Vaginal Strep in a Non Pregnant Woman

[PeachesGZ]

Hi,  I had been having lots of itching, burning and a brownish discharge for two weeks after a fun sex filled weekend with a boyfriend whom I only see every two months or so.  This happens often and I have always treated it as a possible yeast infeciton.  This time it didn't go away and so I saw my ob/gyn.  She took a culture and found strep B, which has nothing to do with Strep A that creates strep throat.  She said she could give me antibiotics to make it go away but then I would get a yeast infeciton from the antibiotics and then we'd have to use another cream etc.  She said just to let it ride it's course.  Now it's been three and ahalf weeks and it's better but not all healed.  Does anyone have any ideas about treating this or preventing this?  Every article on the internet has to do with Strep B in prenatal women (when it is very dangerous for the baby) and nothing about Strep B for regular women in their 40's like me :)  Thanks, I'd love to hear from anyone who has ever been treated for this disease or any doctors out there.

[who_is_this]

This is a normal bacteria for the anogenital area.  It becomes an issue in pregnancy, mainly for the infants sake.

I don't know if it's ever something that needs to be treated in a non pregnant woman.  Maybe if it sort of took over?  Just like yeast is also a normal inhabitant of the female genital tract, if there is an imbalance and it overtakes the normal flora, you get symptomatic.  Maybe group B strep is the same.

[caligirl1986]

Hi, I too am suffering from a vaginal strep infection. I got it when I started having sex with a new partner. I have tried two rounds of antibiotics. The first round took it away and then it came back in a couple of months again. I have a lot of irritation and redness. I am taking a probiotic and Colloidal Silver to see if it will help. Both of these items can be purchased through a health food store. I've been taking it now for about two weeks. My symptoms are slowly getting better but still feels uncomfortable. I'm wondering if my partner needs to be treated, could he be a carrier of this??

[ihatestrepb]

To anyone out there with this dreaded Strep B in the vagina problem, i need some help, i too had a swab for thrush but it come back with strep b +++, i was given amoxil 500mg antibiotics but it did nothing, now im on an antibiotic cream inserted every night for 7 nights. My symptoms are only that i have a very thick white discharge all the time, i shower twice daily and am very hygenic, i dont use soap because of dermatitis down there too, instead use aqueos lotion. There is no itch or burning just this annoying pasty discharge, it doesnt smell foul, it sort of smells like salt and vinegar chips (thats the best i can associate it to) its not fishy at all, the consistency of thick white sorbolene cream almost toothpaste, it is there every day of the month even when i ovulate i dont get that thin egg white stuff anymore. Im not on the pill anymore i stoped it a month ago, my dr says to wait a month after the internal cream before starting on antibiotics again for 2whole weeks, them im afraid i'll get thrush back again, Oh i am so sick of this all, if it wasnt for this disgusting discharge i wouldnt know there was anything wrong with me, can anyone suggest what to do and does anyone else have this discharge with strep. Ive been tested for all STD's and im neg to all. Hopefully lots of people out there suffering from this can write back please. Thanks.

[buntoshanto]

Hello.. for the past 3-4 months I have what i thought was a reoccuring case of yeast infection. I also have tested positive to herpes type 1 so I though this was it so my doctor gave me a course of tablets for herpes. The irritation did go away however after 6 weeks it has come back AGAIN! I went to see my doctor today and from the cultures done last time finally I found out I have strep B, the doctor was very understanding and has now given me a course of penacilin and 2 tablets to avoid getting a yeast infection - 1 to take before the penacilin and 1 to take at the end of the course. I too am trying to research on the net but keep finding info for pregnant women.. I am 27 and definitely NOT pregnant.

[Matilda381]

I am 37 years old and also have vag strep. I can definitely understand your frustration. From my research, the following do NOT work.

