I'm 40 years old and never had bacterial vaginosis before this past year. Today I went to the doctor for the third time in nine months. He gave me prescriptionss for Metronidazole (Flagyl) — both the cream and pills. He said I could take either one, they both work the same. He told me that for his patients that get a re-occurrence four to six times a year, he gives out a bunch of refills and for his patients that get it every month, he recommends taking a pill once a week just to keep a little of the antibiotic in your system. When I became infected with bacterial vaginosis the first time, I had been having sex with a new partner for five months. I wonder if this is only a coincidence. I'm still with the same (and only) partner. For me, I think stress is definitely my trigger. The first time was one week before my reconstructive knee surgery and the second and third times were immediately after a pretty nasty argument and breakup with said boyfriend. I chose to fill the prescription for the cream this time since I used the pills the last two times.
A couple of years ago, I had reoccurring yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis infections. It seemed like the treatment for one was causing the other. Then one day, the symptoms just stopped and I was fine, or maybe I just got used to the symptoms. In either case, I didn't have any unusual discharge, irritation, or odor for about two years. Then, about two months after having sex with my new boyfriend, I got what I thought was another yeast infection and I used an over the counter, one day treatment for yeast infections. I forgot which brand, but buyer beware: It made the symptoms unbearably worse. After this I went to my gynecologist and was treated for the yeast infection. I was on my period then so she couldn't tell if I also had bacterial vaginosis. About a week later, I was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. Then another yeast infection, and then bacterial vaginosis and more bacterial vaginosis. And now I can't remember the order, but suffice to say I was visiting my gynecologist every other week for a couple of months. She suggested my boyfriend also take Flagyl and that didn't work either. We even stopped having sex and that also didn't work. After a couple more diagnoses and treatments the bacterial vaginosis /yeast infection symptoms went away, and I was fine again for another couple of months, but now I am pretty sure I have bacterial vaginosis again. I've heard that ladies like me should stay away from: wet swimsuits, thongs, oral sex, vaginal sex, tampons, perfumed soaps, fabric softeners, tight pants, and the list goes on. I've tried avoiding these, and I still can't figure out the cause, but it is nice to know I'm not the only miserable one out there!
I used to be very embarrassed talking about BV, until I read how common it is in some women. I have been suffering with BV for about 2 years. I was doing fine with it until I meet my husband. When my husband and I started dating I began it began to come back more frequently. The only thing that really worked for me was the Flagyl (pills), but it took me a while to get use to them because it made me vomit just thinking about taking them. I've used the gel about 2 times but I didn't feel confident that it was working, so I am back to the pills.
Published: July 22
I'm new to this site, but I'm also researching BV. As a teenager and young adult, I was diagnosed with yeast infections constantly. However, I don't think my OB/gyn did extensive testing; it could have been BV back then. I am now 42 years old; I've been married to the same man for 20 years. 2 years ago I had a hysterectomy and had no problems after that. Until May of this year I started bleeding for no reason - I mean just like a menstrual cycle. It was during the holiday weekend, so no doctor was in. My sister told me it could be a UTI, so she gave me a few antibiotics to use. After a couple of days, I still didn't feel well, so I visited my family doctor, who tested my urine; told me there was no sign of bacteria in the urine, but was still blood there. She told me to follow up with my ob/gyn. I visited her the first of July - was told it was BV. She prescribed me a 10 day supply of Flagyl. Symptoms still didn't disappear. On July 14, I visited again for my yearly pap - and was told the BV was still there. I just finished a 7 day round of cream which cost me $59.00. The cream burns when I use it and I have abdominal pain that I've never had before. Does anyone know if this will clear up after I stop using the cream? She also sent my urine for a culture - but I've not heard from that yet. There was no follow-up visit scheduled. How long should I wait before going back if symptoms still are there? I don't understand what caused it either. There has been no sex in my house for a year and half (due to menopause and husband's physical problems). Any comments would be appreciated.
I have been fighting bacterial vaginosis off and on for the last four years and was on Flagyl everyday for the last trimester of my pregnancy because of it reoccurring! My OB/GYN recommended using Rephresh to help keep my pH at normal levels. (You can find it at all grocery and drug stores.) It's definitely helped!
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Suggested Reading on Bacterial Vaginosis by Our Doctors
Yeast vaginitis is a yeast infection of the vagina. Symptoms include itching, burning, soreness, pain during intercourse and urination, and vaginal discharge. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter and prescription medications.
There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Read more to learn about recommended procedures and tests for each stage of a healthy pregnancy.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
Chlamydia, a type of bacteria that causes an infection, is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time, women with chlamydia have no symptoms. Antibiotics are an effective treatment for chlamydia.
Vaginitis is any type of vaginal infection or inflammation. The six most common types of vaginitis are Candida (yeast infections), bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis vaginitis, chlamydia vaginitis, viral vaginitis, and noninfectious vaginitis. Symptoms include itching, burning, and abnormal vaginal discharge. Treatment is different for each type of vaginitis.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection transmitted during sexual contact. In women, symptoms include a yellow vaginal discharge, burning or frequent urination, and redness, swelling, burning and itching of the vaginal area. Gonorrhea can be treated with injectable (penicillin) or oral medications.
Vulvodynia or vaginal pain, genital pain is a condition in which women have chronic vulvar pain with no known cause. There are two types of vulvodynia, generalized vulvodynia and vulvar vestibulitis. Researchers are trying to find the causes of vulvodynia, which may include nerve irritation, genetic factors, hypersensitivity to yeast infections, muscle spasms, hormonal changes, and more. The most common symptoms of vaginal pain (vulvodynia) is burning, rawness, itching, stinging, aching, soreness, and throbbing. There are a variety of treatments that can ease the symptoms of vulvodynia (vaginal pain).
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a parasite passed from person to person. Trichomoniasis can be picked up from contact with damp, moist objects like towels, wet clothing, or toilet seat. Symptoms include yellow, green, or gray vaginal discharge with a strong odor, painful intercourse or urination, genital irritation and itching, and lower abdominal pain. Medication is the only treatment for trichomoniasis.
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Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
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Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
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A pelvic exam is a way for doctors to look for signs of illness in certain
organs in a woman's body. The word "pelvic" refers to the pelvis. The exam is
used to look at a woman's:
Vulva (external
genital organs)
Uterus (the womb)
Cervix (opening from the
vagina to the uterus)
Fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs to the womb)
Ovaries (organs that produce eggs)
Bladder (the sac that holds
urine)
Rectum (the chamber that connects the
colon to the
anus)
When Are Pelvic Exams Done?
Pelvic exams are performed:
During a yearly physical exam.
When a woman is pregnant.
When a doctor is checking for an infection (such as
chlamydia,
vaginosis,
trichomoniasis, and others).
When a woman is having pain in her pelvic area or
low back.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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I'm 40 years old and never had bacterial vaginosis before this past year. Today I went to the doctor for the third time in nine months. He gave me prescriptionss for Metronidazole (Flagyl) — both the cream and pills. He said I could take either one, they both work the same. He told me that for his patients that get a re-occurrence four to six times a year, he gives out a bunch of refills and for his patients that get it every month, he recommends taking a pill once a week just to keep a little of the antibiotic in your system. When I became infected with bacterial vaginosis the first time, I had been having sex with a new partner for five months. I wonder if this is only a coincidence. I'm still with the same (and only) partner. For me, I think stress is definitely my trigger. The first time was one week before my reconstructive knee surgery and the second and third times were immediately after a pretty nasty argument and breakup with said boyfriend. I chose to fill the prescription for the cream this time since I used the pills the last two times.
Related Reading: bacterial vaginosis | Metronidazole | stress