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. Published: July 23 ::

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! Published: July 24 ::

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 23 ::

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. Published: July 22 ::

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! Published: June 26 ::

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! Published: June 26 ::