Think I have BV but all tests are negative
Posted , 72 users are following.
Hi, this will be a long post with my story and my test results -
So I've had vaginal odor and discharge for as long as I can remember (at least since I was about 12 years old - I am 25 now). However, my sex education was minimal so I thought this was normal, although I did always wonder why other girls were so confident spreading their legs and not worrying about the odor escaping, but I didn't worry too much about it. Later, when I was about 17 years old, my aunt, who did my laundry at the time, mentioned to me that she thought my sister had a vaginal infection because of what she saw on her underwear, but my sister and I are the same size and I KNEW I had some stuff on my underwear so I'm pretty sure she was talking about mine. This was the first time I even had an inkling that maybe something was wrong with me, so about a month later, I asked my mom to go see a GYN, but her GYN told her it was unnecessary unless I was sexually active (first example of an incompetent GYN). I wasn't going to admit to my mom that I was sexually active at that age, so I just went on with life as usual.
When I was 22, I was about to get it on with this guy that I really liked, but suddenly got really self-conscious about the odor so I stopped it before things went further. Fed up with this, I finally scheduled an appointment to see a GYN and see what was up. So I go to the doctor and she says I look normal and does the test, but it comes back NEGATIVE.
At first I was relieved, because oh my god nothing is wrong with me! But then a couple of months passed and I got self-conscious again and thought, "No, this CANNOT be normal." So I schedule an appointment again at the same clinic but with a different doctor and she examines me again. She says it looks like I might have a yeast infection and tests me again. This time it comes back negative for yeast, but "intermediate" for BV. She did a PCR test (DNA test) which has a 95% senstivity so it's supposed to be pretty accurate and much better than a simple culture.
These were the results:
Lactobacillus LOG: 7.59 - normal
Gardnerella Vaginalis LOG: 4.64 - detected - normal
Atopobium Vaginae LOG: ❤️.00 - Not detected
Megasphaera LOG: 5.29 - increased
According to the results, everything was normal except for Megasphaera which is considered "increased" if over 4.40. But the diagnosis was: "Sample demonstrates quantitative profile of bacterial species which is not characteristic of bacterial vaginosis, but may represent a transitional state." So my interpretation of this is that I didn't have BV, but it could shift that way if something happened.
I was given oral metronidazole which did absolutely nothing. Literally didn't change my symptoms or anything. I had to leave the state for a year and wasn't able to go to the doctor again, so I learned to deal with it just by making sure not to open my legs near anyone so that they wouldn't smell me, but now suddenly the discharge was bleaching my underwear at the crotch. That had never happened before so now I was more worried.
I went to a different GYN in November of last year and she once again told me that I looked totally normal and tested me for cultures. Once again, NEGATIVE for everything.
I went to a different GYN in January of this year and she did a PCR test again and this time the test results were totally normal!
Lactobacillus: >7.50
Gardnerella: ❤️.00 - not detected
Atopobium: ❤️.00 - not detected
Megasphaera: ❤️.00 - not detected
All this told me was that I always have the necessary lactobacillus and none of the bad bacteria, at least not enough to overthrow the good bacteria which is supposedly what BV is all about!
All the doctors assumed since I had normal test results that my discharge and strong odor meant nothing apparently, so they didn't help me after everything said I was supposedly normal. I took to wearing panty liners everyday since at least that way I wouldn't have to worry about bleaching all my underwear or accidentally opening my legs and subjecting my coworkers to a such a strong odor.
In May, I went back to the third doctor I'd been to and I told her I was still having the same issues. She examines me again and notices that I do look "runny" so she prescribes me oral metronidazole again despite the fact that I told her it didn't do anything the last time. She does a test too and later emails me to tell me the results were once again NEGATIVE. I take the metronidazole anyway, except this time not only did it not do anything, but it made me extremely sick too. I had to take a day off work because it made me so nauseous.
I travel for my job so I constantly have to find new doctors wherever I go, but this was becoming such a problem because I decided to google what BV was, since I never had before, and suddenly I was reading about reduced fertility, miscarriages, PID, susceptibility to HIV/STDs, and it freaked me out. I requested a 2 month extended vacation so I could come back home and go to my mom's GYN because I freaked her out too when I called her, crying that I would never be able to have kids, and she told me to go to her doctor because he was great (this was the same doctor who said I didn't have to go until I was sexually active).
Anyway, he turned out to be a good doctor. I told him about the negative test results and he says to me, "Yeah, BV can sometimes test negative, but you still have all the symptoms of BV so we'll treat it. I won't even take a test since you've had so many and I'll give you the Metrogel since it's more effective." Honestly, I felt relieved. Finally! A doctor who believes what I say!
