[lori]

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and I only joined because I found this thread...

Maybe someone here can help me.

I went to my doctor about a month ago, told her my symptoms (white, gooey discharge, burning) and she told me that I probably had a yeast infection. I took the pill she prescribed me, and it didn't do anything. Then I went to the GYN and she told me it was bacterial vaginosis, because of the fishy smell. I took those pills, and the discharge has slowed considerably, but the smell is still there!
I don't know what to do...

A second problem --
I'm 18 and have never had sex..
I want to with my boyfriend but I'm scared to because of the smell and I don't know what he'll do. I've never let him go down on me becuase of it... If theres any way to get rid of the smell, I would LOVE to hear about it...

Thanks soo much..

Hey Meg18,

I highly recommend Fem-dophilus. Many ladies in this group (incl. me) have had great results. Here's an excerpt from my blog. It's not updated, but it will give you some basic info.:

Fem-Dophilus (Jarrow)

• Description: Oral capsules (30 caps)
• Where to Buy / Cost: $24 at Whole Foods (refrigerated); $14.37 at iHerb.com (refrigerated); $16.59 at N101.com (refrigerated); $14.25 at VitaCost.com (not refrigerated)
• Pros: designed specifically for healthy vaginal flora; the research on it is very promising
  1. Top Medical Breakthroughs of 2007 (Prevention Magazine)
  2. Europe's Best-Kept Health Secret (Prevention Magazine)
  3. Study Shows the Effectiveness of Oral Probiotic L. Rhamnosus GR-1?and L. Reuteri RC-14?In Treating Bacterial Vaginosis
  4. Specific probiotic strains are effective for genitourinary infections

• Cons: expensive
• Conclusion: So far, the this is the most promising and effective product. All the members who have had the best, long-term results have used Fem-Dophilus as a part of their regimen. Highly recommended, based on the research and anecdotal evidence. Buy it refrigerated for maximum potency. (Unfortunately, posters have reported that the bottle arrives warm, even if they select expedited shipping from online merchants who offer cold-packs. So it looks like buying it directly from Whole Foods is the best option.)

[Meg18]

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and I only joined because I found this thread...

Maybe someone here can help me.

I went to my doctor about a month ago, told her my symptoms (white, gooey discharge, burning) and she told me that I probably had a yeast infection. I took the pill she prescribed me, and it didn't do anything. Then I went to the GYN and she told me it was bacterial vaginosis, because of the fishy smell. I took those pills, and the discharge has slowed considerably, but the smell is still there!
I don't know what to do...

A second problem --
I'm 18 and have never had sex..
I want to with my boyfriend but I'm scared to because of the smell and I don't know what he'll do. I've never let him go down on me becuase of it... If theres any way to get rid of the smell, I would LOVE to hear about it...

Thanks soo much..

[sooo sad]

hello lovely ladies!

bv update!

well, i finished the flagyl (three times a day for 10 days) on fri, april, 25. i was also taking fem d twice a day. towards the middle of treatment i started my period and i couldn't believe that it was a "normal" period. before it would feel really uncomfortable and i had white discharge mixed with period...i know ...it's gross! but not this time!!! i couldn't believe what i was feeling and seeing. the discharge is about 95% gone and i feel great! i still don't feel 100% like my normal self yet but i'm thinking that will take time since i had this damn thing for 10 months. i probably need to give it time. and i haven't had sex yet... kinda scared and i don't know if i need to do maintanence...any suggestions? i know most ladies that are taking just fem d isn't doing anything for maintanence, but i so darn paranoided that it will come back. i did buy sylk though for when i do have sex. i think i'm gonna wait another week or so.

love ya ladies and thanks for alllll the advice and suggestions. us ladies will beat this !!!! i seriously have a different perspective on life now. i'm gonna try and hit all bv blogs and give my advice to help all sufferers.....

sooo sad

[CarrieBradshaw]

That is so great to hear!

Previously, I wrote that no one should be using Fem-D vaginally, because there were some women who have tried it in here, and have had bad results, with their discharge turning weird.

But I think I changed my mind after reading the FAQ on jarrow's own site:
Seems like they're giving everyone the go-ahead to use it this way, without explicitly saying so.

Personally, I still wouldn't do it. But that's just my own personal caution. Since Jarrow's own site is basically saying, "it's up to you," without a big warning against it, I think it's probably ... okay. Since the capsules are made of gelatin, hopefully that means they will break down completely in the vagina?

Do keep in mind that there are some women who have tried it and didn't like the results. But I'm no longer going to scream "NOOOO!" at the suggestion.

(Also - I have read the FAQ before, and I don't remember it saying this, or else I definitely would have made a note of it. It was a while ago, though. The Fem-D's packaging looked different, for one thing.)

I actually used it vaginally a couple times when I first started. As far as the weird discharge.....

Everytime I used it vaginally, about 6 hours later a gloop (not quite as big as a glob) of "something" would come out. I figured it was the part of the capsule that didn't completely dissolve. This happened EVERYTIME I did it (maybe 5-10 times...can't remember). Anyways, it wasn't a bad thing, because it was once and it was over. It was clear/slightly whitish.....seemed like most of it (the insides anyways) had dissolved while up there though.

