BV help, did I break my vagina?

[RecalictrantBV]

I never had BV until I started TTC. Went through 2 years of TTC and repeat pregnancy loss and all of the scheduled sex seemed to just throw things off balance. Finally after infertility treatments had two healthy babies but my vag has never quite got back on track. DH and I have been tested (severa times, part of infertility treatment, coil fitting, other assessments etc) and no STI was found. I have no reason to suspect DH is cheating. But whenever we have sex now I get a fishy odour within hours and it’s vile. Eventually things sort themselves out but it takes a few days and honestly makes me not want to have sex. I can take metronidazole from the chemist and that clears it up but I’m not keen on doing that regularly.

I’ve been seen by my GP, private gynae, and a BV specialist at my local GUM clinic. Been through all the usual swabs and then some. I eat well, probiotics, don’t douche, etc. Had all of the usual treatments (metronidazole tablets and gel, lactic acid, boric acid, etc) but I always get that odour after sex.

has this happened for anyone else? Did it ever get better? I had 30+ years of a very healthy vagina and I’m not quite sure how to get things back (or if I’ll ever be normal again?) perhaps it’s something in DH’s diet? I’m really grasping at straws here.

Do you get the smell if your dh uses a condom? Maybe it's the mixture of semen and your vaginal secretions that is reacting and causing the odour.

Is your dh wearing condoms? If not, he could try. If he is, perhaps change brand (ditto any lube etc)

As above

Not using condoms - Then use them

Using condoms - Stop / Change brands

I’m sure I’ve recently seen an article saying bv can be an STI carried symptomlessy by men who reinfect their partners during sex. I think the study found that women with recurrent bv found it cleared up when their partners were treated as well

sounds like it's a him problem?

As PP have said, you need to treat both of you for BV

I had this issue with one partner. We were both tested for STIs - nothing - but had Bv and took the metronidazole. Every time I slept with him it came back. It was explained to me that the ph level in jizz affects the PH of your vagina and causes the Bv so an immediate trip to the loo after sex and a quick wash can help.

am sure it’s no coincidence, and sorry in advance as it’s really TMI, but every other partner seemed to have the usual similar amount of semen post O. This guy however was like a geyser going off, like a half a mug full. Never seen anything like it ever since. I’m sure it was all related and his PH was off the scale!

@NamechangeJunebaby thank you, we’ve been together for nearly 20 years and I’d never had a problem before TTC. I wouldn’t say he has geysers, a very average amount.

I will ask about treating both of us, I did read that @Pushmepullyou as well, that it is a sort of STI. Although I’ve also gone in and been swabbed whilst I have the odour and they don’t find anything under the microscope. It’s maddening really 😭

I have this issue too and yet to find a solution. However new research came out recently advising both partners take antibiotics in case of BV and in theory that should prevent it recurring. I’m currently pregnant so yet to try it out but if it recurs after pregnancy will definitely be raising this with GP.

If it's just the smell with no other symptoms, it could be something your DP is ingesting. My ex used to take supplements that made his semen stink. He stopped taking the supplements and the problem disappeared.

Balance activ gel will get rid of it - I swear by it!

https://www.boots.com/balance-activ-vaginal-gel-7-single-use-tubes-10082292?traffic=paid.shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-AdmwRwm2x2PCAJU9aMXq0tnrr8t&gclid=CjwKCAjwn6LABhBSEiwAsNJrjlKfpfAqIkSds4R5cCz9GZYRviDbv1gkOHOYW53vOyTiCPczFKNJJhoCCfcQAvDBwE

Sorry to hear about this OP, bv is so annoying! It sounds like you've explored many avenues but to put my 50p in, I get bv like clockwork every month after my period. Apparently it's due to the change in hormones, and also due to the change of acidity/pH in the vagina that prompts my particular case of bv.

Perhaps semen does the same for you? If so, are you finished conceiving? Would you be prepared to have him not ejaculate inside you? It could also be to do with the penis just generally disrupting the harmony inside of you! In which case, I don't know what to suggest :-(

Best of luck getting it sorted.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/05/bacterial-vaginosis-can-be-passed-to-women-by-men-researchers-find

Didn’t include link in previous comment

Yes I saw this too. He needs to get treated. I got awful BV with one partner and no others, bugger was reinfecting me all the time.

@leopardprintpants thank you, I’ve tried it but it doesn’t work for me :(

@PuppiesProzacProsecco do you know which supplement it was? It is just the odour for me, no other issues, and it does go after a few days but until then it’s reeking and embarrassing :(

I will see if we both can get treated and if that makes an impact. I just don’t understand why it happened suddenly whilst TTC and never really got better.

Least helpful comment on the internet today

The OP says they have both been tested. No one is carrying an STI

OP it can be hormonal changes. Many women find during perimenopause they get recurring BV and also during early 20s. You care t either of these age groups but it’s just a point that changes in hormones can affect things.

the simplest thing is to try confine for a while.

I found during perimenopause I got it for the first time and always after sex. I started washing straight after and being in a vertical position meant nothing pooled inside. Less semen to come out through natural secretions.

@RecalictrantBV it was years ago and he was on several but I was pretty convinced it was a vitamin C supplement. Based on nothing more than the fact I thought I could smell the same smell (albeit much weaker) by sniffing the bottle.

If he's taking several, I'd eliminate them all and if it improves, he can gradually reintroduce them one at a time to find the culprit. My money would be on something with vitamin C though!

@PuppiesProzacProsecco thank you, he’s not currently on any but did take some whilst TTC, maybe that set it off? We do eat lots of satsumas though, so maybe there is something with vitamin C??

Worth a try then @RecalictrantBV

Have sex with someone different and see if the problem persists.