A vaginal hygiene thread...

[Chlorinatedfrontbum]

I know how mn loves a vaginal hygiene thread, so here's one for today.

I have suffered with bv for many, many years. Nothing has ever helped, strong antibiotics have cleared it up once, but not for long.

Yesterday I went swimming for the first time for years, can't even remember when I last swam in a pool. Anyway, get home and haven't bothered to shower afterwards (took 2 young babies swimming too, that palaver is another story) and I've noticed there's no smell coming from my vagina. Nothing. It's amazing and I feel great and very confident!!

Was it the chlorine? How can I replicate this at home? I can't go swimming every day! What do people think of my theory?!

[Cavogirl]

Hi OP,

I find it's worse if my partner goes down on me - honestly often seems to trigger an outbreak and I promise he's very clean !

I use the gels too but an old wives tale which works is to use tea bags - put in the hot water and steep and then take out and cool a bit. It is comforting and does work!!

Even if you feel a bit of an idiot with a tea bag in your knickers all afternoon!

[Faez]

Any chance of a lost tampon if the symptoms are that bad and antibiotics not working

[DrFoxtrot]

I just re-read, if you're very uncomfortable, perhaps have a bath, not too hot, to dilute/ wash away the gel. I wouldn't douche though.

[DrFoxtrot]

I didn't get those symptoms after using the gel. I used it last thing at night then went straight to bed, so maybe I didn't notice anything as I was asleep not sure if that's any help!!

Perhaps it's irritating you? If it's not sore or itchy drink plenty of water and see how it is in the morning.

[TickledOnion]

Those who use active balance gel, does it make you feel like you Have a uti? I just used some for the first time tonight and keep feeling like I need to wee. It's really uncomfortable.

[Shabbychicx]

No stis for sure a check was done 6 weeks ago all clear! I'll go back to my gp ask for another swab but can't imagin anything will show up I may suggest a smear and get her to have a good luck so I feel satisfied with her opinion I'm litterly will if to try anything at this point. I'm being treated for ibs had bloods done a few weeks back and that said I needed to increase my iron levels basically I also told her about me brush g easy they really do come from no where 😩 I'm like a walking disaster! Sigh!

[DrFoxtrot]

Definitely make sure other infections have been excluded first before relying on probiotics etc.

[DrFoxtrot]

Just popping in to say that I am a 'dischargy' type , I seem to have plenty of natural lubrication going on.

I've also suffered with BV intermittently in the past and found the Balance Activ gel good. Recently I started using Symprove to colonise my gut with good bacteria to help my IBS and I actually think its helping my vaginal environment as well. I struggled in the past with flare ups of BV mainly after intercourse with no condom (not casual partners obvs) but with the Symprove it has not been a problem.

[SortItAhhht]

Are you sure there is no underlying STI?

Chlamydia can cause BV-like symptoms. BV is almost always cleared up with antibiotics, too.

[Agadooo]

I went to doctors once and he was very dismissive and said he wouldn't imagine it would cause me any problems in life and to just accept it and basically that it wasn't even a thing IYKWIM -no examination or anything and made me feel daft for wasting his time-now I just accept it.

[debbriana]

What sort of underwear do you wear ? Cotton, or other types

I have stopped wearing other types unless it's special occasion. Sometime for a short period but change back to cotton nickers.

[AnyFucker]

some women do have lots of normal discharge

[Iworrytoomuch]

Mines was like that before I got bv as the doc said but my doctor said its normal!

[Agadooo]

Tmi alert - I have discharge every day and reckon it's been like that about 10 years-i have to wear a liner everyday or my pants are very damp very quickly -not itchy or sore or anything but would be nice not to have to wear a panty liner for even a day! Sigh......

[Iworrytoomuch]

Ive only had the 1 week course it never got rid of it I'm going to call the gp in the morning and ask for another course

[jobrum]

Slight derail but this is the perfect opportunity to remind everyone that men can carry thrush and have no symptoms. So you have thrush, think dh can't have it, he's not itchy, then keep getting reinfected, swabs at drs, samples sent off looking for something else, properly bleeding-itchy. It was only reading (on the nhs website ffs, don't know hw I missed it before!) that I went to Boots, dh and I both took thrush medication and within a week I was symptom free! So always get yoyr sexual partner to tske the medication too!

[PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon]

^^ forgot to add, I literally went, took the dose the. Went straight back (on the 1st day of reoccurrence) and got another dose

[PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon]

How long was your course of antibiotics? You can get the 1 dose or the week long dose I think. Have you been back more than once for BV? It took 2 goes to clear mine and dr said if I had to go for a 3rd time they would investigate

[Iworrytoomuch]

Changed the name sorry (Jessica)
I've tried to ask for a smear once before as cervical cancer runs in my family (about a year ago) she said she couldn't do it as the lab would refuse it but look a look down their and said she didn't see any abnormalities plus my new gp hasn't mentioned anything do you think it's best i go ask for one and some more antibiotics what's lubricant applicators what do the do before this I suffered discharge anyway a lot which was normal for me

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Jessica you can get a smear before you're 25, of course you can, if there's a problem they should do one to rule some things out. I had one at about 22. From whichever age you have your first smear, you then have to have one every 3 years or whatever the recommended is.

I definitely recommend Yes lunricant in applicators to keep PH balanced.
I take acidophilus daily as well.
Also lots of various supplements and dietary stuff for thrush (had it every month for 7 years before I worked out what works for me!).

[EveOnline2016]

How do you clean that area normally.

[SnowBodyforrrrm]

I'm glad this popped into active! I've been wanting to start a thread about this but thought I may get called a troll (I'm not)
It's only occurred to me recently that their may be a problem down there. Everytime I go to the toilet I notice I have discharge in my pants, it's thin but does smell (not fishy but not pleasant) so by the end of the day it's pretty unpleasant by sight and smell. My partner has mentioned it but I've always dismissed it by saying it's an open whole, it's going to produce discharge, but I'm questioning now whether this is right!?

Should I have discharge in my pants all day, everyday? I'm pretty sure it never used to be like this but as I had a brain tumour last year which required surgery, my memory isn't great so I can't be sure

[Jessicajayne93x]

I've been with the same partner for 9 years before my gp prescribed me with the metronidazole (2 away for s week) when I went about 6wks before that I had swabs to be taken as I suffer really bad with normal discharge any way and they didn't find any std's whist swabbing

[Queenbean]

This thread is early contender to be in the Daily Mail in 2 days time