[Another Sarah]

Apologies for any confusion. This is what we call things in the UK; vaginal fungal infection = thrush. Mouth fungal infection = oral thrush.

[juicee]

BV!!!

I am 20 and have had bv since Nov 2007. However I am with my girlfriend of 2 years who has absolutely no symptoms of BV at all and has never had it. I am not sure what is causing it but I have read almost all of things on this forum and I am going to try some of them. Along with BV, I have had chronic Urinary tract infections since I was 14. Do any of you get a uti when you get BV even though I had the uti first?

[Awoman2]

Hello, all. Like everyone here I have suffered with bv for years. It was only very recently that I discovered what it was, and that was through internet research. I had the same disturbing smells that followed me everywhere I went and I had only one sexual partner, my husband, at the time. I suppose I might have been too self-conscious about it why I never saw my gynae about it but in the past year it's been not just the smells but the discharge as well.

I recently got a new gynae and I told her about it and she recommended the Metrogel, which, as everyone has said, has a very short-term effect. To be fair, after my first MG regimen there was no sign of a cure but I was patient about it, then my period arrived and I waited some more. A few days after my period, I seemed cured. So, I was relieved that I had waited. However shortly after I had to have minor surgery at the dentist and against my own better judgment (since I hate taking antibiotics under any circumstances), I took a course of antibiotics which not only caused a yeast infection but the return of my bv as well. At this time I was not sexually active and hadn't been for at about 4 years since my separation from my husband. I know his sounds familiar to many of you. We have all been through this horror in one way or the other and are constantly fighting it.

I recently had become involved with someone new just at the time that the bv returned and I was looking for a home remedy to help me through this, especially with my new partner. I had another course of Metrogel but that was going to be my last resort because I absolutely abhor taking prescription medicine. I tried the hydrogen peroxide douche which eliminated the odour but changed the composition of my discharge from filmy to somewhat gelid, but never stopped it. I had pondered trying this for a long time because I, too, was skeptical about putting it up there, but I believe it to be safe, and I totally understand the rationale behind using it. These bacteria are anaerobic, which basically means they thrive without oxygen; hydrogen peroxide contains oxygen which is the exact opposite. For some women this has seemed to work but for me it's not a cure. However I had used it as a douche twice a day, especially when I've been sexually active, because it makes me feel fresh and clean and more confident that I'm not passing on anything harmful to my partner. I hope I've been right about that.

Well, since this didn't work, I decided to finish the Metrogel and after I had taken the full course, I developed a yeast infection. Surprise! Not. My cure for a VYI over the years has always been a vinegar/water douche in the morning and evening and it has been 100% effective. I've also noticed that I am always susceptible to outbreaks (of herpes blisters) at the time of my period. I was infected with this virus when I became involved with my husband. He wasn't even aware that he had it at that time and he was seldom affected by it during the course of our marriage. Me, on the other hand, blisters every month at the time of my period, unless I take my Red Marine Algae tablets for a few days before. It works. I have also been strict about condom use with my partner for my safety and his.

You read all sorts of things from different people when you're looking for info/help/compassion, and all my reading is leading me to conclusions (logical ones, I hope) on how to deal with this problem. Thanks but I don't want another drug in my body. They only exacerbate your problems; cure one thing; create another, so if I can totally avoid a drug I will.

I have garnered some info from this site today which gives me a lot of hope. I honestly believe recurrent BV is an intestinal/PH problem which had be treated from the mouth down in order to have long-lasting results. I had a similar problem with yeast affections many years ago (creams never worked) and Diflucan actually did, but I realized that it was after I took Diflucan that I began experiencing BV. What a vicious cycle.

Contrary to what many preach and others believe, I do not accept that occasional douching can so deplete valuable flora in the vagina as to propagate these problems. I believe that if there is a correct population of healthy bacteria in our intestines that it will replenish what is removed by douching. I am in no way suggesting that habitual douching is sensible or safe.

This is why probiotics are so highly recommended in the treatment of BV; to re-establish important organisms in our bodies. So, I figured my best bet was a good probiotic, but as one poster suggested, it might be necessary to take an antibiotic (and I believe an oral antibiotic is more effective) to immediately rid your body of the existing problem, while the probiotics will subsequently be introduced to maintain that environment our body needs to keep infections like this at bay. I would still prefer a solution without the antibiotic, tho.

