[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.

[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!

[rae2u_112]

When younger, I would yet either bv or yeast infection at least once a year. Since I had my son at age 25 and now that I'm 40, I experience them a lot more. In fact since I turned 40 in January, my body is all out of wack.

In February, I first was diagnosed with yeast, which was followed by bv. About 2 weeks ago, I was treated again for yeast. I was prescribed a cream along with a fungus ointment AND diflucan. Once that treatment was done, I seemed fine. My boyfriend and I had sex, and I instantly became swollen and sore. I cried in the bathroom as I gently cleaned up as best as I could. I went home and applied the ointment and it helped the swelling go down and I seemed back to normal; until Monday came around and I had a discharge. I immediately called the doctor. She examined me and told me it looked as if.my discharge was normal but she swabbed and checked under microscope. Guess what...bv again...or still! I'm now on flagyl again...but now for 10 days. I'm also taking a probiotic (which I have bee. Taking in and off for approx 6 months) to hopefully help balance my GOOD bacteria. I'm also taking a multivitamin called 'More Than A Multivitamin' that I picked up at Vitamin Shoppe. On top of that, I'm also trying to drink 100% juice cranberry juice with no added sugar. Also, my doctor suggested I skip the placebo pills in my birth control. Since it seems my issues happen before or after my period, the hormone levels going up and down could have a factor in my ph balance. So far so good on that...period didn't start.

Since all this began, I haven't spoken to my boyfriend about it due to embarrassment. Not to mention, all the research I have done...I'm just tired of dealing with it. I got away with hiding it last month cause my period took place at the same time. But...that sexy man of mine is craving some attention and now I'm feeling forced to sit and explain to him how temperamental a woman's vagina is and explain the oh and blah...blah...blah...

[Laurie Heap MD]

Pull out your patient packet insert if you are on a hormonal contraceptive

Bacterial vaginosis is one of the minor side effects of the birth control pill--it does change the pH of the vagina. there are better ways to avoid pregnancy.

[DAYLEEYAH]

Grapefruit seed extract & msm

Hi ladies,


I suffered for years and didn't know what it was. No BV diagnosis until March 2012. I read posts on different forums and tried alot of things until I found something that worked for me. I think diet, vitamins and minerals and natural treatments is the way to go to get BV under control.

I pretty much had the smell under control using folic acid, vitamin D and b complex. I basically had no smell but my only issue was the watery discharge (I had tuns of discharge). I would go through 2 panty liners a day.

I stopped wearing panty liners and wore only cotton underwear. WOW! that helped a lot. The discharge decreased but did not stop.

I started taking MSM to grow my hair and nails and noticed an improvement in the discharge. I basically bought a container from (eyeherb) I make up a 00 veggie capsule and wow that helped alot after about a month. I started with 1 capsule a day and increased to 2 after a week. Your body has to get use to it. You will stay very regular, so take it with meals. Your hair and nails will also grow alot. I think the MSM helped my BV because it regulates PH and keeps your blood sugar under control.

I also douched with grapefruit seed extract and distilled water after reading it on another forum. This did the trick, absolutely no more discharge. Grapefruit seed extract is powerful stuff. I bought the drops and the tablets (eyeherb). I use 10 drops in a cup of distilled warm water, I've also dissolved a tablet in warm water. The first time I douched,I used a syringe with a plastic tube attached. I inserted the tube as far as I could and held in the solution for a few minutes and repeated until the cup was finished. The discharge improved so much but came back slightly after about 3 days. I used the syringe again and that did the trick for me, absolutely no more discharge.

My monthly just finished and I used the syringe again just for good measure but I really didn't have to, I just did it for hygiene. I can tell you that I have no more discharge at all. I am still only wearing cotton underwear and I will only douche if I notice the discharge again but I haven't noticed any. I started this February 2013 and it's now Marh and I haven't had any discharge for a month now.

I've used alot of what other's used on this thread as well. Boric Acid, hydrogen peroxide, lactose sugar, vitamin c, pro-biotic vaginally. They've helped but nothing stopped the discharge.

