Question:
Chronic Bacterial Vaginosis, I'm 19 mo. post op DS - suggestions?

I've had chronic BV for nearly four months now, and my last visit to the GYN I met with a new doctor. She said she is not surprised with my issues, and she says it's because the flora in the colon is closely in balance with the flora of the vagina. I believe the specific name she used was lactobacillus. The usual gels and pills have not worked, she gave me a script for boric acid suppositories - no luck yet. So - has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions? Please post here or email me privately if you wish. [email protected]    — JAFMartin (posted on July 20, 2004)

July 19, 2004
Julie, Nope, haven't had this. BUT, gotta wonder if maybe a good dose of acidopholus might be helpful. A friend recommended this: I get my super acidophilus from great earth vitamin stores. The best Ive found is called ultra duodophilus. It has billions of friendly bacteria in it to reseed your intestines. After the antibiotics we have wiped out the good bacteria and the bad. Go to google.com do a search for great earth vitamin stores and somewhere there at their website you will be able to click on a map and your state and find a store near you. I usually call and order by phone and they ship it. I think its around 30 dollars for 90 caplets. Hope this helps some! Hey - who is your DS surgeon? And do you hang on the DS Forum here on AMOS? Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

July 19, 2004
Yes, I have had it on more than one occasion when I had to take antibiotics long term. I take acidopholus tablets and I also make sure I occasionally get in some yogurt with active cultures (plain non-fat with splenda and protein powder added). I also seriously avoid anything with white flour or sugar since they always make my problem worse. I haven't had any problems since I adopted this regimen.
   — scbabe

July 20, 2004
I take acidophilus daily. Two capsules that must be stored in the refrigerator and they have over 3 billion active cultures. This is the only way to keep my infections under control. I buy mine online at www.puritan.com I usually can get a buy one get one free deal with them. This is definately worth the price to stop the infections.
   — ckreh

July 22, 2004
I am a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. I would have your GYN make sure the infection is really gone. Is this four seperate infections or one continuous one? People who douch, frequently change hygene products, have tons of sex, use spermacide and wear non-cotton/non-full back panties(ie thongs/G-string underwear) get this infection all of the time. Ladies the vagina is like a self cleaning oven! If you weren't born with it, don't stick it in there!!! You may want to examine your sexual practices (Any vibrators? Are they proberly cleaned after each use? Any syrups ect...? Anal/vaginal sex? I would talk to your doctoer about a maintance dose of the Metrogel. 1 applicator of gel in the vagina, two times a week for eight weeks. The sad news is NO SPERM IN THE VAGINA FOR THE ENTIRE TREATMANT AND FOR A MONTH AFTER!!!! Sperm is basic and your vagina needs to be acidic. I hope this helps.
   — Kerijohnson

July 25, 2004
I kept having this problem and did the daily antibiotic, did the lactobacillias (??) pills etc, but I finally figured out what was causing it for me and you'll probably be shocked. I used to take Flintstones vitamins and apparently the Red dye bothers me. I switched over to Bariatric Advantage since they didn't use artificial colors and now I'm fine. Once in a while I'll slip and have something and then I realize it had the dyes in it. I've never heard of anyone else having this problem but me, but I thought I'd throw it out there. My doctor's kept acting like I wasn't being clean enough or that I was being too clean and wiping out the good flora. Anyway, it wasn't me, it was the dyes. :)
   — bstowe