Repeated BV infections after childbirth

[sorefange]

Hi

I have a nearly 11 month old DS and when he was about 7 mo or so I started noticing the I smelled very strongly down below. I researched (and posted on here) and decided I had bacterial vaginosis I think it's called. Went to the doctor and was given a swab and some pessaries and it went away.
But now it's back so I've been back to the doctor today and got some more pessaries.
My question is, I NEVER ONCE had this before having DS, why do I seem to keep getting it now?

BV needs antibiotics. Did the swab confirm?

you must not wear tight clothing, g-strings, or tights. No bubble bath or feminine hygiene products like wipes.

Hello! I'm not sure if this will help but I got BV after using a tampon when I didn't really need it if you see what I mean (towards the end of my period). The thing is though, once I had it I got it several times again, and now I'm really careful only to use tampons in the middle of my period to avoid it happening again. Hope that's not TMI. So I guess my point is, I don't know whether it's necessarily childbirth, or just that somehow you got it once, and once you've had it, it's more likely to come back? I hope that makes sense - I'm definitely not an expert!

Are you washing more than usual since you first got it? BV can lead to a vicious circle - you smell funny, you wash loads more to feel 'clean' again, the soap causes the infection and so on and so forth. Do not use any products at all near your private parts - no bubble bath, no soap etc. Ditto what Scorpio says - no skintight jeans or tight knickers, just breathable cotton stuff.

And worth getting checked out at a GUM clinic or by your GP. You may have another infection that needs a different treatment.

Hi, thanks for replies.
The first time I went to the doctor (I'm abroad) and she gave me an appointment for a swab, i waited for results and she said it was an imbalance of the flora (or summat) so gave me canesten, which surprised me as I'd specifically said it ddin't itch. I was told to have another swab a week after finishing treatment. This showed it hadn't gone away (surprise surprise) so i got pessaries which contain metrodazinole I think it is. This is what is recommended for BV when you google it.
Ten day course of those seemed to shift it.
Went back the other day and saw another doctor and asked for the same thing and he hasn't even given me a swab.
I think it's the same thing back again, although after googling I'm not so sure. Sorry for TMI but it's basically loads more CM/discharge than usual...like I feel "wet" and there's loads when I wipe and although I don't think I actually smell fishy..I feel like I smell like sex. I feel like I can smell myself. uugh. It's sort of around ovulation time very roughly so I wonder if that's anything to do with it.
I don't think I'm doing anything different hygiene wise.

obviously it's all doing wonders for my already crap sex life after uncomfortable 2nd degree tear.

BV discharge is greyish, almost foamy. Ovulation discharge is clear, like egg whites, stretchy, and can be very wet iyswim. BV does smell very strongly, i know. And is a bugger to get rid of.

Thrush isnt always itchy, can cause discomfort, or itch, or sore, or lots of things, or not many!

i think you need another swab - the 'sex' smell could be the start of it again, iyswim.

well I've already started these pessaries. The arse about the swabbing is they have to give me an appointment with the nurse, which willk be for next week now. The nurse doesn't even DO the swab..I do it at home and then I need an appointment to hand it in . Then I wait 10 days then I try to get an appointment with the doctor to discuss the results. Seeing as the pessaries worked before I just took them when he prescribed them again.
I'll see how it goes and if I get another bout i'll maybe ask for a gynae referral as the GP doesn't seem to know his/her arse from her elbow. I've already seen 3 different ones.

Are you sure it was a 2nd degree tear as if there was some degree of tearing you may have a small fistula from your anus to your vagina which would allow the transit of bacteria?? ( only ask as dsis had a 3rd degree and ended up having repair work done.

Hope it improves soon.

def not a fistula. The tear is OK now actually. i just need to REALLY be in the mood IYSWIM.