[CanCan]

Kinkaju: Upon my initial research of BV a year ago I read all about apple cider vinegar douching. THEN I read from a doctor that despite all the rave reviews, ACV will actually help bring on BV and make it worse. So I threw out the bottle I had just bought. That was then this is now…if my TTO doesn’t work I might just try an ACV douche since yours has worked wonders for you. Oh gosh just listen to me, Ms. I’ll NEVER douche again!

I'll never douche again, because that was a factor for me when I first got BV. And I know that some women here talked about using a dropper to use the vinegar or to use the hydrogen peroxide. I tried that, but the dropper always leaked, and the tip of the dropper I have was pointy and kind of sharp, so I didn't have an easy time inserting it. It would get stuck in one of my folds! I went out and bought a larger dropper, the kind that they use for administering medicine to children, but I didn't have any luck with that either, because the edges were sharp.

So what I decided to try using is the applicator that Replens uses. I took one of them out of it's packaging, twisted off the tab, squirted out the contents down the drain (because I am certainly not going to use Replens, after what some of you said on this forum - no thank you - I don't want paper-like anything coming out of my vagina), and then put in water and rinsed it out completely. It took a while, but you can clean the thing out. The applicator tip is rounded, so it is SO much easier to insert. Kind of like how easy it is to insert a rounded end (pearl) tampon. I take a tiny cup, put in whatever I am using, and insert the pearl end of the dropper into the liquid, suck it up, then lie down on the floor insert and squish it in. Just like with the dropper, but this is easier, because the other end is totally sealed, so while you are moving around, the liquid won't drip out the other end. The Replens dropper has a hole at one end, but easy to just cover it with your finger. And it pretty easy to clean when done.

Also, I think using the dropper is better than using a douche, because a douche is not just administering the liquid, it is flushing everything out of your vagina. It's going to flush out the good bacteria as well. With the dropper you can just put a little bit of the ACV or hydrogen peroxide in there and stay on your back to let it work for a while if you want. And when you stand up and gravity takes over, just a little bit will drip out, because you didn't put in a lot to start with. The amount I use in the dropper is only about one teaspoon of liquid.

I also use the dropper for lubricant, to counteract the alkaline effects of ejaculate. I insert some Sylk lubricant before having sex. Or I use it after sex if I forgot to use the lubricant before or during sex. Or, what I have been doing also, is using it just whenever I feel it is getting funky down there, and the added acidity of the lubricant seems to balance it all out.

[mg86]

hi all -

about the green discharge - yes I was talking about the yeast arrest, not discharge from my body I'm going to go ahead and try the regular the boric acid and see how that goes...maybe then try the TTO douche that someone else mentioned...I don't think I've been on anything for along enough time to really judge...as for sex goes - i haven't had sex in about 5 months (i know)..and BV is still there! sigh..

[CanCan]

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in a while but I do have a question.
I saw a specialist about 6 months ago and he put me on a treatment that lasts about a year. First I used the stronger version of Flagyl of 2 weeks. Next I used BA for 21 days and since then I have been using Metro Gel twice a week. For those of you that have used the Gel, does it cause vaginal dryness? It is almost impossible for me and my husband to have sex. Not only is it nasty because all of the white clumpy stuff but is it just flat out dry. It is really starting to suck. it seems to be getting worse the longer I use it. My next question is what is the best lubricant to use? I called the Dr's nurse today and she said to use vegetable oil. Has any one ever heard of or tried that???
And one more question. I go see him again at the end of March and I think at that point he will tell me to stop using the gel. Any suggestions of what I should do naturally to try and get my body ready to fight it off on it's own??? Thanks!

I use Sylk and think that is the best. Whatever you do, do not use oil or petroleum products. The oil will clog your pores in your vagina and ultimately make you dryer. You don't want to block your duct glands from secreting your body's own lubrication. That is how I look at it.

Using the Tea Tree Oil - I think is probably fine, because it is such a small amount, and the oil is so much lighter than vegetable oil, so probably won't clog your ducts.

The Sylk lubricant seems really good because after sex, any excess seems to just drip out, just like your own secretions would. Whereas when I've used oil - I get a flare up after sex - like the next day. I think some of the oil stays up there. I used oil a few weeks ago, I was giving my boyfriend a massage, and one thing led to another, and then had a flare up.

