[jularee]

Hi jularee,

did you take antibiotics when you started the treatment that ultimately worked, or did it go away on its own? How long did you have bv before then? sorry Im just trying to get an idea of what I should do next...

I got bv for the first time this past summer, I took metrogel for 5 days and it cleared up, since then i have had some of the same discharge and some odor but most of the time I have no symptoms. I frequently have unprotected sex, but I always be sure to wash myself well in the shower with soap immediately afterwards. I want to know what else I should know before going back to the doctor, because at this point it kinda looks like I need to :/

Thanks

Hi Kaylan! I gave up on antibiotics for my BV years ago. I just got so frustrated with the horrible side effects of the flagyl and metrogel and the inevitable return of the cooley funk a few days after I finished them.

I've had BV for almost 10 years now. Took antibiotics for maybe the first 2 or 3 years in a vicious cycle, then tried to find a more natural approach...tea tree oil, boric acid, vitamin C, vitamin D. You name it, I tried it. My poor hoo-haa was definitely a guinea pig for quite some time! The probiotics are the only thing I've been doing differently. Haven't changed my diet, still eat tons of sugar, no condoms during sex....and everything continues to go well.

Hope this helps!

[princessmombi]

I apologize in advance for the longwinded post but I feel its important to give my history with this infection.

So I will get right to the point. I am writing this because I finally feel like I have fixed my problem with recurrent bacterial vaginosis. First a bit of history of my situation... I am 26, one child, began sexua| activity at 13. I first experienced symptoms of bv at 14 years old, I noticed a terrible odor coming from my vagina. I wasnt being sexually active at the time so I knew it wasnt an STD. I thought maybe I just wasnt being hygenic enough but the more antibacterial soap I used, the worse it seemed to get. I told my mother and she made an appointment with the gyno, who incorrectly diagnosed me with a yeast infection. Eventually the bv symptoms went away on their own and I would only experience the odor every now and then. I still didnt know the name for it.

ANTIBIOTICS
When I was 16 it came back FULL FORCE. I was absolutely miserable and could not figure out why I felt so dirty down there. This infection was really hurting my self confidence and esteem. So I made an appointment at Planned Parenthood and the doctor immediately diagnosed me with BV and gave me an Rx for oral Flagyl. I was thrilled with the results, finally a little relief! But it didnt last long. Soon enough I was back with the odor and absolutely miserable. So I went back for more Flagyl. Between the ages of 16-25 I probably used oral Flagyl and the vaginal version(metrogel)50 times. I would feel better for a week at the most then it would be back with a vengeance. My doctor just kept telling me not to wipe from front to back(what female does this anyway??) and not to take bubble baths (but im a shower girl!). She even started telling me I had no odor and tried to insinuate that the problem was in my head. Like its normal for a healthy vagina to smell like cat urine. I wanted to slap her.

PROBIOTICS
The BUST forum was the first place I heard about Femdophilus. So I bought some and started to insert them vaginally and actually DID notice a positive change, but I still had so much bad bacteria in me that taking the probiotics alone just wasnt getting it. So I got yet another Rx for metrogel and started the probiotics AFTER my medication was finished, still had the odor. I did this several times and it never worked. I refused to resign myself to the fact that I would spend the rest of my life smelling like garbage even though I could barely remember a time when I didnt. I cried about it, prayed, and did countless internet searches. My doctor had stopped prescribing the metrogel and started giving me Clindamycin, my symtptoms would be nonexistent during treatment so I knew that bacteria was the issue, but they'd come right back after I was finished and the more I used it the more my body became immune to it. I did countless internet searches on bv and read hundreds of stories from other women who had my same issues, and it seemed like the answer for most had been probiotics. So I decided to give them another try.

RELIEF
I began inserting one Femdophilus capsule in my vagina in the morning, then taking the oral Clindamycin 4 hours after. Then inserting another Femdophilus at bedtime. Symptoms cleared up immediately then two days later I realized that I was only taking one Clindamycin a day when I was supposed to be taking TWO! On top of that I had a raging yeast infection, my vagina was really swollen and irritated so I stopped inserting the Femdophilus vaginally and began taking two orally in the morning with water then using my Clindamycin as prescribed, one pill twice a day for the next 5 days. My symptoms definitely werent as severe, but I still had a discharge and it still had a smell to it that wasnt pleasant. But my research assured me that I was on the right track and I just needed to keep taking the FemD as I had been. Im still taking it every morning and I am happy to report that for the last two weeks (apprx two days after finishing my antibiotics) I have had a normal discharge and absolutely NO odor!!!! NONE. I have to keep checking to make sure I'm not dreaming. I am ecstatic!! I continue to take two FemD every morning and will continue to take it until I feel its safe to go down to one a day.