I won't stop taking the MSM and I won't stop using the grapefruit seed extract. I still take the folic acid, vitamin D and b complex. I also insert a veggie cap of lactose sugar after douching with the grapefruit seed extract because I like how it makes me smell down there and plus it also feeds the good bacteria.

I knew it was just a matter of time before I found something that worked for me. I was very determined and I'm a praying woman.

I really pray this will help some of the women who've suffered for years. I really feel for you all when I read your posts.

[sweaty]

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

It has been several weeks since I posted this and once again it came back once I started eating carbs. I seriously cannot give them up entirely. I found taking higher doses of vitamen D also helps as well as oregano oil and garlic pills. I have it under control but if I I know if I stop this regimen it will return. I know this is somehow related to my gut and having acid reflux. We all need to keep posting to finally put an end to this!!! This problem makes me crazy!!!

[Anunnaki]

I have hyperthyroidism and iron deficiency anemia. I was told there was a link between these and my chronic BV. I also notice a change in my Ph when my bf ejaculates inside of me. I just read about this....A longitudinal study published in February 2006 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed a link between psychosocial stress and bacterial vaginosis persisted even when other risk factors were accounted for...Looks like there are a million causes I hate having BV.

[husband4sale]

If you have a male partner and continue having chronic or persistent Vaginosis
Then this may be a permanent solution for you. It happened to me and this was the permanent cure
husbandforsale[.com][/]stories[/]?p=91

[Spit]

I`m 24. Been suffering from BV for almost 5 years. Tried every antibiotic cure that is out there. The list is never ending, but it always comes back.
None of them has worked. The longest I`ve been symptom free is 14 days. I`ve lost the awful fish smell after 5 months of acupuncture. Everything else is still the same. I also suffer from an awful moist. Its so bad that I have to use pads every day. If I don`t do that I always end up with UVI infection.
I`m a virgin.
Recently I`ve also been diagnosed with vestibulitis which makes all the appointments at the gynecologist is a living hell.
They said that it`s an usual combo to have...? I`m so sick and tired of everybody telling me that it`s normal.
If its so normal, why am I not cured by now?

Everything is so dark right now. I cant even go to the doctors office without crying. The doctor on the other hand, don`t seem to take me to seriously.
I live in Sweden and nobody seems to know the answer over here.

I`m in a really dark place. After 5 years in hell, im not sure where to go next. Or what to do.
Convinced that I`ll never get rid of it BV. Convinced that I`ll be a virgin forever, unable to have a good sex life.

I`m open for all suggestions out there. Also the alternative ones, as I`ve lost completely faith in the doctors.

HELP!

[VaxilRae]

Hello Ladies, I am posting my unusual BV story in hopes of finding other women with the same problem.

I first developed a classical case of fish smelling BV after a round of the antibiotic Bactrim. I took Flagyl 500 and the problem cured itself for a few weeks until oneday after peeing, I noticed a green, sour-smelling discharge. I went straight to my Gyno and she STD tested me (of course clean) took a swab, and of course diagnosed me with BV.

For the next three months, I was in an endless cycle of taking metrogel, Flagyl, and tindimax one after another - however - none of these antibiotics made a different - and I mean, during the entire course of these treatments i had the green discharge, the antibiotics didn't lesson, nor did they take the green sour smelling discharge away. It was as if I was either severely antibiotic resistant, or I was taking antibiotics for the wrong infection.

I went to my doctor and she gave me Clyndamycin cream - I was amazed IT WORKED!!!! I was cured for all but a week and half and than my period came back, along with a new rotten smelling discharge that I've never had before.

I am FURIOUS, and at my wits end! What the in the name of God could possibly be living in my vagina that is so drug resistant? I have taken endless courses of Flagyl, Tindimax, Metrogel, Clindamycin, Augmentin , NOTHING WORKS. I feel disgusting walking around with a foul smelling pantiliner all day, morning noon and night!

My theory is that once the delicate balance of the vagina is over thrown, its impossible to get back. That or it's not just Garnerella or Atrobinum bacteria that are coming back, but a completely different bacteria doctors dont look at.