Ever since I've cleaned up my diet and started taking probiotics, my symptoms improved considerably. Compared to how I was doing years ago, it's like night and day. The odor was bad enough to stay in a room even after I've left. I'm now on the path of strictly staying on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for 6 months and going on VSL#3 in order to re-balance my intestinal flora and give my intestines plenty of time to heal. I'm currently transitioning; but I am sticking to the diet for the most part.

I think it would be really helpful if you talked to your friends about it. You'd be surprised at how understanding and supportive some people can be. Be careful to not confide in people you don't completely trust. At the very least, you can always talk to someone on this forum.

If you plan on looking for another job anyway, you should find a job where you don't have to be in close proximity of other people. That will probably help you cope while at work better.

hey guys. I've been struggling with BV and want to try boric acid. This is the one I got: http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u588/s...zpsf74366ed.jpg If it helps, this is where I ordered it, though that picture's a little different: http://www.amazon.com/BORIC-POWDER-HUMCO-H...y/dp/B001V9WY0S

I just want to make sure I got the right one? I thought I did but now all those warnings about not even letting it touch your skin are really scaring me!

You Poor Girl! I feel so bad for you, and others (as well) who have been ostracized due to the smell... I too have been dealing with BV for a long, long time--more on that later, as it is late and I just wanted to reply to you with moral support.

I don't know if this is right or wrong (others may criticize me for even suggesting this..) But what I have done is, when I have a BV flare up that is overwhelming with odor, is I USE a tampon. This blocks any discharge of course and therefore, SMELL.

I have never had any problems with doing this and because of my self treatment I can usually get the problem under control in a few days.

I know how devastating this problem can be, and some days we feel so low, it's all we can do to face the next day. It has ruined my personal life, which includes hopes and dreams for the future since I am reluctant to have any intimate contact, and refuse straight out during bouts. I CAN'T IMAGINE being ostracized by my "friends" or co-workers because of this problem, that could just be too much too handle. I just feel so bad for those who have had to deal with this. I wish I could just HUG you!

Seriously, I know it may be wrong, although it hasn't caused me any further problems (than I already have) but I just use a tampon at those times, til I get through. No one is any wiser and to them I am a fresh smelling, happy, healthy girl (on the outside).

Actually, those with re-current yeast infections are actually recommended by gynecologists to use tampons during their periods because it is cleaner & drier with inhibits the moist environment which yeast loves. This is just to ease any worries some may have about the tampon/pad debate. Tampons are perfectly safe when they are used properly within their time frames.


---Also, this may be long, but to the girl who is afraid of douching, I have had good results with just soaking a tampon in "chosen" remedies instead of douching. I do think that it could flush bad stuff too far up into the cervix, but for just the area we are trying to alter/balance the climate of, I think a tampon soaked in your choice remedy is a better solution to douching.

PLEASE see a doctor....So you know what you have, AND in case you are trying hard to cover up the smell with perfumes/soaps--those things will just make your problem WORSE! Use unscented soap down there, like DOVE, or preferably NOTHING at all- just water. Our vaginas are sensitive ecosystems, and is supposed to be self cleansing. But especially at times like this it is extremely sensitive to disruptions and it needs time to balance out.


----Now I'll just mention quickly about my story and what I do to "manage" the problem---

After being put on Metronidazole (Flagyll) orally many, many times in the beginning..(I would say over 30 times) I'm sure I'll be screwed up for a long time with my re-current problem. Not to say it isn't a good solution for a one/two time problem if it goes away, but if it doesn't...you'll have hell to pay. Also, I was never told about the probiotic theory at the same time either, which surely would have helped then...

After (much) reading, I came across the medical study about peroxide douching and that is what I use to manage my problem. Except I don't douche, I just soak a tampon and use that. (Once/twice a day for 5-10 minutes til it's gone--smell 3 days, whole thing 7 days) It works for me, but unfortunately it does come back if I even attempt sex. None the less, at the time, I realized it was preferable than (expensive, humiliating) trips to the dr, over & over & over again....I swear I was losing my mind and my wallet, and my dr's thought I was prob crazy too. Now I know it is them who are NUTS

I have tried probiotics (RePhresh pro- but it was very expensive and took too long. Although, I think I will try again after reading more....it takes 28-something like 60 days to recolonize the vagina. I will pay anything to fix this problem for good!

I also think part of my problem is while the peroxide soaked tampon worked, it still left my vagina lacking the good bacteria to re-balance. Thus reoccurring after attempted sex. Also, it didn't raise the ph in order to make that re-establishment friendly.

So after much, much, much more reading, what I think I will do is stay on the pro-b LONGER. I read a study that said some women with recurrent problems may need more than one plan of remedy at a time. Like 3 or 4.

So here is what I will try next...

Peroxide soaked tampons 1 or 2x day 5 mins, 7 days (which always worked) to rid the problem
Vinegar tampon after peroxide, then periodically to make Ph more acidic (like a healthy vag is)
Probiotics FOR a long, long time(like RePhresh Pro-B-- to recolonize with good stuff)
And multi-vitamin formulated for women (which has over 500mgs of FOLIC Acid)

I have always been able to cure myself, but now I am attempting to keep the problem away for good.
I will update the situation, and let all know how it's going. I have been using this system for two days after a bout and so far, smell good!

Anyway, much later and longer post than I had intended, but I know you all deserve as much help as possible and one more story can help. Take care all and I will be back to update. xoxo

Yes. That is the right kind of boric acid. I think all of the bottles carry the same warning because it is required to by the FDA, just like how a lot of medications come with warnings and side effects.

Did you also purchase the "00" size gelatin capsules to put the boric acid in?

I also want to add that boric acid tends to work on the short term for bacterial vaginosis. It's good for maintenance, but it will also kill any healthy bacteria as well. I took it for a few weeks when I had a non-albican yeast infection, and I went in for a follow up exam and my gynecologist said she didn't see any lactobacilli or yeast under the microscope, which is totally normal when using boric acid suppositories. I wonder why it isn't successful with bacterial vaginosis. Maybe because bacteria tends to multiply and grow faster than yeast because they are smaller, prokaryotic cells, while yeast cells are larger and eukaryotic, thus take longer to multiply and divide themselves.

You should take a probiotic while your doing the suppositories just to be on the safe side.

hey canadian girl thnks so much for the post.

Ive been to the doctors and got a course of antibiotics so all is well down there now. Good to hear your tampon method works for you. Personally I dont use tampons, I have an irrational fear of them!!

