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Does BV ever go away?
I contracted BV 3 months ago and since diagnosis I have been treated with Bactrim, Flagyl, and Augmentin and it has not responded to any of them! I don't think I can take Flagyl again because I had an allergic reaction to it, although I did complete most of the course. Does this just stay with a person forever? I have never had it before. I think I got it from a one-time sexual encounter. I got screened for every STD so I know I don't have anything else besides the BV. Is there any way to get rid of it? Can I ever be sexually active again without exposing my partner and re-infecting myself?
Your welcome. Yea any vaginal infections is a serious pain in the butt. You could be right it might be that. I don't know anything about that though. Maybe the Pro B pills can help you. These work also just take one orally everyday I believe their $28. I'm probably going to switch to that. If you continue to see a doctor I'd see the same one every time so hopefully they can figure it out.
♡Princess
♡Princess
I don't think it is HPV -- it doesn't look like it to any of the professionals I've seen and I believe this possibility was eliminated by a viral screening test I got a few weeks ago. I would almost be happier if it was.
Anyway, on top of the other symptoms I've had, the biopsy is going to come from a spot that is burning and itching more than the surrounding areas, and I can feel a bump that feels sort of like scar tissue. My understanding is that warts themselves don't burn or itch.
The discharge could I guess be caused by anything, but based on all the descriptions I've read, it resembles Trich more than BV (in color and consistency), although the smell is not particularly bad. No one brought up the possibility that the discharge could be hormonal. I've got to work on a list of items to go over with my doctor during my next visit. There is still the general redness and itching around the vulva, I don't know if my insides are hurting because I haven't been putting anything in there other than tampons.
What's baffling is that the onset of ALL these symptoms corresponded with the one-time sexual encounter I had back at the end of June. They started appearing a couple of days later, and I've never had symptoms like this ever in my life, with or without a sexual partner. So I can't help but feel like they must be connected.
Anyway, barring all the more serious possibilities, even the discharge alone is going to limit my enjoyment of sex. It's hard to feel good about being that close to someone physically when I am repulsed by my own bodily functions.
Anyway, on top of the other symptoms I've had, the biopsy is going to come from a spot that is burning and itching more than the surrounding areas, and I can feel a bump that feels sort of like scar tissue. My understanding is that warts themselves don't burn or itch.
The discharge could I guess be caused by anything, but based on all the descriptions I've read, it resembles Trich more than BV (in color and consistency), although the smell is not particularly bad. No one brought up the possibility that the discharge could be hormonal. I've got to work on a list of items to go over with my doctor during my next visit. There is still the general redness and itching around the vulva, I don't know if my insides are hurting because I haven't been putting anything in there other than tampons.
What's baffling is that the onset of ALL these symptoms corresponded with the one-time sexual encounter I had back at the end of June. They started appearing a couple of days later, and I've never had symptoms like this ever in my life, with or without a sexual partner. So I can't help but feel like they must be connected.
Anyway, barring all the more serious possibilities, even the discharge alone is going to limit my enjoyment of sex. It's hard to feel good about being that close to someone physically when I am repulsed by my own bodily functions.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ugh, sorry to hear this. I really am/. Is the spot HPV?
Good news is that you no longer have BV. The discharge could then be hormonally related. If it doesn't have a foul smell, that is sometimes the case. We can also have fungal issues that aren't yeast. Keep wearing loose, dry, cotton undies.
It sounds like your doctor is really trying to get to the bottom of what is going on and this okay. Remember, biopsies are to determine if something more serious is going on and you WANT to know this. That's how you get treated and have the issue resolve. I've had various biopsies. We always think of cancer but try not to go there. When you meet with your doctor, have all your questions written out. If you can take someone with you to take notes, that really does help too because we it is hard to focus at the appt. I know. Are you meeting with the doc soon?
Good news is that you no longer have BV. The discharge could then be hormonally related. If it doesn't have a foul smell, that is sometimes the case. We can also have fungal issues that aren't yeast. Keep wearing loose, dry, cotton undies.
It sounds like your doctor is really trying to get to the bottom of what is going on and this okay. Remember, biopsies are to determine if something more serious is going on and you WANT to know this. That's how you get treated and have the issue resolve. I've had various biopsies. We always think of cancer but try not to go there. When you meet with your doctor, have all your questions written out. If you can take someone with you to take notes, that really does help too because we it is hard to focus at the appt. I know. Are you meeting with the doc soon?
Specialmom,
My allergic reaction to the Flagyl was pretty moderate, and certainly tolerable. I don't know if a doc would prescribe it to me again, but now the situation has gotten more mysterious.
The most recent GYN I went to took a culture last week and reported today that it is NEGATIVE. I still have copious amounts of discharge (p.s. I haven't been wearing ANY underwear most days but when I do it is always cotton). I don't have a sexual partner currently -- ever since this started I have been COMPLETELY avoiding sex.
Basically, my boyfriend and I separated about 5 months ago and all of this infection business started from a one-time encounter during the interim. Haven't had sex since then, but my bf and I were planning on getting back together in a couple of weeks (I moved out of state but will be going back soon).
