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Surgery for BV?

Hey I am really hoping someone can help me out here. I have had BV for about 1.5 years now. I have been treated with Doxycycline and Metronidazole as well as Clindese and Metro gel, I have tried at home treatments including yogurt (orally and topically) vingear baths and a few other things suggested by my doctors without any results. I recently visited a new doctor (my 5th opinion so far) and he has put me on 2 new kinds of medications and wants to see me back in 2 weeks but said if that doesn't work then he wants to talk to me about surgery! He said my cervix looks irritated and that might be why nothing seems to be curing me. Does anyone have any idea what kind of surgery he might be talking about and is it safe to have surgery while you have BV? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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Avatar universal
Hey Makita, sorry to hear. I have actually been very lucky from what I have heard about BV. My only symptom has been discharge, no pain, itching, etc. I hope things get better for you.
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Hi, I've had recurrent BV for 18 years and never been offered any surgical intervention. This year it has been particularly bad, on Metronidazole almost monthly. Stress does exacerbate it but other than that I use ph balanced everything, can't go swimming, never douche, use white loo paper, wash my lower half clothes with baby detergent....really at the end of my tether now. Have researched it but I'm literally doing all suggested to prevent it to no avail. My health records must be huge with the number of swabs I've had sent off, just glad my life insurance isn't affected by chlamydia swabs! Always negative btw.  But I empathise with you and hope you have more luck than me.
148354 tn?1211233906
I also have recurring bv,found out first time in April,went to er over week ago for pelvic pain..did pelvic,had bv again and cervical cysts,back on flagyl.Also been having severe abdominal pain for months and wondered if u did same thing? I've lost over 60lbs due to pain not being able to eat so I doubt bv is source.
    Did your dr mention laparascopy? maybe that is what he meant to get a good look? I read sometimes prolonged bv without treatment will cause pid.
                    Take care
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much for everyone's input! To HHH, in regards to the pap tests I have had 5 since this all began and they have all returned normal. Also I have had 3 chlymdia and ghonerra cultures that were also negative.
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Avatar universal
It's always refreshing for me to find a doc who is willing to step "out of the box" when conventional methods fail.  At least this doc sounds as if he/she is actually considering the patients problems, and working diligently to find a solution.  Good luck, original poster!
(Dr. H, you're the bomb)
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the thanks, but don't over-interpret my response.  I am not suggesting that surgical treatment for cervical abnormalities is a valid treatment for recurrent BV, only that a provider who suggests it (out of frustration, either her own or on the patient's behalf) may be suggesting something worth a try.  But to my knowledge this is not being studied in any systematic research.

HHH, MD
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Avatar universal
I'm so glad Dr. H came over to answer your question.  I'm also thrilled to know that there's something "new" being considered as a possible treatment for chronic BV.  Who would've thought that it would involved surgery on the cervix?  Sounds like your doctor is right on target, and I love it when I get to learn something new.
Thanks, Dr. H.
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Avatar universal
This may not be so crazy.  Some research suggests a possible association between cervical ectopy or inflammation (cervicitis) and bacterial vaginosis.  The nature of the relationship isn't clear, i.e. whether or not one causes the other.  There are no data to show that surgically eradicating cervicitis/ectopy makes a difference in recurrent BV--but if the BV is driving you crazy and continues to persist or recur, it might be worth a try.  But first get a second opinion from a different gynecologist.  Preferably, find one with special expertise in infectious diseases; such persons can be found in association with most large medical centers, especially those linked with medical schools.

Also, make sure you have been tested for HPV (by pap smear) and other causes of cervicitis, like chlamydia and gonorrhea.

HHH, MD
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1 Comments
This post is late but I suspect that I have inflamed cervix too and I'm not respond ing well to most treatments .did u also have burning during urination or burning in ur navel at times.
Avatar universal
There is no surgery to correct BV, so I don't know where that came from.  As far as the cervix is concerned, I have no idea.  You should call the doc and ask for clarification about that issue.
I'm so sorry that you're going through all of this.  Have you had it every day for 1.5 years, or do you have some relief in between phases?
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