1. Flagyl
2. Vaginal inserts (actually can increase strep bacteria)

Please read the following article at www.wdxcyber.com/npapvg11.htm

[windsculpted]

I to have been suffering from what the test referred to as: " A slight over growth of Streph B"  It's been at least 7 months if not longer that I've been dealing with a constant but slight discharge.  I'm in my 40's and not pregnant.  I've talked to my doctor many times and have been given the option to take an antibiotic, which as most of us well know can cause yeast infection.  I've opted not to do this.  So, I've been living with this condition for a while now.  Sometimes it seems that it comes on later in the afternoon almost routine and then it sometimes happens out of the blue in the morning.  I try to change my underwear twice a day and don't wear any underwear at nigh for bed.  I'm not sure what triggers this...I know about 2.5 years ago I got a really nasty vaginal infection..Then it was treated and I've been tested for STD's all negative.  I sometimes wonder if it came from the boyfriend at that time.  I've even tried douching with h20 and vinegar which will temporary stop the discharge but it comes back.  What I hate about it is it makes me feel dirty and it has a slight odor that I can smell at times.  So I wonder if someone else can smell it or is it I'm so intune with the odor I pick it up asap.  Not to mention the constant stained underwear..:(  

If anyone has any info or treatment I'd be greatful to hear it as well.  

[ontheedge050]

I too had strep b. I did amoxicillian and the pill for yeast. went pretty well but after a month the burning sensation came back. More culturs. This time ecoli showed up....did cipro and it made me sick. My GYN asures me that none of these are std's but grow in the vagina naturally. But something thru my ph levels out of whack and I have lost my vaginal flora. We thought menopause and now I have thyroid thing going on too. Now I'm on hrt's and synthroid. I miss my self . This *****.

[cocopa]

I have the same issue.   I am 37 and have had a hystorectomy so there is no chance of a baby.  I have never had strep B and have had three children.  I have seen a specialist in the field of infections and is an OBGYN.  My husband is a carrier of Strep B.  I was put on mupirocin 1% vaginal suppositiory twice daily for 14 days.  He is taking Amox-Clav 875 mg twice daily for 14 days.  I was treated frist and after sex was reinfected.  This was a clue that he was the reason that we were having issues.  Both must be treated.  Give your Dr a call and let them know.  Good luck and feel better.

[KWPUFF]

My question is, how much of having Strep B is caused by sex?  I understand that this infection is most common in pregnent women. Well I found out that the man that I was dating had a women who was pregnant. How does these situations relate to one another?

[bernik]

After the birth of my second child, I was told, after my post-op gyn appt., that I had Strep B. Didn't test positive for it while I was pregnant. Didn't have the usual symptoms (burning, gross discharge with ordor) too many times. Now ten years later I have had all of these symptoms plus UTI's with Strep B in my urine. I have been on anitbiotics several times and have recurring infections monthly. I don't know what is going on or how to cure it. My doctor to tells me that it is a "normal" bacteria in the vaginal. I would like someone to tell me why I didn't have it for years and it just showed up one day after the birth of my son, was dormat for years and now has returned.

[shes_likethewind]

I've had 3 UTI/bladder infections this year alone.  My daughter is now 2 and very strange things occured since I've given birth.  I did test positive for strep B during pregnancy but they did the IV and there were no complications at that time.  This year I've had so much urinary pain that I don't know what it's due to.  Sometimes they give me Macrobid/Nitrofurantin and it will go away but come back.  This past round they prescribed Levaquin and it's pretty good.  The discharge is down and the pain and inflamation (inflammation) are definately clearing up.  I'm still trying to find out if this is related to an abundance of sexual activity or if another STD makes it become more active. thanks.

[tqlbean]

I was diagnosed with GSB two years ago when I was 25 years old and not pg. I have done a lot of research and talked with many specialists, there is not too much that antibiotics can do, unless you are pregnant, then you want to protect the baby. The colonization goes through an ebb and flow. Some tests will show it,but at another time the GSB is not as abundant. The amount depends on a lot of factors- stress, other STD's, or even being sick. Your immune system and it's healthiness really drives the production of GSB. I have been taking a regimen of vitamins that has helped a lot in my symptoms and comfort. I every now and then get really bad itching, but not as much. The combo is acidophillus, garlic, grapefruit seed extract, Vitamin C, and echinacea. I don't know the exact mg, but just look it up.
Something that recently happend to me was an abnormal result on a pap smear. Does anyone know if this can be from GSB? This is soemthing new, so I haven't had a chance to ask my gyno yet.
Hope this helps.

[SuiteC]

Thanks to all of you for posting your comments.  I have tried some of your remedies, but I was mostly greatful to know that I was not alone.  Thank you again for taking your time to write.

