[mfc10]

In the January 26, 2009 issue of First magazine, Dr. Elizabeth Stewart's column entitled "Private Health for You" has a section discussing BV. Following is the quote by this renowned gynecologist and author of The V Book:

"Many women experience stubborn bouts of bacterial vaginosis (BV) despite taking multiple courses of antibiotics. That's because these drugs not only wipe out infectious microorganisms but can also eliminate the beneficial bacteria that help maintain vaginal health. This leaves women susceptible to rebound infections -- and the itchiness, discharge and burning sensations that often accompany them. You (directed to the questioner who has experienced repeated bouts of BV despite using antibiotic) may have greater success with vaginal suppositories that are made from boric acid (such as Vitanica Yeast Arrest, $21 for 28 suppositories, at health-food stores). This natural antiseptic has been shown to eliminate up to 98% of BV infections without disrupting levels of healthy bacteria. Plus, boric acid normalizes vaginal pH to discourage infectious bacteria from multiplying. To do: Insert one suppository twice daily. once symptoms subside -- usually within 5-7 days -- continue using the suppositories for another two days to ensure the infection is fully eradicated. (Stubborn infections may require up to 14 days of treatment.) Women who are especially prone to BV may also wish to insert one suppository twice weekly (unless menstruating) thereafter to prevent the infection from recurring."

This validates what worked for me when I had a recurring seesawing of BV and Candida vaginal infections over two years ago. Go into it slowly, though, in case you happen to be allergic to boric acid. Also, I always thought that boric acid kills some of the good bacteria along with the bad, but she says it doesn't. I'd still take /use Femdophilus when using the boric acid though.

Cheers,
Maggie C.

[nerdykiana217]

thats sad

[horror_movie]

I be home on my days off I don't be smelling like strong fish but as I soon as I go out it get
On its strong point dang I had to stick a tic tac(femdo) up in there hopefully it wil kick in later.

[lolly12]

Hello ladies. I am new here.... well I've been reading for quite some time. It's relieving to know that I am no alone. I am 28 yrs old and have been having problems with BV the past year or so. I had it once in college, but it never came back. About a year ago, when I started dating my current boyfriend... that's when the problems began. I got it shorty after we started dating... did the Clindesse, it came back immediately. I did the Metro-gel and that seemed to work for the most part. I would get occasional twinges of fishy odor, but I could usually eradicate it with all of the over the counter/homeopathic methods we have ALL tried b/c I was sick of seeing my GYN. The past 4 months have been a downward spiral. I got it, Clindesse did nothing.... after I did Flagyl by mouth, it went away, but has been slowly coming back since I've had sex 4 or 5 times.

The only difference with my boyfriend as opposed to my previous bf's is that he is 1) uncircumcised (but not dirty!) 2) He is VERY well endowed (like 8.5 inches erect... yes I've made him measure) and he is thick and 3) we tend to have a lot rougher sex than I did in my previous relationship.
I just think that his size is causing too much friction within my vaginal walls, and causing a pH imbalance, hence, leading to the chronic BV. Is anyone else in this boat with their partner?

[Sweaty in Social Studies]

I haven't post in a while but I still read other post on a regular basis.

Anyway someone mentioned something about "Self-Esteem" I have had to get off school buses, out of cars (me being the passenger), get up from the chair in high school to go to the blackboard. And not one single time ever since I was a 14 year old did I not smell like a skunk. It was always embarrassing, painful, and depressing. I have had this Bacterial Vaginosis ever since I was a 14 year old virgin. Well over a decade now, I still battle this horrific smell. I must say my social and romantic life has been tainted ever since, its not fair, I cry and cry, I pray and pray but the smell is so unbearable I am trying my best to cope with it. I have been to several doctors, they all say its in "my mind" or "I dont smell anything" They give me creams on top of creams, pills, and now boric acid. People wanna know why I am weird, why I won't get close to them, why I won't hang out with them, well its because I dont won't them to smell me. I rather give up on a social life and a sex life than to have someone smell me because thats how bad it really is. People at work already know I smell they just don't say anything, but there was a lady I worked with who would make fun when I would get up from a chair, that devil.

My new doctor gave me two months to see a change in my bacterial vaginosis she gave me flagyl and boric acid suppositories I pray that this finally works maybe I can make-up for all the potentially good friends I have turned down throughout the years and all the good guys I wouldn't allow into my life because of BV. Bless you all and I hope theres a cure for this soon.

