[CanCan]

Hi all,
I'm so glad to have found other women who are talking about BV!! I just stumbled across this board and it has answered a lot of my questions about what I've been going through. I'm hoping you can give me some advice...

I'm 30 and have been treated for BV 3 times in the past. All 3 times I was prescribed Flagyl and the BV smell went away within a few days of using it. Unfortunately, it always comes back.

I've read through a lot of the pages on this board and a lot of people seem to have success with some non-traditional products--Fem-Dophilus, Primadophilus, Yeast Arrest, etc. A friend suggested I try Fem-Dophilus instead of using the Flagyl again. Would that treat the symptoms or just help to prevent them after they're gone? I'm confused by all the products out there and am looking for something that will solve the yucky smell problem first. Second, I want something(else?) to prevent the BV from recurring.

Any suggestions on what to try out? Thanks!!!

Well, this is only my opinion, but please don't take Flagyl again. Three strikes and you are out. Of course it seems to work for a while, but that doesn't mean that it is curing anything. You still have the BV right? So even if it did cure some women out there, it doesn't work for you. A friend of mine told me that she got rid of hers by taking Metronidizole and Clindamyacin at the same time. But many women have done the same treatment, the 2 together, but without any luck. What I did was different.. doctor gave me Metronidizole pills, they didn't work, then 3 weeks later took the Clindamyacin cream. Which didn't work either. The antibiotics were staggered. And then I developed BV so strong, that you think it will never go away. The bottom line is, if you try these antibiotics a few times, and they fail to work, your bacterial strains in your intestines and in your vagina will become stronger, and more resistant.

My conclusion is that if you have already tried the Flagyl and it didn't work, don't take it again. You will ultimately just make the BV worse.

[Callie1970]

Hi again,

Well, you all know I'm desperate about getting rid of this horrible BV, right? So, I'm on day 3 of using Enzara, and you know what? I noticed just today the smell is not there. It could be my imagination, don't know really. Only wanted to keep the rest of you posted. I intend to take Folic Acid, Vit B6, and probiotics as soon as my supply comes in. Ordered it online at iherb.com.

My ob/byn told me that BV flare-ups are stress-induced. Well, that pretty much would guarantee a lifetime relationship with BV for me! Ugghhh!

I've taken the conventional prescriptions at least 5 times (Metro.....flagyl...et al). My ob-gyn said that sometimes BV can go from sexual partner to another, a never-ending cycle. So she had my husband (ex-husband now) take the same prescription. Anyway, I'm convinced there's a multiple sex partner connection to getting BV. At least for me I think it is. I was a virgin before getting married, and boy do I miss the freshness (yes, FRESHNESS!) scent I had. Well, I got married to someone who ended up being incredibly deceitful and a total cheater (300 women and counting....) If I'd known then what I know now! Well, ..Hence, he's my ex-husband. Thank God! Yes, it was a biblical divorce. I had to save myself from who knows what other dirty crap was coming my way if I had stayed with such a liar and player.

Sorry, everybody, I don't mean to sound like a prude...but I think it's important to cherish your body; treasure it for the gem it is. Even someone who's waited for the "right" person to come along can be easily duped. Take good care of my looks, and had MANY interested gentlemen pursue me. (Well, ok, they're still pursuing me...) So, turns out I picked the WRONG guy. I mean, we met at church for goodness sake! NOW come to find out, he's been subscribing to 9 different online dating services for the last 15 years! I'm talking a different hotel every other night, and all based on a picture he saw of them on the internet! Yes, those were his "business" trips. His first (and only) meeting with all these different women would be at a hotel! Of course, everything I'm writing right now is revelation. And you know what? Now that my ex has been found out, he admits he's proud of his behavior...he says there are way too many tramps and whores out there who are willing to be treated like sexual objects... and he's just partaking of what he's being offered! It's like the control has just been shifted over (by these women) to a bunch of worthless men!

Look bottom line, girls....please just be extra careful...your body is worth like gold...it deserves the royal treatment, beginning with how YOU value it.

[NotCatEyed]

Hi Ladies, remember me? I'm the lemon juice advocate. haha. Drinking lemon juice is so good for relieving mild BV.

Has anyone ever heard of taking zedeory tumeric oil? Any luck? The package at the store says it's for 'non fungal' infections. Is BV non fungal? I looked tumeric up online and they have a 12 day suppository kit that is supposed to cure every type of vaginal infection. Hmm. too good to be true?

I have battled BV for years now, maybe 5+ years(on and off, but mostly on) and I live in Beijing, China now. Right before I moved here a few months ago, I got a bad infection. I saw a doctor several times and took a dose of flagyl in the hopes I wouldn't have to deal with an infection while living here. The oral flagyl didn't work... so, then I did the naughty thing and ordered Flagyl online and took a few tablets vaginally, and it worked!

