Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   What's the biological value of a tabby diet?
   I work as a bodybuilding instructor and I would like to know how it fares on the BV scale, compared to other, more common animal products.

   • ANSWER:
     More info. I am not aware of the 'tabby' diet. I hope it isn't what I'm thinking.

2. QUESTION:
   please help cancer or?
   Your Open QuestionShow me another »
   Anyone know whats wrong with my body?
   hi guys, im alisha, im 17 white, and petite
   basically i was in a relationship for 2 years, and i think he used to cheat on me 24/7. in 09 i had an abortion, due to my relationship being really crapp!! im scared ive got cancer or something and him always hurting me,
   ive previously had chlamidia, and that made me end up in hospital in really bad pain, i was on a drip, and in there for a few hours, it turned out i had PID! since then ive had BV! my diet is not all that geat mind, i usually eat, chocolate chips, and anything with potatoe! i usually eat carrots, on my cook dinner, i dont really eat meat, and if i do its chicken but not very often at all! i usually drink alot of fizzy drinks like lucozade cherry, i love that stuff, and last year, i was asked to be checked for diabetes but dident cos i hate needles! and now recently ive been really tired, loss of apetite, weeing alot lol! and usually in the mornings i find it really hard to get up even after like 10 hours sleep! i have no enrgy and feel slugish most of the time and ive had on and off headaches for about 3/4 days.! also i have lots of vaginal dishcharge, its horrible! its just white, still till this day i get itt, and its terrible! i have no STDS, or STI'S i am not sexually active since September 10. anyway ive had check-ups etc, but nothing, but lately ive been having aches around my kidneys, also have achy pains in my kidneys, and have been tested for a water infection but all is clear.. middle, and the odd shoooting abdominal pains, shooting pains, in the vagina, very rare though! ive been on anti-biotics, for 3 weeks due to a infected perforated ear drum, and my periods have been very odd, i used to come on at the beginning of the month, and now its about the middle to the end, and when i do come on, its black in colour, and it dosent last very long, and im never on heavy in the nights like i used to be.... and right im all achy by where my hips are can someone please help?... i went to the doctors today, and he examined me and said everything felt fine, i have to have some swabs done, just to check for any infection..... but he said if they come back clear hes gonna send me for a scan to make sure everyhings ok ..

   • ANSWER:
     That's just too much going on, starting with an abortion at the age of 15... PID isn't cancer.

3. QUESTION:
   wondering if the BV online book is worth it.?
   Ive been battling BV for the past 3yrs. I just check out the acid/alkaline diet book and the program looks very difficult to follow. I'm sure I could follow it if I have to but if this online book is better I'd like to know. Does anyone know if the online BV book(rid yourself of symptoms in 3days) is any good?

   • ANSWER:
     Hi Katina,

     Although this has nothing to do with the book (I am sorry no patient has told me about this book, nor have I seen it anything regarding its content nor usefulness). As you are probably aware of BV accounts for up to 50% of all vaginitis followed by Vaginal Candidiasis (VC) which accounts for up to 25% of all infections. It is a good idea to treat simultaneously, especially if you have recurrent infections. This is especially true for BV for its high recurrence rate of up to 20-40% after 1 month.

     So my question is if in these last 3 years if you have been battling recurrent infections or simply getting infected again. Recurrent infections are the case when you cure yourself of the infection and within a short period of time the symptoms are back, if more then 3 months since being cured its a new infection. Another question is whether or not you take your medications as instructed by the physician (7-10 days). I myself like to treat this problem very aggressively due to such high recurrence rates and as I can imagine the fact that it is uncomfortable both socially and physically. I will tell you how I treat my patients. I myself like to treat my patients as if they had BV, VC and trichomoniasis infections and typical use for a single patient the following regimen:

     Butoconazole 2% cream 5g sustained release intravaginally first night with 2g metronidazole (just in case they have trichomoniasis vaginalis (TV) which accounts for up to 20% of all cases) and fluconazole 150mg single dose. The following night the patient continues with Clindamycin ovules 100mg intravaginally for 3 days and Metronidazole 500mg twice a day for 6 days. She continues to use 0.5% metronidazole twice a week for a minimum of 6 months if not longer (up to 8 months).

     If you have chaffed irritated skin, I suggest Boric acid (Borofax). Your physician can give you 600mg gelatin capsule intravaginally once a day and then every other day 1 week after resolution followed by twice a week for 6 months. This can be used in conjunction with metronidazole gel 0.5% as another method to stop recurrence. This is extremely rare to use and in this case you should be reviewed for some other conditions. It simply is not normal to have such a difficult disease to treat and thus you should get a complete panel to review for any other serious conditions that might account for such a long course of infection. In addition your partner should be considered for treatment (ALWAYS if trichomoniasis) if chronic or recurrent infections occur. In addition yeast culture, bacterial culture, glucose intolerance test (to see if you have insulin resistance or even diabetes), and HIV test should be offered in case of recurrent or resistant cases.