What I Learned
The more antibiotics you take, the more you deplete your healthy bacterium and the vicious cycle continues. But for me antibiotics WERE a crucial component in my treatment, I just didnt realize that I needed to be using them in conjunction with a probiotic. For me that means both in the same day. Taking the probiotic at the same time with the antibiotic is obviously not helpful. In studies they typically instruct the women to take the probiotics in the morning so I made sure to take mine first thing then waited 5 hours before taking my antibiotic. That way the antibiotic had all day and night to work in my system then I could replenish the good bacterium in the morning. If you decide to switch the order make sure you find out the half life of your oral antibiotic(thats the amt of hours it stays active in your system), that way you arent wasting your probiotics because taking them too soon after the antibiotic will kill the good bacteria. Make sure you are taking two probiotics as well. I know that it is popular to insert them vaginally, but I personally believe this can cause irritation and is unnecessary. To each his own though. Here is a great study done on the benfits of probiotics to cure bacterial vaginosis when used in conjunction with an antibiotic(in this case tinidazole)

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&a...967J2jFJxycvtXA


My condolences to everyone who is suffering with this, I know firshand how hopeless it can feel at times but please DONT EVER GIVE UP!!! I will continue to update you guys on my status, I see the doc on Tuesday and I am going to have her run tests to see if the mobiluncus(the name of the nasty bacteria that was taking over my vagina) is still running rampant. Good luck Ladies!!! (((HUGS)))

-Mombi

[kaylan80]

Hello all! I haven't been to this thread in forever, so I thought I would give a quick little update.

I've been BV free for almost 6 months now. I think I owe it all to the probiotics I started taking for my stomach problems. They're called Dr. Ohhira's Professional Plus. They're pretty expensive but if this is my cure, then I'll continue to take them forever! lol

I also started using plain ol' Ivory soap for my ladybits. So far everything is great. Even after condomless sex there's no smell! I'm still so paranoid and cautious that it'll return..I constantly do "whiff" checks and have my SO (who has been super supportive and understanding thru this ordeal) be truthful if he smells anything as well.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Good luck to you all.

Hi jularee,

did you take antibiotics when you started the treatment that ultimately worked, or did it go away on its own? How long did you have bv before then? sorry Im just trying to get an idea of what I should do next...

I got bv for the first time this past summer, I took metrogel for 5 days and it cleared up, since then i have had some of the same discharge and some odor but most of the time I have no symptoms. I frequently have unprotected sex, but I always be sure to wash myself well in the shower with soap immediately afterwards. I want to know what else I should know before going back to the doctor, because at this point it kinda looks like I need to :/

Thanks

[CarrieBradshaw]

Hey everyone,

Well after 3+ years of being all clear down there, I'm back having problems I just got married 6 months ago, too, so it's not the greatest timing (is it ever though??)

The thing that kept me well for 3 years was FemD. Well, I went off it and thought I was good. I was ... for awhile. I decided to try something really dumb this year -- the DIVA CUP. Apparently not a good thing for women dealing with feminine infections!! I also tried the cup right around the same time as going off the pill. I think it was just too many changes for my body.

Well, here we are 2 months laters, and I'm still in daily agony. This infection is a bit differen't. I'm mostly itchy/burning around the major labias -- and mostly when I sweat. How strange?? I did have some discharge, but it comes and goes. And ... I'm now having a smell (something I never had with my original bouts of BV three years ago).

Went to the gyno last week. She said it's Group B Strep. WTF? I'm on Amoxicillian (plus FemD) and see no relief in sight. I just don't know what to do -- the outer part of my girly bits are just so irrititated and uncomfortable! There is not much info on the Internet about Group B Strep, so I'm not sure what to do about it.

