Chronic Bacterial Vaginosis

Updated on July 29, 2010
C.M. asks from Beloit, WI
5 answers

Since April, I have been struggling to get rid of this infection. I have been prescribed Flagyl 4 times. The first 2 times, I ran the course of the medication and within a few days it was back. The last 2 I don't think did a thing. My doctor's idea was to take the Flagyl and then start the metronidazole cream twice a week after the Flagyl. I am actually using the cream every other day because the symptoms return by the next day anyway. I even stopped my BC pill for a month thinking that may help with curing it. I will be seeing my doctor again on Friday (it's getting expensive too!) and I'm looking for other options to discuss with him since Flagyl is not working at all.

I have read that douching can cause BV (and I've never done it) but a few places I've looked, some women are trying that as a last resort (tea tree oil, lavendar oil, water).

Does anyone have any suggestions that are SAFE to use?

FYI- the doctor I have gone to is an OB/GYN and has done the DNA swabs and confirmed it's a BV

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So What Happened?

Well, I went to the doctor again on Friday and I still have it and the doctor flat out told me that he can't do anything more for me. Nice, huh? Well, he's going to refer me to a specialist, but I'm going to try to find another doctor anyway. Thanks!

More Answers

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

I had the same thing they never diagnosed it as anything but for like 2 years it just kept coming back time and time again. I started using my Balancing cream in place fo monostat and eating yogurt daily (only organic) and I also used plain organic yogurt just like I would use the cream. I also switched to non perfume Toilet Tissue I use a brand from CVS it is all fluffy and what I call dusty and all of that made it go away. I still use the Balancing Cream from Arbonne (using it as directed to balance my hormones) I eat yogurt everyday and still use the CVS earth essentials TP. If you want info about the balancing cream please private message me for my contact info. I feel for you it hurts and is just annoying to feel like that all the time.
Kay

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C.T.

answers from Chicago on

Maybe try Dyflucan - it's a pill. That's crazy that it keeps coming back - how horrible for you!!!
Also - have you been tested for diabetes? I think I've read that there can be a correlation.
Make sure you wear cotton underwear at all times. If you swim or sweat make sure you change out of wet stuff right away.
And don't use any type of "soft" toilet paper. Use Scott paper - not the soft one. I actually travel with it now and rarely have the problems. The diet suggestions are good from everyone else.

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Try taking probiotics every day. Go to a place like Whole Foods and get the refrigerated type, they work better than the type on the shelf.

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A.P.

answers from Portland on

I keep a squirt bottle of water mixed with tea tree oil right next to my toilet. It's cool and refreshing whether there's an active infection going on or not. You could try apple cider vinegar as well. While it may burn initially, it will take the itch away.

You should take a closer look at your diet as well for any culprits that may be contributing to its return. White sugar and white flour are the biggest contributors, followed by msg and chlorinated water. Probiotics are really important right now for reculturing the gut after antibiotics. It's okay to take more than recommended on the bottle, and I would actually recommend that for a few days. Think of it as sending an army of 10 against an army of 1000. The good guys are going to die without a fighting chance.
Hope you find relief soon!

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C.B.

answers from Boston on

Go to a gynecologist. I went through the same thing you did, infection kept coming back. My general practitioner gave me the Flagyl pill (twice) after I had already treated with over the counter Monistat. The gynecologist took a quick ph-swab of the vagina and found that it was not yeast related at all, and finally gave me a cream that worked immediately. Why primary care doctors cannot get the box of 500 ph-swabs is beyond me. Monistat sells something over the counter like the ph-swabs, but it is a pricy diagnosis tool when the actual swabs cost hardly anything. I would also keep a written record of symptoms and dosages to show the gynecologist.
I would not aggravate the situation with other "last resort" items. The gynecologist should be able to give you advise, like cotton underwear, no perfumed detergents, etc. My infection started after taking a really long bike ride with one of those bike-shorts with the pad in them. I think my crotch just got really hot and sweaty and overgrowth of one kind or another (bacteria, yeast, etc.) can easily occur in those warm conditions. Good luck, I know how awful you can feel with having an infection for so long. Icing the area may give you some temporary relief until you can see a specialist.

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