[CanCan]

Let me get in touch with someone regarding the microscopes. I bought one off ebay and it was not that expensive. When I had bv I used it. Let me get all the info you all need and I'll post it by friday. It is really not that hard to do/read.

O.k. thanks. I was thinking, my dad has a microscope, and I am going to my parents place this weekend, I am going to look for it and see what kind it is. But I remember them being small. So I am guessing the microscope won't be powerful enough right?

[i'vehadenough]

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in a while but I do have a question.
I saw a specialist about 6 months ago and he put me on a treatment that lasts about a year. First I used the stronger version of Flagyl of 2 weeks. Next I used BA for 21 days and since then I have been using Metro Gel twice a week. For those of you that have used the Gel, does it cause vaginal dryness? It is almost impossible for me and my husband to have sex. Not only is it nasty because all of the white clumpy stuff but is it just flat out dry. It is really starting to suck. it seems to be getting worse the longer I use it. My next question is what is the best lubricant to use? I called the Dr's nurse today and she said to use vegetable oil. Has any one ever heard of or tried that???
And one more question. I go see him again at the end of March and I think at that point he will tell me to stop using the gel. Any suggestions of what I should do naturally to try and get my body ready to fight it off on it's own??? Thanks!

[RN with BV]

I use it 2x a day once in morning once at night, this has seemed to keep it under control there is never a smell now (mine was bad and the amount of discharge was very bad as well) now the only thing I notice is when having sex (this is pretty graphic sorry) if I am excited where there would be a normal lubrication ..............now there is 3x the amount of lubrication and it is sticky (almost like if you blow your nose when you have a cold that consistancy) however it is usually completely crystal clear, or it has a clear but almost pearly look

I am too the point now where I know that the week after my period have to use douche2x a day, next week 1x day, week before my period a couple times a week, I don't use the douche when I am on period and have to go back to 2x a day for a couple days after sex

the peroxide douche has worked better for me than all the antibiotics and it is much cheaper

i am going to try the boric acid though to see if it works better

[whateverfitsyou]

Another question....

Hey Rn_with_BV, when you do the 1/2 peroxide & 1/2 water...you put it in ur vagina,right? Also, how long does it help out with the odor?....Thanks in advance!!

[whateverfitsyou]

UMMM MY DOC TOLD ME I COULD USE FLAGYL FOR MY SMELL(HE CLAIMS IT ISN'T BV) BUT I'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT BORIC ACID. INSTEAD OF ORDERING ONLINE IS IT POSSIBLE TO PICK IT UP IN A STORE LIKE WILD OATS?

OH SORRY BOUT THE CAPS LOCK...TOO LAZY TO DELETE & RETYPE THIS.LOL

[neverending]

That's a great idea. It would be great to cut out the middle man. After all, doctors don't seem to want to use one to do a wet prep, why don't we do it then? And judging from how expensive health insurance is in this country, why not just factor this into it. I mean really, health insurance is running about 2 or 3 hundred a month, so what if a microscope is a few hundred. Even if you go to a walk-in clinic to be tested, I don't know about you guys, but me, I've had to wait at least 3 hours per visit to be seen. Multiply this by what you are worth per hour at work, and it would easily pay off the microscope.

I'm looking on the internet now, and there seems to be a wide range of microcopes out there.. which one were you using? I am guessing that the more powerful ones are more expensive. Do you have an idea of what it would cost for one good enough to get the job done?

Let me get in touch with someone regarding the microscopes. I bought one off ebay and it was not that expensive. When I had bv I used it. Let me get all the info you all need and I'll post it by friday. It is really not that hard to do/read.

[CanCan]

Green discharge is consistent with Trich or Gonerhea (sp?).

Instead of going to the doctor all the time you all could buy your own high powered microscope and do your own wet preps. It's really not hard to do and I could teach you all how to do it and what to look for. It's very easy and even though I was never an MT, I was an assistant to one and she taught me how to do them. I got so good, she let me do them by myself. So, if you want to learn, let me know and I'll figure out some way to teach you via internet.

That's a great idea. It would be great to cut out the middle man. After all, doctors don't seem to want to use one to do a wet prep, why don't we do it then? And judging from how expensive health insurance is in this country, why not just factor this into it. I mean really, health insurance is running about 2 or 3 hundred a month, so what if a microscope is a few hundred. Even if you go to a walk-in clinic to be tested, I don't know about you guys, but me, I've had to wait at least 3 hours per visit to be seen. Multiply this by what you are worth per hour at work, and it would easily pay off the microscope.