However, I have just fine results taking it orally. I seriously love FemD so much that I actually catch myself pondering how much I love it sometimes. How dorky is that? It truly is a lifesaver.

Good luck to everyone as always....

P.S. the only reason I used it vaginally was because of a lecture I listened to by the creator - Dr. Reid - and he said he had tested it vaginally. But that it hadn't been FDA approved or something...can't really remember....

[lori]

The Fem-dophilus is evidently pretty good stuff. Lessened my discharge quite noticeably. Today, I didn't even need to use a pantiliner. Plus the smell has lessened, so whatever it is it must be working.

I will be ordering another bottle on Friday, just to make sure I don't run out. I'm now up to two each day...they said to start out with one and increase to two.

Good stuff.

--Quiet--

That is so great to hear!

Previously, I wrote that no one should be using Fem-D vaginally, because there were some women who have tried it in here, and have had bad results, with their discharge turning weird.

But I think I changed my mind after reading the FAQ on jarrow's own site:

http://www.jarrow.com/product-391

Can Fem-Dophilus be used as a suppository?

The probiotic strains in Fem-Dophilus, RC-14 and GR-1, have been researched for over 20 years to provide efficacy when taken as an oral supplement. The two probiotic strains in Fem-Dophilus have been shown to be very safe in humans. The excipients that are used in each capsule are naturally derived ingredients, and the Fem-Dophilus capsules are made out of gelatin. We direct consumers to take Fem-Dophilus orally, but it is up to each consumer how to best supplement with this product.

Seems like they're giving everyone the go-ahead to use it this way, without explicitly saying so.

Personally, I still wouldn't do it. But that's just my own personal caution. Since Jarrow's own site is basically saying, "it's up to you," without a big warning against it, I think it's probably ... okay. Since the capsules are made of gelatin, hopefully that means they will break down completely in the vagina?

Do keep in mind that there are some women who have tried it and didn't like the results. But I'm no longer going to scream "NOOOO!" at the suggestion.

(Also - I have read the FAQ before, and I don't remember it saying this, or else I definitely would have made a note of it. It was a while ago, though. The Fem-D's packaging looked different, for one thing.)

[shan4606]

I wonder if the acidophilus is supposed to keep yeast at bay too??? Apparently not. At least its not BV this time. I'm trying to stay positive!

I have had BV for over 2 years once,Then after trying everything...REPHESH worked best. Then I weened off it, and now about 1 1/2 years later, Its back. I do take Acidillious daily (The 2 Billion each capsule) and Azo Yeast daily, Plus Rephesh...I dont know what it came back. Some doctors say because of too many sugars. It sucks.I feel hopeless and damaged again.I only smelled the "fishy"smell once after sex last week, and I havent smelled it since, Which usually I can smell all the time..Im so friggin confused.

[konphusion26]

I wonder if the acidophilus is supposed to keep yeast at bay too??? Apparently not. At least its not BV this time. I'm trying to stay positive!

[quietmadness]

The Fem-dophilus is evidently pretty good stuff. Lessened my discharge quite noticeably. Today, I didn't even need to use a pantiliner. Plus the smell has lessened, so whatever it is it must be working.

I will be ordering another bottle on Friday, just to make sure I don't run out. I'm now up to two each day...they said to start out with one and increase to two.

Good stuff.

--Quiet--

[lori]

Thanks Lori and Neverending! I've tried Rephresh already and I didn't like it. It gave me a chunky tissue papery discharge for a day or so after using it.

Probably shouldn't Replens, then. I think the same thing happens.

[jularee]

Thanks Lori and Neverending! I've tried Rephresh already and I didn't like it. It gave me a chunky tissue papery discharge for a day or so after using it.

[tabby]

Hello

I was asked to come back and report on how it's going with the boric acid.

I was suffering with continual burning and a yeast/bv mix that would not clear up.

I started using 1 boric acid suppository at night. I was afraid it would cause more burning but it didn't. The next day my symptoms were slightly improving so i decided to go with one in the morning and one and night and within 4 days my symptoms were completely gone and did not return.

I decided to get into my gyn and see if any bacteria or yeast were present. There were no clue cells, and only a trace of yeast. I'm feeling so much better now that the vicious burning has gone.

Thanks!

[lori]

Quick question for you ladies though: lately I've been noticing that I'm a little dry during sex and it BURNS so much. Any of you recommend a certain lube to try?

The V Book recommends Replens, which contains lactic acid (found in healthy vaginas) with a very low pH.

You might also want to try Rephresh, which is made by the same company.