I had extra flagyl so I brought it with. I am almost positive I have an infection again; lots of discharge, I have no sense of smell, but I can see the yellowish color and the slightly sour taste, (teehee, don't 'ew' me too much, this last part was recomended by my doctor to help me self monitor with my olfactory sense disability). The western style clinics are too expensive here, and I've heard horror stories about the chinese obgyns..plus my language skills are not good enough to go to a regular chinese hospital. I tried shoving a few garlic cloves up there last week, and I almost think that made it worse. So, I am trying to get up the nerve to go to the pharmacist and talk to them...well, attempt to talk to them in chinese....eek. I guess I won't take more flagyl with all the alarm on the site about misuse of it. It didn't last anyway, so i'm not excited about taking it again...ok, I'm sounding hopeless.
Someone please offer wisdom.

[mnijcp]

Hi all,
I'm so glad to have found other women who are talking about BV!! I just stumbled across this board and it has answered a lot of my questions about what I've been going through. I'm hoping you can give me some advice...

I'm 30 and have been treated for BV 3 times in the past. All 3 times I was prescribed Flagyl and the BV smell went away within a few days of using it. Unfortunately, it always comes back.

I've read through a lot of the pages on this board and a lot of people seem to have success with some non-traditional products--Fem-Dophilus, Primadophilus, Yeast Arrest, etc. A friend suggested I try Fem-Dophilus instead of using the Flagyl again. Would that treat the symptoms or just help to prevent them after they're gone? I'm confused by all the products out there and am looking for something that will solve the yucky smell problem first. Second, I want something(else?) to prevent the BV from recurring.

Any suggestions on what to try out? Thanks!!!

[Callie1970]

The Vitamin B6 are 50mg. I don't know why I take it, other then, someone on here recommended it, so I decided, what the heck could it hurt!!

Thanks! I just ordered my supply.

So, how are things today? Still successful? Please tell me you've found us all a cure!

[jewelscando]

The Vitamin B6 are 50mg. I don't know why I take it, other then, someone on here recommended it, so I decided, what the heck could it hurt!!

[Callie1970]

Well all, at my last reply, I had told you all about having sex, and it smelled as though a fish crawled up there and died.

The smell has NOT returned since. I think I found something that is working for me. I DON'T have periods, so, I have to just continue to wait to see if it comes back. Here's what I'm doing, and I think its the Primadophilus Bifidus that did the trick. BOUGHT IT REFRIGERATED.

I religiously take 2 Vitamin B6 at night, 2 Folic Acid 800mcg's at night and 2 Primadophilus Bifidus that contains 5 Billion CFC. It has a combo of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.

It wasn't something that happened over night, it took a couple of weeks to work, but, I had sex 3 times this weekend, AND NOTHING!! NO SMELL WHAT SO EVER.

So...just wanted to give you all an update!!

Congratulations to you! I know you must feel so relieved...

I'm a B-I-G vitamin consumer, so I'm ready to try what worked for you! I know you take 2 vitamin B6 at night; how many mgs is that?

Thanks so much for any information!

[jularee]

hi ladies. so far i've been taking the femanol for about 3 wks. i have a little clear discharge and a tiny bit of smell off and on. nothing too major. i've also been taking folic acid 1200mg daily. i can honestly say that i have noticed a lot of improvement since i began taking the femanol. the only downfall is that it is pretty expensive so I'm not sure if i'll be ordering another bottle. i have about another week's worth of pills left. After I finish I'll probably start taking the primadophilus reuteri along with a b vitamin complex and folic acid. *sigh* my kooch is too high maintenance!! lol

[jewelscando]

Well all, at my last reply, I had told you all about having sex, and it smelled as though a fish crawled up there and died.

The smell has NOT returned since. I think I found something that is working for me. I DON'T have periods, so, I have to just continue to wait to see if it comes back. Here's what I'm doing, and I think its the Primadophilus Bifidus that did the trick. BOUGHT IT REFRIGERATED.

I religiously take 2 Vitamin B6 at night, 2 Folic Acid 800mcg's at night and 2 Primadophilus Bifidus that contains 5 Billion CFC. It has a combo of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.

It wasn't something that happened over night, it took a couple of weeks to work, but, I had sex 3 times this weekend, AND NOTHING!! NO SMELL WHAT SO EVER.

So...just wanted to give you all an update!!

