Bacterial Infection - Erie,PA

Updated on February 17, 2007
J.H. asks from Erie, PA
14 answers

Can someone give me some insight here? I have battled this stupid vaginal bacteria infection off and on for 6 years. I have treated w/flagyl, metrogel, clindaymicin. After using the medication, the infection is back within a month or two. I know this sounds gross and my doctor's office just tells me that with some women this is common. I have had been with my boyfriend for 6 years, take acidophillus, don't douche, use cotton underwear, everything I'm suppose to do to help "prevent" but nothing helps. Any help would be appreciated!

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A.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I've had the same problem... try peeing right after sex every time and watch taking baths with with bath salts and things like that... For me though, any time i didn't pee right after sex i got the infection the next day.

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H.I.

answers from Philadelphia on

J.,

Wow I'm sure glad I stumbled upon your question! I know that sounds funny but I've had this same problem for a while now also. It's weird because I had never had one in my entire life and then I get one and treat it and next thing you know I'm getting them as often as you. It's been so frustrating. Now I've never heard of that REPHRESH but I think I might try it. Because when I spoke with my GYN, she did say that the reason that we get BV has to do with your PH Balance. Anyway, my GYN has me trying the things that you are trying but what she did was give me a prescription for 2 treatments of the Metro-Gel and told me to give myself one dose right before my period ends because this is when they are happening. Then if the BV comes back I would just do a full treatment. And if they keep coming back after the two treatments then she said she would change my birth control because that could be the problem too.
Because birth control has hormones in it..it could be that I'm getting too many hormones. But let me know if you find anything that works.

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K.R.

answers from Harrisburg on

not to sound nosey but do you and your boyfriend use condoms? i have the same problem and always had to watch everything i do. i been with my boyfriend now for 6 yrs and find out early in our relationship that i was allergy to condoms. this is because of the latex also my doc told me that after having my children i increased a hormone (not sure which one, just know that it sucks). so i hope that this helps a little bit. K.

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I've had the same exact problem for years. Up until this past year I'd been buying Monistat on a monthly basis, thinking I was prone to yeast infections. Once I found out that it was bacterial vaginitis/vaginosis, my OB prescribed MetroGel, which didn't help, and then pills (can't recall the name) to be taken over the course of five days. My fiance also had to go to his doctor and get the same prescription. It's extremely important that you are both treated.

I've since developed the OB isn't very helpful anymore, and her only advice is to completely stop having oral sex, which I don't personally believe is a relevant fix for the problem at all.... LOL. Also, make sure you're fully lubed before having sex. I find that the infections rears its head usually after having sex without enough lubrication. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I feel your pain!

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C.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

could it be something you eat? but what the other woman said could totally be right....after that many years i would seek a second opinion or a specialist...

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J.W.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi, I think that your body may not be able to fight the infection itself for some reason. Please see your PCP or family doctor. Many women more than you'd imagine, have a thing called pre-diabetes. You can be tested for it and if your PCP doesn't know what your talking about when you ask him about pre-diabetes then you need to change doctors to a younger and university trained MD. You also could have some other auto-immune or systemic(whole body) ailment.Such as, lupus, rhuemtoid arthitis,or MS. I don't want to be an alarmist, because most of these things are easily treated in today's medicine. But really you need a medical check-up with a doctor who doesn't poopoo you off because your young and "look" healthy. Just ask him if he knows that the number one killer of women is heart disease and the highest cause of that heart disease is diabetes.(Look up the red dress campaign. )
Another clue that you might have pre-diabetes is if you have given birth to one or more babies who were more than 8 pounds even if your doc didn't pick up on high sugar levels during your pregnancies.
Good luck. And remember you are in charge of your health. Keep asking until your questions are answered.

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D.M.

answers from Lancaster on

Have your boyfriend checked, he might have it.

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K.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi J.,

My daughter is battle the same thing, her ob sent her to a specialist, the specialist gave her some steroid cream, she told my daughter that the walls inside her vaginal are thin, this is what causes her to get the infection, I guess when she has sexual intercourse it irritates the wall, which in turn causes the infection. and also she told her when she gets this infection , to call immediately and she will bring her in to examine her take some cultures,

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A.Z.

answers from Reading on

Hi J.! I also dealt with BV for awhile. It didn't work for me but someone else I know used to have problems with it too and they would douche with that vinegar and iodine douche the day after their period and they never had it again. However like I said that didn't work for me. I started taking 1000mg of vitamin C everyday and a multiviatmin and that did the trick for me. Also you may also want to make sure your dh is clean before having sex. I think that was a contributing factor for me too. I hope it clears up for you soon. I know how much of a PIA it is! (((HUGS))))

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A.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Two things.
#1) Your boyfriend could have it and giving it back to you.

#2) DIET. I get infections "down there" if I have to much sugar....candy, cake cookies... everything
I also get the same symptoms from Diet soda and other things that contain all the "safe sugar" alternatives.

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D.J.

answers from Philadelphia on

oh my, I have been waiting to be able to tell someone about this. With my son I had a vaginal infection for 5 months (pure torture) I got them alot after and now i am having another boy and back to the constant infection I went. If you got to walmart or any drugstore, they cam out with gel insert called REPHRESH. its not a medicine but it helps maintain a healthy PH. It is even safe during pregnancy. I love it. You insert the contents of one tube and it is thick so you dont have that uncomfortable feeling and lasts up to 3 days. I used one tube and it went away even after hundreds of dollars in prescription fees. It comes with 4 tubes but I use it as needed and completly love it. you can also have sex after using it and it acts like a lubricant. SO AWESOME!

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J.K.

answers from Scranton on

i had the same problem about a year ago. my doc gave me the metrogel and then told me to follow up the the otc item Rephresh twice a week. it worked for me and if i feel a flare up coming on i just use that rephresh. also after i have sex with my husband i get a good shower and sometimes i use that right afterward. i haven't had one since. hope it works for you too

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R.G.

answers from York on

J.,
I'm not sure about a cure, but you pretty much nailed the problem on the head in your post. You've been battling the problem for as long as you've been with your boyfriend. Sounds like the two of you need to be treated simultaneously right now and every time you break out again.

Hoping you find an answer soon.

Blessings,

Rolinda
Wife, Mother, Friend

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T.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

J.,

Sorry to hear about your problem, you might want to consider a supplement containing apple cider vinegar, after taking it your body will have a more acid vs base balance, most viruses, bacteria etc dont like an acidic environment, apple cider vinegar has many benefits, i cant guarantee that this will work but it might, please check w/your doctor and make sure this is safe for you. You can look up more info about ACV on the web.....I hope this will help.

T.

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