Must admit im really struggling with this whole work issue. I am so down, ive been having suicidal thoughts. Although think im too much of a coward to go through with it or i would have done it already. Im not sleeping at night cause im panicking about going into work. All day i just sit there and barely say a word so i dont draw attention to myself. And i just have to sit there and listen to the comments, and hear the smirks and see the emails flying round the office. And i know they will just tell teir friends about it ad more and more people will know about it. I got the courage to speak to a very good friend abot it and she is convinced im just being paranoid and not to b so silly, but she doesnt know cruel people can be. Its just so awful, nobody takes me seriously anymore, I cant bear when people look at me cause i know what they are thinking. Dirty bitch. And im not. But i understand why they think that. Considering not going back to work on Monday. I think I need to for my mental health.

Sorry for rabbiting on, but this is the only place i can vent. I really just want to die right now :-(

Geez, you ladies are really suffering. I can relate; it took me 20 years to figure it out! Every woman's pH balance and vaginal ecosystem are so super delicate and unique. I don't profess to know it all, but I literally just registered on Bust today to offer my routine.

Keep in mind, it may sound like a crazy regimen, but it's what works for me. Then again, I've read some pretty wild remedies on here, so maybe mine won't sound so strange!

I do all the normal things, like wear cotton panties only and use tampons. But here's where I get a little jazzy:

REDUCE BAD BACTERIA AND DRY OFF EXCEPTIONALLY WELL AFTER BATHING

Once a week BEFORE showering (and especially after my period is fully over), I squat and wipe down my vulva and bum with Listerine Zero (the one WITHOUT alcohol, so no worries about insane burning; just a cool minty tingle ) on a few flat, square cotton pads. I really saturate the cotton pads and thoroughly wipe all over those areas with it. Put a towel under you on the floor, in case of dripping. Listerine Zero has no sugar in it (well, sucralose), and it does not give me a yeast infection, and here's why: I let it "marinate" and really do its job for five whole minutes, THEN I take a shower. I never insert it in my vagina; only ON my vulva and anus. To be honest, I've even used the plain Listerine Antiseptic kind (unflavored, the amber formula with alcohol), and have had no problems. For me, it's all about reducing the bad bacteria on the outside; that's what causes the odor. And showering five minutes after ensures no real damage is done; it all gets washed away. I use pretty much any kind of suds when showering; I actually use TWO body washes for a more thorough clean. And dry, dry, dry off super well. That means going over my vulva with a towel five minutes AFTER I've already dried off, before I put my panties on.

REDUCE YOUR VAGINAL pH

Once a month, after my period, I fill up a really, really clean tub of warm lemon water for a pH soak. Just pour in a cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice (or cut up a cleaned lemon and place the halves in the tub) and soak that baby for 30 minutes to get the pH just right, drain the tub, and shower like normal. DO NOT ADD ANYTHING TO THE BATHWATER EXCEPT LEMON! The lemon bath is also ideal after sex; lemon water also makes a great sitz bath! I'm not above buying the ideal storage container specifically for this purpose.

KEEP IT DRY

During the day, moisture is my enemy, so I always use flushable wipes after using the restroom (and keep a pack in my purse) and dry off really, really, REALLY well with toilet paper. Then, I wad up extra toilet paper and wrap my entire vulva (especially the creases on the sides where the vulva meets the thigh) and pull my panties up. Bacteria and yeast breed like crazy in moist environments. I don't bother with pantiliners; toilet paper is plentiful and is more absorbent. Plus, you can position it perfectly and it's flushable. No one has to know.

PROBIOTICS

I eat yogurt like most women and I occasionally take acidophilus, if I've been eating too much sugar or bread. I don't get all dramatic about probiotics; just eat yogurt when I feel like it, including frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. Greek yogurt is amazing!

KEEP IT HAIR-FREE OR LESS HAIRY

I'm a shaver. Not 100% bald, but more like 90%. Hair traps moisture, and as we know, that is not what we need. I really only care about moisture during sex!

So, there you have it, ladies. Cut the bad external bacteria + lemon baths when needed + keep the vulva dry with toilet tissue + take your probiotics + keep it trimmed. I'm not saying this is the holy grail solution for all of womankind, so please don't take my regimen as gospel. It's simple, and it works for me. Hope that helps someone!

When I have bacteria vaginosis, I do not get white yeasty stuff on sides of vagina lips. Ever since I inserted plain yogurt into vagina, I get white yeasty stuff on sides of vagina lips that hurts a little. I thought yogurt helped to get rid of yeast infection instead of cause it?

Your very lucky to have the infection clear up so quickly. If the infection is gone, then your situation should drastically improve from here on out.

I also remember talking to my gynecologist about my odor and she also thought I was being self conscious. My only explanation to that is some people can pick up on the smell while others cannot. Another possibility is maybe the person is lying to avoid an awkward situation or avoid hurting your feelings. But if it is someone who is very comfortable with you, then they probably would be honest about it.

Are you using plain yogurt without sugar, fruit, flavoring, or coloring? Either way, the bacteria in yogurt will not colonize inside of the vagina because it cannot adhere to the vaginal epithelium.

For wiping the outside of the vagina, the vulva, I think you should use Preparation H Medicated Wipes or Tucks Pads; they contain witch hazel which will soothe the itching and burning from the yeast infection you might possibly have. Witch hazel is also a natural antiseptic. You can also put a thin coating of boric acid around the vulva. Since you might be dealing with yeast, the boric acid should kill the yeast on contact with regular use. Try to give your vagina plenty of breathing room; no tight jeans, skirts, shorts or underwear.

Most remedies won't work for bacterial vaginosis. There are suppositories that you could try, such as boric acid suppositories for maintenance, and there is also a suppository for bacterial vaginosis called BalanceActiv that you can order from Amazon; it contains lactic acid which will lower the vaginal pH and create a hostile environment that will hinder the growth of the bad bacteria. With enough use, the vaginal flora should improve over time and clear up the bacterial imbalance. It has cured many women of bacterial vaginosis, and it can also be used for maintenance as well, like after your period, or after sex ... whenever you need it.

I was using plain yogurt with sugar. I did not have yeast infection until I applied the yogurt. I do not know if it is extra Lactobacillus.

Can Lactobacillus from suppositories colonize inside the vagina?

You shouldn't apply yogurt with sugar inside the vagina. Or any kind of yogurt. Most of the bacteria would have died by the time you used it, and the warmth of the vagina will have killed the bacteria within the hour. Refined carbohydrates such as sugar from anything, including food and drinks will feed any kind of bacteria and yeast within the body, which is why its imperative to keep it to a bare minimum.

