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Recurring Bacterial Vaginosis
This past year I have had 3 cases of some kind of Bacterial Vaginosis. They were all caused by sex. I know this for a fact because the first 2 occasions happened after having sex following long periods of abstinence and celibacy.
The first time it had an odor and there was grey white discharge; the Dr. I saw said it was a case of eureaplasma and that it is an Sexually Transmitted/Caused Infection. She said males can carry it but will have no symptoms. She prescribed me doxycyclene which seemed to work and take care of the symptoms.
I was again abstinent for a number of a months and then after having intercourse with the same partner had the exact same reaction within 2 days... Went to see a different Dr. who said the odor is generally because of garnerella; he recommended flagyl but also prescribed me doxycyclene as a backup. The flagyl turned out give the most aweful side effects ( nausea, weakness, metal taste in the mouth, lathargia, emotional unstability) and stopped taking 2 days short ( I did 10 days instead of 12); the symptoms did not disappear at all- I weighted another month and the took the doxycyclene. Once again the doxy worked; b ut leftme with a yeast infection I had to then treat.
I was again abstinent for a few months and then started having intercourse on a regular basis with one partner only. After 2 months I ended up again with similar symptoms minus the odor... I have not had sex since. I tried treating it by taking vaginal specific lacidophillis orally and in suposetories for 2 months. It did not do anything.
I tried doing baking soda douches for a week- although it kept my vaginal area cleaner ( washed out the discharge), after I stopped I had the same slimy white grey globby discharge...
I know I can go and take the doxycycle, but I am really trying to avoid taking a widespan drug- again; I also think that really something needs to be figured out to prevent having cases of BV for the rest of my life after intercourse.
It is not a yeast infection; I am very familiar with those since I used to have a tendency to get them from sex as well a few years back.
I would like to figure out how to prevent this from happening. My diet has not changed much ( whole grains, fish protein, vegetables, and some occasional sweets and carby treats), my lifestyle is not "stressed" above average. I now eat yogurt or take acidophillis on a regular basis; I don't where tight clothes, or keep wet under wear on, I have tried avoiding certain types of condoms, definitely spermicides; I wash the vaginal area outer and inner labia on a daily basis ( since I was a kid); I have not been changing partners;
Surely taking meds on such a frequent basis is not the all time solution; especially since they typically come with a yeast infection right after...
Also I am concerned by the information that says that BV can cause birth problems and pelvic inflamatory disease etc that could harm a pregnancy.... I am delaying treating with the doxy to find some other alternative, but meanwhile am fearing that I am potential harming my reproductive succcess ....
I have dug into the the web's online medical information and have found very little on preventing BV or Eureaplasma; even the DR.s I have talkjed to have had such little information .
What can I do..... It is a very sad and troublesome type of infection- that is equally embarassing as highly concerning;
I would much appreciate your input..
Thank you.
The first time it had an odor and there was grey white discharge; the Dr. I saw said it was a case of eureaplasma and that it is an Sexually Transmitted/Caused Infection. She said males can carry it but will have no symptoms. She prescribed me doxycyclene which seemed to work and take care of the symptoms.
I was again abstinent for a number of a months and then after having intercourse with the same partner had the exact same reaction within 2 days... Went to see a different Dr. who said the odor is generally because of garnerella; he recommended flagyl but also prescribed me doxycyclene as a backup. The flagyl turned out give the most aweful side effects ( nausea, weakness, metal taste in the mouth, lathargia, emotional unstability) and stopped taking 2 days short ( I did 10 days instead of 12); the symptoms did not disappear at all- I weighted another month and the took the doxycyclene. Once again the doxy worked; b ut leftme with a yeast infection I had to then treat.
I was again abstinent for a few months and then started having intercourse on a regular basis with one partner only. After 2 months I ended up again with similar symptoms minus the odor... I have not had sex since. I tried treating it by taking vaginal specific lacidophillis orally and in suposetories for 2 months. It did not do anything.
I tried doing baking soda douches for a week- although it kept my vaginal area cleaner ( washed out the discharge), after I stopped I had the same slimy white grey globby discharge...