[fiddlegirl]

hi all. i'm not sure this is the right thread for me to post, but i'm desperate and lost and am wondering if anyone has any advice. i don't have BV, but i have a constant discharge. i've had this for years and it used to smell badly, too. i had it checked out by my gyno who gave me a course of antibiotics (i think it was called augmentan) and the smell has since disappeared. unfortunately the discharge has stayed. it's quite thick and yellowy. i've had it checked out by several doctors over the years and they all say it's harmless and that some women are simply a bit more fluid than others. my problem is that this is increasingly causing me distress especially as it inhibits me being intimate with someone. has anyone else had the problem and had some kind of success getting rid of it? thanks.

[anitsirhc]

Has anyone tried using the Reuteri vaginally? I know those hard little enterically coated capsules can't be used - but break open the capsule, and just put it in a different capsule and then insert?

i haven't tried it but i've thought about it. if it comes back i might try that...

[CanCan]

Has anyone tried using the Reuteri vaginally? I know those hard little enterically coated capsules can't be used - but break open the capsule, and just put it in a different capsule and then insert?

[anitsirhc]

just an update... i've been taking the primadophilus reuteri for a few weeks now and i'm almost positive that my bv is gone. i have hardly any discharge, no smell, no itch, no burn. i feel great! i had sex and it didn't hurt. (i used a condom though, haven't tried it without yet cause i'm scared it will make it come back.) i got my period last week and the bv came back right after (i was also away for 2 days in a hotel and i couldn't bring the pills with me cause there was no refrigerator so i just didn't take them.) so the bv came back a little bit but i just took 2 pills instead of 1 for 1 day and it was gone after that. so i really think this is working for me. if it's not completely gone it's definitely helping a lot. i feel so relieved. i hope other people are successful!

[CanCan]

That's cool CanCan..I was gonna start digging into herbal remedies verses the musinex crap...It's worth a shot I guess. I know my crap isnt running through like it should or I wouldnt constantly have fluid buillt up in my ears and on my eyes. If vaginal secretions are really thick and not draining through..these areas arent gonna get rinsed out like they should and will be a great breeding ground for bacteria. i think I have an excessive thick flow...lol

Arj, when you mentioned the Mucinex, I tried to read up on it. It says on webmd that it causes dry mouth, constipation, dry skin, and decreased sweating, as side effects. And I think being dry is bad for BV. Especially if you get dry down there! But reading about the Goldenseal sounds promising. I bought it today, in capsule form, and took two caps with dinner already. I'll take it and see if it does anything. It apparently increases the secretion of the mucous membranes. Which sounds like a good thing.

[konphusion26]

Hi ladies!! I am new to the forum, but from what i've read here, I am not the only one suffering this HELL on earth. I have been dealing with a vicious cycle of BV and yeast infections for almost 5 yrs now (since college). Its awful. I've been to the doctor so many times, half the staff knows me on a first name basis. My poor husband is miserable because our sex life is pretty much non existent due to this lovely recurrent yuckfest. But he is very supportive and asks lots of questions. And he seems to want to suggest douching as if that is the end- all cure. Which I've tried that and it comes raging back even harder. AAARRRGH!! And the odor is the most awful part of it. I know I'm clean, but it makes me feel filthy-- i keep a stock pile of pads and panty liners on hand at all times.

To date I have tried the metrogel vaginal gel, the flagyl pills, clindamycin cream, rephresh, changed my detergents, soaps, lotions, went out and bought new undies.... and these have all been temporary fixes for me. The first sign of heat outside, stress, any type of sexual activity, when my period ends, or even if I sneeze wrong (sarcasm) - and TA DA it seems to magically reappear. so i high tail it back to the GYN and get the antibiotic creams, which then leave me open for yeast infections. WOOOHOOO!!! Its become a never ending pain in the butt. I think the pharmacist knows me too from getting the darn prescriptions filled so much. I dont even want to think of how much I've spent in the last year on prescriptions and doctor visits. It makes me sick to my stomach.

I read on another forum that BEE PROPOLIS is a natural antibiotic : see below from DailyVita.com I just purchased some and I'm going to try it!! I thank you all for your helpful posts, please let me know if anyone has tried this. Or send me other suggestions... i'm a desperate sexless woman LOL And i'm going nuts!!! God bless!

[b]Bee Propolis is most widely known for its natural anti-biotic effect. Bee Propolis also contains valuable nutritional factors including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and trace nutrients.

[i]Bee Propolis has been used for protection and treatment against infection, allergies, burns, cancers, sore throat, nasal congestion, respiratory ailments, colds & flu, coughs and fatigue. It contains a broad spectrum of Vitamin B, Minerals, and Amino Acids with antibiotic and antibacterial properties. Each softgel contains 500 mg of Bee Propolis from pure Bee Propolis Extract.

[Desperate1]

Thanks for the congrats... if only there was a magic bullet that could cure us all

Cancan, the goldenseal is in a pill form, I found it at my local healthfood store. I bought the most concentrated stuff I could find (I think mine was 5% but if you can find a higher concentration go for it) it is a bitter root and you want a formula that contains the root primarily.

