to all of the great science and doctors in the world. They all just want to look at us like we're crazy and keep shoving useless antibiotics down our throats. Anyway... This is what I have been doing, and after the first day I immediately noticed results!

1. Night One
10,000 iu's of Vitamin D-3 by mouth.
1,000 mg of Vitamin C by mouth.
800 mg of Folic Acid by mouth
1 probiotic capsule (Culturelle brand) by mouth.
Soaked a tampon in 50% water, 50% hydrogen peroxide and left it in for an hour. (To do the tampon I used a small plastic cup of the solution and poured it in the top part of a plastic applicator tampon. I kept letting it soak in, then I would pour more in. This way the tampon soaks up the solution, and you can still insert it with the applicator.)
RePhresh gel insert.

2. Morning One
10,000 iu's of vitamin D-3 by mouth.
1,000 mg of Vitamin C by mouth.
800 mg of Folic Acid by mouth.
I also purchased Activia Greek yogurt and ate that during lunch time.

3. Night Two
6,000 iu's of Vitamin D-3 by mouth. (Have to start cutting down eventually to only 4,000 iu's a dose)
1,000 mg of Vitamin C by mouth.
800 mg of Folic Acid by mouth.
1 probiotic by mouth.
Water/Hydrogen Peroxide soaked tampon for an hour.

4. Morning Two [Final Suggested Daily Treatment]
4,000 iu's of Vitamin D-3 by mouth. (Twice Daily)
1,000 mg of Vitamin C by mouth. (Twice Daily)
800 mg of Folic Acid by mouth (Twice Daily)
1 probiotic capsule by mouth. (Once Daily, your preference for night or day)
Eat Activia probiotic yogurt (Once daily, your preference when)
** Recommend water/hydrogen peroxide tampon for after sex, and RePhresh Brilliant Ph balancing tampons during menstrual cycle. Very important.

Be sure that the vitamin supplements you are purchasing are free of yeast, gluten, and added preservatives. It will say this on the bottle somewhere.
Research found that Chronic BV may be related to a Vitamin D deficiency which made sense for myself and many other women who found this regimen successful. It personally made sense to me because I am a vegetarian, lactose intolerant, and avoid sunlight due to fair skin. The first couple doses do seem excessive, but the point is to hit it hard from the start.
Vitamin C is important because of the acidity, and it also boosts the immune system.
The water/hydrogen peroxide tampon or the RePhresh Ph tampons are helpful because part of Chronic BV is that there is an acidic imbalance in the vagina. For those of us who have Chronic BV our balance is very sensitive, and is thrown off easily by sexual intercourse, menstrual cycle, bath water, and insensitive soaps.
The RePhresh gel is also necessary to get you going with a good Ph balance.
The probiotic comes to play because BV is the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the vagina. By taking the recommended amount of probiotics you are over powering the bad bacteria with good bacteria. Be sure that the probiotic you choose is a refrigerated one. The bacteria require the cool temperature to survive, therefore the brands that do not require refrigeration are no good.
The point of in-taking most of this treatment by mouth is because the problem can be targeted easily from what you're putting in your stomach. If you're eating a lot of sugar and yeast, then you're going to experience the overgrowth of yeast in the vagina.
At the same time, pay attention to how you're treating your vagina. Don't use scented soaps or wipes. And don't ever "wipe" or "clean" your vagina. Just the areas around your vagina that usually have hair on them. Your vagina cleans itself through discharge, the point is to keep the area around it clean so nothing bad gets inside. That being said, also avoid taking baths, and shower with warm water, not hot. I know that sounds horrible but bacteria loves a hot and steamy climate! And of course common sense reminds us to wipe front to back, and I suggest double wiping with wet wipes after a number two just to be safe. Lastly, avoid thong underwear because they easily transfer bad bacteria from our back end to our vagina. There are plenty of new full panties out there that don't show a line through your pants, and are still sexy and cute. Heck, when you're sleeping even try going commando to let her breathe a little!

I know it sucks ladies. Trust me... It's unfortunate and extremely frustrating that there is still no cure for this problem!! But I'd do anything to treat the awful symptoms of BV... And if that means swallowing some vitamins two times a day, and eating yogurt, then that's what I'll do! Much cheaper than stupid doctors and metro, and much less of a pain in the butt.

Hope this helps you too. I know I cried when I saw that it was actually working...

[sweaty]

Finally figured out this awfull infection

Suffered from BV on and off over the past 5 years; finally figured out the treatment. I have done it all over te past 5 year from vinegar, garlic, yogurt, peroxide, vitamens, wheat grass etc etc. Some have worked for me, but nothing has worked this time around. I figured out that my problem is coming from my gut! I cut out sugar, and wheat products including white flour. So no baked goods and no sweets. I bought wheat, gluten free pasta and bread and in three days it's totally gone!!! I also took probiotics and cut out dairy except for yogurt. I hope this helps someone out there, because I know how debilitating this problem can be. Good luck, Michele

[mzkesha239]

i just signed up for OG (ORGANO GOLD) about 2weeks ago I MUST SAY THAT I LOVE THE PRODUCT I HAVE HAD BV(Bacterial Vaginosis) SINCE 2002. AFTER DRINKING 3 CUPS WITHIN 5 DAYS I NOTICED THE THE SYMPTOMS AND DISCHARGE WAS GONE AND TODAY IT'S STILL GONE EMAIL ME * dahealthynewu*gmail.com thanks

[mzkesha239]

this is the truth please contact me

I know i am not the only person in the world that deals with bacterial vaginosis. Is there a cure that i do not know about. If my doctor gives me flagyl aka mitrodonizale one more time Im going to scream. The drug works but about a month or two later it cames back. I usually notice it right after my cycle goes off or I notice a fishy odor after sex. I was wondering it bv is just a ph imbalance it their anything I can do to balance my ph? If any of you ladies have advice it would be very helpful

i just signed up for OG (ORGANO GOLD) about 2weeks ago I MUST SAY THAT I LOVE THE PRODUCT I HAVE HAD BV(Bacterial Vaginosis) SINCE 2002. AFTER DRINKING 3 CUPS WITHIN 5 DAYS I NOTICED THE THE SYMPTOMS AND DISCHARGE WAS GONE AND TODAY IT'S STILL GONE EMAIL ME * dahealthynewu*gmail.com thanks

[Lithriel]

Try boric acid ovules, you can get them from your dr. they worked for me when NOTHING else did, I was fine for like 2 weeks then stupidly used some of my sisters soap down there, now i'm swollen and itching like hell!! gonna go get more boric acid I guess

[Kim44]

I used to suffer from this and have been clear for a year now. I followed advice from a lady in a forum like this one. She said it is a bacterial imbalance.
I flooded my body with Probiotics!
Take the tablet form and drink half a cup of Kiefer a day, (yogert drink). I buy the bug and make my own.
As soon as I feel the slightest hint that it is returning I take the probiotics again.
Be careful not to get dehydrated. I'm sure that's how mine started. Drink plenty of water.

[amyb33]

Anyone who has used boric acid suppositories as maintenance/preventative I need tips!

Since I don't currently have a BV or yeast infection - How long should I wait after inserting for intercourse or oral sex?

Thanks!!