What a sad story ...

The thought of having to deal with bacterial vaginosis for over a decade is mind boggling. I'm surprised after so long, nothing has worked for you. Hopefully, this time around, the medications your new doctor prescribed should finally clear up your bacterial vaginosis.

Wishing you the best,
Sweaty in Social Studies

[Grace08]

I haven't post in a while but I still read other post on a regular basis.

Anyway someone mentioned something about "Self-Esteem" I have had to get off school buses, out of cars (me being the passenger), get up from the chair in high school to go to the blackboard. And not one single time ever since I was a 14 year old did I not smell like a skunk. It was always embarrassing, painful, and depressing. I have had this Bacterial Vaginosis ever since I was a 14 year old virgin. Well over a decade now, I still battle this horrific smell. I must say my social and romantic life has been tainted ever since, its not fair, I cry and cry, I pray and pray but the smell is so unbearable I am trying my best to cope with it. I have been to several doctors, they all say its in "my mind" or "I dont smell anything" They give me creams on top of creams, pills, and now boric acid. People wanna know why I am weird, why I won't get close to them, why I won't hang out with them, well its because I dont won't them to smell me. I rather give up on a social life and a sex life than to have someone smell me because thats how bad it really is. People at work already know I smell they just don't say anything, but there was a lady I worked with who would make fun when I would get up from a chair, that devil.

My new doctor gave me two months to see a change in my bacterial vaginosis she gave me flagyl and boric acid suppositories I pray that this finally works maybe I can make-up for all the potentially good friends I have turned down throughout the years and all the good guys I wouldn't allow into my life because of BV. Bless you all and I hope theres a cure for this soon.

Good luck, yme - please keep us informed about how you get on.

Have you thought about taking a probiotic of some kind while you're on this regimen? It seems to help a lot of ladies keep their good bacterias growing whilst the flagyl kills all the stuff down there.

Stay positive - I know that can sound too easy in light of all you've been through - but you are still young and there's no reason why you can't have the life you want, and the friends you deserve.

[yme30]

I haven't post in a while but I still read other post on a regular basis.

Anyway someone mentioned something about "Self-Esteem" I have had to get off school buses, out of cars (me being the passenger), get up from the chair in high school to go to the blackboard. And not one single time ever since I was a 14 year old did I not smell like a skunk. It was always embarrassing, painful, and depressing. I have had this Bacterial Vaginosis ever since I was a 14 year old virgin. Well over a decade now, I still battle this horrific smell. I must say my social and romantic life has been tainted ever since, its not fair, I cry and cry, I pray and pray but the smell is so unbearable I am trying my best to cope with it. I have been to several doctors, they all say its in "my mind" or "I dont smell anything" They give me creams on top of creams, pills, and now boric acid. People wanna know why I am weird, why I won't get close to them, why I won't hang out with them, well its because I dont won't them to smell me. I rather give up on a social life and a sex life than to have someone smell me because thats how bad it really is. People at work already know I smell they just don't say anything, but there was a lady I worked with who would make fun when I would get up from a chair, that devil.

My new doctor gave me two months to see a change in my bacterial vaginosis she gave me flagyl and boric acid suppositories I pray that this finally works maybe I can make-up for all the potentially good friends I have turned down throughout the years and all the good guys I wouldn't allow into my life because of BV. Bless you all and I hope theres a cure for this soon.

[Grace08]

Glad you're noticing some improvement! I do think Balance Activ is quite a good product, and I keep a supply at home. If I'm ever lucky enough to get laid again it'll be a great thing to use a couple of days before to get rid of the symptoms for a bit!

Well I decided to try Goldenseal as I'd never used it before, but couldn't find it anywhere. Then one day I walked into a health shop and there was one random pot left. It's by Bio-Health and is 125mg capsules of powered root to be taken orally twice a day.

I started a couple of weeks ago and got relief from the onion smell straight away, although the capsules STINK and over the last couple of days my vagina has started to smell like the goldenroot itself, even though I haven't inserted them vaginally (not sure whether people do this or not). I do get some abnormal discharge occasionally, so something is still not quite right, but no onion smell at all since I've been on them.

I'm not sure how long to use the goldenseal for though. I know it can only be used for a matter of weeks, but I keep reading different things. Does anyone know?