OK, this Might work for some of you!  I have been fighting this horrific vaginal discharge that felt like a second degree burn everytime I went to the bathroom.  Sex was excrutiating!  My husband is very patient, but this went on for over a YEAR!!!!  I tried eveything from yeast infection cures to vinegar - oooh did that burn!  I went to the Dr.  I was diagnosed with many thing over the year: yeast infection (tried both systemic and topical treatments), Strep B (3 or 4 rounds of differnt antibiotics) both sytemic {Penicillin, Amoxicillin, etc} and topical {Metronidazole Vaginal gel})  NONE of them worked.  I was so very dissapointed.  I started to think it was in my brain, I have a great relationship with my husband, but then I started wondering if things were bad in my subconscious.  I was even willing to seek counseling.

Fast forward to now:  I went to a specialist he looked at a sample of my vaginal tissue under a microscope and came back with the diagnosis of DESQUAMATIVE INFLAMMATORY VAGINITIS.  Well this one was new, so I had hope.  He gave me CLINDAMAX 2% Cream.  It is supposed to be a 7 day regime, but he gave it to me for 14 days.  After about 6 days, symtoms began to calm down, after 11 days, they were GONE!  I fininshed the 14 days and so far (one week and counting) I have NO DISCHARGE!  And sex for the first time in a year was sensational!  No pain at all!  I hope if some of you have success with this.  Try this link or google desquamative inflammatory vaginitis.

GOOD LUCK and THANKS AGAIN!!!

http://www.drexelmed.edu/FindaPhysician/MedicalPractices/ObstetricsGynecology/DepartmentDivisions/VaginitisCenter/DesquamativeInflammatoryVaginitis/tabid/539/Default.aspx

[SuiteC]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I was also on Diflucan to prevent yeast infection during this 2 weeks of Clinamax.

GOOD LUCK!  Don't forget to google desquamative inflammatory vaginitis.  

[Melomoon]

Ok I too am someone who has Group Strep B and is NOT pregnant. I believed it started after I overused antibiotics like Diflucan and Flagyl to help with horrible itching I was having in the feminine area.

When the itching finally stopped after 5 Diflucan I was left with yellow discharge and a diagnosis or Group Strep B from my gyno. He tried to give me Boric Acid Suppositories in hopes of changing my PH but that didn't work. Penicillen helped but still yellow discharge. Finally I did alot of internet research and tried this! It worked! White clear discharge and maybe one yellow dot at times and getting better. Read on

Take two tablets twice a day unless stated below- All can be found in the healthfood store.

Bee Propolis
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Super Echinacea
PH-Basic (plant caplet to regulate PH- 5 a day)
Vitamin C (1000mg) - might be one tablet
Colloidal Silver (only once a day)

This worked for me within HOURS. This is the first time I haven't had to wear a pantyliner in 6 months! I had great results with this, hope it helps. Btw other people have also tried Garlic clovers or capsules added to this list with success, but I didnt.

[kyleaustin]

I am having difficulty locating the PH Basic. Could you tell me where you found it? I have looked on online health food stores and I can't find it.
Thanks,

[kyleaustin]

Sorry that question was meant for you. Where are you finding the PH Basic. Thanks

[lost1312]

I was diagnosed with group b strep last october. I have had 3 cultures done and 3 rounds of antibiotics and still positive for group b strep. I usually don't have the burning or itching but have had this happen on occasion. Most of the time I have a very thick white pasty discharge. Does anyone else experience this? I am going to try to get my dr to prescribe the Clindamax 2% cream as i have heard this is the most effective treatment.

[Gina0825]

I was diagnosed with strep B last year.  I believe this problem has existed for me for a VERY  long time.  Long history of bladder infections and vaginal infections.  Regular bladder medications would not work.  Erythomycin (spelling?) was given after culture showed "different bacteria" in urine.  Uncircumsized husband started having penile irriations after sex with me.  Long history of vaginal redness during period with external skin effects.  A lot of blood in urine one day prior to diagnosis, not related to bladder infection.  Diagnosis made by urogynecologist after discharge increased with using health store suppositories for maintaining vaginal ph.  This led to my diagnosis.  Amoxil 500 was given and no more problems! Husband was not treated and he is fine also. It has been a year now.  No more external/internal vaginal skin irritations during period either. No more bladder infections.  I hope it doesn't return! Good luck to everybody, I had this problem for years (can't even count).

[pip272]

I'm wondering how you found a specialist?  Where did you go?  

[pip272]

Hello there,

Well, my strep was cleared up by Goldenseal suppositories... but the symptoms continue!  So, now I am looking into desquamative vaginosis and cytolytic vaginosis.  I wish all of you good luck...