All I know is that when I DO get back to normal again (whenever that is!), I will NEVER stop taking FemD ever again. It is a miracle pill! The 3 years when I was "clean" were amazing!!!!

[jularee]

Hello all! I haven't been to this thread in forever, so I thought I would give a quick little update.

I've been BV free for almost 6 months now. I think I owe it all to the probiotics I started taking for my stomach problems. They're called Dr. Ohhira's Professional Plus. They're pretty expensive but if this is my cure, then I'll continue to take them forever! lol

I also started using plain ol' Ivory soap for my ladybits. So far everything is great. Even after condomless sex there's no smell! I'm still so paranoid and cautious that it'll return..I constantly do "whiff" checks and have my SO (who has been super supportive and understanding thru this ordeal) be truthful if he smells anything as well.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Good luck to you all.

[swt simplicity]

Thank you so much for the information. It sounds like you have done your research and have put a lot of time and thought into this! I haven't really started to look for other alternatives in the past because the antibiotics always helped for an extended period of time. Now it just seems like things are getting worse. I will definitely be checking into the whole hormone thing. Thanks again!

I hope everything works out for you.

[jsell1981]

It sounds like your BV has a hormonal trigger, especially since you've been dealing with it since you were 13 (assuming this is about the same time you've started menstruating), and it comes back a few days after your period ends (also a time when women are more prone to vaginitis). I actually did a short post on hormones and bacterial vaginosis (here). But still I haven't been able find what exactly is the cause. I've come to the conclusion that there probably isn't an exact cause since hormones are pretty complex and vary from person to person. The research was based on the levels of estrogen in the vaginal flora of women who have a normal flora compared to those who have bacterial vaginosis, and those with bacterial vaginosis had considerably less estrogen in their flora than those with a normal flora. That basically sums up the results. It did mention the flora of women who smoked; their vaginal flora had less estrogen than those who didn't smoke, but still had much more estrogen than those with bacterial vaginosis. Unfortunately, there isn't much else (as far as I know) about the cause of this hormonal imbalance. There are several things you can do in order to get your hormones in check. I actually have links to great sources about balancing hormones from Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and CNBC. Since everyone's body functions differently, it can be difficult to pin point an exact cause. It's very important to keep this in mind.

For the Fem-Dophilus, you should start off taking it twice a day for a week. After that first week is over, you take it once a day. But this rule isn't written in stone. If you respond better to taking it twice a day, then you should do that, even if it is a less cost effective method. Since you have chronic and reoccurring BV taking Fem-D twice a day would be a good idea in my opinion (or until you feel comfortable taking it once a day).

When you are taking the antibiotics, try to take them at least two hours to four hours before you take the Fem-Dophilus. If you take the antibiotic right after you take the Fem-Dophilus, it will kill the good bacteria. If you take the antibiotic first and it has worked it's way through your system and then a couple of hours later you take the probiotic, the probiotic can replenish the lost bacteria.

Taking birth control to control bacterial vaginosis can be kind of "ify". Studies have said taking birth control does help bacterial vaginosis to a certain degree, as in preventing reoccurrences and the chances of developing it, but the percentage isn't high enough for me to really suggest you go for it. So in other words, if you really want to try that for sake of knowing for yourself, then go for it. But don't be surprised if it doesn't help at all.

If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. You can also email me or send me a message.

Thank you so much for the information. It sounds like you have done your research and have put a lot of time and thought into this! I haven't really started to look for other alternatives in the past because the antibiotics always helped for an extended period of time. Now it just seems like things are getting worse. I will definitely be checking into the whole hormone thing. Thanks again!

[swt simplicity]