This condition I'm in obviously complicates that, but even more worrisome is the fact that the GYN wants to perform a BIOPSY on a particularly irritated spot that I pointed out during my exam. So even if I was having sex, I apparently no longer have BV.
I have no idea what kind of conditions biopsies are used to diagnose, other than cancer. I am terrified out of my wits.
My allergic reaction to the Flagyl was pretty moderate, and certainly tolerable. I don't know if a doc would prescribe it to me again, but now the situation has gotten more mysterious.
The most recent GYN I went to took a culture last week and reported today that it is NEGATIVE. I still have copious amounts of discharge (p.s. I haven't been wearing ANY underwear most days but when I do it is always cotton). I don't have a sexual partner currently -- ever since this started I have been COMPLETELY avoiding sex.
Basically, my boyfriend and I separated about 5 months ago and all of this infection business started from a one-time encounter during the interim. Haven't had sex since then, but my bf and I were planning on getting back together in a couple of weeks (I moved out of state but will be going back soon).
This condition I'm in obviously complicates that, but even more worrisome is the fact that the GYN wants to perform a BIOPSY on a particularly irritated spot that I pointed out during my exam. So even if I was having sex, I apparently no longer have BV.
I have no idea what kind of conditions biopsies are used to diagnose, other than cancer. I am terrified out of my wits.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh no. I see you had an allergic reaction to flagyl. Well, see what they want to prescribe for you but have them give your partner the flagyl concurrently/same time so he too is treated so that you don't pass it back and forth. While it isn't an std, it passes like one. good luck
And by the way, doctors spend a good amount of time with MANY people. They don't just have medical training that is extensive but much real life experience hearing everyone's stories. They are the best source of information. Trust your doctors and if you don't, then see a new doctor. But the majority do know their stuff. good luck
And by the way, doctors spend a good amount of time with MANY people. They don't just have medical training that is extensive but much real life experience hearing everyone's stories. They are the best source of information. Trust your doctors and if you don't, then see a new doctor. But the majority do know their stuff. good luck
COMMUNITY LEADER
My doctor says the same thing about probiotics and BV. No affect.
Have they treated your partner yet? Flagyl does work but often has to be given to both the male and female partner at the same time. I went through this. ugh, I can tell you that I didn't think I would ever get rid of the bv. This was the final step and it did work. I highly recommend it.
Other than that, change undies frequently, wear cotton ones. By frequently, I would occasionally get sweaty doing exercise or something and I learned to always change the undies if that happened. BV is anaerobic in terms of microbes meaning they grow in the absence of air. So, keeping that area dry and wearing loose clothing also helps.
But trust your docs. never douche and flagyl really should work but must be given to both you and your partner together. good luck
Have they treated your partner yet? Flagyl does work but often has to be given to both the male and female partner at the same time. I went through this. ugh, I can tell you that I didn't think I would ever get rid of the bv. This was the final step and it did work. I highly recommend it.
Other than that, change undies frequently, wear cotton ones. By frequently, I would occasionally get sweaty doing exercise or something and I learned to always change the undies if that happened. BV is anaerobic in terms of microbes meaning they grow in the absence of air. So, keeping that area dry and wearing loose clothing also helps.
But trust your docs. never douche and flagyl really should work but must be given to both you and your partner together. good luck
Thank you, Princess. What's really getting to me is that I get mixed and conflicting messages from different medical professionalsI. I also think based on what I am reading that this might be trichomoniasis, but one of my drs didn't seem to think that was a possibility. This is incredibly frustrating.
PS when I asked the doctor if long-term treatment for chronic BV cases works, he said "usually".
That doesn't sound especially promising to me, considering it came back after the Flagyl, which is supposed to be the "gold standard" for treating BV.
That doesn't sound especially promising to me, considering it came back after the Flagyl, which is supposed to be the "gold standard" for treating BV.
Well maybe probiotics in oral form don't do much but I have proof they work vaginaly. I personally ain't fond of doctors. They try and cure so many things with antibiotics. Bv is from an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. Culturelle is good at strengthening your immune system. I think long them antibiotic use will make things worse especially if you don't take a probiotic with and after getting off it. Of course you can try it I'm just tryin to help.
Hope you get better in whatever you choose dear.
♡Princess.
Hope you get better in whatever you choose dear.
♡Princess.
I honestly would be willing to try anything and while I know probiotics are useful for keeping yeast under control, my GYN told me they have no effect on BV.
I am willing to try long-term antibiotic treatment, but I am worried because I know repeated and long term antibiotic use can make bacteria unresponsive to the antibiotics. I am afraid that if I am reinfected after treatment, the antibiotics won't be an option anymore and I will have to live with this forever.
I wonder if it would help if I took steps to strengthen my immune system?
I am willing to try long-term antibiotic treatment, but I am worried because I know repeated and long term antibiotic use can make bacteria unresponsive to the antibiotics. I am afraid that if I am reinfected after treatment, the antibiotics won't be an option anymore and I will have to live with this forever.