[nova888]

Hello all:

I am 27 years old and have had issues with Strep B for the last two years...My problems started after dating a man who was uncircumsized.  I have found that symtoms will appear every 4-6 months.  My symptoms include burning, itching and redness but little to no discharge.  I have found some success in using the Rephresh vaginal gel which helps restore your body's PH.  

I hope that this isn't something that lasts forever but I definitely will try homiopathic methods before taking anti-biotics.

[tessamarie]

Ok, for one... If you are getting diagnosed with Strep B you have to realize a few things. 1.) This was either GENETIC or it was the cause of a low immune system. You cannot just "acquire" strep b. It isnt triggered by anything, having rough sex, too much sex, douching blahblahblah will not cause strep B. Ive been back and fourth with my doctor because i just got diagnosed with strep b and i wanted to find out more. My story basically is when i was younger, kindergarden, i was very sick- almost got held back, i was constantly fevering the whole 9 yards. It took about 3 years for me to go back to normal and they didnt know why i was so on again off again sick. Now ever since i can remember (probably around 13yrs old) i remember always being more...moist/lubricated/wet then how i thought normal girls should be. But everytime i talked to a doctor they told me if its been a constant in your life from little on then its just how your body is. Too bad. Now i find out i have strep B which is why i was sick so long because when they find it in non-pregnant women its generally effecting your immune system. Most of the time they DO NOT treat Strep B in non pregnant women because... itll always come back. Its a bacteria that is everlasting if you have strep b youll have strep b for the rest of your life theres no cure. I am very symptomatic and ive gone through round after round of 1900mg's a day of amoxicilin which help a slight odor but the wetness is still there. The antiobiotics only help for about 2 months then back to the same stuff So if you have a history of diabetes mellitus; liver disease; history of stroke; history of cancer; or bed sores your more likely for the bacteria Strep B to show itself because those things mainly effect immune system. Basically all you can do is manage life and try to treat the symptoms but because its a bacteria theres not much you can do :/ it really *****.

[Bluebearee]

I'm glad to find this forum.  I am 49 y/o, never been pregnant, never gonna be.  Menopausal since I was 41.  Finally after 8 years of hot flashes, I 'gave in' and started a bio-identical formulary HRT almost two months ago.  Soon it appeared I had a yeast infection, I treated myself, it recurred within days, a month in my doc confirmed yeast when doing my annual.  She prescribed diflucan, one pill for me, one for partner.  A week later it recurred again so I now started a 7 day course of diflucan, in the midst of that I had another unrelated issue, her NP partner did a culture.  She just called me to say it's Strep B, but there's not much to do and hopefully my body will continue to adjust to the hormone levels.  This absolutely came about from the HRT.  I'm wondering if it's worth it, my flora was doing just fine.  Now as some of the above posters, I have this somewhat thickish yellow discharge, usually daily, my underwear is all stained now, I have to change it more than once a day, hate wearing panty liners.  None of you see to mention any HRT connection, but I know this was a result of changing  my hormones.  It doesn't itch and it's not painful, so I suppose I should feel grateful for that.  Thanks for the information.  

[ruba101]

Thanks so much for all posts and so glad to find this site but so sorry about all of us with this dis-ease. This summer, after having unprotected sex, getting the "fishy ****" flora, being treated with antibiotics, yeast medicine, and now this StrepB and penicillin, more yeast meds and again this StrepB invades my privates.  Thanks for all the advice I'll take the recommendations to my next Dr. visit and will combine the homeopathatics along with a month-long juice fast.  I need to return to normalcy ... but I am thankful because it could have been worse.
Where can I get Goldenseal inserts?

[sweetsue929]

After being on augmentin for upper respitory, I developed what I thought was a yeast infection.  I hadn't had one in years.  Got monistat over the counter, seemed to work.  Then a week later it seemed to come back.  Terrible itch and inflammation.  Went to the gyno and he said strep B.  I am 53, stopped having my periods 3 years ago, married.  He gave me some type of vaginal cream which made it worse.  Went back again to be retested.  Not so much itchiness, but burning sensation.  He culture came up as something called straaga, which again, is strep B.  He gave me a 3 day cleocin suppository, which has done nothing.  This is so frustrating.  I am wondering if I should try penicillin.  I am taking the superdopolus to avoid yeast infections.  Any ideas??