Hi everybody, I'm a newbie on here just looking for some advice and a place to vent. I have been suffering from chronic BV off and on since I was 13. I was picked on in middle school because of this and also by men as an adult. It appears that now that I am in my "child bearing" years (30) the situation has gotten much worse. When I was younger I was able to take the antibiotic and be BV free for years at a time. Over the past two years I have probably had BV about 10-12 times, maybe more. I am always prescribed an antibiotic and then subjected to STD testing when it comes back because the Dr. can't explain it otherwise. I have tried RePhresh, didn't work and very messy. I have tried VH Essentials suppositories, worked unti the dose was over and then symptoms came right back. I have tried the hydrogen peroxide douche, helps with the smell immediately but eventually stopped working and I hate douching. I was treated with Flagyl in April 2011, came back in August 2011. The last time I was treated with Flagyl was on August 28, 2011. That same day I started taking Fem-Dophilus, one capsule per day. I have been on the probiotic since August 28th. As I sit here typing this, I now have BV again. I have had it so many times that I immediately know when I have it. Starts with a horrible odor and dishcharge, sometimes it escalates to burning and sometimes it doesn't. I don't understand how there can be so much watery discharge but yet I feel so dry and itchy/burny. I don't even go the Gyn anymore for it, I just go to Centra Care and they give me a prescription with refills without an exam because they trust that I know my symptoms. I just finished filling my last flagyl refill online which I will pick up tomorrow. My question is, am I not taking enough Fem-dophilus? Should I be taking two capsules a day? Should I take one capsule twice a day or two capsules once a day? I live in a big city and Fem-dophilus is easy to find so I'd really love for this stuff to work! I really don't know what else to do anymore. I don't douche and I don't use scented soaps. Sex is not even fun anymore. This always seems to come back a few days after my period ends. I am not on birth control because I don't have sex often and my periods are very regular. I have even thought about getting on the birth control that stops your period for months at a time to see if that keeps it at bay but I don't like the side effects of birth control pills either! I really hate taking medication and would love to be done with Flagyl forever! Help!

It sounds like your BV has a hormonal trigger, especially since you've been dealing with it since you were 13 (assuming this is about the same time you've started menstruating), and it comes back a few days after your period ends (also a time when women are more prone to vaginitis). I actually did a short post on hormones and bacterial vaginosis (here). But still I haven't been able find what exactly is the cause. I've come to the conclusion that there probably isn't an exact cause since hormones are pretty complex and vary from person to person. The research was based on the levels of estrogen in the vaginal flora of women who have a normal flora compared to those who have bacterial vaginosis, and those with bacterial vaginosis had considerably less estrogen in their flora than those with a normal flora. That basically sums up the results. It did mention the flora of women who smoked; their vaginal flora had less estrogen than those who didn't smoke, but still had much more estrogen than those with bacterial vaginosis. Unfortunately, there isn't much else (as far as I know) about the cause of this hormonal imbalance. There are several things you can do in order to get your hormones in check. I actually have links to great sources about balancing hormones from Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and CNBC. Since everyone's body functions differently, it can be difficult to pin point an exact cause. It's very important to keep this in mind.

For the Fem-Dophilus, you should start off taking it twice a day for a week. After that first week is over, you take it once a day. But this rule isn't written in stone. If you respond better to taking it twice a day, then you should do that, even if it is a less cost effective method. Since you have chronic and reoccurring BV taking Fem-D twice a day would be a good idea in my opinion (or until you feel comfortable taking it once a day).

When you are taking the antibiotics, try to take them at least two hours to four hours before you take the Fem-Dophilus. If you take the antibiotic right after you take the Fem-Dophilus, it will kill the good bacteria. If you take the antibiotic first and it has worked it's way through your system and then a couple of hours later you take the probiotic, the probiotic can replenish the lost bacteria.

Taking birth control to control bacterial vaginosis can be kind of "ify". Studies have said taking birth control does help bacterial vaginosis to a certain degree, as in preventing reoccurrences and the chances of developing it, but the percentage isn't high enough for me to really suggest you go for it. So in other words, if you really want to try that for sake of knowing for yourself, then go for it. But don't be surprised if it doesn't help at all.

If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. You can also email me or send me a message.

[jsell1981]