     Butoconazole and Fluconazole treat VC. Since I treat the BV with antibiotics it is very common to then get a yeast infection (VC).

     Douches may in fact be one of the reasons for the problem in the first place. However a good cleaning is required with simple soap/water (careful not to irritate the region) during a shower etc. During the early parts of the infection it is a good idea to wash the region with soap/water in the morning and night and simply wash lightly with water during the rest of the day perhaps 1 or if you really need to (heavy vaginal discharge) twice but ONLY WITH WATER during these other times and gently (no inserting water into the vaginal canal). Regular vaginal douching changes the delicate chemical balance of the vagina and can make a woman more susceptible to infections. Douching can introduce new bacteria into the vagina which can spread up through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. Although not extensively studied, safe sexual practices may play a role in decreasing BV, VC and trichomoniasis. Tampon use does not seem to be associated with vaginitis. Also keep in mind that wearing tight fitting or non-cotton underwear leads more to yeast infections (VC) then BV due to increased temperature, moisture, and local irritation.

     Just for extra informaton, in 2009 one Cochrane review did not find pro-biotic useful in the treatment BV. However according to a few studies (see reference numbered 4, 5 and 6) a small number of clinical studies suggests that eating yogurt with L. acidophilus cultures may help especially when taking antibiotics and for the recurrence of both bacterial vaginosis and vaginal candidiasis.

     I suggest that you go back to your physician (find another one if he/she has not solved the situation yet) and get properly treated. I really hope this helped you out, I wish I could offer some kind of book however I am not aware of any.

     Sincerely,

     Dan M.D.

4. QUESTION:
   Why do I have recurring bouts with Bacterial Vaginosis?
   I have been diagnosis with BV for about the fourth time now. I haven't had sex in two years, my personal hygiene is excellent, and I don't wear tight fitting pants. Is it my diet? Why do I keep getting BV? Am HIV negative and STDs free. Am pretty much a healthy person.

   • ANSWER:

     Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a very common infection and many women get this infection as some point in their life. BV occurs when the bacteria becomes unbalanced in the vagina. Although BV is treatable and curable, the symptoms are usually unpleasant. If you have bacterial vaginosis at least 4 times a year, then this is called recurring bacterial vaginosis infections. It is important to see your doctor if you are having recurring BV infections. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to stop recurring bacterial vaginosis infections.

     Things You’ll Need:
     Health evaluation
     Physical examination
     Pelvic exam
     Lab tests
     Appropriate treatment method (antibiotics, hormonal therapy, etc.)
     RepHresh vaginal gel

     Step1 Schedule an appointment with your doctor. In order to stop recurring bacterial vaginosis infections, it is important to visit your doctor in order to find out the specific reason for the infections. There are different reasons why a woman may get bacterial vaginosis, such as hormonal imbalances due to pregnancy, menopause and menstruation, using feminine hygiene products, having multiple sexual partners (or a new sex partner), stress, a weakened immune system from an illness such as diabetes or HIV, douching too often and using scented panty liners, pads or tampons.

     Step2 Discuss the test results and treatment options with your doctor. Your doctor informs you of your test results and lets you know how you can best treat the recurring bacterial vaginosis infections. Your doctor may first prescribe you an oral antibiotic (metronidazole or clindamycin) or a vaginal cream or gel to cure the BV infection. He then proceeds to treat the underlying cause for the recurring bacterial vaginosis infections which may involve additional medications, hormonal therapy, or suggesting certain changes to your diet or lifestyle behavior.

     Step3 Use RepHresh vaginal gel to help prevent recurring BV infections. RepHresh is an over-the-counter product that helps to keep the pH level balanced in the vagina, which reduces your chances of getting recurring bacterial vaginosis infections. You can use this product once every 3 days at anytime of the day (especially after having your menstrual cycle or having sexual intercourse). Visit rephresh.com for more information about this product.

     Step4 Follow a well-balanced diet plan. Be sure to eat healthy food and nutritional meals everyday. Try to avoid eating sugary food, soy sauce, cheese and chocolate and refrain from drinking soda, coffee or alcohol, because these types of food products puts you at a higher risk of developing recurring bacterial vaginosis infections.

     Step5 Clean your vaginal area each day. Try taking showers instead of baths and be sure to properly clean the vaginal area with soap and water everyday, to help stop bacterial vaginosis infections.