I don't know why I've bothered to take it, as like any antibiotic type thing it's a temporary fix. Part of me is secretly hoping it'll be a cure, but I know it won't be!

Are you thinking of trying this Grace? Anyone else used it?

Thanks, Neptune.

It's such a shame that Balance Activ doesn't work quite as well as we hoped it would. The day after I've used it things are really good down there - but by the evening it's back. I had a few good days in a row last week which is why I felt quite optimistic about it.

So I am thinking of trying the Goldenseal root, I've heard it mentionned in various BV forums so it's worth a go. Maybe alongside Echinachea and garlic. So expensive to keep buying all these vitamins though! But I'm up for anyting that might help/reduce things. Thought about trying Apple Cider in my bath water as well, to keep the old pH good. 3-4 cups in a bath is what's recommended.

Will keep you all posted with anything I try anyway,

Grace.

[Sweaty in Social Studies]

" I just gotten my period and the smell seem to have got worst(stronger). Im tired of people
looking at me like i'm some dirty girl that don't wash up in that area. i'm tired of all the sound
effects people give me when they walk by. I JUST WANNA BE BV FREE. DO ANYBODY HAVE SUGGESTION
ON WHAT TO USE WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR PERIOD TO ATLEAST CALM THE SMELL DOWN THERE?
THIS BV IS A BITCH SOMETIMES IT SMELL LIKE FISH THEN LIKE A MUSTY ONION TYPE OF SMELL OMG
myself esteem is dead."

Im so sorry horror! I didn't know what to do to make the smell go away by itself, I drank 1 1/2 liters of water a day hoping it would help dilute the smell, sometimes it was there, sometimes it wasnt, I couldnt figure it out. Maybe you should go the Dr and get another opinion? And take care of yourself!
And thank you to everyone for support and hearing me rant through all this crap; I finished my antibiotics two days ago, and havent felt any UTI symptoms (yay!). Not suprisingly though, from all the antibiotics, I seemed to have developed a yeast infection. Grr. Oh well, ill take it over all the other crap. Crossing my fingers and hoping this is almost the end.

I saw a box of Pro-B in the store today, said it was good for neutralizing. Anyone have experience with that?

Hi Nik!

Hmm ... diluting the smell by drinking water. That's one method that I've never heard of.

I'm currently taking Rephresh Pro-B. It works pretty well. Then again, I take it as a preventative along with another expensive probiotic. I've been taking probiotics for so long, my results have plateaued. You should try it though, even though it's kind of pricey.

I hope your infection clears up,
Sweaty in Social Studies

[nik7121]

" I just gotten my period and the smell seem to have got worst(stronger). Im tired of people
looking at me like i'm some dirty girl that don't wash up in that area. i'm tired of all the sound
effects people give me when they walk by. I JUST WANNA BE BV FREE. DO ANYBODY HAVE SUGGESTION
ON WHAT TO USE WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR PERIOD TO ATLEAST CALM THE SMELL DOWN THERE?
THIS BV IS A BITCH SOMETIMES IT SMELL LIKE FISH THEN LIKE A MUSTY ONION TYPE OF SMELL OMG
myself esteem is dead."

Im so sorry horror! I didn't know what to do to make the smell go away by itself, I drank 1 1/2 liters of water a day hoping it would help dilute the smell, sometimes it was there, sometimes it wasnt, I couldnt figure it out. Maybe you should go the Dr and get another opinion? And take care of yourself!


And thank you to everyone for support and hearing me rant through all this crap; I finished my antibiotics two days ago, and havent felt any UTI symptoms (yay!). Not suprisingly though, from all the antibiotics, I seemed to have developed a yeast infection. Grr. Oh well, ill take it over all the other crap. Crossing my fingers and hoping this is almost the end.

I saw a box of Pro-B in the store today, said it was good for neutralizing. Anyone have experience with that?

[horror_movie]

As bad as the odor can get, there isn't much you can do to successfully get rid of it. There are products that will cover up the odor, but those are the same products that can aggravate it, and make the infection worse. It's kind of like spraying a trash barrel down with deodorizer, while the trash is still in it. That's a silly analogy but, you get the picture, right?

I really wish I could be more of a help in that area. Speaking from my own experience, I've been desperate enough to use certain methods to attempt to get rid of the odor, but at the end of the day, it was still there. This series of trials and errors made me come to the conclusion that the infection would have to clear up entirely in order for the odor to go away. That's a bitter pill to swallow, but unfortunately it's the truth.