Hi everybody, I'm a newbie on here just looking for some advice and a place to vent. I have been suffering from chronic BV off and on since I was 13. I was picked on in middle school because of this and also by men as an adult. It appears that now that I am in my "child bearing" years (30) the situation has gotten much worse. When I was younger I was able to take the antibiotic and be BV free for years at a time. Over the past two years I have probably had BV about 10-12 times, maybe more. I am always prescribed an antibiotic and then subjected to STD testing when it comes back because the Dr. can't explain it otherwise. I have tried RePhresh, didn't work and very messy. I have tried VH Essentials suppositories, worked unti the dose was over and then symptoms came right back. I have tried the hydrogen peroxide douche, helps with the smell immediately but eventually stopped working and I hate douching. I was treated with Flagyl in April 2011, came back in August 2011. The last time I was treated with Flagyl was on August 28, 2011. That same day I started taking Fem-Dophilus, one capsule per day. I have been on the probiotic since August 28th. As I sit here typing this, I now have BV again. I have had it so many times that I immediately know when I have it. Starts with a horrible odor and dishcharge, sometimes it escalates to burning and sometimes it doesn't. I don't understand how there can be so much watery discharge but yet I feel so dry and itchy/burny. I don't even go the Gyn anymore for it, I just go to Centra Care and they give me a prescription with refills without an exam because they trust that I know my symptoms. I just finished filling my last flagyl refill online which I will pick up tomorrow. My question is, am I not taking enough Fem-dophilus? Should I be taking two capsules a day? Should I take one capsule twice a day or two capsules once a day? I live in a big city and Fem-dophilus is easy to find so I'd really love for this stuff to work! I really don't know what else to do anymore. I don't douche and I don't use scented soaps. Sex is not even fun anymore. This always seems to come back a few days after my period ends. I am not on birth control because I don't have sex often and my periods are very regular. I have even thought about getting on the birth control that stops your period for months at a time to see if that keeps it at bay but I don't like the side effects of birth control pills either! I really hate taking medication and would love to be done with Flagyl forever! Help!

[swt simplicity]

Julie,

BV is caused by an imbalance between "good" bacteria and "bad" bacteria in the vagina.
Whenever a woman sees a doctor and is diagnosed with BV, the doctor always prescribes antibiotics. And it is essential that if you start the antibiotics you finish all of them. Otherwise your BV will return and it will take stronger antibiotics to fight off the infection. But the challenge with antibiotics is that they can't tell the difference between "good" bacteria and "bad" bacteria and it kills it all.

BV is the most common vaginal infection in women 15-44 and many women have recurring bouts of BV so I prefer using natural remedies to combat the disruptive irritation. Visit http://vaginosisnaturalcure.com/ to read about natural remedies and home remedies. Much safer than taking antibiotics when you don't have to.

Hi!

If you don't mind me asking, what remedies have you used that work for you? Does what you do work in the short term (as in temporary relief), or long term (your BV clears up completely)?

[RockMamma]

Julie,

BV is caused by an imbalance between "good" bacteria and "bad" bacteria in the vagina.
Whenever a woman sees a doctor and is diagnosed with BV, the doctor always prescribes antibiotics. And it is essential that if you start the antibiotics you finish all of them. Otherwise your BV will return and it will take stronger antibiotics to fight off the infection. But the challenge with antibiotics is that they can't tell the difference between "good" bacteria and "bad" bacteria and it kills it all.

BV is the most common vaginal infection in women 15-44 and many women have recurring bouts of BV so I prefer using natural remedies to combat the disruptive irritation. Visit http://vaginosisnaturalcure.com/ to read about natural remedies and home remedies. Much safer than taking antibiotics when you don't have to.

hey im new here..
anw.i have been reading every where bout BV..ITS KILLING ME..M STRESSED OUT.

please help

i found out that i had bv 3 months ago..but i didnt realize that its serius
i stop the antibiotics as soon as the symptomes went
i didnt finish the course
n it came back
and then i went twice to the doctor and had two rounds of antibiotics
but it jus came back
so i used boric acid with coconut oil for a week n it came back
so i used it again for two weeks and during that time i had my period too.
and then now m back with the BV

please help.i dont know what to do anymore..exept suiside

[RockMamma]

hey im new here..
anw.i have been reading every where bout BV..ITS KILLING ME..M STRESSED OUT.

please help

i found out that i had bv 3 months ago..but i didnt realize that its serius
i stop the antibiotics as soon as the symptomes went
i didnt finish the course
n it came back
and then i went twice to the doctor and had two rounds of antibiotics
but it jus came back
so i used boric acid with coconut oil for a week n it came back
so i used it again for two weeks and during that time i had my period too.
and then now m back with the BV

please help.i dont know what to do anymore..exept suiside

[julie]

hey im new here..
anw.i have been reading every where bout BV..ITS KILLING ME..M STRESSED OUT.