The thing about the probiotic suppositories is, there is no way of knowing if the bacteria is live when you actually use it. You might want to contact the manufacturer of the probiotic suppository you plan on using to see if it is guaranteed to have a certain amount of live bacteria up until it's expiration date. You may also want to check with the manufacturer about whether the bacteria is dairy sourced or human sourced, and whether they have research proving that it will colonize and adhere to the vaginal epithelium. If a company cannot provide that information, your probably better off trying something else. You don't want to waste your money on stuff that won't work.

The only product that I know of that hits all of those points is Gy-Na-Tren by Natren. It is a product that comes with vaginal suppositories for 14 days and it also comes with oral probiotics for 14 days. The vaginal suppositories contain boric acid, while the oral probiotic contains 5 billion colony forming units (CFU) of acidophilus NAS. You can learn more about the product (here). It probably isn't what your looking for since it offers boric acid suppositories. But, I personally think it's worth trying.

I think it would be a good idea to see your gynecologist just to be on the safe side. It's very likely that you'll misdiagnose yourself if you don't get examined. Even a gynecologist needs tests to be sure of what to treat you for. I think the yogurt you've been inserting has caused an imbalance so your vagina is shedding it's lining, which causes extra discharge) in order to get rid of the foreign substance that is inside of it.

If you really intend to do yogurt suppositories, you can make your own yogurt at home. All you need is milk, a yogurt starter (you can pick which bacteria you want in it), and a yogurt maker. You'll know that your yogurt is fresh and full of live and active cultures after you've made it.

Like so many other women on this forum (and so many others!) I've been suffering from recurring BV for a number of years. Some of the suggestions on how to self-treat this condition (because I think we all are painfully aware that antibiotics are just temporary relief) are kind of scary when you first hear about them.

I actually came across this article awhile back - a study done at the University of Naples about the efficacy of using a peroxide wash/douche instead of the accepted antibiotic treatments for BV infections in 2003. At the very least, it supports the fact that yes, it is ok to use peroxide "down there", and at most, it shows that a peroxide wash is actually more beneficial than antibiotic treatment (it helps restore a proper vaginal pH level in 98% of cases).

Since reading the study, I've been using a (in my case, diluted, although this report and the experiences of others say diluting is not necessary) peroxide wash a) nightly for a week whenever I get the very first hint that a BV infection is on the horizon, and as part of my "after sex" ritual (pee, wipe, peroxide wash), and I've not had to visit a doctor, or deal with any of the more embarrassing symptoms for nearing 6 months now (a freaking MIRACLE). I will say that I do have an active sex life with my boyfriend, so I tend to was pretty frequently as part of after-sex care, so I don't know how I would do if I used it less frequently.

I do take a probiotic, like many others here, and I drink tons of water, because everything is worse when you are dehydrated, but I think I've come to terms with the fact that this is just always going to be a chronic condition, and there won't be a permanent cure for me. The peroxide thing is annoying, yes. But so much less annoying than yet another infection, and it does give me some measure of comfort that this treatment isn't just psychosomatic - there is factual evidence that says yes, this is effective as part of a home remedy.

[font="Lucida Sans Unicode"][/font]

I have suffered from BV for 16 long years! Years of antibiotics, metrogel, probiotics, peroxide washes, changing soaps, washing underwear in Woolite, detoxing, no citrus, wheat, red meat, white starch, spending over $73 for a bottle of a probiotic & I went through 4 years celibacy. The past 2 years Ive been with my boyfriend, our intimacy is planned as i have to peroxide wash before & instead of cuddling, I take a shower, ALONE, so I can peroxide wash...again.

I decided to do a mini-detox starting my mornings off with warm lemon water (8oz glass w/2 shots of lemon juice). I went to the restroom, totally expecting to be disgusted & offended as usual, when I discovered, there were NO SYMPTOMS!

Today is the 13th day I've been drinking a cup of warm lemon water in the mornings & I STILL have NO SYMPTOMS! My underwear are not wet, I go to the restroom, theres nothing, i wake up in the morning dry & not smelly, my cycle has come & gone with NO symptoms & I had "unplanned" intimacy with NO FEAR!

Will this last? I dont know but I pray it continues! No antibiotic/wash/gel has kept me clear for 13 DAYS before-& lemons are a whole lot cheaper than antibiotics (which by the way I think my body may have built up a tolerance against, I mean, Ive been taking them 16 years!)

Do you know if sticking Primadophilus Reuteri pearls up your vagina will help with either yart infection or BV?

I have an additional problem besides being small breasted and capital expenditure software . When I had surgery to correct inverted nipples, the doctor removed most of areola. Where there is no areola, there are scar lines.

Primadophilus Reuteri has a triple layered enteric coating that is meant to survive stomach acid (stomach acid has a pH around 1.5 to 2.0). A healthy vagina has a pH of 3.2 to 4.5 (with bacterial vaginosis, the pH can be as high as 9.0+), with that said, I don't think inserting Primadophilus Reuteri pearls will help with bacterial vaginosis. You should definitely take a good probiotic orally once or twice daily, but vaginally ... probably not. Pretty much all probiotics these days have a coating that is meant to withstand stomach acid, so they probably won't break down very well in the vagina.

Have you tried opening a Fem-Dophilus or RepHresh Pro-B capsule and applying it inside the vagina? There are studies on the strains that are contained in Fem-Dophilus/RepHresh Pro-B stating that they are also beneficial when administered directly into the vagina as a suppository, but I'm pretty sure the probiotic was not administered with the capsule since it has a very tough enteric coating. You could also crack open the capsule and insert the bacteria into gelatin capsules which dissolve easily. But that decision is up to you. There isn't much information about how to apply it as a vaginal suppository. You could contact Jarrow directly and ask.

I'm pretty sure some women on this forum have had success doing Fem-Dophilus suppositories along with taking it orally once or twice daily, and their infection has not reoccurred. It's quite possible since Fem-Dophilus/RepHresh Pro-B contains well documented probiotic strains that do in fact colonize and improve the urogenital tract (urinary and genital organs).

Thanks for asking , this is very helpful info.

Hello All,
I need help. I have had CHRONIC BV for the past 7 years. The only time I did not have symptoms was about 5 years ago, after I had the LEEP procedures due to abnormal paps. After the LEEP, I was symptom free for approximately 10 months...then it came back! I have tried every prescribed medication offered. The last antibiotic I took was Tindamax, which did absolutely nothing!! My symptoms do not clear and then come back, they never go way, even during antibiotic treatments. Usually, I have BV symptoms during the whole course of treatment until a few days after treatment, when I develop a yeast infection. Once I treat the yeast, the BV symptoms are back as if they never went away.