--
Sweaty in Social Studies

Awwwww ouch my kitty is being compare to a trash can dang that hurt!!!
I'm not mad at you. I guess it was just a metaphor.

[lori]

As bad as the odor can get, there isn't much you can do to successfully get rid of it. There are products that will cover up the odor, but those are the same products that can aggravate it, and make the infection worse. It's kind of like spraying a trash barrel down with deodorizer, while the trash is still in it. That's a silly analogy but, you get the picture, right?

I really wish I could be more of a help in that area. Speaking from my own experience, I've been desperate enough to use certain methods to attempt to get rid of the odor, but at the end of the day, it was still there. This series of trials and errors made me come to the conclusion that the infection would have to clear up entirely in order for the odor to go away. That's a bitter pill to swallow, but unfortunately it's the truth.

--
Sweaty in Social Studies

You are officially creepy now.

[Sweaty in Social Studies]

I just gotten my period and the smell seem to have got worst(stronger). Im tired of people
looking at me like i'm some dirty girl that don't wash up in that area. i'm tired of all the sound
effects people give me when they walk by. I JUST WANNA BE BV FREE. DO ANYBODY HAVE SUGGESTION
ON WHAT TO USE WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR PERIOD TO ATLEAST CALM THE SMELL DOWN THERE?
THIS BV IS A BITCH SOMETIMES IT SMELL LIKE FISH THEN LIKE A MUSTY ONION TYPE OF SMELL OMG
myself esteem is dead.

As bad as the odor can get, there isn't much you can do to successfully get rid of it. There are products that will cover up the odor, but those are the same products that can aggravate it, and make the infection worse. It's kind of like spraying a trash barrel down with deodorizer, while the trash is still in it. That's a silly analogy but, you get the picture, right?

I really wish I could be more of a help in that area. Speaking from my own experience, I've been desperate enough to use certain methods to attempt to get rid of the odor, but at the end of the day, it was still there. This series of trials and errors made me come to the conclusion that the infection would have to clear up entirely in order for the odor to go away. That's a bitter pill to swallow, but unfortunately it's the truth.

--
Sweaty in Social Studies

[lori]

Thanks for the link Lori. I really felt frustrated when I read about your struggle to get diagnosed. Seeing as bv is supposed to be so common, you'd think doctors would be more educated about it.

Sad we have to fight to be listened to. Being dismissed and misdiagnosed happens such a lot. And it's true, we know our own bodies.

Yeah, I don't think all doctors are stupid or anything. But sometimes they just have a blind spot when it comes to some things. If they don't get it, you have to push them. Or you have to find a doctor who does get it. It's a struggle.

I just gotten my period and the smell seem to have got worst(stronger). Im tired of people
looking at me like i'm some dirty girl that don't wash up in that area. i'm tired of all the sound
effects people give me when they walk by. I JUST WANNA BE BV FREE. DO ANYBODY HAVE SUGGESTION
ON WHAT TO USE WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR PERIOD TO ATLEAST CALM THE SMELL DOWN THERE?
THIS BV IS A BITCH SOMETIMES IT SMELL LIKE FISH THEN LIKE A MUSTY ONION TYPE OF SMELL OMG
myself esteem is dead.

Horror movie, you need to get to a doctor to sort out your hemorrhoid & anal leakage issues. Until you do, there's really not much you can do about the BV.

Best of luck to you!

[neptune]

Hey Neptune-

Just wondered how you're using the Goldenseal, I mean like what's your method?

I'm trying my second round of Balance Activ along with taking a lot of acidophilus pills - there's a definite improvement, but I totally know how you feel when you say you don't want to get excited because it might come back when you stop the course.

But just wondered about the Goldenseal.

Cheers,
Grace.

Glad you're noticing some improvement! I do think Balance Activ is quite a good product, and I keep a supply at home. If I'm ever lucky enough to get laid again it'll be a great thing to use a couple of days before to get rid of the symptoms for a bit!

Well I decided to try Goldenseal as I'd never used it before, but couldn't find it anywhere. Then one day I walked into a health shop and there was one random pot left. It's by Bio-Health and is 125mg capsules of powered root to be taken orally twice a day.