So I used the metrogel for the 5 days and my symptoms cleared by the 3rd day. I was ecstatic! I also started taking 150 billion CFU of probiotics every day and used boric acid suppositories for 21 days after treatment since I read that it can prevent recurrences. And it was working great except for the excessive watery discharge from the boric acid, but the smell was nearly gone and the light yellow discharge was minimal. But then...like 5 days after ending the boric acid method, all my symptoms came back.
Now here is where I need someone's help because I don't know if I really have BV or if it's something else, or if this is just how I am supposed to be normally. I'll be a bit TMI right here, but if you're reading this then you're probably used to it. I don't have a fishy smell. I can sometimes convince myself that it smells like tuna, but usually the smell I get is either vinegary, or overly sweet. My sister and I had been working out once and I accidentally opened my legs too wide and she remarked that something smelled like rotten bananas. My panties will either smell like that or like ammonia. I have discharge all day long. Like I can be clean for like 3 hours after showering, but then it's like I'm leaking nonstop and my panties will be damp by the end of the day and the smell will linger so bad on my jeans that I can only risk wearing them once before I have to wash them. I have rare itching, like maybe once a week for like 5 seconds.
And something super important: I have pH litmus strips. I tested myself while on metronidazole and on boric acid suppositories and it was around 6-7. Before I started those and now, after treatment and with my symptoms having returned, my pH is between 4.0-5.0. It's hard to tell exactly because of the slight differences between the strip and the color chart, but it's WAY lighter than while I was on boric acid and metronidazole.
So I don't get it. My test results are negative, my pH is technically close to, if not in the healthy vaginal range, and I don't have a fishy odor. What is wrong with me? I'll also mention that I've been tested for all STDs and I am pre-diabetic (though I'm not sure how much this factors into it considering I've had these issues since I was young and I for sure wasn't pre-diabetic then).
I'm getting so frustrated because I'm taking a ton of probiotics, including L. Rhamnosus and L. Reuteri, along with 140 billion CFU of women's probiotics that contain a ton more bacteria. I've inserted fem dophilius into my vagina and that didn't do anything except give me a sour yogurt smell and more watery discharge (from the capsules, I'm guessing). And probiotics are so darn expensive!
I've tried:
a balance complex* - didn't do a darn thing even after taking them for a month
essentials prebiotics* - these mildly helped, but symptoms returned right after finishing them
essentials probiotics* - didn't do anything
Folic acid w/vitamin d and vitamin B - again, nothing
Boric acid suppositories - helped while using them and a little afterward, but not a permanent cure
Salt baths - I saw this on youtube and tried it for like 2 days, but it was so inconvenient and didn't help the slightest
I did take 50 billion CFU probiotics along with a tablespoone mix of Apple cider vinegar, Garlic, and Honey for like 3 days and that reduced the discharge a lot, but I then had a pap smear (normal) and it all came back full force.
I don't know what else to try. Luckily, my doctor gave me 11 refills on the metrogel so I'm going to try that again along with double the amount of probiotics, a few inserted vaginally, and the ACV/Garlic supplement to see if it does anything. I've also read that Vitamin C inserted for 6 days after your period for 6 months can work. But I tried Vitamin C suppositories from the essentials brand and it had me spotting on the second day so I stopped.
Does anyone else have similar symptoms to me? Regular-ish pH, non-fishy odor, negative test results? I'm driving myself crazy constantly researching treatments, clinical studies, and checking how I smell every hour.
I'm sorry that this was so long, but I needed to be as detailed as possible 1)to document this, and 2) to see if anyone else has had this experience.
Any help is appreciated, thank you! And hopefully we can help each other.
2 likes, 75 replies
laura68337 lily89380
Posted
this is exactly my story i have discharge with negative culture and no smell. my problem is the insane amount of discharge that ruins my underwear and will not go away no matter what i have also tried the same methods you have over the years nothing works..ive come to accept i will always have bv.
bec95025 lily89380
Edited
Hi, my story is a very long one too.