I have a few questions for those who have struggled with this:

1. During all of this, I have routinely tested negative for all STDs with the exception of HPV. About 4 years ago my doctor said that while all my STD checks were negative, they may be wrong, and I may have Chlamydia. He prescribed antibiotics for the STD but I never took them. Could this be true? Would I test negative for all STDs for years and they be wrong? Should I try antibiotics for Chlamydia?

2. Has anyone ever tried the Rephresh gel? I used it twice (1 X ever three days) and now I have a large buildup of a white clumpy substance and is not draining. I'm still having a little bit of discharge, no smell, but when I insert my finger, it feels as though my whole vagina is filled with this substance that will not come out. Is this normal? Has anyone ever had a good outcome with Rephresh in relation to their BV?

3. I am now trying alternative methods for dealing with this. I have been to the doctor A LOT and they do the same damn thing every time, do a wet mount, tell me I have BV, and prescribe me an antibiotic that I've already taken without results because I've tried them all. Plus, when I call back after treatment and say it did not work, they refuse to prescribe anything else without a visit. I'm done paying co-pays to be told the same thing and given the same treatment. Anyone know what else I could try? I've tried the hydrogen peroxide rinses. I'm also taken folic acid, femdophilis, garlic, cranberry pills, vit c, and vit d. I have also gone off birth control and now only use condoms.

4. Has anyone tried vH Essentials BV Treatment Homeopathic Time-Release Vaginal Inserts? They sell them at Rite-Aid and Walgreens. They seem to have pretty good reviews and I'm thinking of trying them next. However, I'm afraid to put anything in my vagina due to the build up from the rePhresh, I'm afraid it may cause a bad reaction. Any thoughts on this?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

1. Your doctor could potentially be right because one of the diagnostic tests for chlamydia is more sensitive. Did he perform another diagnostic test just to be sure? Did you ask how many STDs are being checked for? Most hospital clinics will only tests for only the most common STDs (like gonorrhea and chlamydia) and nothing else. That is why some people go undiagnosed with some STDs (like herpes, genital warts etc) and never know they had it. You should definitely ask your doctor questions about that. This situation seems rather strange in my opinion.
2. Yes. I've tried the RepHresh Vaginal Gel. It did cause more discharge than usual because it's supposed to. The gel causes the vaginal epithelium to shed more than usual. I understand what you mean about feeling like there is a strange substance inside your vagina; that feeling will go away after it wears off and comes out along with your typical discharge. I don't know if RepHresh Vaginal Gel is effective enough to actually cure bacterial vaginosis, but it is very good at preventing it, particularly around the time before and after your period. In my personal experience, boric acid is also good for maintenance and it's also much cheaper and effective than RepHresh Gel. The acification it creates gives healthy bacteria time to recuperate. RepHresh Gel seems like its more for women who want to correct minor vaginal flora imbalances instead of actually treating anything. I think you might find BalanceActiv more effective since it actually contains lactic acid and it's used to treat bacterial vaginosis in the U.K.
3. Repeated antibiotic use must have caused a microflora imbalance. This usually presents itself as minor or major digestive symptoms; or maybe you don't have any symptoms at all. But I'm personally convinced that it what your dealing with, and that makes it harder to have a healthy vaginal flora. This has been proven countless times in the science community. Although you've tried probiotics, I think you should still continue taking them, particularly a therapeutic probiotic that contains 20 billion colony forming units or more (that is guaranteed up to the expiration date). Look for one that contains lactobacillus plantarum (human sourced) since that is a healthy bacteria that is predominant in the gastrointestinal tract. Therapeutic probiotics are very expensive, but people with major microflora imbalances need a much higher dose to achieve a balance. And they generally have to stay on that probiotic if they want to maintain a constant balance. I'd be happy to recommend a few brands for you. I have personally noticed that probiotics with a few billion colony forming units don't have any affect on me whatsoever anymore. I actually have to take three or more RepHresh Pro-B pills for them to work their magic (although I do have a gastrointestinal disorder).
4. You should wait until the RepHresh Vaginal Gel has run its course before you try the V.H. Essentials Suppositories. It should give you a better idea as to whether it actually works. Given your history, your probably dealing with very resistant bacteria, so I doubt it will cure your bacterial vaginosis the first time around. You might have to give it a few tries and try a combination approach for a while.
5. I think you should try seeing an integrative medicine doctor or naturopath if your still willing to try a homeopathic approach. They will treat you with natural/herbal remedies instead of more antibiotics especially considering your health history. Rarely do naturopathic doctors or integrative medicine specialists prescribe antibiotics. It generally goes against their protocol.

Hope my response was helpful!

hi all. been reading thru past posts as much as i can

I was fine until I went to the dr for a checkup/pap smear. except for A little heavy bleeding during my period, with clots. Got a call from office that the Pap smear came back postive for hpv and bv. Got my script for flagyl and had a colposcopy,blood work and transvaginal sonogram. Verdict was there MIGHT be a polyp in there. Doctor suggested d and c and eblation. Well, that was back in June. Since then, I have had 2 more scripts because the bv keeps coming back. Then, I had a period Aug 29 and not another one until the mid of november, when i just started bleeding every day. Doctors answer was another script. When I finally got in to see him in december, he says its probably just hormones and wants to do a d and c and an eblation still. I don't see how that will help with hormonal issues????

Hi Deb!

I've viewed some research that has stated there tends to be a correlation between bacterial vaginosis and the human papilloma infection. However, I've also viewed research that states there is an association yet after controlling for certain variables, there doesn't seem to be an association. What I can conclude is more research needs to be done to prove there is an association. That probably explains why your OB/GYN can't give you a straight answer; he or she probably doesn't have an answer to give you. I've listed the research below if you'd like to view it.

I can assume the association comes from the fact that bacterial vaginosis makes a woman more suspectible to contracting certain sexually transmitted infections and diseases because the vagina isn't able to protect itself as well due to the bacterial imbalance.

Considering your test results, you should follow through with the procedure. You should ask your doctor why he or she thinks doing the procedure would help with hormonal issues. I find this worth inquiring about. Don't hesitate to ask questions if your confused or don't understand everything your doctor says; even nurses and nurse practitioners working in the office are often helpful too. I think the answer your OB/GYN provides should give you a good idea of his or her train of thought, particularly if he or she has a good understanding of what he or she is dealing with.

Links:

• Bacterial vaginosis is associated with uterine cervical human papillomavirus infection: a meta-analysis.
• Bacterial vaginosis is conducive to the persistence of HPV infection.
• Association between bacterial vaginosis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia*. (Short Article)
• Association between bacterial vaginosis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia* (Full Article)
• Bacterial vaginosis is associated with uterine cervical human papillomavirus infection: a meta-analysis (With Figure)

*Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is defined as "abnormal changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix that are seen underneath a microscope. The changes are not cancer. However, they can lead to cancer of the cervix if not treated" (NIH). CIN is caused by certain strains of HPV.