I started a couple of weeks ago and got relief from the onion smell straight away, although the capsules STINK and over the last couple of days my vagina has started to smell like the goldenroot itself, even though I haven't inserted them vaginally (not sure whether people do this or not). I do get some abnormal discharge occasionally, so something is still not quite right, but no onion smell at all since I've been on them.

I'm not sure how long to use the goldenseal for though. I know it can only be used for a matter of weeks, but I keep reading different things. Does anyone know?

I don't know why I've bothered to take it, as like any antibiotic type thing it's a temporary fix. Part of me is secretly hoping it'll be a cure, but I know it won't be!

Are you thinking of trying this Grace? Anyone else used it?

[neptune]

Holy shit. That is terrible.

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But thanks for sharing. I think it's important for everyone to pursue their medical care vigorously. Get second opinions, and never give up! Here's my blog entry about the topic:

http://allaboutbv.blogspot.com/2008/12/you...ppointment.html

In it, I cite the story of a woman who had ovarian cancer for years, and her doctor kept telling her she had gas. Here's what she said:

"Women need to trust their own bodies. If you're feeling that something is wrong, don't assume anything. Be persistent. And don't wait."

A good reminder for us all.

Thanks for the link Lori. I really felt frustrated when I read about your struggle to get diagnosed. Seeing as bv is supposed to be so common, you'd think doctors would be more educated about it.

Sad we have to fight to be listened to. Being dismissed and misdiagnosed happens such a lot. And it's true, we know our own bodies.

[horror_movie]

I just gotten my period and the smell seem to have got worst(stronger). Im tired of people
looking at me like i'm some dirty girl that don't wash up in that area. i'm tired of all the sound
effects people give me when they walk by. I JUST WANNA BE BV FREE. DO ANYBODY HAVE SUGGESTION
ON WHAT TO USE WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR PERIOD TO ATLEAST CALM THE SMELL DOWN THERE?
THIS BV IS A BITCH SOMETIMES IT SMELL LIKE FISH THEN LIKE A MUSTY ONION TYPE OF SMELL OMG
myself esteem is dead.

[Grace08]

I randomly tried goldenseal (instead of using the balance activ) which I've never bothered with before, and it's reduced the discharge and taken the onion smell away completely. It's nice while it lasts, but I'm not excited because I know it'll come back as soon as I stop the course.

Hey Neptune-

Just wondered how you're using the Goldenseal, I mean like what's your method?

I'm trying my second round of Balance Activ along with taking a lot of acidophilus pills - there's a definite improvement, but I totally know how you feel when you say you don't want to get excited because it might come back when you stop the course.

But just wondered about the Goldenseal.

Cheers,
Grace.

[lori]

Nik7121, I can understand why you're so irritated. I suffered over a year of severe kidney infections which were treated as UTIs, and my other symptoms such as temperature of 105, constant vomiting, backache and being too dizzy to stand or walk were dismissed as "exam stress." I was almost dead by the time they bothered to scan my kidneys, and I've now got a mass of scar tissue for a kidney, and it's ruined forever. That's the arrogance of some doctors for you.

Sigh. Just my little rant of the day.

Holy shit. That is terrible.

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But thanks for sharing. I think it's important for everyone to pursue their medical care vigorously. Get second opinions, and never give up! Here's my blog entry about the topic:

http://allaboutbv.blogspot.com/2008/12/you...ppointment.html

In it, I cite the story of a woman who had ovarian cancer for years, and her doctor kept telling her she had gas. Here's what she said:

"Women need to trust their own bodies. If you're feeling that something is wrong, don't assume anything. Be persistent. And don't wait."

A good reminder for us all.

[tweety11]

I believe it's a dud product - not that I've tried it, I almost ordered it, but some ladies in here have tried it and it didn't work - and I think the company were pretty reluctant to give refunds as they claim they will on their website.

It seems like a money-spinner, cashing on our vulnerability and desperation to cure BV.

So I wouldn't order a six month supply if I were you. If you live in the US there's a product called Fem Dophilus which appears to be the most effective way of home treating BV. It's a pro biotic and the strains in it are especially good for populating healthy bacteria in your vagina, which is really the aim in getting rid of BV, rather than masking the odour.

There's a lady who posts in here called Lori - take a look at her blog (the link for it can be found at the end of her posts) it's a good guide to home treating methods that have been tried and tested by BV sufferers.

Good luck.