I'm looking on the internet now, and there seems to be a wide range of microcopes out there.. which one were you using? I am guessing that the more powerful ones are more expensive. Do you have an idea of what it would cost for one good enough to get the job done?

[treehugger]

y'know...

I had a thought.

I should back up here...I have re-curring bv, basically when I have sex it comes back....so as a preventative, after sex I insert a boric acid capsule and that takes care of it.

It seems like a lot of us get it in response to sex...I'm presuming that is "non-condom" sex, where semen is disrupting the vaginal PH???

So...having read a bunch of articles about how various foods that men eat/drink can affect the flavor of semen, I am also wondering if anybody's looked into the thought of diet affecting the PH of semen, specifically making it more acidic??

I mean, if I can get my BV more under control where I don't have to use boric acid, by, let's say, feeding my guy lots of pineapple before sex(just as an example)....that'd be really cool.

It's an interesting thought, anyway.

[RN with BV]

thank you for the info on boric acid i am going to try that next

no it is not yeast thought of that already and thought ..........great something easy to fix but no such luck lol

i am glad i found this forum my hubby is less than sympathetic (big surprise) this really isn't something I share with my co workers or girlfriends either lol

I can also tell eveyone..............if a MD is not an GYN then that MD usually has no clue about this...............they are taught in school that it is an acute not a chronic infection (the ER MD's I work with have no clue) while many many women only have a problem with this for a short time as all of you know this can be very very chonic

I spoke at great length with my GYN who was the first to explain to me that this was now a chronic condition and alternative meds were the best idea at this point, I am very fortunate to have a Gyn that has a clue however he has also told me that it seems the key is stabilizing an unknown "good " bacteria strain and what he has told me is that it could be that millons of different stains that have yet to be identified live in a healthy vagina. He was the one who told me about the fem dolph and ultimate flora and folic acid but beyond that he isn't much help.

thank you so much for your info

[quietmadness]

In reference to the greenish discharge----MG86 was using the yeast arrest and don't they have a green tint on them? (which would then cause the greenage?)

--quiet--

[sassy]

She doesn't have trich, guys! She was saying she had a green discharge from the yeast arrest. It is made with boric acid and a mix of herbs, and it causes a green discharge when it runs back out.

[JJ27]

Trich is a greenish discharge. I would suggest going to the Gyno or they have a detector now over the counter if you don't have time to go to the Gyno. Check your drug store.

Green discharge is consistent with Trich or Gonerhea (sp?).

Instead of going to the doctor all the time you all could buy your own high powered microscope and do your own wet preps. It's really not hard to do and I could teach you all how to do it and what to look for. It's very easy and even though I was never an MT, I was an assistant to one and she taught me how to do them. I got so good, she let me do them by myself. So, if you want to learn, let me know and I'll figure out some way to teach you via internet.

[JJ27]

Thank you for the welcome! Hehe as for the celabacy part...I don't think my boyfriend of four yrs. would like that! That's why I find this so strange that it's happening now (since July). I am also in menopause and that's what the Doc is attributing it to. First it was yeast infections and now this BV. I think I would rather still be having my period instead of going through all this crap! I hope your cramps went away and that you feel better.

Also hello to all the newbies: JJ27, ellie-a, maluso76, kinkaju, lisa1, JoanClayton, stillhottie, lulubare… and whateverfitsyou. I tried to go back as far as my last post since I haven’t been here in a while. Also Konphusion my twin! You changed your pic!!!!! It looks so cute! Don’t tell me those are your legs too…!

Kinkaju: Upon my initial research of BV a year ago I read all about apple cider vinegar douching. THEN I read from a doctor that despite all the rave reviews, ACV will actually help bring on BV and make it worse. So I threw out the bottle I had just bought. That was then this is now…if my TTO doesn’t work I might just try an ACV douche since yours has worked wonders for you. Oh gosh just listen to me, Ms. I’ll NEVER douche again!