please help

i found out that i had bv 3 months ago..but i didnt realize that its serius
i stop the antibiotics as soon as the symptomes went
i didnt finish the course
n it came back
and then i went twice to the doctor and had two rounds of antibiotics
but it jus came back
so i used boric acid with coconut oil for a week n it came back
so i used it again for two weeks and during that time i had my period too.
and then now m back with the BV

please help.i dont know what to do anymore..exept suiside

[Melissa777]

Hi everyone!
so update on my progress (BTW this is Melis19750- I had to make a new sign in because i could not remember my password!)
anyhow
so its been a long struggle.
So far much better. I have a small area now that is still red and a little inflammed. near the opening of vagina. Went for check up- the nurse pract- who i LOVE and actually like better than my GYN- saw NO YEAST and NO abnormal bacterial overgrowth. although sent in for cultures just to be sure.
she did notice some white-ish discharge but thinks its just from ovulation. I do also have "normal looking" clear stringy discharge. NO Odor.

as for what my condition was in April- I was severly inflammed and irritated. lots of redness... almost all of that is now gone!

Although now my only symptoms are once and a while a little itch or slight burn- goes away... comes back...
and a small red spot near entroitus (sp?) I wonder if thats just from all the past boric acid usage. Nobody knows.

But I no longer feel dry.

also I do NOT use anything vaginally- except to wash externally dove unscented sensitive skin... or just simple plain water.

I am eating back to normal- and gained a few pounds... so Im considering sticking to the yeast free diet because I do like the weight loss effect from it.

but I dont notice any differance in my symptoms with or without the diet.
so Im almost pos this is not a yeast issue.

also- I moved... my newer GYN/Specialist thinks I might have been misdiagnosed with a yeast infection back in Jan. Because as stated in the past my former gyn stated "I see some glabrata yeast under the micro scope".
However all yeast cultures and gen pap came back normal many times...even that time

my GYN/vulvar specialist said "It could have been cotton from the swab used on the smear that made her think it was non albican yeast- this newer DNA yeast test is very sensitive to yeasts..and yours came back negative every month." Not only that he said: "You cant tell under the microscope which strain it is- you need a culture for that- you can only tell if its non albican or albican"

so- Im really posting this to warn you all that may be confused- really rely on testing being done, because you can over treat something minor like simple dermatitis or a pH imbalance and make things worse.

Im finally able to sit for long periods of time without being in pain and wear a tampon!

I only hope and pray I continue to recover.

oh yeah and BTW- I was on diflucan for 2 weeks (16 days) at 100 mg a day from my former doctor... who thought and agreed with a microbiologist that it was yeast in the skin. My new doctor does not believe in this theory and he said "if you had yeast- you killed it by now".

sometimes I think we panic... I know I did

anyhow I am off to a full recovery- gotta train my brain to believe I will completely heal.

Im doing acupunture and NAET (natural version of allergy treatments)
so I feel both are helping
and also- my allergies seem to be improving yeah

BTW- I love the pro biotic by renew life the vaginal support one
I take it daily with fem-dophilus
and also lactoferrin which helps the probiotic grow

oh- and i will no longer insert probiotics vaginally- can lead to more harm then good!!!

take care
and God Bless
Melissa

[swt simplicity]

Okay, so I am new here but I will give it a go. I had BV issues in the past and I haven't really had any flare ups in a very long time. I just recently had one and went to the GYN and she gave me the Metro Gel for 5 days. I finished that but now I am just having the sensation of vag dryness without the dry part. Something just doesn't feel right. Also, there is a discharge that is clumpy and white; I am wondering if that is due to the gel? I have been using some of the products made by VH Essentials. I am crossing my fingers that if I continue to do their "upkeep" advice that I can avoid future reocurrences.

On another note, I am thinking about starting birthcontrol and I read up on the positive effects of bc on bv. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with that?

Thanks!

If you just started experiencing these symptoms, it could just be that your vaginal flora is recalibrating and balancing itself. If a week goes by and your still dealing with the same symptoms, then you should call your doctor and tell him/her about it. Yes, I think the clumpy white discharge you've been having is because of the gel. I used RepHresh's vaginal gel for three days, and I had this gross, thick, lumpy, white discharge, and apparently that is normal. Even though that isn't the same as Metro-Gel, it's still along the same idea.

