bacterial vaginosis

[copyeditor]

over a year and a half, multiple courses of antibiotics (flagyl, cleocin). on boric acid suppositories, which keeps things in check somewhat, but not really.

one sex partner in the past 13 years.

at the end of my rope.

it just won't go away, and it is causing me GREAT PAIN, especially before my period. i don't know whether the pain is BV or IC.

[Katrina]

Could your partner be reinfecting you? Has he been tested? HOpe you feel better soon!! Your certain it is BV? :grouphug: Are you interested in alternative methods of treating bacteria?

[copyeditor]

i'm sure it's BV. the doctor says it's not possible for him to reinfect me, since it is not sexually transmitted.

i'm interested in ANYTHING that will make this go away.

[Katrina]

I don't mean to disrespect your doctor but I am not so sure he is right.
http://herpes-coldsores.com/std/bacterial_vaginosis.htm
Prevention

Although it is uncertain if the infection is sexually transmitted, sexually active women appear to suffer from the infection more than other women

Help Factors

Abstain from sex until the infection is cured and all symptoms have ceased
Inform any sex partners so treatment may be undertaken
Limit sexual relationships to a single, uninfected partner
Regular use of condoms may offer protection against the infection

Garlic is anti everything so it is likely to help and is tollerated by most IC patients.
Garlic (anti fungal, antibacterial, antiviral,
here are some ideas of alteratives that are anti bacterial and likely to be IC friendly but you will have to look into weather they would be ok for you. :grouphug:
• Marshmallow root (immune stimulant and particularly good for Infections)
• UvaUrsi (antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic)
• Motherwort (antibiotic)
• Pipsissawa (urinary antiseptic, anti microbial)
• Probotics (good bacteria kill yeast)
• Fish oil (may lower blood pressure)

[Imustpee]

I just got over a lovely spell of BV..I was given a gel to insert for 7 days and I was told NO SEX because it IS sexually transmitted AND NO BOOZE...it worked, thank goodness....that stuff was gross... :bonk:

[copyeditor]

i guess that is another one of those controversial issues, whether it is sexually transmitted or not. one doctor gave hubby a course of flagyl, but of course, he didn't take it. (thanks, baby.)

anyway, the strange thing is we hardly ever have sex. kinda hard with all the stuff going on down there.

[carly]

I had my bladder removed Nov. 1. I finally went to my gyn. about this discharge. He told me it was bacterial vaginitis. He said it was most likely from stress from my surgery (I had an emergency appendectomy on Feb. 14 as well). Since I haven't had sex in years due to the IC, I know I didn't get it from intercourse. I actually need to call him back, because it isn't gone.

[carly]

I Must Pee, I'm glad you are doing well. As you know, I had to have the external bag. I am having lots of problems with sores from the bag. Also, one kidney isn't draining right. If my skin problems don't clear up, I am going to try and have the Indiana Pouch. Unfortunatley, my pelvic pain is still here. I still can't sit very well with my feet down. The gyn. said the pelvic pain is from the nerves.

[Judith56]

I have gotten BV several times. I was given Metro-Gel which works for me. I think you need to abstain from intercourse while on it. Maybe you need to try a different prescription? Judith

[glenda]

Hi yall,

It is sexually transmitted, but a lot of docs are unfamiliar with this "new knowledge". Also, the idea that gardnerella bacteria is the only cause of BV is an old one and is now OUT-DATED. Recent studies suggest that newly discovered forms of bacteria (found using PCR methods) are involved with BV, and they suggest that BV is a mixed-(multiple specie) and complicated infection. Some of the bacteria involved are found to form biofilms, making it very difficult to effectively treat and resolve. My theory is that the longer someone has this type of infection the harder it is to cure due to the bacteria's ability to become more resiliant over time (adapting to environment and environmental changes), the biofilm is a good example of how bacteria learn how to adapt and thrive. Catching it and treating it early is, in my opinion, the most important thing a person can do to irradicate this type of infection "for good". For the rest of the people with these infections, who are unable to resolve their infections with regular abx theropy, well, I guess they have to wait for science to develope better methods. In the meantime, just keep trying to keep the symptoms at their minimum with whatever works best - that's all there is at this point, and good luck! Hope this helps. Also, I'm just a patient with a super interest in personal medical knowledge, not a medical advisor or anything. And again, good luck to yall!

[Imustpee]

Carly..I am so sorry to hear you are having troubles.. :kissing: ...I know that you probably already know all about this, but I am going to ask you anyways...have you tried " Skin-Prep" or "Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film"?

If you do decide to go with the pouch, you have my total support...I am very happy with the surgery. I would do it again in a second.... :woohoo:

[Imustpee]

Judith...My personal theory on my getting BV ( which I never had before in my life) is that I don't pay much attention anymore to my "Female area"...(trying to be gentle with my words here)...think about it...I used to have to pee and wipe 30 - 50 times a day! And now...how many times a day do you or I sit on the toliet? Once or twice? I now try and sit on the toliet a few times a day to wipe just to keep the "fluid" to a minimum...and I also believe that 6 months of antibiotics played a big part also..I have been off the antis a couple weeks now and I am doing great...

[copyeditor]

i am wondering if i wouldn't benefit from the yeast diet. BV is described as an "imbalance" in the vaginal flora, meaning less lactobacilli. several of my conditions have been related to imbalance of bacteria, i.e., intestinal problems, etc.

i tried the yeast diet for 2 weeks and got off because i wasn't disciplined enough.

[eveslilith]

I've had good luck with Hylands Homeopathic formula for Vaginitis. It's over the counter and not very expensive.