Anyone else suffering recurrent BV whilst ttc?

[Elly88]

Rather embarrassing topic but for years now I seem to be suffering from recurring bacterial vaginosis. It's not constant, it's been persistent at times, then gone for months. I had it a couple times with ds1 so of course always got it treated straight away at the doctors, been fine since, until now. I seem to keep getting it back after every period. Tried using pads rather than tampons but I got some weird reaction (mainly over wear I had my episiotomy a year ago?! Maybe friction?!) also only wash with water, no shower gels or soaps. I'm going back to the doctors as they said they'll have to 'look into it further' if it keeps recurring. But we're ttc baby no 2 so of course it keeps getting in the way and preventing us from trying at the right time :( anyone else had this problem or been referred to the hospital gyno? Be interested if anyone got to the route cause of theirs! Such a nightmare.

I had recurrent BV, but when I had my coil removed and then a hefty dose of metronidazole it got under control. I really feel for you, its horrible. Have you tried a moon up?

Mooncup!! 😂

@whyhaveidonethis thanks for your reply! Yes I'm going to try and make a docs appt tomoro and ask for a more longterm treatment. But just concerned about it affecting ttc :/ altho surely if taking the oral metronizadole ill still be able to ttc once symptoms have gone after first few days?! Just finished my period so only a week or so until I ovulate! Never heard of a moon cup, what's that??

www.mooncup.co.uk/buy-the-mooncup/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA0ZHwBRCRARIsAK0Tr-oKSPcSbdiOPF09I3IJOcDmYU94xPsgnYRZlRb0xr8cbNtrBty0b0waAiXBEALw_wcB it's a menstrual cup. It's made of silicone and so doesn't leave bits inside you like tampons do, which can contribute to BV and it sits lower so may be more comfy than a tampon.

Metronidazole is OK during pregnancy so definitely go see your gp

I really hope you get it sorted. It made my life a misery for about a year.

Ah yes I had thought about this the other day actually! But just put off by having to try and empty it at work in the ladies :/ look a bit strange if I take a bottle of water in with me? Otherwise I'd definitely try it. Yes, hoping the doctor can clear it up for me it's just hideous! What treatment course did you have that cleared it up?

I had a long course of metronidazole. I don't take water into the toilet at work, I empty mine out and wipe it with a baby wipe or at a push tissue. It takes some getting used to though as it's hard to place in the right place the first few goes.

Thank you! Been given a 7 day course of metronizadole. I asked about a long course but she said they'd just do another 7 day :/ also recommended that hubby stop using shower gel too which he isn't best pleased about... Got a week left till ovulation so should be gone hopefully! Just if it comes back or not :) altho she said not to take them when pregnant. Thanks for advice, I'll look into a moon cup if all else fails! Xx

Oh I forgot about that.... My DP also had a course of metronidazole!! Doctor said that it can sometimes help

I would try to stay to minimise your antibiotic use as much as possible as it wiped out all good bacteria too.
One it's treated, invest in a good probiotic and have a box of balance active always around.
I use them every time I have a period as that used to set off monthly BV.
Another thing I found was my partner got thrush from me. Once he'd had a course of antibiotics I also stopped getting regular thrush or BV. I'm thinking we were passing nasties without realising.

Anything that increases the vaginal pH predisposes to BV including semen, blood, bubble bath and perfumed shower gels if used in the genital area. A week of metronidazole is the best treatment, you can use balance activ which is a mild acidifying gel to try and prevent occurrences - works for some. There are other treatments but not great if TTC

Doctor didn't suggest anything for DH apart from to stop using shower gel :/ and it seems to be my period setting it off. What we're the things suggested to use during period to help balance?