[neverending]

Hi ladies! Haven't been here in a while. I hope things are going well for everyone. Just wanted to give a quick update. Things are still going very well for me now. Not doing too much as far as maintenance. Every now and then I'll take a FemD after sex but that's pretty much it. To all the newbies: welcome to the board! Quick question for you ladies though: lately I've been noticing that I'm a little dry during sex and it BURNS so much. Any of you recommend a certain lube to try?

try sylk

[jularee]

Hi ladies! Haven't been here in a while. I hope things are going well for everyone. Just wanted to give a quick update. Things are still going very well for me now. Not doing too much as far as maintenance. Every now and then I'll take a FemD after sex but that's pretty much it. To all the newbies: welcome to the board! Quick question for you ladies though: lately I've been noticing that I'm a little dry during sex and it BURNS so much. Any of you recommend a certain lube to try?

[jewelscando]

jewelscando....

how did you get rid of bv with just tto? no fem d? curious....

sooo sad

Just TTO Suppossitories. That's all I used. And only used it after sex. But, trust me when I say this to you, IT PROBABLY WON'T WORK FOR YOU!!! I hate to be negative girl, but, it's been proven, OVER AND OVER AND OVER and again on this board, that what works for me, may not work for you and vice versa. Everybody's bodies are so different, in so many ways. What brought it on for me, is not what brought it on for you, or who knows who else. The best and ONLY advice I have, is to completely go through all your options. Start with your Doctor. If they don't help, go to another one. Then read Lori's Blog completely!!! You will not find better, more thorough information anymore!! Then, try what works for you.. but what ever you try, make sure you check it out completly first, AND GIVE IT A CHANCE!! If you spend hours sticking things up you, or putting down your throat, you will never know what it is that works for you.

I think the best advice given so far is what Lori has suggested. And I only say this, because of the massive research she has done NOT because it worked for her. Because several of the girls have tried what she suggested and it didn't work for them, hence what works for 1 may not work for another.

I also think, my body might have just been going through something called STRESS!!!! And, I have spent countless hours trying to controll my stress. Stress brought on lower back problems for me and massive headaches. Since I am getting my stress levels under control, my back issues are going away along with the headaches. So... that's also one reason why I've stayed away from this board.. to be honest. Not that it's stressfull, but constantly talking about Itty Bitty Fish Heads coming out the kitty all the time, was STRESSFULL!!! hahahah...

[sooo sad]

hello maggie!

thanks for the quick response...realllly appreciate it.

sooo sad

[mfc10]

hi ladies.....

question for the ones who have bought sylk. i received it in the mail today and by shaking the bottle it seems to be a little more runny than ky. is that how it's suppose to be? i haven't opened it yet. and where i live it's been pretty hot this week and it says on the bottle to keep in a cool place. while being delivered would it change the product's ph?

thanks in advance,
sooo sad

If there are any temp. effects on pH at all (it's usually negligible), it is in the direction of greater acidity for weak acids (e.g., acetic acid). Note: If someone wants me to go through the equilibrium constants involved, I will.

Yes-- SYLK is quite low in viscosity. It's not as "thick" as KY, etc. It's actually a little runny & the brownish color is normal as well.

Note to Neverending: Estrogen cream was one component of my getting better. My gynecologist said that when I went off the Pill, my body's own estrogen levels remained suppressed. So I had to supplement with the Estrace Rx cream.

Cheers,
Maggie

[sooo sad]

hi ladies.....

question for the ones who have bought sylk. i received it in the mail today and by shaking the bottle it seems to be a little more runny than ky. is that how it's suppose to be? i haven't opened it yet. and where i live it's been pretty hot this week and it says on the bottle to keep in a cool place. while being delivered would it change the product's ph?

thanks in advance,
sooo sad

[sooo sad]

jewelscando....

how did you get rid of bv with just tto? no fem d? curious....

sooo sad

[neverending]

WOW.... been gone for a while, and look at what I come back too...

Sorry I haven't been here you all, but.. been busy, and had success with the TTO suppositories!! No BV for me!! And I have not used the TTO for over a month. No signs or symptoms either...

Sorry the board has turned into this again... I understand what you all are saying about Lori... but if I could just say 1 thing in her defense... Lori gives a shit. That's her problem, if you want to call it a problem. It scares the shit out of her, that WE, being the desperate BV Sufferer's that we are, are willling to stick any and everything up our vagina's or down our throats, without giving much thought about it. I'm the first to admit that I was the guinny pig for awhile, and was 1 of the first to try Boric Acid, without looking into it. I got a rash so bad, I've been scared for life. And thats the kind of shit that scares Lori.

Now, on the other hand, Lori, you and I have had this discussion, AND FIGHTS, hahah, before.. You do come across condensending. I know you don't mean to girl, but you just do.

So, I understand both sides of the story.... Lori.. you know I love you and I hope you stick around. I may not agree with you, but if I've learned anything in my 40yrs of life, it's to learn to "Agree to disagree". Makes life alot easier.

Neverending.. I think you are great.... for the record!! love you girl!!

See you all soon!!!!! Jewels...

HEY HUN! Glad to see you. I was beginning to wonder what happened to you. So the TTO worked for ya. Thats great! No more ITTY BITTY FISH HEADS! LOL........Isn't that how it goes? Anyway, good for you and come back. I miss the old busties.