There seems to be some confusion about the meaning of Hell and who goes there because of the way the Hebrew word Sheol and the Greek word Hades have been translated in our English Bibles. Since this confusion has led some into an erroneous understanding of what the Bible actually teaches about the intermediate state and the final state of the dead, we think that it is important that we address this subject here.

Progonol

[quote name='swt simplicity' date='Dec 25 2012, 04:41 PM' post='268362']
Hi Deb!

I've viewed some research that has stated there tends to be a correlation between bacterial vaginosis and the human papilloma infection. However, I've also viewed research that states there is an association yet after controlling for certain variables, there doesn't seem to be an association. What I can conclude is more research needs to be done to prove there is an association. That probably explains why your OB/GYN can't give you a straight answer; he or she probably doesn't have an answer to give you. I've listed the research below if you'd like to view it.

I can assume the association comes from the fact that bacterial vaginosis makes a woman more suspectible to contracting certain sexually transmitted infections and diseases because the vagina isn't able to protect itself as well due to the bacterial imbalance.

Considering your test results, you should follow through with the procedure. You should ask your doctor why he or she thinks doing the procedure would help with hormonal issues. I find this worth inquiring about. Don't hesitate to ask questions if your confused or don't understand everything your doctor says; even nurses and nurse practitioners working in the office are often helpful too. I think the answer your OB/GYN provides should give you a good idea of his or her train of thought, particularly if he or she has a good understanding of what he or she is dealing with.

Links:

• Bacterial vaginosis is associated with uterine cervical human papillomavirus infection: a meta-analysis.
• Bacterial vaginosis is conducive to the persistence of HPV infection.
• Association between bacterial vaginosis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia*. (Short Article)
• Association between bacterial vaginosis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia* (Full Article)
• Bacterial vaginosis is associated with uterine cervical human papillomavirus infection: a meta-analysis (With Figure)

*Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is defined as "abnormal changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix that are seen underneath a microscope. The changes are not cancer. However, they can lead to cancer of the cervix if not treated" (NIH). CIN is caused by certain strains of HPV.
[/quote


My understanding is to stop the bleeding until menopause. But my concern is that by going thru an infected vagina, into my uterus, won't the bacteria be spread? (And my gut feeling is that he just wants to do surgery, any surgery because he likes to be a surgeon.) I called them again today and they only sent another script (cleocin cream). They have never tested me for anything except hpv. Shouldn't they test my hormones? And my last pap came back abnormal so they want to do another colposcopy. I just don't understand it.

You've made an interesting point. I wouldn't think so. Those procedures are usually done with a lot of precision, and a lot is done to avoid cross contamination, as is the case with any surgical or laproscopic procedure. Most surgical or laproscopic instruments are made of materials that cannot sustain the growth of microbes. But they are always sanitized completely or replaced after each procedure.

If they were only checking you for HPV, yet you were also diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, you should call your gynecologist or who ever administered the test to ask why this is the case. Always ask questions to your health care professional if you are confused about something. You may just avoid a major medical error by doing so. Since bacterial vaginosis is so common, supposedly even more common than yeast infections, I doubt you were misdiagnosed.

If your worried that you may have a hormone imbalance, you can always request to see an endocrinologist just to be on the safe side. You'll probably be asked a series of questions to rule out a potential hormone imbalance before you are referred to an endocrinologist.

Some of the women in my family such as my mom and aunt have suffered from uterine fibroids and they would have heavy bleeding from it. My mom actually had this issue until she got them removed and she also choose to have a total hysterectomy (uterus and cervix removed) a year ago so she doesn't have to worry about reoccuring fibroids anymore. Uterine fibroids are very common in Black women. From what I've been reading, the symptoms of uterine polyps and uterine fibroids are very similar. You'll continue to have problems until you get the polyp(s) removed.

What exactly do you mean when you say that you called and they only sent you another prescription? Is that what you intended to do when you called, or were you expecting another outcome?

Best,
swt simplicity

[quote name='swt simplicity' date='Dec 28 2012, 03:24 PM' post='268372']
"You've made an interesting point. I wouldn't think so. Those procedures are usually done with a lot of precision, and a lot is done to avoid cross contamination, as is the case with any surgical or laproscopic procedure. Most surgical or laproscopic instruments are made of materials that cannot sustain the growth of microbes. But they are always sanitized completely or replaced after each procedure."

It wouldn't have to sustain growth, the instruments would pass thru the infection and straight into the uterus, possibly carrying bacteria with it...



"If they were only checking you for HPV, yet you were also diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, you should call your gynecologist or who ever administered the test to ask why this is the case. Always ask questions to your health care professional if you are confused about something. You may just avoid a major medical error by doing so. Since bacterial vaginosis is so common, supposedly even more common than yeast infections, I doubt you were misdiagnosed."


The HPV and BV were both found on a routine pap smear. I had no symptoms of BV until after the first round of flagyl


"If your worried that you may have a hormone imbalance, you can always request to see an endocrinologist just to be on the safe side. You'll probably be asked a series of questions to rule out a potential hormone imbalance before you are referred to an endocrinologist."

I am almost 50 years old, my mother had gone thru menopause in her 40's. The doctor himself told me its hormonal.

"Some of the women in my family such as my mom and aunt have suffered from uterine fibroids and they would have heavy bleeding from it. My mom actually had this issue until she got them removed and she also choose to have a total hysterectomy (uterus and cervix removed) a year ago so she doesn't have to worry about reoccuring fibroids anymore. Uterine fibroids are very common in Black women. From what I've been reading, the symptoms of uterine polyps and uterine fibroids are very similar. You'll continue to have problems until you get the polyp(s) removed."


No fibroids or polyps were found during a transvaginal sonogram. The doctor states that there MIGHT be a polyp that wasn't seen.



"What exactly do you mean when you say that you called and they only sent you another prescription? Is that what you intended to do when you called, or were you expecting another outcome?"

I would like to be tested for things instead of just assuming I need another prescription. I would like to see exactly what bacteria are in there (good and bad), have my hormonal levels tested, even tested for std's. The doctor said it's either BV or Trich, but the same medicine is used for either. But never tested for anything. I could have HIV for all I know!
I call and explain things and they say they will call back. Then they call back to say they have sent a prescription!!! UGH

Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff

Generally, bacterial vaginosis doesn't cause complications. But under certain circumstances, having bacterial vaginosis may lead to:

Preterm birth. In pregnant women, bacterial vaginosis is linked to premature deliveries and low birth weight babies.
Sexually transmitted infections. Having bacterial vaginosis makes women more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia or gonorrhea. If you have HIV, bacterial vaginosis increases the odds that you'll pass the virus on to your partner.
Infection risk after gynecologic surgery. Having bacterial vaginosis may be associated with a greater chance of developing a post-surgical infection after procedures such as hysterectomy or dilation and curettage (D and C).

