Bacterial Vaginosis???

katmama · 01-05-2004, 06:56 PM

Hello all,
I am a newbie, and I have a recurring problem that I would love advice on. It seems to me that every time I get new cysts and they pop, I get Bacterial vaginosis. I keep having to get prescriptions for Flagyl to get rid of the problem. I am sick to death of it, and I can't seem to do anything to make it go away on its own. The main problem is, that I am very sensitive to anti-biotics and I would love a treatment or even a symptom reliever that isn't RX. I also am wondering if anyone else has issues with this? I feel like a walking stink-bomb, pardon me, but it is true. I HATE this. I am so tired of it! I have looked all over the place to see if this is a common problem associated with PCOS, and so far have come up empty. Maybe it is just me.

Anyhow, thanks in advance for any responses.

OKAY, I am a genius. I just read someone else's post on here about the search and finding older info. Thanks for the advice. There are lots of posts about this....But still curious. I can't help but think it is tottally related to my other reproductive issues. Any one else of this opinion???

nms · 01-05-2004, 10:22 PM

As far as I know nothing will cure BV other than antibiotics. As far as preventing, the only thing I can suggest is not to douche. You didn't say if you did or didn't, but that is what caused mine for years and years. Haven't had one since I stopped. Sorry you're having this problem, hope someone else has some more answers for you.

PaintedDaisy · 01-05-2004, 10:36 PM

Has your doctor mentioned anything about why they keep occuring? Most of the time when infections keep coming back it's because they never left in the first place. It's possible the antibiotics kill it only enough to make the symptoms enough but with time they just flourish, causing the problem again.

If you're into homeopathy, see if you can find someone that knows how to treat bacterial infections. I personally had very good luck with someone helping me get rid of my constant strept throat infections without the use of antibiotics.

prunepie · 01-05-2004, 10:49 PM

omg i am a stink bomb too!!! and just when i think its gone we have sex..and boom its back!!! i cannot imagine a life on flagyl but i dont know what to do..i dont douche or anything either..although i do take alot of baths..could that be a problem?? xoxo jenn

Hezzer · 01-06-2004, 11:33 AM

I am among those that believe that men through sexual intercourse can re-infect the woman. Stands to reason that if you have BV and have sex with him, get treatment, have have sex with him again, he can give it back to you.

Doctors are split when it comes to "treating" the male. Some will prescribe something for him so that he doesn't reinfect the woman. Other doctors think that the man can't transmit it back to the woman and won't prescribe anything.

It might not hurt to question your doctor about it.

guineapig · 01-06-2004, 05:01 PM

Hi, I've been there! Smelling like a fish so bad that you can smell it on your clothes! LOL I finally had DH treated with flagyll (oral) because IMO he was giving it back to me, and also I tried "Metrogel", an antibiotic in a gel base that you use like yeast creams--no more disgusting flagyl pills. The combination finally worked and BV was gone for a long while. Docs were hesitant to treat DH but we pushed and fussed and finally got it. If you have no partner, or regardless, consider the Metrogel--it's a lot less invasive than the oral drugs and worked better for me.

prunepie · 01-07-2004, 02:22 AM

finally after the last time i made bf get flagyl just to make sure he doesnt have it...but i am still having the problem...sigh...grrr xoxo jenn

Aisha · 01-07-2004, 09:13 AM

That's me. I am tired,tired, tired of getting this. I've tried everything! I even tried the Metrogel. The problem with the metrogel though is that it can give you a yeast infection. It gave me the worst one I've ever had.

stormspirit · 01-07-2004, 11:28 AM

Ok ladies...this used to be a problem for me ALL the time. It took me forever just to get it properly diagnosed, and it took all this to get it fixed:

1. Make your man take the antibiotic too. I had to tell my doctor to give him the script, he didn't come up with it on his own.

2. Take a 2 week break from sex. I know, Iknow...but it worked for me. Course I wasn't ttc at the time.

3. No douching. None!! Under NO circumstances. You wash all the good bacteria away that fights the infections.

4. No baths for those same 2 weeks. Actually, my doctor said no baths, no swimming in pools or lakes. (He actually said swimming in chlorine can CAUSE BV.)

To prevent reoccurances

1. I actually had a pill that I took for months every single time we had sex. The instruction were to take 1 hr before sex, but that didn't usually happen. I just took it afterwards. I can't remember what the script was for, but it was an antibiotic.

2. After sex go to the bathroom and clean up really well. Don't just roll over and go to sleep. (This also helps prevent UTIs.)

3. After going to the bathroom wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina.

4. Always wear cotton underwear. Others can trap moisture and spread bacteria.

5. Don't use condoms. My doc didn't tell me this, but I know I personally can't tolerate them. I get an infection every single time I use them.

And, I don't want to scare you, but this can be dangerous. If left untreated it can develop into pelvic inflammatory disease, which can damage your uterus and fallopian tubes. I often wonder if that's why I have had such a hard time getting pregnant.

Leigh Ann

prunepie · 01-07-2004, 01:54 PM

i need your help then..i cannot take hormones for bc...so all i am left with is condoms and or diaphrams.... and those make it worse...what on gods earth am i supposed to do??????? blahhhhh

PaintedDaisy · 01-07-2004, 02:09 PM

prunepie, have you considered charting? That's what I do and I love it! It's not for everyone but it's become part of my routine and I love knowing what my body is doing especially with PCOS. Well, and the fact that sex can be much more spontaneous and we don't have to worry about condoms (which ironically I loathe but DH doesn't mind too much).

If you're looking for a more long term BC solution, there is a fairly new copper (non-hormonal) IUD available that many women have had success with.

katmama · 01-07-2004, 02:25 PM

You have to be so careful though with the charting. I love my kids and I wasn't sad to have another, but we thought we were done and since I can't handle the hormones either, we tried it and now have our beautiful four year old daughter to show for it....LOL....i think i was just too irregular of an ovulator to have it work. My DH ended up getting a vasectomy because it was our only option for BC since I can't tolerate any hormones.

prunepie · 01-08-2004, 01:14 AM

i am not married yet so a bit scared about messing up my charting lol

i am seriously contemplating the copper iud... but some drs advise against it if you havent had kids yet..but i found a doc who will do it..but i am just so darned worried that i will be the 1 percent that it messes me up and makes me infertile..... i dont know what to do..i wish i had a crystal ball...hmmmm lol xoxo jenn

Little_Lady · 01-08-2004, 04:38 PM

I'm not sure what i've got but ive researched bacterial vaginosis for a while and im sure i have it.I constantly smell of fish n its so embarassing.guineapig.........yes on the clothes is the worst.i dont know if this is just me but i dread goin to the loo at work when others are in there cos i swear they can smell me.sorry to be foul tmi.i'm at my wits end.if its not this,its thrush..treat it with over the counter stuff but it always comes back.i use condoms.i dont understand what im doin wrong. i cant not have a bath cos i bliming smell too much!!

ive been tested for std's which was clear but im still worried ive got one.how can i go to the doc n say 'hey doc,please help me i smell of fish?'

make it go away.i feel so dirty.im sick of pills,pills,pills for every problem i have.

Hezzer · 01-12-2004, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Little_Lady
how can i go to the doc n say 'hey doc,please help me i smell of fish?' make it go away..

It might seem hard to do, but do just that. There is a specific test for bacterial vaginosis and many women often go unchecked for it. At my last gyno appointment I told her about the discharge, the color, and the odor; I even told her that I'd researched the symptoms and I thought it might be bacterial vaginosis. Yep, it was a bit embarassing but it's worth it in the long run if it gets you proper treatment. Give it a shot.