I know I can go and take the doxycycle, but I am really trying to avoid taking a widespan drug- again; I also think that really something needs to be figured out to prevent having cases of BV for the rest of my life after intercourse.
It is not a yeast infection; I am very familiar with those since I used to have a tendency to get them from sex as well a few years back.
I would like to figure out how to prevent this from happening. My diet has not changed much ( whole grains, fish protein, vegetables, and some occasional sweets and carby treats), my lifestyle is not "stressed" above average. I now eat yogurt or take acidophillis on a regular basis; I don't where tight clothes, or keep wet under wear on, I have tried avoiding certain types of condoms, definitely spermicides; I wash the vaginal area outer and inner labia on a daily basis ( since I was a kid); I have not been changing partners;
Surely taking meds on such a frequent basis is not the all time solution; especially since they typically come with a yeast infection right after...
Also I am concerned by the information that says that BV can cause birth problems and pelvic inflamatory disease etc that could harm a pregnancy.... I am delaying treating with the doxy to find some other alternative, but meanwhile am fearing that I am potential harming my reproductive succcess ....
I have dug into the the web's online medical information and have found very little on preventing BV or Eureaplasma; even the DR.s I have talkjed to have had such little information .
What can I do..... It is a very sad and troublesome type of infection- that is equally embarassing as highly concerning;
I would much appreciate your input..
Thank you.
Well I'm abstaining from sex over the last 7 months I've had the same partner in the last 5 years and everytime I don't have sex I get the same problem Im married it jumps from one to another not really uderstanding it myself Im std free and Hiv free but not uderstanding this so this new doctor said try douching with baking soda and boiled cooled water for 14 days and gave me some diflucan today
STOP SAYING BV ISN'T SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED AND EDUCATE YOURSELF. IT'S A SHAME SOME OF YOU ARE NURSES AND CONTINUE SPREADING THIS IGNORANCE!!!!! NIH (NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH)) just posted an article saying that Gardnerella IS a sexually transmitted infection. The problem is that Doctors and Nurses have been improperly educated and always tell their patients that this medicine is not sexually transmitted.. So they keep getting infected because their partners aren't treated.. further, over half of gardnerella infections are resistant to flagyl.. so that's why treatment doesn't work!!! I suffered for years and once I broke up w/ my partner, took a zpack antibiotic bc it was flagyl resistant, my BV was gone... for months! Then I had another recurrance because of too much sex..semen is alkaline. Too much semen will cause BV in sensitive women bc their ph in the vagina can't bounce back. So my advice, get a culture w/ sensitivities test done.. Take the medicine.. Break up w/ your boyfriend bc finding a doctor to treat him properly is like finding a needle in a haystack.. and then always always use condoms!!! Don't like em?? Get over it. Everyone has lots of germs down there...unless you are married w/ one partner always always protect yourself!!!!!!!
I should have said "bv isn't CLASSIFIED as an STD", just to weigh in on the above argument. Equally as important is the fact that although you may read "bacterial vaginosis is CAUSED by an imbalance of vaginal bacteria", it's more correct to say "bv IS an imbalance...". THEY DONT KNOW WHAT CAUSES BV.
In western medicine usually the officially name of the disease or condition is simply a label given to a symptom or cluster of symptoms. Likewise, the symptoms are treated rather than the disease.
Although yeast infections are well known and get lots of press, apparently bv is far more common, and chronically so, and most people have never heard of it.
I just learned of a study by Dr. Sylvia Pavlova of the University of Chicago in which it was found that a virus found in males (their urine samples) killed multiple strains of the GOOD vaginal bacteria. Also, multiple strains of good vaginal bacterial of multiple women was tested and found to have been infected by the same virus. This virus kills the good bacteria, leaving the bad bacteria to take over and stink up the place. http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1019da.htm
So, maybe it actually is an Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), like HPV. While males may not have symptoms, they pass the virus on to women. This now makes me wonder what the heck do I do to get rid of this virus from my own body, and my hubby's as well.