Then I read Jasmine's post and I was reminded of something I knew all along and this is something I truly believe will benefit me. Apple Cider Vinegar. I have used it before for sore throats, colds, etc and it's amazing. I had known everything she said but I had totally forgotten about the properties of this product; especially where it concerns balancing out your body PH which is probably the most important part of fighting bacterial infections and especially these foul-smelling and embarrassing vaginal infections. I give Jasmine a thumbs up and recommend to all of us here that we, at least, research on the internet, the properties of ACV. I have just taken my first cup because I believe it in. In fact I've always used APV for my yeast infections but never had any success for BV. However I was using it vaginally, which many have attested, doesn't work. And I believe it's because the problem is intestinal and not so much vaginal. How unfortunate that such an important part of our bodies should be the channel for such a distasteful occurrence. Please research this immediately.

In the meantime I intend to drink APV (mixed with water) daily, and while I wait for these changes to take place intestinally, I will continue to use hydrogen peroxide to cleanse myself and keep that odour at bay, as well as taking other supplements recommended here, like primadophilus reuteri and folic acid. I know this will not happen overnight but I have experienced the frustration and stress that others here have expressed. Sometimes it's the stress from this frustration of fighting bv day in and day out that helps it grow!

But thank you. Thank you all for sharing your experiences because we all know how it feels to realize that we're not the only ones. When I think of all the things I'm being told to cut out of my diet, I wonder what'll be left. I strictly do not eat processed foods. I make my own bread and use organic flours. I do use sugar and diary but I never drink sodas, nor eat sweets. So I'm thinking if I cut out the little that I do have I may as well be dead because there'd be nothing left! So I'm looking for another way. I intend to cut down on my use of sugar and anything that I may deem unnecessary but I don't want to be miserable either, so this is it for me.

I'm trying this approach in the hope that it's the right one. And we must never give up. Men may be sympathetic but they can not know the burden this is for us to bear. And let's be wise, ladies, let us not in our desperation for relief allow ourselves to be taken for a ride. Enough of that has been done. Doctors are recommending ten different drugs to one patient and are still not realizing they're useless? Come on! Or telling us we're fine when we know we're not! Let's keep informing ourselves so we can help each other.

I was quite pleased with drchristian's site which I found to be quite informative, but let's not give up hope just yet. We deserve to be BV free.

[lookoutmeow]

i really need some advice. i hope someone replies..

Hi im 19 yrs old and im really not sure about whats going on with my body right now. so maybe i could share what ive been going through. hope some could help me solve this.

• when i was 18, i had my 1st bf that time and he was the 1st one who ive ever had sex with. i didnt really feel good about doing it with him, until it just hurts and i end up feeling like i have a swollen vagina everytime. when i was 18, i experienced something what they called UTI. in my case it was pretty upsetting bec. it was such a pain to urinate and i had that tinge of blood everytime and it just felt downright awful. I went to a doctor and she prescribed me this medication called inuflux and vitamin c, which helped a lot! it was gone after a few days though came back again so i just had to take that medication and it was finally gone. (well, just when i stopped having sex with my bf and totally broke off with him)

• Now, being single i didnt have any sexual activity, i noticed this very foul odor and unusual discharge. no itching or swelling or any of that whatsoever. thinking that it was just normal i let it be through the whole year. (so stupid of me)

• so this year 2009, i met someone, a new guy who i could say i fell in love with. thats when i started to feel disturbed about the discharge and odor.
  so i visited an ob gyne (June 2009), she did a gram stain test on me and prescribed Biofemme doxycycline (twice a day), and metronidazole vaginal suppository (at night) for 7 days.

• this definitely cleared up the smell and the discharge. i never felt better. I went back to the dr. she told me to take 3 sets more. which i stupidly wasnt able to do.
  Months have passed, Everything was fine, just after my last period which was this month october 2009. I was having this intimate time with my bf, when he penetrated me, this foul odor surfaced and i was kind of embarrassed (1st time after the medication), though he did not really say anything but acted normally, like nothing was different.

• so here i am, very much worried being able to read all the cases posted here im not really sure what this is and i havent visited my doctor yet
  
  im not sure if i should continue her prescribed medication which i neglected to take 3 sets more?
  
  or probably the 1st mos were fine bec. we (my bf and i) always used a condom, but just late sept. /october we didnt? that probably triggered it to go back.
  
  or is it just that what she prescribed accdg. to this forum might just be a "band aid" and not a real cure?