JJ: It might sound weird but becoming celibate kinda makes you feel stronger in a sense. I am currently practicing celibacy and although it is easy for me (being a single mother leaves you no time to date) I would encourage you (whether you were joking or not) or anyone else who is thinking about this to totally try it. There are times when I miss the penis SO FU**ing bad but then I just do an extra workout and kick butt, it gets out all your aggression. And it the end you get a rockin body. Plus less bouts of BV for anyone who has problems with the penis triggering it.

Damn these cramps are totally killing me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH! They are so intense and I don't understand why.

Vicodin, my old friend, where r u when I need you?!!!

[konphusion26]

I am wondering about the boric acid. I do not know where to find them or what is the best way to make the capsules?

Thanks for your help

Hey RN... Click Here here's where I found my boric acid pretty cheap. they have two sizes: 4oz and 12oz and the size 00 capsules to use. As far as filling them, I've found it easier to make a small funnel out of paper or fold a small piece of paper in half and pour the powder into the paper's crease. For me the funnel is easiest. And as the powder fills the capsule, slowly remove it until the capsule is full then cap it.

The boric has been a God-send at keeping the discharge and smell at bay. I just advise that you wear a pantyliner or very thin pad because the boric acid will leak out as a clear fluid.

Good luck babe. Oh yeah, the TTO does burn like crazy if you don't dilute it. I've never tried dipping my capsules in it- i just use a few drops in a douche every now and then.

[neverending]

I SMELL LIKE SHIT AGAIN.

Hi ladies! I’ve been very busy lately and unfortunately because of this I haven’t been taking my “maintenance” pills like I should. So now I smell like poop. NOOOOOOOOOOOO! No! NO! No! This is so not fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It first came on about an hour after one of my daily workouts. The ammonia smell lasted 5 hours and then went away. Back to the faint salt and vinegar smell again (that cheese aroma only lasted 2 ½ days) that I’ve been having. So then the next day AGAIN after my workout the ammonia smell comes back and AGAIN only lasts 5 hours until it goes away only to bring the salt back. Well low and behold today after taking it easy and only going on a brisk walk pushing my kid’s stroller around the neighborhood I take a shower and then about an hour later I realize that the lingering poop smell was not coming from the DiaperGeine nor did my son pass baby gas. That rotten shit smell is coming from my kitty!!!!!!!!! Well fu** ain’t this just pleasant.

To top this all off I’m having major pre-period cramps which is crazy because I NEVER have cramps before my period. JUST GREAT! I feel like shit and I smell like shit. You know it’s like one of those days where you just HATE being a girl. Why can’t men go through some monthly crap like this? NOT FAIR.

I think I am going to try using TTO tonight. The bottle’s been sitting on my shelf for a while now still unused. I have to be honest I am not ok with douching at all BUT to get rid of this smell before my period starts I think I’ll give it a try. The one time I douched was late last year and I used the HP mix that everyone was talking about. My BV was SO BAD at work after that douche that I really thought I was going to die I was so embarrassed. TRAUMATIZATION right there let me tell you.

WOW! You are funny as hell. Everything will get better. Just keep trying different things until something works hun and VICODIN<------ If your out, try alcohol when your feeling down. It's a anti-depressant. When I'm down and out of anti anxiety/ depressant meds, I just buy a couple of bottles .

RN WITH BV:My husband suxs too. Are you sure you have bv by itself or do you have bv with yeast? Because yeast is sticky/ thick. It may be a combination of both. Sorry to say, but your the RN hun, so you know better than I do.

[neverending]

i know everyone is different, but i didn't think green discharge was a symptom of BV... .but i could be wrong....i would try the OBGYN....sorry hun!! I hope you feel better soon....

Green discharge is consistent with Trich or Gonerhea (sp?).

Instead of going to the doctor all the time you all could buy your own high powered microscope and do your own wet preps. It's really not hard to do and I could teach you all how to do it and what to look for. It's very easy and even though I was never an MT, I was an assistant to one and she taught me how to do them. I got so good, she let me do them by myself. So, if you want to learn, let me know and I'll figure out some way to teach you via internet.

[RN with BV]

OK scratch last question, reading more and figured out the tea tree oil.............however i am reading that undiluted it can cause burns, do you dilute it before dipping the fem dolph caps? and still confused over the boric acid?
thanks so much

btw.......the peroxide has worked as well as the RX meds, I would say for me it helps control it but not cure it if other methods helps control it better I am willing to try it.

Does anywone else feel completely run down and have lower back soreness when BV flares up?