[Mandyy1980]

A Week after I had unprotected sex I started itching really bad and have this yellow/green discharge, all my test for std's came out negative, then they did further testing and it came back that I have strep B, The itchiness is terrible! they have tried to give me augmentin and also had me douche with augementin , I ve tried flagy and levaquin, none of them worked. its been 3 months already and they are still trying to work with me, As of friday they have put me on dicloxcillin 500mg, I feel  little bit better. The guy I had unprotected sex with has diabetes and might be carrying the infection around with him, Also I found out he sleeps with several different women. Its driving me insane and makin very depressed.. gl all

[ar232]

My Pap resulted in positive Step B, and I was prescribed Cleocin suppositories, which I will begin taking tonight. Hope it works. The discharge is so annoying. I dont know how I got this but want to get rid of it so bad.

[pfm76]

I have tried all the antibiotics and it did not work. I have a rx for the climdmycin cream for 14 days and am going to try that along with taking diflucan to see if this will clear it up. I will repost and let everyone know. I am so sick of dealing with this..

[Mandyy1980]

well I just wanted to update on here since my last post, So I have been positive with this strep b for over 3 months and the itching and discharge are crazy, But as of last friday they started me on another antibiotic since the augmentin and levaquin didnt work, this one is called dicloxcillin 500mg and im takin it with diflucan 200mg, the dicloxcillin im takin it 4 times a day and i feel so much better!! the itching and discharge has STOPPED! for the first time in 3 months...... I feel great, I went to my gyn today he checked it out and he was happy with what he saw, so, If anyone is having the problems i had for 3 months I would ask your doctor about this medication, its strictly for strep b. good luck u guys

[anny8675309]

I also was just diagnosed with Strep B after having a yeast infection and suffering from that yellow, chronic, discharge.  Luckily, I have no discomfort or odor, it's more annoying than anything else but nonetheless, I want this thing to go away.  I'm still not certain as to how I could have gotten this.  I also am in menopause, am 37 and was put on HRT at 18 yrs. old.    I have always have had discharge, but not chronically and not yellow.  Around the beginning of the year it started changing yet my HRT hasn't changed in years.  I started pennicillin today, twice a day for 1 week to see if it will clear up.  If it still is there, I will talk to the Dr. about Clindamax.  Good luck to anyone with this annoying problem.  I'm hoping this course of antibiotics works.  

[ligamara]

7 months ago I noticed an orange-ish/light brown discharge, and slight burning around my vagina.  Went to two different gynos, both said it looks like BV or yeast.  Was treated with metronidozol (I think it's called flagyl in the US (I'm in Latvia now)) twice, which both times brought up real yeast infections.  Finally went to a third gyno for what I thought was yeast from the last metronidazol.  She finally did a full work-up, and it turns out the now white, burning discharge I have is not yeast, but strep (Enterococcus).  I remember being tested positive for strep B when preg. with kid #2 (I have 4, am 40 y.o.), the OB said it's normal, it's always there, just sometimes it flares up, esp. during pregnancy.  Never had any problem with discharge, yeast infections, until this last summer.

Anyway, the new gyno put me on Norfloxacin 400mg 2x a day, and on the seventh day take one diflucan as well as insert Gynofort creme to keep yeast at bay from the antibiotic.  Then she said that I should use probiotic suppositories once a week for the rest of my life, profilactically.  I had been douching with peroxide, vinegar and using boric acid to get rid of what I thought was yeast, and my poor vagina is probably pretty battered and tired right now, she said.  My emotional state is just as battered, I assure you.  I was going crazy, the first two gynos gave up on me, said they don't know what to with me.  This site has saved my life!

[pfm76]

Tried the clindamycin cream for 14 days. Still have the same symptoms. I am trying the pills from the health food store. The oBGYN office is NOT helping at all.

[Yota422]

I'm so glad I've found this site.  I've been suffering with infections for over a year now.  I'm having vaginal infections, bad breath, and body odor.  It makes you feel like your stupid and lowers self esteem.  My doctor says it's not my hygiene but a bacterial infection.  So, gel after gel, then diflucan...  Finally he did a culture and found strep B.  Now I'm on ampicillin 500mg and gel.  If this doesn't work, I'll show him this site and have a long discussion.  I'll let you know...

Is anyone else having bad breath/body odor problems (other than vaginal area)?