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bacterial...N=complications

Thank you for providing this article. It definitely makes sense, but after reading the complications of a D&C, I noticed there will always be a risk of infection regardless of bacterial vaginosis because a dilated cervix means bacteria is easily able to enter the uterus. But since it doesn't seem absolutely necessary for you to do the procedure, then there isn't a point of taking that risk with an active infection.

Sometimes women with bacterial vaginosis present "no symptoms at all" (CDC), roughly 85% according to MedicineNet (source). The Flagyl may have exacerbated the bacterial imbalance. Were you taking probiotics before, during and after you started your antibiotics?

If you’re absolutely sure that your hormones are the issue, then tell your OB/GYN to check your hormones. Having an immediate family history of this is generally reason enough to do so.

In that case, I personally wouldn't bother going through with the D&C unless I've had everything else checked out.

Your OB/GYN should have done a follow up exam before giving you another prescription (that was always the case for me). You can definitely request to be checked for STDs. Make sure you ask specifically what tests are available. Some tests are more sensitive than others. They typically test common STDs and STIs like gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydia, HIV, genital warts, and HPV. Anything else has to be specifically requested. I don't think trichomoniasis is routinely checked for everywhere, but make sure you ask specifically what will be checked.

Whoever is working in the lab should be able to identify what bacterium has overgrown. I requested to know what non-albican yeast I was dealing with, only to know it didn’t make that much of a difference anyway. There wasn't much research on the yeast I was dealing with.

At your next appointment, you should have your vitamin D levels checked. Low levels are linked to bacterial vaginosis. I actually found some interesting research on Vitamin D from the vitamin D Council. It states "To counter bacterial vaginosis, vitamin D produces cathelicidin and defensins. These proteins fight bacterial and yeast infections. They may also neutralize bacterial toxins. According to several studies, there are increased concentrations of defensins in vaginal fluids during BV", "Cathelicidin is a family of antimicrobial polypeptides that serve a critical role in mammalian innate immune system defense against invasive bacterial infection" (source). The council also recommends taking vitamin D along with antibiotics to prevent a recurrence of bacterial vaginosis. The tolerable upper intake for vitamin D for people 9 years and older is 4,000 IU (source). Anything over that may increase the risk of adverse effects.

It's unfortunate that the medical staff isn't very helpful. It can be very frustrating on top of what your going through, but the best you can do is try to communicate with them as clearly and effectively as you can. That tends to work out for the most part.

Hope all goes well for you,
swt simplicity

The information given above regarding yeast infection is really awesome. There is also an herbal remedy named Calendula Pessaries it also works rapidly on yeast infection and it is totally safe for you.

Pessaries

No I was not taking probiotics. I wasn't aware to until after this became a constant issue in August and finding this forum...


I am not absolutely sure, but I thought it could be an issue and the doctor has stated that is probably the issue


That's my point. Aside from one sonogram and a colposcopy, I have had no other tests.


I did manage to get one appointment, doctor said there was an odor and it was either bv or trich and not to worry because same medicine cures both. Next 2 times I called, they just sent scripts in.



Thank you, I will look into Vitamin D. Since reading this forum, I have cut back on sugar and breads, tried to eat more vegetables. I am now taking a general probiotic as well as a woman's multi vitamin, folic acid, and B6 supplements. And Represh Pro B. Doesn't really seem to help alot, but there is some small improvement on some days. I bought some Balance Activ online, but have been afraid to use it since it says not to if there is bleeding.

They called in a prescription of cleosin cream on thursday, but I have not picked it up because when I looked it up online, it says that it can cause colitis and not to use it if you have intestinal problems, which I do suffer from symptoms of ibs. They also were supposed to call and schedule my surgery last week, but they called and said my pap was abnormal and he wants to do another colposcopy, so I will be back on the 7th for that.

The risk of the cleocin causing colitis is very small. For example, the cleocin warning says, "Bloody diarrheahttp://www.bust.com/lounge/style_images/bust/folder_editor_images/rte-link-button.png and colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported rarely with topical clindamycin. In general, these cases involved extemporaneously prepared solutions of clindamycin hydrochloride" (source). Clindamycin hypochlorite and clindamycin phosphate (which is the clindamycin in the vaginal cream) are different. Since the clindamycin hypochlorite was prepared quickly, (perhaps with little precision) then that explains the risk factor, although I'm wondering why they would add that part since those are two different active ingredients. That's tantamount to comparing sodium with sodium phosphate.

I can understand why you wouldn't want to use it but the warning was not in regards to people with irritable bowel syndrome. It states: "Cleocin Vaginal Cream 2%, is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to clindamycin, lincomycin, or any of the components of this vaginal cream. Cleocin Vaginal Cream 2%, is also contraindicated in individuals with a history of regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or a history of "antibiotic-associated" colitis." (source). Since irritable bowel syndrome does not involve inflammation, then it doesn't apply to any of those risk factors.


It's good to know that there might be slight improvements. You should definitely notice a difference within a couple of months of sticking with your regime, particularly with the probiotic and eating more whole foods. The low-FODMAP approach should help control your IBS like symptoms. There is even clinical research about the diet as well that proves its effectiveness.

• IBS Group - Foods Suitable on the Low-FODMAP Diet
• University of Arizona - The Low FODMAP Diet
• (Research Article) A FODMAP Diet Update: Craze or Credible?

You should also think about getting your iron levels checked at your next appointment. It seems like you could be deficient in iron from the constant bleeding you've been dealing with. You need higher levels of it in order to build up your iron stores. The iron in a multivitamin may not be enough.

swt simplicity

At your next appointment, you should have your vitamin D levels checked. Low levels are linked to bacterial vaginosis. I actually found some interesting research on Vitamin D from the vitamin D Council. It states "To counter bacterial vaginosis, vitamin D produces cathelicidin and defensins. These proteins fight bacterial and yeast infections. They may also neutralize bacterial toxins. According to several studies, there are increased concentrations of defensins in vaginal fluids during BV", "Cathelicidin is a family of antimicrobial polypeptides that serve a critical role in mammalian innate immune system defense against invasive bacterial infection" (source). The council also recommends taking vitamin D along with antibiotics to prevent a recurrence of bacterial vaginosis. The tolerable upper intake for vitamin D for people 9 years and older is 4,000 IU (source). Anything over that may increase the risk of adverse effects.

