NOW CLOSED: Take part in a short survey about Bacterial Vaginosis and you could win a £200 John Lewis voucher

[KatieBMumsnet]

We've been asked by Balance Activ, the providers of over the counter treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), to find find out how aware or not Mumsnetters are of BV.

This survey is open to all UK Mumsnetters.

Please click here to take part in the survey.

Everyone who adds their details at the end of the survey will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will receive a £200 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

I'm about to take the survey Katie, but the survey says £200 voucher and your OP says £100...

Opps...will amend - it's £200!

Even better Ann!

Done.
This is me being pernickety but postcode is spelt incorrectly (postcdoe) on the free sample request form.

Done

Done. As AWomanCalledHorse says, postcode is spelt incorrectly (postocde)

Done!

Thanks AWomanCalledHorse and LittleDragon, I've amended this now.

Done

Done.

Wonderful thread title. Only on MN

done

Done, this is something I have suffered with and tbh got no help from 2 GPs one of whom when I described the symptoms said you must have chlamydia. It wasnt until I had recurring problems for nearly a yr that a female GP correctly diagnosed BV.

done

Done, because I'll do anything for a voucher, me.

But, I am very about routinely treating 'symptoms' which are very vague - 'preventing' a slight imbalance in vaginal bacteria, and making money out of getting women paranoid about smelling less pleasant than a bouquet of roses and having some slight secretions.

Effective proven treatment for BV is available on prescription from the GP. A prescription costs less than this product from many retailers.

The 'association' with low birthweight/miscarriage is not the same as cause and effect and if the manufacturers would like to link to some sturdy research to back up their claims I would love to read it.

I've never heard of BV. I've always been told by my GP that its probably thrush, so treated accordingly. Can the GP test for BV? All I am is confused after a vague description of BV and the survey. Will have to research further, although am always hesitant to google symptoms.

As an aside, I've always found the downside of antibiotics is a thrush infection.

Asmywhimsytakesme I think that's the point, it's marketing.

I am already aware of BV. I have a clinical background. I am all for self treating minor complaints when indicated. All this product does is slightly change the Ph balance in the vagina. It is not an antibiotic and doesn't contain 'drugs' as such - hence it is available without prescription as a GSL product (ie not pharmacy only, but any shop could stock it)

I think it's mainly just to cash on on women worrying about a bit of discharge. Which is often totally normal.

And free samples to try is, IMHO, unethical. If you have symptoms, see a HCP - GP, sexual health clinic or pharmacist for advice.

Done

Done

Done.

I am also a bit concerned about the prize.

'Oooh, £200 for John Lewis! Where'd you get that?'

'Um...er...survey on Mumsnet'

'Oooh, what about?'

'Um...er........'

I havent a clue if I have entered or not. I clicked submit and the page didnt load. Hit refresh and it all got wiped :(

Can you tell if it submitted MNHQ? I dont want to enter twice by mistake and get disqualified.

Done.
What annoyed me most about BV was my GP telling me FemFresh and other 'vaginal cleaning products' CAUSE BV in most cases by disturbing PH! How the hell do these companies get away with selling something that can CAUSE such damage to women under the guise of being 'clean'? It made me very angry.

Done it, I would also have been interested in further reading about the increased risks BV can cause. I have heard of BV and it's symptoms, but have never been heard before about it increasing any risks i.e with regards to pregnancy and certainly not HIV.