OK, so I first developed BV last april 2014 after taking a round of amoxicillin for strep throat. At first, the amoxicillin only gave me a yeast infection (my first one ever, and so far my only one). I had my period about two weeks later, and I ended up with BV. I have literally delt with the symptoms of BV every month since this until this month. The only thing I changed about my routine is that I no longer use tampons. Seriously. I didn't realize it but the chemicals in the tampons was messing up my normal vaginal flora. Tampons aren't just cotton, ladies. And I didn't know that either. I used a menstrual cup for the first time ever this last cycle. Wow. complete difference. I know there is a learning curve, but it is so worth it. I'm still not used to mine completely since I've only used it once, but please look up the menstrual cup online and throw out all your pads and tampons! They are pricey, mine was about 55 US dollars, but they last for years. Do this ladies! It will change your life!
Actually its a pH imbalance. The pH in your vag should be about 3-4.5. Blood from ur cycle is about 7 this alone can cause an imbalance leading too bv. So watch out using the cup.
What pads and pantyliners would people here recommend? I need to wear pantyliners every day because of the BV discharge so I can't really go underwear-free. I need to wear pads during my period. I don't use tampons ever.
I don't use pads at all actually but I do that they do have cloth pads and pantiliners that are chemical free. You can buy some that are waterproof too. I actually read somewhere that wearing pantiliners because of the discharge from bv could actually just make it worse.
The cup just collects the blood, unlike a tampon which soaks it up. Idk maybe that could make a difference? The blood isn't just sitting up there for a few hours like it would with a tampon
Hi krista
General useful info
pH refers to the vagina's acidity level. A vaginal pH of 3.5-4.5 indicates that there is a perfect amount of good bacteria (lactobacilli), and no overgrowth of the bad bacteria that can cause odor, irritation and sometimes infection. What makes pH rise higher than 4.5? There are a surprising number of triggers that can upset the vaginal ecosystem:
Menstruation: Blood has a pH of 7.4, so during your period, vaginal pH becomes elevated.
Tampons: Since they retain the fluids that cause pH to increase, tampons can contribute to the problem.
Intercourse: The pH of semen is 7.1 to 8.
Douching and cleansers: Any vaginal infusion of water or other fluids can affect vaginal pH. The pH of water is 7, and fragrances and perfumes can also irritate the vagina.
Menopause or pregnancy: These are times where hormones fluctuate, which is associated with elevated pH.
Hi krista, I tried that, it didn't work for me. For chronic bv sufferers it's probably not as simple as that. Although, yes I agree about not using tampons. Just know that every time I saw a 'cure' on this site, I went and tried it and it didn't work to get rid of it completely. I just spent a lot of money going around the problem. Our bodies should be strong enough to deal with some stress and perhaps tampons for you were a stress too far. For others it may be many things. Therefore it is important to strengthen your immune system to be able to deal with all stressed as much as possible.
have you tried boric acid?
Ive never used a cup but I know that it is inserted inside which may not be a good thing.
Yes, again it didn't work.
Did you have no change or it came back?
Not much change. It was less effective than balance activ gel.
Hi anastasia
so horrible is BV
i must of been lucky as i got mine sorted with 3 nights of Clindamycin ovules followed by 3 nights of Laurimic thrush treatment ovules..
i followed Gynos instruction, and repeated it all above four weeks later ..
my BV was last year and due to menopause Ph changes, and picked up on a smear.. I had no odour just watery white discharge, and felt weird ..
i check my PH every two weeks and its spot on 4-4.5
guess i was very lucky ..
they say multi Gyn is also good ..
stress no more Uk is a good site for all this stuff
jay x
Ladies, I keep reading "I get it every month", or "I've had it 6 times in the last 6 months,". No, you just have it. It doesn't go away every month and then come back. The odor and discharge may change, but you have BV the whole time. With me, the odor is worse right after my period. I have had BV for 10 years. Yes, ten! But I have not had BV 120 times.
Actually depending on your body it can. As im sure u know its a ph imbalance which can correct itself and due to semen and even your own cycle cause your ph to become imbalanced again.
Then wouldn't everyone have this problem? Due to semen and one's cycle? Not sure I'm buying the whole semen thing either. My husband and I have used the withdrawal method of birth control for years. Besides, isn't it very natural that a man and woman be together? I think we just don't know everything about this disease.
No we all dont because we all are different. Fact the pH of semen is 7.1 to 8. Vaginal pH of 3.5-4.5 indicates that there is a perfect amount of good bacteria and no overgrowth of the bad bacteria that can cause odor, irritation and sometimes infection. You state that its worst right after your cycle well menstruation blood has a pH of 7.4, so during your period, vaginal pH becomes elevated. This is why it is worst for you. Withdrawal method is ok but males most times cannot feel pre-cum which is still semen.
Hi there ladies! first of all my heartfelt condelences to all of you BV is a terrible awful thing. For those of you that feel that you have tried everything (which i also did myself) I have a reccommendation but I'm here to tell you that it is very very difficult. It's the candida cleanse. first get tested for it- if you don't want to do that- then you can just go for it- I also suffer from endometriosis so I basically just have one big unhappy vagina up until... candida cleanse so to break it down there are about a million different guidlines for how to do this cleanse these are the ones that i followed: no fruit at all first two weeks
no grain at all first two weeks
no dairy
no carbs
no starches (potatoes)
no shade vegies
basically the name of the game is no sugar as in NO sugar at all. none. eating will become a completely joyless task. Unless you know how to cook well. you will probably get a herkseimer reaction. (candida die off) you need to take a few different kinds of anti-fungal and probiotics.
you can eat: green veggies (not peas carrots or tomatoes)
meat
eggs
maybe goat cheese
ive been on it for 4 weeks just started reintrodcing low-sugar fruits
i have had NO discharge
no smell
whatsoever
until i had one relasp of sugar
the next day
discharge.
there you go. no easy solutuion. But you will astonished at the health benefits and your face will love you. and you might lose some weight. I just gave you the basics of the diet. It sucks and it's really hard. I wont lie. but it actually works.
ask yourself how much sugar am i eating? how much carbs (that break down to sugar ) am i eating? guess what feeds infection? sugar.
i was blown away when i realised how much bad food i was consuming. it's no wonder that i ahve health ailments. I can't speak much for tampon vs no tampon but suffering from BV for 6 years- i do know BV.
good luck to you ladies.
i yeah and i forgot you do it for 3 months
Thanks for the info. Boric acid suppositories works for me. I've changed my diet that didnt work at least for me. Oh and tampons are a no no they hold blood and bloods ph is higher than your vagina's ph and isnt good.