Im not even sure what this is exactly, coz my doctor wasnt kind enough to explain thoroughly. right now im not so sure what regimen to follow.

all i know is, its just that discharge with foul odor, no itching or anything else. please help..

i havent talked to my bf about this either. dont know how to talk to him about it.. huhu

[Another Sarah]

Sorry to hear you're so worried. It does sound like BV, to be honest (from what you say, eg, the odour etc). Unfortunately many of us suffer from this frequently, and a dose of antibiotics doesn't sort it out for good. I know this is an epic long thread, but have a read through all the things that people have tried - different people have different things work for them, but there are lots of good ideas within this thread.

Good luck!

[ErIya]

rephresh and candida

Sarah whats the rest of the results, did any of the gels do well?? if so i really hope i can get it in the US! I had my period last week and now guess what I wake up feeling wet and there it is that same bv discharge! ugh first time in 6 months too I tested my pH and it couldve been 5 Im hoping maybe there is something i can try before i make an appointment

[Another Sarah]

Sarah whats the rest of the results, did any of the gels do well?? if so i really hope i can get it in the US! I had my period last week and now guess what I wake up feeling wet and there it is that same bv discharge! ugh first time in 6 months too I tested my pH and it couldve been 5 Im hoping maybe there is something i can try before i make an appointment

The gels tested were Balance Activ, RepHresh, Gynofit and Multi-Gyn Actigel (BioFem Active Gel in the UK). The only one that did well was the Multi-Gyn Actigel/BioFem, in the sense of not destroying beneficial bacteria, and not allowing candida to grow. Here is the write-up for the ActiGel:

Multi-Gyn Actigel is the only one of the four tested vaginal gels that does not quickly destroy the lactobacilli flora, although some decrease is noticeable over time. It is thought that the absence of nutrients in the vagina explains the slow decrease of lactobacilli in these in vitro test results. The claim of Multi-Gyn ActiGel to prevent and treate Bacterial Vaginosis whilst maintaining a healthy vaginal flora is substantiated by this test. It also has a limited (positive) effect directly on killing candida albicans over time. This indicates that the gel is not acting as a disinfectant, but that the candida spores are suppressed by another mode of activity. The manufacter's claim 'counters yeast' is therefore substantiated.

The only disclaimer that that the National Candida Society point out is that the research was undertaken by BioClin, the manufacturers of Multi-Gyn ActiGel.

I've stopped the RepHresh since reading all this, since I had a suspicion it was giving me problems anyway, and it came out terrible in the tests - it acts as a disinfectant and doesn't just kill good bacteria but encourages candida growth! I have tried the one that came out well in the testing previously, but maybe I'll give it another go...

Hope this helps!

[jjayjay]

Balance Activ and Rephresh Pro B tablets

I live in the Uk and have used Balance Activ and found it to be effective. I would however like to use the Rephresh Pro B tablets and cannot obtain them here in the UK. I would be willing to do a 'swap' if anyone is interested.

[sweaty]

Ok ladies you have to try the vinegar. It's been three weeks since I started drinking the Bragg apple cidar vinegar. 2 teaspoons one time daily. Since the bv started 3 months ago I tried several different things, nothing worked very well, this works like no other. After I drank the first glass of vinegar water three weeks ago within two hours the smell was gone. At first I drank the water three times a day, now just once a day and sometimes not at all. I can't understand why my ph is so off, I can only attribute it to all the antibiotics that threw me off. I am truely thankfull for the vinegar advise, hope it works for you all as well.

[x.st.angel.x]

Im in need of assistance, any at all! i dont know if i have bv i dont know if i have anything at all i do know i cant afford to go to the doctor right now so im hoping someone can help me. Ive posted in a few threads but havent gotten responses.

I've been getting this strange discharge, sometimes white sometimes clear... i can smell the odour only sometimes when i go to the bathroom most of the time i cant its the discharge itself smells bad i wouldnt describe it as 'fishy' though its so hard to explain what it smells like i wish i could find the words...Any suggestions, ideas??

Its soo embarrassing, im too embarrassed to have sex with my boyfriend and wish it would go away so i dont have to put this off any longer...