I wonder if it would help if I took steps to strengthen my immune system?
The treatment I suggested has been very successful for me. I'm on day 14 and haven't had the fishy smell, my discharge is a little a week and no pain during sex. I've had unprotected sex once since starting my treatment. I made sure he washed well before and after I inserted half a acidophilus pill vaginally. Still no sign of bv. Oh I also had my period and everything was fine after that also. My partner hasn't been treated by doctor he can't afford it. But I have him using neosporin on his penis after every shower and he'll be starting probiotics orally soon until I can research more about it for guys but the probiotics are good for him anyways so it won't hurt. I'm not sure if my treatment will cured bv. I'm probably going to do it for 6 months and then cut back and see what happens. I know it does work while using it tho. Just trying to help and get u better.
♡Princess.
♡Princess.
Thank you for your comments. I spoke to the GYN about my infection. I was swabbed so they could culture me to identify the bacteria, and in the meantime I have one area where the skin is particularly sensitive and irritated, which I might have to have biopsied.
I was told that there are long-term treatment options for women with "chronic" BV. It basically involves months of antibiotics.
I just want to be rid of this. I am really furious because I never had this type of problem before this most recent sex partner. We only had sex once, we used a condom, but I am convinced he passed this bacteria to me because he had serious hygiene issues. Obviously it was my decision to have sex with him, but it blindsided me because I am 41 and have been sexually active for years, and I have never had an infection like this before, and now I have one of possibly untreatable severity.
I was told that there are long-term treatment options for women with "chronic" BV. It basically involves months of antibiotics.
I just want to be rid of this. I am really furious because I never had this type of problem before this most recent sex partner. We only had sex once, we used a condom, but I am convinced he passed this bacteria to me because he had serious hygiene issues. Obviously it was my decision to have sex with him, but it blindsided me because I am 41 and have been sexually active for years, and I have never had an infection like this before, and now I have one of possibly untreatable severity.
COMMUNITY LEADER
BV is often passed between partners and that is why when a BV infection is recurrent, they treat the male partner as well with the same medication. The standard course of care for a bacterial vaginal infection is a specific kind of antibiotic I would suggest speaking to your doctor to confirm this. Best wishes and good luck
COMMUNITY LEADER
BV is bacterial infection that can pass between partners. It's not an std--- but passes like one.
Actually, antibiotics is really the best way to rid yourself of this and NO medical doctor recommends douching. Douching actually does much damage to the natural ph of the vagina and washes out that good bacteria and hence, yeast infections happen more frequently with douching. Douching is an out of date practice that is highly discouraged by the medical community these days. Do not douche. PC is right on that.
I would talk to your doctor about the antibiotics and often one's partner is often given them as well to cut down on the passing it back and forth. good luck
Actually, antibiotics is really the best way to rid yourself of this and NO medical doctor recommends douching. Douching actually does much damage to the natural ph of the vagina and washes out that good bacteria and hence, yeast infections happen more frequently with douching. Douching is an out of date practice that is highly discouraged by the medical community these days. Do not douche. PC is right on that.
I would talk to your doctor about the antibiotics and often one's partner is often given them as well to cut down on the passing it back and forth. good luck
Everything you named is antibiotics. Antibiotice kill ALL bacteria. Our vagina's have to have a balance of good and bad bacteria. Bv is caused from an over growth of bad bacteria. If your going to take a anitbiotic I'd suggest taking a probioctic or two with it the replace your good bacteria. I've had bv for years and years and years and everything I've tried doesn't get rid of it because i was never treating the root of the problem. I've just started inserting Acidophillus pill vaginaly every night and every morning I take a Acidophillus and Culturelle pill oral. It has been helping I have no more disgusting fishy smell or alot of discharge. I'm going to continue this for a month then I'm going to only take the probiotics orally every other day and the eventually take them once a week. Also some tips I use or do are....I wash the outside of my vagina with a mixture of lemon juice, a crushed up probiotic and water, I pull the clitoris hood back and wash that good also because it collects smegma and bacteria, I wash all my panties with vinegar and fragerance free detregent once a month and I also don't dry myself vagina with the towel after a shower or bath. I go to my room turn on my portable fan and sit on my bed in front of it and dry myself that way or you can use a blow dryer. I also won't masterbate or have sex during the time your trying to heal yourself because it can delay it. Use condoms or if you have unprotected sex be sure to take probiotics and insert a probiotic vaginaly after sex. Don't douche or use any other home remedy don't it won't cure you all the way and douching will wash out your good bacteria.
I hope this will help you.
Prayers and love.
Princess.
I hope this will help you.
Prayers and love.
Princess.
1 Comments
I am going to have to do this thank you...I never thought of inserting the pill vaginally and also taking it...I will definitely try this today...taking one this morning and inserting one this morning....it's a tad bit embarrassing of the smell when your being intimate. ...and I have only been smelLing it the last 2 times....I hate that I have to deal with this...my goodness but I will try this for a week and see my results thank you
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