Thank you for that info. I added Vitamin D3, 1000 IU and THE SMELL IS GONE!!!
Hopefully, the infection is also gone and that it lasts. But it is definately an improvement

That's wonderful news! I'm glad to know your getting relief. Do you think the other things you were doing contributed to your improvement?

swt simplicity

Well, that was short lived. Woke up yesterday to bleeding. Which got progressively worse as the day went on. soaking thru pads in 10 minutes, clots the size of the pad, sorry if thats tmi

not sure if its from all the supplements or just my f'd up insides.

Got a prescription for some Lysteda, which so far isn't helping. And an ablation and colposcopy scheduled for the 24th, if I make it that long. Hopefully I will still have a job and insurance by then...

I'm sorry to hear that. I doubt taking supplements would cause those symptoms. Have you tried going on hormonal contraceptives to control the excessive bleeding?

Nope. I asked about hormones, but he's hell bent on the ablation, so I guess I'm stuck with that.

also, now I can't even have the ablation because the ekg was abnormal and he won't do surgery now.
isn't this great?

This is really a nice place
http://howtostop-bingeeating.com

I'm sure things will get better at some point. I never knew an EKG result could effect laproscopic procedures. Can you get the procedure done later when your EKG results are normal?

You could try taking the Renew Life Ultimate Flora Women's Care after your RepHresh Pro-B or Fem-Dophilus runs out. I started taking it about a month ago because I wanted a more broad spectrum probiotic versus one that only targets vaginal health since a bacterial imbalance starts in the intestinal flora and then descends and affects the vaginal flora. I think the diversity and high amount of probiotic bacteria is helping me so far (it contains 25 billion CFU's and 12 different types of bacteria), especially since I notice less digestive distress. My vaginal secretions look consistent and not as thick compared to when I was taking the RepHresh Pro-B. It has to be stored at less than 71 degrees fahrenheit, so its not entirely shelf stable which I don't like. And it's cheaper than RepHresh Pro-B which I'm especially happy about! I think my body was getting too used to the RepHresh Pro-B since I've been taking it for years.

swt simplicity

Haven't been here a while but here goes, I am still having problems with this BV. I just recently had some blood work done and I got a call back saying I was slightly anemic. I am taking iron pills but I hope there is a correlation between the two.

Also I notice when I eat anything sweet or carby, my BV has volcano like episodes, it just annoying

I cant eat anything good with out having aggravating results, so not fair!!!

I try the peroxide wash and it helps for about five minutes. I just cant figure out what happened to my body and why when I take antibiotics they don't work at all.

I guess I am going to have to do a disciplined diet along with a detox and try vitamins yet again, wish me luck.

ps. This board use to be pretty steady and now its so dead, I hope we can revamp it this year, I don't know maybe people don't have BV anymore

sounds like a good vitamin to try. so far, no more smell. and the bleeding has stopped. went to pcp yesterday to get ekg evaluated and the dumb gyn never sent it. They just sent them a form for a hysterectomy. i am so done with that doctor, I'm looking for another one. just too many things gone wrong with them.



What helped for me was the Vitamin D3. Also the fem-dophilus.

Looking for help and hopefully provide a little!

I have suffered from yeast and bv infections for several years. Medicines work, but you know the story - They always come back. I do find that Rephresh gets rid of any odor and discharge that comes with BV - But the tissue discharge that accompanies it for a week after, isnt ideal.

But about 6 months ago, I cut yeast out of my diet completely for other health reasons (constant headaches, nausea, upset stomach, etc.) and I believe this has had 100% postive effects on me, for the reasons I mentioned and I have also noticed that my "day-to-day" infections (Ones I seem to have all the time even with no intimacy) have cleared up. I also watch the carbs I eat as these turn to sugars in the body and feed the yeast that is naturally occurring. Since I haven't been eating bread, drinking beer (Hardest one!), eating anything like cakes, cookies, etc. - I have lost a little weight/fat content and feel better because processed foods and baked goods aren't good for us anyway. I have also been taking the probiotic Acidophilus as recommended by my gyno. So this may be a good idea for some to try.

I still get thrown off balance by intimacy of any kind, whether it be oral sex or intercourse (We use condoms so there is no semen that can throw off my PH so I know it's not that). So I am about to start trying low doses of boric adid suppositories to try to maintain things - Even when I don't have an infection per say. So my question to anyone out there is while using boric acid - Do you have to wait a certain amount of time before intercourse and/or oral sex? I know it is toxic if taken orally but since I don't have an infection currently and dont need to wait for anything to clear up, how long would I have to wait before my partner could go down there (Bless him, he loves to)? More or less any input on use and recommendations would be great!

New clinical trial to start.
www.Clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01762670
It's a copper intravaginal device...?!!

I tried boric acid a couple of times, it can really get messy. I'd hold off on the sex for a while until it completely clears up depending on how often you use it. Good luck

I think there is something to this as I noticed it as well. Maybe we build up a tolerance to it, something similar to how your body can build up a tolerance to antibiotics?? What if the bad bacteria learns how to fight the good bacteria that we are taking?? One proB no longer works for me, and now I am taking two a day plus 3 acidophilus for intestinal bacteria. I notice an improvement but not a complete change. This is really frustrating!!

On another note, I was curious as to whether anyone else gets an ammonia-like smell?? Mine gets so bad that my underwear smells like cat urine ..... Over the past 13 years of having this problem the smell has manifested itself in different ways, I'm not sure if hormones or diet have anything to do with it.

It’s good that your getting your iron stores up. Red blood cells serve such an important role in the health of your body that it should definitely help you in a number of ways; maybe it will help your body heal faster. There are a few clinical studies, (such as this one), that link bacterial vaginosis to anemia, but those research studies need to be assessed carefully since they could be flawed.

A number of women have issues with carbohydrates and sweets, specifically refined carbohydrates. It would be a good idea to skip refined carbohydrates altogether. I’m actually reading a book by Gary Taubes titled, Good Calories Bad Calories, and he compiled so much research pertaining to public health claims about diseases of civilization. I’m pleasantly surprised to see that he makes the connection that “diseases of civilization” are linked to the consumption of refined carbohydrates. People did not evolve eating refined carbohydrates. It isn’t a coincidence that western civilizations are plagued by hundreds of diseases meanwhile, third world countries or people living in isolated tribes are not faced with those same diseases, no atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer etc. Yet once certain populations become westernized, they are faced with those same “diseases of civilization”.

