BV, thrush and personal hygiene!

[Whathefisgoingon]

Since having my first born, I have developed BV and thrush twice in the space of two years.

Most recently the nurse really drummed in to me that I shouldn’t wash down there with any kind of product whatsoever, just water. I was a fan of bath bombs and highly scented products which, until my son, were never an issue.

Now, following this advice and facing my first period doing so, I can’t help but think “do people SERIOUSLY not use any products to wash?”

I use tampons during the day but pads at night. Surely water doesn’t wash away the mess that comes with the morning!

Does anyone use a product that is actually gentle? Is there such a thing?

I find that it’s the fragrance that’s an issue, so Simple moisturising unscented stuff works for me, or fragrance free plain soap - just a little lather around the vulva but well rinsed. You can also use a plain unscented emollient as a wash - eg Diprobase.

Are you breastfeeding? Low oestrogen from breastfeeding can make vaginal tissues dry and change the microbiotic balance of the vagina (which is what BV is).

I kept getting BV whilst long term breastfeeding (until DD was 2), and didn’t realise it was related - it was worse around or during my period. It’s actually temporary vaginal atrophy from the hormonal imbalance, and you can get topical oestrogen cream from a GP to help. I found that when I stopped breastfeeding my vaginal flora seemed to go back to its normal self, scent etc.

Obviously if you’re not still BF then ignore! But it might be worth having a hormone bloods screen done as hormone imbalances can dramatically affect the vaginal flora and cause recurrent BV.

@foxgoosefinch thank you!

No, not breastfeeding anymore but I do suspect there is something hormonal going on and have done for a while. It’s separate to this issue (or maybe it isn’t?) but I have noticed that ovulation is much more noticeable and in the weeks before my period arrives, there is a real grey cloud of doom hovering of me which quite literally vanishes the day I come on my period. It’s like I’m a completely different person.

I did mention this to the GP but she didn’t seem to think it warranted further investigation! They checked my thyroid, vitamins and general
bloods which were all “normal” so that was that.

As pp said as you don't need to wash the vagina but just the outside, plus hair down there & leg pits (groin/inside top leg area as that's where the sweat glands are)
When people don't wash that leg pit area that's what causes a smell (just like unwashed underarms)

If I'm having a flare I wash with aqueous cream, otherwise I use a soap or shower gel with no added scent, on the outside areas only obviously.

Soap on the pubes, plain water for the vulva and leave the vagina alone. Even during period. You can generally wipe away the worst of the morning gloop with loo roll.

I use femfresh in the shower each morning. Bath bombs, fancy soaps etc will really upset that area op

Hi, I'm an older mum so not pregnant but my bottom bits are driving me crazy. I was diagnosed with thrush and piles 3 weeks ago but after treatment they are just as bad, maybe even worse. I was given scheriproct suppositories for the piles which does work to some extent but now I've read that this can cause thrush so I don't know what to do as I'm currently on meds for the thrush anyway. I can't sit or walk about without pain and lots of discomfort. My front bits are very sore and feel raw. Itch like hell and I have an increased watery discharge. I feel off it, have lower abdominal pain and sometimes feel nausious. I can't bear any clothing touching my bits, so having to go commando which isn't ideal and I'm at my wits end. I've been using canesten cream, clotrimazole pessaries and fluconazole oral tablets all of which were given by my gp but it still hasn't cleared up. Also taking sitz baths regularly. Can anyone suggest anything else? Even if it's just something to stop the soreness in the vulva. BTW I've been tested for bv, stds, diabetes etc and all have come back negative.