its been going on for 7 years now and im ' in the current process of waiting for an appointment with a GYN. i have suffered with urine infections, thrush and baterical vaginisos for all this time and the The doctors are useless and don’t see to have any idea about vaginas even the female doctors don’t have a clue (must have never suffered with BV or Thrush then) what I am suffering with at the moment though is definitely NOT normal and I am not living my life properly because of this!!!!! I feel depressed and so low because of this. All my swab tests have come back NORMAL and NEGATIVE for BV and Thrush .... very confused by this ..... the doctors who have taken a look down there each time say “oh it looks so red and sore” but then the test results come back normal and they fob me off again. I come home from the doctors in tears every time. I ended up in the walk in centre last week and a doctor has prescribed me the gel to insert each night for five days... currently on day three and a slight difference but not much ? A male doctor told me I need to wear cotton under wear and not use any perfume or soaps down below .... ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Anyone dealing with these issues will do this straight away and try this .... after 7 years you really think you need to tell me that ? Always worn cotton big under wear, only wash with water, always swipe front to back.... my symptoms are: itching, painful sex with boyfriend (he’s been on this horrific journey with me too) pain urinating and generally sore all the time sitting and standing and walking. I need help .... I want a vagina transplant too!!!!
sophia56819 bec95025
Edited
Literally have never had a doctor actually listen to me all say the same f*****g thing its so stupid
kiara90207 lily89380
Edited
You have no idea how relieved I feel to know that I am not the only one going though this, except I also have pain during sex and inflammation.
amelia52286 kiara90207
Edited
I get this too !
I've searched the internet for hours!
my symptoms are:
I have been to the doctors, I have done urine samples for UTI, came back negative. I have had vagina swabs, again negative. I have been sent for STI check and bloods tested (and my boyfriend as well)
NEGATIVE!
I have now recently had a vagina screening (and a smear test) and have been referred to a GYNO & ultra sound. hopefully will get an answer soon... all I can say ladies is push your doctor and demand a refferal! It's taken me 4 months!!
I have suspicion it's a CYST or endometriosis !!
rosie87753 amelia52286
Posted
hi! i have your exact symptoms and on the same journey. started as what i thought was a uti, and i was abroad so self medicated with left over anti biotics. didnt work or help and i got so confused but it was all basic UTI symptoms. then i had to use the over the counter cystisis cranberry powder which helped with the symptoms. eventually got fed up ans went to the best beverly hills los angeles gyno for a scan and he did all testing. everything came back clear although he said it looks like i have yeast based on an internal exam so he gave me anti-fungal. i thought that would be the case considering i used many antibiotics. the anti fungal didnt work. i feel like i have the symptoms cross between a uti and thrush. went to another few doctors- all say it LOOKS like thrush but tests are negative.
how did your appointment go??????
Frustrated1973 lily89380
Posted
i have always had the unpleasant experience of recurring yeast infections, but with OTC one dose oral pills, although expensive , did the trick. last year i was diagnosed with BV and was prescribed flagyl for 14 days which cleared it up for over a year. i have now been suffering for a few months with a fishy odour...very little discharge and negative tests twice in the last couple of months. The strange thing is...i notice the odour when im sitting at my desk working...im usually sitting in comfortable positions...cross legged usually...and i notice a fishy smell...bit when i go to the bathroom there is none or very little discharge and i literally (please dont judge me) smell the crotch of my underwear and there is no smell. so where could this be coming from?
working from home is a godsend so i dont have to be around people alot...but it is taking a toll on my self-confidence and dating life for sure.
ken46695 lily89380
Edited
I have been having the same issue for a little over 3 years. I'm starting to wonder if it was also the cause if my baby being a premie. It's like having a permanent yet undetectable BV infection and incredibly frustrating!!!
jackie20618 ken46695
Posted
Same but ive had these symptoms since i was in 4th grade. I lost my son due to preterm water rupture possible from bv. i suspect. But every swab is always negative, I can smell my self through my clothes, been this way for years. I shower no soaps down there,its so embarrassing Im pregnant again and i just want to know what it is.I Dont want to affect this pregnancy.
estela22978 jackie20618
Posted
hey jackie i know its been a long time since you wrote but i really do hope you replied to me i am going through the same as you i had a miscarriage at 21 weeks and i strongly think it was BV i always had bad smell and all test was negative how did it go with your second pregnancy? what treatments did they do to prevent another loss?