If you plan on going on any diet, you might want to check out the GAPS diet protocol. As I mentioned previously about "diseases of civilization", this also extends to psychological disorders that are becoming more prevalent such as schizophrenia, A.D.H.D, autism ect. The GAPS diet protocol (which stands for Gut & Psychology Syndrome) was born because the author, who is Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride's son suffered from autism and she recognized the dietary connection. Through her research in neuroscience and doing lots of research in Russia, she realized there is a huge connection between guy health and overall health. Much of the immune system is in the gut. Through all of this, the GAPS diet was born. While it is named the Gut and Psychology Syndome, it extends to any disorder or syndrome that manifests through poor gut health. I don't want to go on and on about the diet and make my post any longer than it already is, but I will post some links below of the website, the Amazon reviews, and the Youtube interview (which is very long, but you can watch it in parts - it's VERY worth listening to). There are probably many practitioners in your area that can assist you while you’re on the diet. You can do a search while you’re on the website. It helps heal the gut lining. Your gut flora is probably very imbalanced from being on antibiotics for so long. If you don't want to try the protocol, you can just try removing all refined carbohydrates for a few months and see if that helps, then proceed from there.

(Youtube Interview) Dr. Mercola Interviews Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride About Immunity and Gut Flora
(Website) Gaps.me
(Amazon) GAPS Book Reviews
(Find a Practitioner) GAPS Practitioners by Country & State


I used to experience an ammonia smelling discharge. All of those smells are caused by bad bacteria giving off odors as they feed, grow, etc. For me, diet was a huge factor. The odor dialed down by 70% when I stopped eating added sugars, and went down by another 10% when I cut out white flour. There is plenty of research that documents the health implications of eating refined carbohydrates. I also mentioned in my response to yme30 about refined carbohydrates and its link to "diseases of civilization". And in my personal experience, those refined carbohydrates helped facilitate the proliferation and growth of unhealthy bacteria regardless of the probiotics I was taking at the time. Some people actually have to completely stop eating carbohydrates all together because their bodies seem to not process them very well, but that is only for a certain group of individuals.

And there are also a number of other factors varying from, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, feminine hygiene products, clothing, the soap your using to wash yourself, sex (and oral sex), antibiotic use, etc.

Hi everyone I also have BV. It started just before Christmas with a sore burning and then the horrible yellow watery discharge. My discharge does not smell fishy it smells of amonia of old pee! Antibiotics have not worked I am about to start 10 days of metro gel in desperation. I sould like to start the natural route of health supplements and probiotics. Has anyone had a definite success with anything. This is so depressing gahhhhhhh xx

Hey Ladies,

Ive posted before, usually just to vent about BV issues. I've had a lot of trouble with gardnella but not until recently had I had any burning/itching symptoms. So for the last month or two I've had really bad itching on my whole bottom basically, (vulva all the way back). This is REALLY embarrassing because often it gets unbearable during very awkward times.. sigh

I don't thinnk its yeast because I've tried monistat 7 cream and no improvement. Ive also tried a hydrocortisone anti itch cream which didn't help either. no other symptoms other than the itch. I do still have BV, but I don;t think it is related

Does anyone whose had this issue have any idea about what I can do?

Hi Kaylan,

Your itching sounds like it is caused by an irritant. In Chapter 7 "The Most Bothersome Symptoms" of The V Book, it states over the counter antiyeast creams will usually work if the itching is caused by a yeast infection. If it doesn't then, the itching is probably caused by something else such as:

1. Clothing: Not letting the vagina breath due to multiple layers of clothing, including panty liners.
2. Bathing: Using drying, fragrant soaps, cleaning abrasively with hot water
3. Toiletries: Fragrant feminine products that may contain dyes which can cause allergic reactions. Repeated exposure to these products causes reactions later on even after the product is not being used.
4. Allergy: Could be allergic to semen etc.
5. Skin Disorder: Eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus etc.
6. Low Estrogen: Low estrogen causes a dry and itchy sensation.
7. Vulvular Skin Cancer & Precancer: Itching with bumps
8. Pinworms: Usually results in anal itching, but may also cause itching around the vagina

Dr. Stewart provides a list of itch relief do's and don'ts, but I'll just list the do's.

Recommended:

• Clothes: Loose fitting underwear that do not bind the groin (knee highs and thigh highs), going without underwear at home, fragrance free [laundry] detergents
• Bathing: [fragrance free] Dove bar soap, Basis, Neutrogena
• Toiletries: No toiletries on the vulva; use soft white unscented toilet paper
• Menstrual Products: Natural fiber pads, tampon use as recommended by manufacturer
• Exercise Gear: Wear loose baggy sweatpants.

Then there is a list of irritants and allergens:

Irritants:

• Soap, bubble bath, fragrant laundry detergent and fabric softener
• Pads, adhesive on pads
• Nylon underwear
• Secretions, sweat, urine
• Tampon strings
• 5-FU cream, other HPV medications
• Fragrances, natural oils
• Douches, yogurt, deodorant hygiene products, alcohols

Allergens:

• Benzocaine
• Neomycin
• Chlorhexidine in K-Y jelly
• Ethylene diamine in neomycin
• Fragrances
• Propylene glycol, preservatives (in products can also be irritants)
• Nickel
• Tea tree oil

If your symptoms are really troublesome and nothing is working, you should probably see a gynecologist just to be on the safe side.

I suggest doing a soak with Aveeno Active Naturals Soothing Bath Treatment. Its only ingredient is 100% Colloidal Oatmealwhich is the only FDA approved and regulated natural over the counter treatment for relieving topical itch and irritation (source).

But ...

Since you have anal itching as well, I'm wondering if you may be infected with pin-worms. But the soak is totally safe and shouldn't be harmful in anyway. Try not to get the colloidal oatmeal inside of your vagina, only the vulva. Another option is Calamine Lotion and Witch Hazel on the most itchy spots. But you should check with a pharmacist to know if those a safe to use on the perianal area.

I've had crazy itching, to the point of bleeding a little if I scratch too hard. I know it's a huge no no but I can't help it sometimes, the itch is so unbearable. It seems to go away for a week but then come back with a fury for about 2-3 weeks. This is every month now and I'm wondering if it could be a crazy yeast infection or BV. After I had my daughter it seems like something went terribly wrong down there. (

How long ago did you have your daughter? Did you mention it to your OB/GYN? Do you have any other symptoms besides the itch? Maybe a rash? Stinging or burning?

After browsing through some mommy blogs and forums, it seems like a postpartum vaginal itch is pretty common for one reason or another. Some of them had skin disorders, others had itching due to stitches, some had UTI's etc.

You can still try using soothing remedies to reduce the itch such as witch hazel compresses, cold compresses, anti-itch creams, colloidal oatmeal and sitz baths.

If none of that works, then it's probably something more serious that requires medical intervention.