Recurrent BV help me please!!!

[stephens12]

So basically I have recurrent BV (I say recurrent but I basically have it permanently) and have done for about 5 years.

I've been to the doctors about 500 times but gave up going because they don't ever refer me for further testing or anything of the sort, they're basically at a loss with me and I'm at a loss with myself.

It honestly is driving me insane and I just don't know what to do anymore. Does anyone have any advice on what I could do to get further help? Or has anyone had a similar experience? I was hoping pregnancy wouldn't maybe sort it out but ds is 9 months and I've had no changes.

Obviously I have googled the life out of it so don't do any of the things to spark it happening, I honestly think I'm just broken 😩

I was the same OP. I tried everything. Diet change, pessaries, anti biotics. The thing that worked for me, surprisingly, was working from home. I'm putting it down to not wearing thick tights any more.

@MrsJackRackham wow really?! How long did you suffer with it for? How crazy that something so simple was the fix. I can't wait to find mine!!

It's crazy isn't it? I suffered for about three years all Inn, it was horrible. I was so self conscious at the time.
It was actually DP that noticed that I hadn't moaned about it for ages

I had it for years in my early 30s. I tried antibiotics and it kept coming back relentlessly. I started to use Balance Activ Gel for 7 days as and when required and it cleared up. I occasionally use it after my period now.

Following with interest and total sympathies OP. I've had recurrent BV for the past two years. Triggered by a surge in activity with a new partner, or so I was told at the sexual health clinic Antibiotics work, but it persists in coming back. I've had lots of cervical cell treatment, colopscopies and LLETZ and they seem to have made it worse. In fact after the LLETZ I could hardly bare to be in the same room as myself..... it was shocking.
I've been taking a probiotic which I think may help a little - will try and post a pic. By no means a cure but possibly takes the edge off the pong.

The probiotics. Many reviews on Amazon which specifically mention BV, so worth persevering with I think

I had this for years but as soon as I had my coil removed it cleared up completely.

It was triggered by sex and the activ BV gels worked a bit but not at keeping it away long term. You have my sympathies.

Go to your local sexual health clinic. You don’t need to be referred, and the only further testing that’s helpful is to check it is actually BV - the clinic can do that with a pH and microscope test which are read while you’re there. They can also exclude STIs if you’d like to be checked. Scans etc not relevant in recurrent BV.
It’s really common and there are treatments available so please do seek help. Clinics see this all the time so don’t be embarrassed

Thanks so much everyone for your comments and advice, I've tried the BV active gels as well and the same as all of you they may take the edge of but no where near clear it up.

@sesamebreadsticks thank you for the recommendation I will definitely give it a go!

I hope it gets better for everybody and so nice to know I'm not alone xxx

@mouldygrapes thanks for your reply, I've been to my sexual health clinic 10 times plus and have been referred to a lady who specialises in things like BV, thrush etc and she also had no further suggestions for me unfortunately 😞

Every time (30+) times doctors have done the swab it has come back as BV, and multiple sti checks even though I'm sure I wouldn't have an sti unless there's something dp isn't telling me 😂 I'm honestly at such a loss with myself and wish there was a magic cure!

@sesamebreadsticks I have just looked at the reviews!! I'm ordering right now, amazed!

Oh right. That’s interesting - what treatments have you had?
Have you done long courses of metronidazole (tablets or gel) or clindamycin intravaginal cream?
There’s also a newer non antibiotic treatment called Fluomizin which some people have had success with.
Sadly there isn’t a magic cure - often it’s doing a bit of this and a bit of that, plus avoiding any triggers (which it sounds like you’re doing).
Most success is with a longer course of antibiotics plus probiotics plus trying to avoid anything that makes the pH more alkaline - so avoiding unprotected sex and considering contraception that stops your periods temporarily.

(I also work in a sexual health clinic and see women with recurrent condition such as BV and thrush)

@mouldygrapes yes I've tried all of those treatments unfortunately, about a year ago when I fell pregnant I just gave up trying to treat it and I honestly just live with it now. I never use anything to treat as I lost all hope in it ever going away 😂 and I wasn't happy taking two sets of antibiotics every month whilst being pregnant 😞 I've just ordered some probiotics and am going to start trying again!

Nice to know that you specialise in this, helpful to speak to people who could possibly be able to help without making an appointment somewhere!!

I only started getting it when I changed my coil to mirina so am waiting to get it out. The coils are terrible for bv if you have one?

That is very frustrating.
Can understand you not wanting to be on antibiotics while pregnant and reluctant to try again if it wasn’t helping.
Definitely give the probiotics a go, some women have great success with them - I’m not familiar with that brand but I often say to people to do their own research and reading the reviews is helpful as we don’t have many studies looking at all the different types of probiotics

@Onesnowynight

I only started getting it when I changed my coil to mirina so am waiting to get it out. The coils are terrible for bv if you have one?

My problem was with the Mirena too. As soon as it was out it stopped

I had constant BV with a mirena too, I had to be really assertive to get it removed but once it was I ever had it again!