What have you been using by VH Essentials?

People have said going on birth control has prevented bacterial vaginosis, basically because birth control normalizes the hormones, and keeps everything constant. Women with BV have a significantly less amount of estrogen in their vaginal flora compared to women that have a healthy vaginal flora (source). I also did a summarized post about it on my blog (here). In your case, I don't know if taking birth control would be neccessary since it sounds like you experience a bacterial vaginosis flare up once in a while. But, the decision is yours, and be sure to choose the right kind if you decide to take it. Taking birth control has one of those things that makes you more prone to yeast infections though (source). That could be due to the extra hormones in the birth control pills. More estrogen = more food for the yeast.

[littlebirdsmile]

Okay, so I am new here but I will give it a go. I had BV issues in the past and I haven't really had any flare ups in a very long time. I just recently had one and went to the GYN and she gave me the Metro Gel for 5 days. I finished that but now I am just having the sensation of vag dryness without the dry part. Something just doesn't feel right. Also, there is a discharge that is clumpy and white; I am wondering if that is due to the gel? I have been using some of the products made by VH Essentials. I am crossing my fingers that if I continue to do their "upkeep" advice that I can avoid future reocurrences.

On another note, I am thinking about starting birthcontrol and I read up on the positive effects of bc on bv. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with that?

Thanks!

[swt simplicity]

I came across some great news about a product called VivaGel that is more effective than any other treatment for bacterial vaginosis. In the clinical trials 89% of the patients treated were clinically cured of bacterial vaginosis. VivaGel is expected to avoid any of the shortcomings of the other treatments for bacterial vaginosis, like resistancy and side effects since it doesn't absorb into the body. It can be used in the long term for prevention and in Japan, there is already a license agreement for VivaGel coated condoms. This is nice, since bacterial vaginosis can flare up during and after sex. VivaGel can be used to prevent the transmission of the herpes virus, HPV, and HIV too. Sometimes these sexually transmitted diseases can be passed with the use of a condom, so this is also amazing news.

I just knew there would be a product in the future that would be safer and more effective than antibiotics for the treatment of BV. All it took was a little bit of time, well, a long time. It takes such a long time for medications to be tested, effective, and safe to use for the general public. Some clinical trials actually last years, as high as eight possibly even longer. I'd love to know how the results are coming for those l.crispatus suppositories since l.crispatus is one of the most abundant good vaginal lactobacilli, if it even made it far enough?

Here are some links to more information about VivaGel, they're absolute must reads:

1. VivaGel Demonstrates Efficacy in Bacterial Vaginosis
2. VivaGel Coated Condom
3. VivaGel for STI Prevention
4. VivaGel for Bacterial Vaginosis

Since VivaGel is going through the third phase of clinical trials, it is not yet available. Sounds like it will be available soon with all of the licensing and buzz about it.

Yay for more options! I can't get over how promising these results !

[swt simplicity]

well surprise surprise, flagyl didn't work at all. i'm going to call and request another prescription. any recommendations? i know anti-biotics are shunned for bv, but i am absolutely desperate, and i think i know how to counteract them with probiotics by now so i'm not a complete dummy.

It could be that the bacteria have now become resistant to some of the previous antibiotics you've taken. You should request something you haven't tried before. A suppressive course of antibiotics is one of the last resorts if nothing works, which does help some.

Sorry if I offended you with the probiotic comment. I just wanted to make sure that you knew. Sometimes it's the little things that matter the most.

[sweetsong]

well surprise surprise, flagyl didn't work at all. i'm going to call and request another prescription. any recommendations? i know anti-biotics are shunned for bv, but i am absolutely desperate, and i think i know how to counteract them with probiotics by now so i'm not a complete dummy.

[swt simplicity]

so i just got home from my appointment. it is indeed BV once again. she prescribed me two weeks worth of flagyl, which i don't feel great about, but hopefully i can take it and balance it with some probiotics and knock it out for good.

Remember to take the probiotic two to three hours after you take your antibiotic. You want to avoid the chance that your killing the beneficial bacteria of the probiotic by taking the antibiotic and probiotic within the same time frame. Did you get your vitamin D levels checked?