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Any bacterial vaginosis help?

Posted , 54 users are following.

elise17
elise17

Hello. For two years now I've been suffering from bacterial vaginosis. I seriously wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. All throughout high school I've worried myself sick wondering if others could smell me. My symptoms consist of the awful fishy smell, and thick white discharge.

The doctors have put me on antibiotics so many times that they don't even work anymore. and It ALWAYS come back within a week. They even put me on metronidazole gel for 4 months and instead of getting better it got worse! 

As for home remedies I've tried, the main two were douching 50/50 with hydrogen peroxide and water. I did this twice a week and it kept the smell away, however after a few months it kept coming back quicker and my stomach started hurting everytime I douched so I stopped. I've also tried Femdophilus and various combinations of vitamins and minerals, all of which have done nothing. The next was boric acid capsules. I've been using them for the past six months and I can't go 5 days after using one without it coming back. I need to stop now because long term use can potentially cause kidney problems. I'm very scared now because I have exhausted all my options.

I'm only 16 and I can't even think about going back

 to school in a couple weeks smelling like a fish. My mom doesn't even believe me anymore when I tell her. I've also failed every BV test they've given me at the doctors, so they don't believe me anymore either. I've spent the past two years crying and depressed.

PLEASE if anyone can help me, please do. I'm going to start inserting vitamin c tablets tonight to try that out. Has it worked for anyone? Please help, I can't live like this anymore.

2 likes, 79 replies

79 Replies

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  • Nicki1009
    Nicki1009 elise17

    Posted

    Elise, I completely feel your pain. I've been going through this for over three years - it's awful. I can relate to what you said about doctors not "believing" you, it angered me so much that they not only couldn't help me but told me stuff like this can be normal - it's not! I spent forever going through this cycle, going to doctors, having them tell me I'm fine, so I went to a "specialist" here on the east coast. Although he unfortunately  has not been able to cure this for me he did do one good thing - gave me a different diagnosis. He said I have vulvovaginal candidiasis, not bv, and that those symptoms are very similar. The fluconazole he has given me helps, but just like usual it comes back. But it has helped me get my mindset away from the eternal bv struggle, realizing that my problem may be something else, and treating it that way. Right now I take Azo over the counter tablets for yeast with coconut oil capsules and it helps with my symptoms. Diet won't cure you but it definitely helps to eat less sugar and carbs. I am also going to a gynecologist in Arizona in the spring, dr fowler, who claims he's an expert in this area and can do what no other doctors can - we'll see. All I'm saying is maybe change your perspective on what you actually are dealing with, try the yeast products and coconut oil, I know it's hard but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Don't give up smile
    • karla_52312
      karla_52312 Nicki1009

      Posted

      Please please get back to me I live in Phoenix and I have the same problem. I want to go the doctor you go to. Please please 😔😔
  • collette35839
    collette35839 elise17

    Posted

    Does your doctor think there is an issue?....do you have discharge or just the odor? The smell can change as you age....it just seems maybe it is something else  if  all the BV tests  are coming back negative.
  • collette35839
    collette35839 elise17

    Posted

    Hope you don't think I am doubting you....I have had BV for over a year and a half...I can't imagine being your age and having to deal with this....it is so frustrating....I have gone the antibotics route...with no luck....a vicious cycle...have you tried any probiotics monistat just came out with one....I take one of those and two of the vh essentials brand plus  cranberry probiotics..every morning along with tons of prayers 😊  and I drink 4 to 8 oz of kefir 3 times a week  this  is the first month that I have had a normal period...no horrible odor...and no smelly discharge ...it's been about only about  about 14 days but I am truly thankful for any improvements....fingers crossed that it stays away and that this could help you..
    • elise17
      elise17 collette35839

      Posted

      Thank you, and yes I'm absolutely sure. And generally each time I had a test taken I was on a treatment of my own which I was scared to tell my doctor about (douching and boric). I should've and it was stupid but oh well. I'm thinking about calling a new doctor on Monday. I've tried VH essentials tablets and they didn't do anything. Tried femdophilus and no luck. I want to try Pro B but it's quite a bit of money and it will probably come back after anyways. Thank you so much, you don't understand how grateful I am. I'll try to check in.
  • collette35839
    collette35839 elise17