niki24 lily89380
Posted
everything you described sounds like my story but i was diagnosed with BV and antibiotics didnt help. i read from someone else to drink baking soda water once a day or drink water with real lemon juice 2 times a day. not just a wedge, you need like half a lemon each time. both methods fix your PH balance
BUT
while this did take most of my symptoms away, i tested twice after a week of drinking lemon water and they came back negative. i still have a slightly "green" discharge and ammonia smell. but while drinking this, it helps reduce the smell greatly. my doc couldnt answer why the tests showed negative but still had the discharge . i wonder if doing this, along with taking a good vaginal probiotic, maybe that would help more
laura97682 lily89380
Edited
Oh my! Here I think I only had BV for about 3 months and many of you have had it for years, with treatment after treatment failing? That is down right scary! I also seem to be much older than many of you who replied given that I am postmenopausal and have been for almost 5 years. I didn't have a fishy smell either, but copious amounts of discharge that varied in color from green to white. Plus a UTI, which was actually what drove me to seek medical treatment in the first place. Of course, I thought it was because I had Valentines Day sex with my husband that caused the UTI, however now I am unsure. All my tests came back negative also. I treated with oral Clindamycin 300mg orally twice daily for 7 days and it took the discharge away......so far.
I was reading about BV What jumped out at me was: Although controversial, there is strong evidence based on multiple studies worldwide in the last 5-10 years, indicating the sexual transmission of BV associate microorganisms. Microbiologic studies identifying BV associated pathogens in the male urethra, the coronal sulcus and under the foreskin. Thus, sexual transmission undoubtedly occurs.
Everything else that I have read has said that males do not transmit BV to females, however females can to females. Okay....... I am beginning to wonder if the medical profession even know much about BV!
I am sorry that all you ladies are experiencing such difficulties! May there come a time where a definite cure is found for BV. Take care and may the Triple Goddess bless you. 😃
Figuringitout laura97682
Edited
I'm also interested in back and forth transmission with my husband. I'm in my 60's and it seems like this past year, the frequency of infections was related to sex, but, the doctors say probably not. Hmmm...
sophia56819 lily89380
Posted
I have similar problems greenish discharge unpleasant smell hut not fishy however I also have extreme pain during sex and unlike normal discharge mine no longer has any stretchiness to it its just watery but also creamy at the same time i have had these symptoms for a year and half been to doctor multiple times Got tested for every std bv yeast etc all came back negative Got put on the pill for 'hormone imbalance' even though they didnt take my bloods pill made it far far worse Stopped taking it When they did take my bloods all came back negative
Ive been examined by gyn said nothing was wrong did ultrasound the lot No doctors will listen say the pain during sex is in my head tell me dont wear thongs and change laundry detergent it is the most frustrating thing I get so upset about it and now I try and forget and just wear panty liners everyday Im scared to go into a new relationship Ive only had one other partner and they have only been with me so stds are out the window
It used to be so much worse about a year ago when I was sexually active Id be so itchy all the time extreme discomfort Red and painful skin around outside also tmi but i used to experience peeling of skin on skin under lips doctor said it was discharge it was nit discharge i could see my skin peeling and cracking bleeding it was so sore thankfully that doesnt happen anymore
Been treated multiple times for thrush I was given balance activ ph balancing gels but that was at the time of the skin cracking and peeling so felt like pouring acid into slices on your skin Had the antibiotic for general stds cant remember name but it brought back clear stretchy discharge then the antibiotics gave me thrush when trush cleared up the old symptoms were back doctor wont give me anymore of that
I did start taking Nuvaring and i think that got rid of itching and horrible exterior problems
Im still left with this weird discharge and pain during sex ( its like a burning stingy sensation usually around the opening ) cant even wear tampons or use a menstrual cup anymore They said they would put me on gyn waiting list cause i went private first time been on it a few months and heard nothing it is so disheartening having no one relate to you or believe you
If anyone has any advice or clues on what to do please tell me
Angie812 lily89380
Edited
You should ask to be tested for ureaplasma and mycoplasma. I was having a lot of issues for years and the tests all kept coming back normal. Then I saw a new doctor about a month ago and they tested me for those bacteria which I had never even heard of. Turns out I had ureaplasma and had to take antibiotics for it. But I am happy to have finally figured out what was wrong! Maybe you have one of those bacteria, I think I had it for at least 3 years.
sophia56819 Angie812
Posted
what were your symptoms like? thanks for advice
ashlyn51913 Angie812
Posted
ureaplasma and mycoplasma??... what are they? just rrgular bacteria??? i hope this might be the problem to my problem :0!!!
Angie812 sophia56819
Edited
watery discharge, a weird smell sometimes, itching that would come and go, also bladder issues! the second day of the antibiotic all my symptoms went away
Angie812 ashlyn51913
Posted
they are a bacteria that don't have a cell wall. im actually still not completely sure what it is some sort of tiny parasite type thing I think related to chlamydia? but its something they never test for and I dont understand why. It really might be the answer!
yolly83777 Angie812
Posted
what medication did they prescribed you? TIA