[Talulah]

Okay, I've had this problem since I was 13, I'm now 19! I started getting this curdy discharge, and it only got worse after I started having sex with ONE partner at 16. Now somedays it can be brown and thick, others white and curdy, and then it can be like really watery and sometimes has bits of blood. It doesnt itch, and it smells a little musky, but I wouldnt describe it as a strong fishy odor.

I went to the doctor only to be diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis about 2 years ago, and they prescribed me metrogel with had absolutely NO effect, not even short term relief. I went back to the doctor, and they said i have no sort of infection! They must be nuts if they think this disgusting discharge, brown white curdy smelly is normal!

what do you think???

[Ashlee T.]

Hmmm. Start charting your basal body temp each day. See if you can associate the discharge to certain times of the month (i.e. pre-ovulation, ovulation, post ovulation). Do you have any other problems going on?

[Talulah]

I just have this nasty discharge and sometimes pelvic pain that isnt associated with my period. But like i said, some days it can be nrown and thick, others white and thick or watery or curdy and it just drives me nuts. and its a constant thing, never ever ever goes away.

[kira]

It probably is BV. It can come and go so sometimes you may test fine and a few days later have symptoms again. Some people suffer it repeatedly or at certain times of the month. Certain types of clothing that don't breathe, using scented products down there, or anything irritating to that skin can set it off. Sex can make it worse and sometimes a new partner will cause someone to repeatedly have infections until they've been with them awhile. There was a thread about that somewhere that I remember.

Check the big BV thread and try to keep track of not only when it happens compared to your menstrual cycle but other things you use or do the few days before there is a change. Personally I have to be very careful using pads at all and only use the unscented ones and there are a few shampoos or soaps I'm sensitive to including the herbal, no chemical, extra mild stuff I buy in the health food section of the grocery store. For some reason I just can't use the rosemary shampoo or soap without risking infections down there and skin outbreaks elsewhere but I can use their other formulas. Sometimes it seems completely random what will set these things off.

[Talulah]

Nah, it's nothing like that that I'm doing. I've had the same sex partner for over a year. I make sure to use unscented tampons and pads. These symptoms have never just came and gone; they've always BEEN there. There are no correlation between the changes in the color of the discharge and my time of ovulation or time of the month. I just feel hopeless because I haven't seen ANY stories similar to mine. I have so many types of discharge; never heard of it.

[BWatson]

It might have to do with your diet as well--can't believe that hasn't been brought up! Are you sensitive to any foods, like sugar or salt? I can't say that explains the presence of blood (that's never a normal thing), but at least it's something to consider.

I'm intolerant of processed sugars and they do effect my vaginal health, because the environment of your vagina can depend on what you eat. For example, girls/women who eat less processed sugars and breads are typically less prone to yeast infections. If it seems "random" to you, it may be because the way you eat doesn't necessarily follow a set schedule; you might have ice cream, soda and cookies in one day, while the next you'll eat burgers and salads.

When you say that you have blood in your discharge, what is leading you to believe that? Does it become pink in color or are there smears of blood? Also, the brown you're seeing is probably blood as well--just lost its oxygen.
And one more question...how often does the makeup of your discharge vary? By hour, day, week, etc?

[Talulah]

i can have different discharge everyday or every few days. yeah the discharge can be pinkish but can also have clots of blood in it. i eat a pretty balanced diet. not a lot of sweets or processed foods.