HELP ME BALANCE MY VAG

[Anonymousttc]

Right. I’ve NC for this (obv).
I’ve had BV a few times this year, and thrush twice.
Married and TTC - had full sexual health screen last year before starting TTC and all clear so know it’s nothing more nasty than this.

So clearly something I’m doing is keeping my vag out of whack - I’ve cut down on baths, wear cotton underwear, try to avoid tight jeans
I’ve heard that taking a good probiotic helps, any pointers as to which one?
Any other tips? Honestly I’m desperate to get her sorted now, poor love needs her PH back 🙏

I take it you're already washing with plain water, drinking lots, and not using scented pads or toilet roll?

You're not pregnant, are you? I had terrible thrush repeatedly during my pregnancies, and never since. I would treat it but it always came back.

Assume you aren’t using any products down there? You don’t need to wash foof with anything except water :)

Have you looked at anti-Candida diet?

Wash with water only, no scented loo roll, drink a fair amount... do occasional use a scented pad but mostly tampons

Could be horomonal? There's some reading into it around ovulation or period time.

No shower gels etc, just plain unperfumed soap.

No tights - hold-ups (M&S autograph opaque ones are nice).

At risk of stating obvious, has your husband been treated too, as you can pass thrush back n forth?

Have you been on antibiotics? My mum always gets a thrush treatment prescription any time she has to have antibiotics as it invariably follows.

Ooh no will check out anti Candida diet - I’ve heard sugar exacerbates so I’ve tried (not so successfully ) to cut down.

Solgar probiotic supplements used to be good; Viridian is another good brand, I believe.

They aren’t cheap, but they’re the ones that were highly recommended to me by a friend with industry experience. That was some years back, though.

Tampons probably aren't the culprit but they certainly won't be helping - and neither will the scented pads. I'd ditch both for a few months and see if it helps.

Supposedly adding a garlic supplement to your diet can help (DO NOT PUT GARLIC IN YOUR VAGINA). Might be worth a shot, you can get them in Holland and Barrett.

Are you taking any medication for anything non vag related?

Husband treated too. Anti b’s for last lot of BV to get rid, no thrush straight after but a month or so down the line. Always pretty much guaranteed after period.

And not pregnant.

You can get stuff to regulate the pH like a gel. The name escapes me now......

I would ditch the pads and tampons & switch to mooncup or similar. Spend lots of time giving her air when you can!

I’m sure I have read that if the pH of your dh’s semen is wrong for your particular vag (I don’t really know any details about ideal pH) it can trigger BV symptoms after sex. But that sounds like made-up nonsense when I look at it typed out here And I’m also not very sure what you’d do about it.

But good advice above about getting your dh to ensure he hasn’t got thrush, anyway.

Seconding mooncup if it's happening after every period. She's definitely not enjoying the current sanitary regime.

Avoid alcohol and sugar and caffeine I think? Easier said than done I know
Cotton underwear
No tight jeans / leggings / trainers - get some air down there! If you wear pj's, keep your bottoms off for a while. Avoid pads unless completely necessary
Might be worth washing your underwear on a really hot wash, if you wash at 30 it might not get rid of everything
Have you recently came off hormonal birth control or anything? Change in hormones can set things off.

Oh cross post. Sorry, I’m so slow!

Can you tackle the bv without antibiotics? The gel stuff works well and is simple/gentle. They sell it at Boots near the lube etc.

You don’t want to end up in a cycle of ABs triggering thrush and then BV kicking in and more ABs being prescribed, and on and on.

Trainers was meant to be pants! Sorry

Balance activ I think is the BV gel

Arf at tight trainers affecting the vag. I mean, female biology is fairly mysterious though so you never know

Definitely worth going to Holland Barrett or similar and getting probiotic capsules.
I cannot even have one bath, unless
I lay in it and not even wash my hair !

Are you taking any medication that could be having side effects?

Do you have a shower that you can get the shower head down. That's been a blessing for me I literally get it and stand with it pointing up there! Twice a day I do that. Also sleep naked let the air at it. Maybe your washing powder- I switched to an eco egg plus napisan to kill laundry germs and no fabric conditioner. After sex do the shower thing too. It seems to help me also if I don't have it totally shaven I'm not talking major bushage just a mown lawn style

I had this for months! Used bv gel once a week as maintenance,
Took acidophilus once a day- apparently there is no evidence for this but i read about it and it made such a difference ( i was probably in the same place of desperation as you are now!)

Also potassium citrate twice a day which is technically for utis but i felt it helped as it stopped infection anywhere! Xx

Caneston vaginal probiotics. Little pills of probiotic that you put inside the vagina. Use for 7 days during active thrush. Pop one in after sex to prevent thrush. Cleared my perpetual thrush. Wish I'd discovered these 30 years ago.

Cloth menstrual pads saved my vag, I swear!