In western medicine usually the officially name of the disease or condition is simply a label given to a symptom or cluster of symptoms. Likewise, the symptoms are treated rather than the disease.
Although yeast infections are well known and get lots of press, apparently bv is far more common, and chronically so, and most people have never heard of it.
I just learned of a study by Dr. Sylvia Pavlova of the University of Chicago in which it was found that a virus found in males (their urine samples) killed multiple strains of the GOOD vaginal bacteria. Also, multiple strains of good vaginal bacterial of multiple women was tested and found to have been infected by the same virus. This virus kills the good bacteria, leaving the bad bacteria to take over and stink up the place. http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1019da.htm
So, maybe it actually is an Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), like HPV. While males may not have symptoms, they pass the virus on to women. This now makes me wonder what the heck do I do to get rid of this virus from my own body, and my hubby's as well.
For Pete's sake, BV is not an STD, but having sex is just one of MANY ways vaginal "flora" can be disrupted. Almost all soaps, douching, and condoms -anything that contacts that area- are some of the others.
ALSO, one of the classic symptoms of BV is noticing a fishy odor immediately after having sex. This doesn't mean it's initially "caught" or even caused by having sex, but the already-existing bacterial imbalance flares up, making some people think it's an STD. For a couple of years I noticed a tiny amount of daily discharge that gradually increased. It is now often very watery and there's so much I have to change underwear. I now know it was BV, but didn't until the fishy odor started. Initially I ONLY noticed it after sex w/ hubby, but now I have it constantly if I don't douche with a peroxide/water mix daily. The peroxide eliminates all symptoms, but only if I do it every day. It has no lasting effect on me. I have no interest in taking antibiotics as they kill the good and necessary bacterial along with the bad, usually resulting in a recurrence within weeks or months. I've yet to find a natural cure, or the underlying cause for my imbalance, but that is my focus. Treating the symptoms only never works, so my search continues.
I have other medical issues which the doctor said is probably an autoimmune disease (ie ms, lupus). We've begun the process of elimination. I realize now that various ailments I've had for years are actually related, and it seems more likely than not that the bv, which started around the same time as my other symptoms, and worsened at about the same rate, is caused by the same underlying problem.
ALSO, one of the classic symptoms of BV is noticing a fishy odor immediately after having sex. This doesn't mean it's initially "caught" or even caused by having sex, but the already-existing bacterial imbalance flares up, making some people think it's an STD. For a couple of years I noticed a tiny amount of daily discharge that gradually increased. It is now often very watery and there's so much I have to change underwear. I now know it was BV, but didn't until the fishy odor started. Initially I ONLY noticed it after sex w/ hubby, but now I have it constantly if I don't douche with a peroxide/water mix daily. The peroxide eliminates all symptoms, but only if I do it every day. It has no lasting effect on me. I have no interest in taking antibiotics as they kill the good and necessary bacterial along with the bad, usually resulting in a recurrence within weeks or months. I've yet to find a natural cure, or the underlying cause for my imbalance, but that is my focus. Treating the symptoms only never works, so my search continues.
I have other medical issues which the doctor said is probably an autoimmune disease (ie ms, lupus). We've begun the process of elimination. I realize now that various ailments I've had for years are actually related, and it seems more likely than not that the bv, which started around the same time as my other symptoms, and worsened at about the same rate, is caused by the same underlying problem.
ay Mrs_T04 she didnt say it was an STD so why are you telling her to get her facts right? they are. She said BV isnt an STD whick is true. You need to read b4 you go tryin to treat people
BV IS NOT A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE! If you look into it, it is casued by an imbalance in PH. Fragrances, or anything containing a PH that is near that your vaginal area can effect it. Also, certain diets and imbalances in hormones. My mother is a nurse. So, sfk123, get your facts right!
well i am a certified medical assistant and all of the doctors offices ive been to and worked for said it isnt an std at all i have medical books that say bv isnt a std so i go by what i have learned in school from top ob/gyn and from what other women have told me about what there doctor said about bv. dont not about std or other types of gardenella. i dont get bv anymore and my man hasnt gotten treated for bv because he didnt have to and i still havent gotten it again i get my pap smear twice a year my ob/ gyn might think im crazy but i do that to makes sure. well i understand where you are coming from but this is what ive came across. thats right we are all women with problems. not a problem.
