Patient Comments: Bacterial Vaginosis - Symptoms - Viewers Share Their Medical Experiences on MedicineNet

Patient Comments: Bacterial Vaginosis - Symptoms

What were your symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

Comment from: Jen, 35-44 Female (Patient) Published: March 28

I'm 35 and had a hysterectomy five years ago. Like other women experiencing bacterial vaginosis, I feel like I know more about this condition than most physicians. I started having vaginosis shortly after my hysterectomy. I didn't always have sex to get it. I discovered that changing sexual partners can cause it. Other causes or triggers I've noticed include diet, certain soaps, and hot weather (sweating for hours). I haven't had it in a few months, but just completed a prescription of amoxicillin for toot infection. Wouldn't you know?! Now I have to go back to the doctor for more Flagyl. I wish there was a simple way to prevent vaginosis. I'm glad my fiancé understands.

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Related Medications: amoxicillin

Comment from: San Fran girl, 35-44 Female (Patient) Published: March 05

My doctor says its normal women get it and don't even know. And that it cures itself and reoccurs. The doctor says it's the flora in the intestine. It's low. Take probiotics to build it up. Hope that helped.

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Comment from: mency, 35-44 Female (Patient) Published: June 21

I have had these horrible symptoms for 17 days now. It started with and awful vaginal itch, swelling, burning and a slight odor. My doctor diagnosed me with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and a yeast infection. I swear that this has to be the most awful thing a woman has to go through. My husband is really understanding and helps me out, but sometimes it gets so bad that I wish I could rip my vagina off. I am currently on Diflucan.

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Comment from: Sunshine, 25-34 Female (Patient) Published: February 14

I have been suffering with BV for over 10 years. At first I thought it was a STD, but I went to the dr and she diagnosed me with BV. My symptoms were terrible. At first I had a terrible discharge, and the odor was horrible. I remember taking a bath and washing with soap and it made the smell worse. I can deal with all the other symptoms such as soreness, irritability in the clitoris, but the smell is by far the most embarrassing. I could literally smell it through my pants. No woman should have to go through this. It has caused me to have low self-esteem. What I have found that works best is the dr gave me an antibiotic to take after intercourse. I have found that when my husband ejaculates in me the next day I start having the symptoms. So he and I stay away from doing that, and we both wash before and after sex. It is important to keep dry so that the ph doesn't change dramatically. Flagyl is the only medicine that clears my BV up, but it almost always re-occurs later on. Some women are allergic to semen and it messes up our ph levels. I hope this helps someone out there suffering with the same horrible condition as me.

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Comment from: Lady, 25-34 Female (Patient) Published: January 25

I am 27 and have had BV off and on for about 7 years. I've gone over a year maybe 2 without having it and suddenly it came back with vengeance. Within the last year I've had it at least 4 times. I do eat a lot of sweets but I would say my stress level is normal. I lost my dad about a year ago but even before all of this I struggled with BV. I've been on Metronidazole, Flagyl and Cleocin. The doctors don't really seem to have an answer. I was told to try a pH balancer to help balance my vaginal bacteria. I only use Ivory soap, I rarely wear thongs. One thing that I do think may trigger it or cause the imbalance to start is oral sex and if your partner slips to your anal region and re-enters his penis/tongue in the vagina, unfortunately some women are more sensitive than others. I for one have never had an STD nor a yeast infection so it's very frustrating to have to be cautious of EVERYTHING from what kind of panties you wear, to the soap, to sex to what you eat, the list continues. Hopefully they find a permanent cure for it. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!!

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Related Medications: Metronidazole

Comment from: pinkrocketmr2, 35-44 Female (Patient) Published: December 27

Hi there all, I've just found out that I have this BV after years of getting infections. I'm on a strong dose 1250 mg day for 7days, and guess what it's xmas in new Zealand and no drinking even after you finish for 48 hours after. I've been told that it keeps recurring which telling you, I'm not handling pain soreness at all. I can't live like this for rest of my life. Noticed some woman say she had no sex either, but I got told you also can get it from stress so all out there this is a major breakthrough plus antibiotics also. If anyone out there has any natural ways that work please love to hear from you, as scary knowing its disease and it can cause to other areas.

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Patient Comments

Viewers share their comments

Bacterial Vaginosis - Causes Question: Do you know what caused your bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial Vaginosis - Complications Question: Did you suffer complications from bacterial vaginosis? If so, what were they?
Bacterial Vaginosis - Treatment Question: What was the treatment for your bacterial vaginosis?

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