    Posted

    I used the pro b  probiotics for about 4 months they didn't help me...the monistat ones have more of the good bacteria in them...basically the same ingredients just more of them and some antioxidants
  • h8bv
    h8bv elise17

    Posted

    I tried all of the antibiotics pills, acidophilis by mouth, metronidazole, Rephresh, Vitamin C with Rose Hip tablet inserted inside my vagina, etc. Nothing worked for me.  I was so frustrated and thought to myself, what can I do clean myself out and get the probiotics straight to my vagina immediately?  The burning, itching and discharge was driving me insane!  So I went out and purchased Masengil vinegar and water douche solution (sold in pack of 4 disposable bottles).  I know we are told by our Dr's and Gyno's that douching is bad for you, and I would normally agree, but in this case we need to get the bad discharge out right away!!!!  Make sure you gently work the douce bottle in & out to get all discharge out.  Then I took a Ultra Flora tablet, twisted it apart in a small cup of water stirred to disolve the acidophilis, I poured the solution into the rinsed out douche bottle that I had previously used, and douched a 2nd time with the Ultra Flora solution to get the acidophilus directly in there to balance everything out.  The left over solution that wouldn't that I couldn't get out of the bottle due to the angle, I turned it upside down and used it to rinse off my labia.  I was in shock that I experienced immediate relief!  I was able to sleep through the night without being awakened by being itchy, the odor and discharge is gone by morning!   I repeated the routine for 3 days to be on the safe side, and continued to take the Ultra Flora by mouth too.  I really hope this helps you!!!!  It has saved me so much discomfort, please let me know if this has worked for you, or have any questions!  Good Luck!
    • elise17
      elise17 h8bv

      Posted

      Thank you! I'll definitely try this out of vitamin c doesn't work.
  • bee18
    bee18 elise17

    Posted

    I highly recommend womens probiotics. They're  super atrong and specific foebwomens needs. And actigel will help correct your ph amd not dry you out. Plus it's not unsafe to use it for a long period of time or multiple times a day. You have to order them shipped from the uk but to me rhe shipping cost has been worth it.

    also. You need to think abour the route of the issue. Unfortunately the antibiotics have probably ended up doing you more harm. But a cleanse and better nutritional choices could do you a world of good. And your hormones may be out of wack. You could get your levels checked. Or even just look into herbal suppliments like dong quai root that can level you out. Always do your research  ut these thinga have really helped me and i dont have to worry about bad side effects like you do with antibiotics.

    also little rhings jelp. Buy a ph balanced body soap like natural bbeauty bar. And wear cotton. Hope this helps!

    • elise17
      elise17 bee18

      Posted

      Thanks for the suggestions, it did help smile
    • bee18
      bee18 elise17

      Posted

      Of course. I tried most of the things you tried as well with almost no success but the things i mentioned have helped a lot. If you get the probiotics get at least 50 billion strain for a while. The key to beating this thing is consistency. Just hang in there. It is possible!  And once you do get rid of it you'll have so much knowledge about how to take care of your lady parts you won't even have to worry about getting another one and you can have a thriving sex life. Haha i just know it feels like you'll never be normal but you will and it's not our faults that doctors have very little knowledge about how to eradicate this infection 

      also. I saw you mention about the chunky discharge without itching... this happened to me with metrogel and it happens to a lot of other women too and its just the bad bacteria clumping up and leaving system.

      dont freak out too much about it. Natural treatment for yeast and bv are about the same so you'll be treating both if it is yeast

    • elise17
      elise17 bee18

      Posted

      Were the probiotics you bought refrigerated? Thank you so much. I'm so glad I decided to post here. You've all been so much help smile I'm very much looking forward to the day where I'll feel normal.
    • bee18
      bee18 elise17

      Posted

      Sorry I've been away from internet connection. The probiotics are best if refrigerated but it just says to atore under like 73 degrees. You can find then at cvs. But if you buy them online they are cheaper  
  • bridget1229
    bridget1229 elise17

    Posted

    Research boric acid and bv.  trust me.
    • elise17
      elise17 bridget1229

      Posted

      I've tried it, that's how I've been treating myself for the last six months and I'm stopping because I'm afraid it'll cause me kidney damage. Whenever I insert a capsule, it ALWAYS comes back within 3-4 days.
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