When you think of an STD, you may think of Herpes, Genital Warts, Syphillus or HIV.
Any bacteria which can be transfered by having sexual contact is now considered an STD.
It just means Sexually Transmitted. Crabs are not a disease, but obviously, you can spread them in the sack!
Gardenella has been around for a long time and typically classified as one, Yeast Infection is typically not, although you can actually pass it to a guy.
Which is why I said "with odor" is the key factor.
Please confirm this with your own doctors, but to be fair you have to be specific about Gardenella.
Please check out this link which explains it better than I can.
http://www.mjbovo.com/Contracept/STD-Gard.htm
If the link doesn't post, just google it Gardenella-STD.
(We're all on the same team, honey)
Any bacteria which can be transfered by having sexual contact is now considered an STD.
It just means Sexually Transmitted. Crabs are not a disease, but obviously, you can spread them in the sack!
Gardenella has been around for a long time and typically classified as one, Yeast Infection is typically not, although you can actually pass it to a guy.
Which is why I said "with odor" is the key factor.
Please confirm this with your own doctors, but to be fair you have to be specific about Gardenella.
Please check out this link which explains it better than I can.
http://www.mjbovo.com/Contracept/STD-Gard.htm
If the link doesn't post, just google it Gardenella-STD.
(We're all on the same team, honey)
It sounds like the first 2 times you got an infection "with an odor" and with the same partner, were actually the STD the doctor diagnosed and since the doxycycline worked the first time it would have worked the second time without the bad luck of the flagyl reaction. Having sex with the same partner means he didn't fix it on his end and you just got re-infected.
For the most recent time you got it (and with a new partner) the big clue is "without the odor" which is a different kind of infection even though the rest of the symptoms can feel the same. Don't take the doxycycline again without being specifically diagnosed for it. It took you two months to get this one, so is it possible that you are relating this to the sex because of the STD you got last time? But it's really not caused by sex?
What you have this time really does sound like a yeast infection. Even though you take the lactobacillus. Using the baking soda douches don't really do much except soothe. If you have candida in your system it will keep coming back until you fix it - and keep it fixed. Your diet sounds good but you didn't mention your dairy intake (which my be too high for you at this time) or if you eat alot of yeast foods, like breads, pasta, beer, and sugar is a major yeast host, even too much fruit. Limit to one small coffee a day if you must and try soy milk and honey to sweeten.
It sounds like you may need to heal this holistically and hit every front at the same time for while.
Try cutting out all of the above mentioned foods for two weeks, taking Jarrow probiotics 2x day, also, open one up and disolve in tiny amount of warm water and use inside 1x day for a few days. Add lots of garlic to your diet daily and/or take garlic pills for anti-fungal properties. Just use warm water to wash with. Start taking a good B complex and Omega3 fish oil pills for your immune system/hormone balance. And use Extra Virgin Organic Cold Pressed Coconut oil by Nutiva topically (and in your diet provided you don't have high cholesterol) as a strong natural anti-fungal. You can use this as lube too, so you both get the benefits. Also, Pau d'Arco tea from Traditional Medicinals is a natural yeast fighter and can be used inside and out.
Good luck! And don't give up on sex! It has it's own healing benefits if used properly.
For the most recent time you got it (and with a new partner) the big clue is "without the odor" which is a different kind of infection even though the rest of the symptoms can feel the same. Don't take the doxycycline again without being specifically diagnosed for it. It took you two months to get this one, so is it possible that you are relating this to the sex because of the STD you got last time? But it's really not caused by sex?
What you have this time really does sound like a yeast infection. Even though you take the lactobacillus. Using the baking soda douches don't really do much except soothe. If you have candida in your system it will keep coming back until you fix it - and keep it fixed. Your diet sounds good but you didn't mention your dairy intake (which my be too high for you at this time) or if you eat alot of yeast foods, like breads, pasta, beer, and sugar is a major yeast host, even too much fruit. Limit to one small coffee a day if you must and try soy milk and honey to sweeten.