I read up on it online, I suggest anyone else who is trying these supplements to do the same. I learned that you shouldn't take it more than 3 weeks at a time. It is a natural antibiotic and good for the mucous membranes especially but it can cause health problems if you stay on it for an extended period of time. Like I said, I also took it apart from my Fem because I wanted to give the little probiotic a head start.

My theory was treat the symptoms (rephresh)
Kill the bad guys (Goldenseal)
Repopulate the good guys (Femdophilis)

I would encourage smokers to stop smoking or at least take a break or switch brands to see if that helps, also drink tons of water and help your body flush out the yuck. I also didn't do any of the hp rinses or capsules vaginally... my thought behind it was that I didn't want to kill the good flora I was working so hard to repopulate!!

And for those of you taking Femdophilis or who are going to try it, I made sure to find a store that kept it refrigerated. The Primadophilis should also be kept in the fridge. If you are buying it from somewhere that doesn't keep it cold you could just be throwing your money away so be wary!!

Best of luck and keep posting what works (and what doesn't)!!

[bvg]

desparate1 has given me hope. i am trying the same regimen she did. i am taking renewlife ultimate flora for vaginal support in the morning(high count of rhamnousus & aciidphilus), lunchtime is b6, bition folic acid, multivit and oregano oil (stronger than goldenseal) then at nite is primo. reuteri (almost out of this, will get femdol.) hopefully this will work for me too.

[arj75]

Goldenseal:

[ One traditional use of goldenseal is as a mucous membrane tonic. Note that it does not have to come in contact with the mucous membranes to have this effect. Hold some goldenseal in your mouth for a minute or two, and you can feel the effect on the mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses. Traditional doctors stated that goldenseal increases the secretion of the mucous membranes. At the same time, goldenseal contains astringent factors, which also counter that flow. Thus it was referred to as a mucous membrane "alterative," increasing deficient flow but decreasing excessive flow. How this happens has not been determined by science, but is thoroughly supported by the traditional uses.... It is my opinion that goldenseal acts as an "antibiotic" to the mucous membranes not by killing germs directly, but by increasing the flow of healthy mucous, which contains its own innate antibiotic factors — IgA antibodies. This effect is unnecessary in the early stages of a cold or flu, when mucous is already flowing freely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldenseal ]

A lot of women with BV have vaginal dryness. Maybe this stuff can help with that.

That's cool CanCan..I was gonna start digging into herbal remedies verses the musinex crap...It's worth a shot I guess. I know my crap isnt running through like it should or I wouldnt constantly have fluid buillt up in my ears and on my eyes. If vaginal secretions are really thick and not draining through..these areas arent gonna get rinsed out like they should and will be a great breeding ground for bacteria. i think I have an excessive thick flow...lol

Glad your free of bv desperate1!...we will keep our fingers crossed for ya...thanks for sharing..

[CanCan]

Goldenseal:

[ One traditional use of goldenseal is as a mucous membrane tonic. Note that it does not have to come in contact with the mucous membranes to have this effect. Hold some goldenseal in your mouth for a minute or two, and you can feel the effect on the mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses. Traditional doctors stated that goldenseal increases the secretion of the mucous membranes. At the same time, goldenseal contains astringent factors, which also counter that flow. Thus it was referred to as a mucous membrane "alterative," increasing deficient flow but decreasing excessive flow. How this happens has not been determined by science, but is thoroughly supported by the traditional uses.... It is my opinion that goldenseal acts as an "antibiotic" to the mucous membranes not by killing germs directly, but by increasing the flow of healthy mucous, which contains its own innate antibiotic factors — IgA antibodies. This effect is unnecessary in the early stages of a cold or flu, when mucous is already flowing freely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldenseal ]

A lot of women with BV have vaginal dryness. Maybe this stuff can help with that.

[CanCan]

So mysteriously my BV has resolved!! I can't believe it... it's been about 2.5 weeks now and just seemed to happen. The smell was there one day and gone the next... its the strangest thing because I can't seem to link it to what I was doing.

I have no idea if it was anything I did... although I did see an improvement to my symptoms while I was treating... to recap I used rephresh for one full cycle, started on Acidopholis, a multi-vitamin pack, Goldenseal for 3 weeks along with Femdophilus (which I took seperately so the Goldenseal wouldn't kill the Fem), and stayed on Fem for about 6 weeks before this all happened. Also had the bf pulling out and wasn't using tampons during my period, and began rinsing the nuvaring daily. I was treating for roughly 2 months.

Congratulations! I'm happy that at least a few people have found their magical combinations. Can I ask you about the Goldenseal? How exactly do you take it? Like a cup of tea, or some other way?