It sounds like you may need to heal this holistically and hit every front at the same time for while.
Try cutting out all of the above mentioned foods for two weeks, taking Jarrow probiotics 2x day, also, open one up and disolve in tiny amount of warm water and use inside 1x day for a few days. Add lots of garlic to your diet daily and/or take garlic pills for anti-fungal properties. Just use warm water to wash with. Start taking a good B complex and Omega3 fish oil pills for your immune system/hormone balance. And use Extra Virgin Organic Cold Pressed Coconut oil by Nutiva topically (and in your diet provided you don't have high cholesterol) as a strong natural anti-fungal. You can use this as lube too, so you both get the benefits. Also, Pau d'Arco tea from Traditional Medicinals is a natural yeast fighter and can be used inside and out.
Good luck! And don't give up on sex! It has it's own healing benefits if used properly.
If you think it's caused by sex, and it happened with the same partner, then send him to the doc to get checked out, and make sure to use condoms when you have sex, ALWAYS. You'll have to get a script to be treated for this bout of BV and then you'll have to always use condoms during sex.
Hi Honey, thank you for your response; I emailed you back as well;
Maybe I am miss labeling what I had and have but a mix of eureaplasma, mycosplasma and at some point gardneralla; which I was told are all type sof bacterial imbalances in the vagina which are also known as BV. I really do believe that sex has been creating an imbalance in my vaginal flora- I have been treated for these symptoms, allegedly cured and stayed abstinent, and only when I started having sex again did the infections come back- no other lifestyle changes occured.... I am not sure why in my late 20's sex would cause an imbalance; but I have read that women in reproductive age are more prone to this and that having new partners of mutilple partners are both know to cause BV infections...
I have been taking vaginal probiotic formulas daily orally and as a supository- neither seem to cure the symptoms ( it has been 2 months now).
I can def. buy anti bacterial soap; I don't eat much greasy food, I do like my sugars thought- I tend to eat pretty wholesome all over ( whole grains, fish, raw as well as cooked vegetables etc).
If you have any other tips regarding pre sex and post sex hygene and tupes of lubes or condoms you can suggest I would much appreciate it.
I even started thinking that perhaps I developped an allergie to latex ....
Maybe I am miss labeling what I had and have but a mix of eureaplasma, mycosplasma and at some point gardneralla; which I was told are all type sof bacterial imbalances in the vagina which are also known as BV. I really do believe that sex has been creating an imbalance in my vaginal flora- I have been treated for these symptoms, allegedly cured and stayed abstinent, and only when I started having sex again did the infections come back- no other lifestyle changes occured.... I am not sure why in my late 20's sex would cause an imbalance; but I have read that women in reproductive age are more prone to this and that having new partners of mutilple partners are both know to cause BV infections...
I have been taking vaginal probiotic formulas daily orally and as a supository- neither seem to cure the symptoms ( it has been 2 months now).
I can def. buy anti bacterial soap; I don't eat much greasy food, I do like my sugars thought- I tend to eat pretty wholesome all over ( whole grains, fish, raw as well as cooked vegetables etc).
If you have any other tips regarding pre sex and post sex hygene and tupes of lubes or condoms you can suggest I would much appreciate it.
I even started thinking that perhaps I developped an allergie to latex ....
i am a certified medical assistant and i use to have recurrent bv. bv doesnt come from sex and it isnt a std it is an overgrowth of natural bacteria that you have in your vagina it is also an unbalance in the ph balance in the vagina.. it comes from taking hot baths, using any kind of feminine hygiene products, eating sweet and greasy food. you should only be taking warm showers uising an mild anitbacterial soap such as dial. i learned about this in school as well as from my ob/ gyn and you know what id dont get them anymore because i eat a lot of yogurt and drink a lot of water and you should only use water on the clitoris.( warm). hope i helped a little i posted some other tips on this forum as weel . good luck
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