5. QUESTION:
   I was diagnosed with BV and have been on Metronidazole for a week. But, my urine smells terrible!?
   The smell has actually gotten worse then it first did when I sought treatment for the BV. My urine smells like a horrific combination of ammonia and bacon. Gross, huh? I have no other symptoms of anything. Just a foul smell but I've been on Metronidazole for the recommended week's worth of treatment for BV...so what could it be?? I drink mostly diet soda and not much water (although I've upped my H2O intake the past couple days) but wondering if I'm just dehydrated? I don't want to have to go to the doc again if I don't have to.

   • ANSWER:

6. QUESTION:
   How do you deal with recurring Bacterial Vaginosis?
   I have had BV for the past 6 months. I've tried a handful of different remedies, but it always seems to come back. Anyone else out there deal with chronic or recurring BV? Any success stories? Any theories as to why it keeps coming back?

   I have only one sex partner and we both have pretty good hygene. Diet could be an issue, though I have cut down on my sugar intake... Could a vitamin deficiency be the cause?

   • ANSWER:

7. QUESTION:
   If it is not BV then what is it?! DESPERATE!?
   I have all the symptoms of BV, foul odor being the main one. I went to planned parenthood to get tested and they said the results were negitive! How could this be? I know I do not have an STD and a yeast infection is very unlikely... I was almost 100% sure I had BV but now I don't know? I have tried yogurt, folic acid, diet change, and even yeast infection cures... really nothing has worked. Is it possible that the tests at planned parenthood were incorrect? Thanks for any advice!

   • ANSWER:
     Get to a doctor. If you are sexually active, then you should be seeing an OB/GYN on a regular basis.

     They could be wrong, but if you saw an OB/GYN there and they did a culture, then probably not. Yeast infections don't have a foul odor (just a yeasty smell) and I do not know if trichomonosis has an odor or not.

     I would get a second opinion because you should have a natural odor, but if it's a fishy smell then that is usually a sign of BV or another infection.

     Good luck, sweetie!

8. QUESTION:
   Bacterial Vaginosis problem known as BV, are these some cures that work?
   Ok this is now the 3rd time I have had this... For those who don't know what it is it's NOT a STD an you don't give nor catch it from anyone I've been told by many Doctors and know for a fact myself. You can't use the same thing you can use for a yeast infection to get rid of it. Not trying to be rude, but if you don't have a clue what I'm talking about save the comments saying go to the Dr. Been there done that antibiotics are just short term for me an other women. So after medications/antibiotics from the Dr. has faild many times. Due to the antibiotics the Dr. gives kills both good an bad bacteria making it easier for BV to come back again an again an harder to get rid of each time it does come back. I have been to the Dr. for this one as well an once again it was hopeless.

   I have come across some things that I want to know if they have worked for anyone else. I have read that they do but that's just on some site. Due they really get rid of BV leaving the beneficial bacteria that all us women have there to prevent it from coming back?

   I have already taken steps to improve my diet I've seen every where that it can help a lot.

   From what I read I guess these are all pills? Folic acid, acidopholus an cranberry pill? I read that it will help keep the beneficial flora balanced in the vagina.... Does it get rid of it can they be used as a cure or does it just keep it under control like a medication? Flat out can they be used as a cure do they work???? One more thing can you buy them at like wal-mart without a persciption? Help please BV gets to the point where it takes over my life leaving me with no personal life. If anyone knows of any cures or ways to get rid of BV in there own personal experiences please let me know. If you even know of some home remedies.

   • ANSWER:
     You are right in what you are saying antibiotics are the usual treatment for bacterial vaginosis but as these kill all the bacteria within the vagina even the good bacteria recurrent BV is a real problem. All of the other things you mention will help with your general health and stop the BV coming back. I would always start with a course of antibiotics and then continue with the more natural treatments to prevent it coming back.

     Its all about maintaining the flora (bacteria balance) of the vagina and things like the folic acid and acidophilus will help. Actually acidophilus lactobacitllus is the good bacteria found within the vagina so taking acidophilus supplements is a great idea and yes they are in capsule form available from any good health store.

     Another thing you could try is natural yogurt with live cultures (good bacteria) a well known brand is Activia. Now you can eat this or soak a tampon in it an insert directly in to the vagina.

     Do not panic and good luck with any treatments you try.

9. QUESTION:
   Can men pass BV back to a woman?
   I have recurring BV (bacterial vaginitis), I've been having this problem most of my adult life and it's very frustrating.. I want to cry everytime i have it b/c it's embarrassing, and it makes me feel less of a woman.. Anyways, i've been w/my boyfriend for over 1 yr, totally monogamous.. I, like always, keep getting BV.. I take the meds and it goes away, then we start having sex and i get it again.. This time it was within a week, sometimes it takes longer to get back.. but I'm wondering if he could carry the bacteria or something?? My Dr says no its only a woman thing, but I've heard different.. I don't know what to think.. And if i tell him he needs to be treated I don't want him to think I'm telling him he has something like an STD.. he will think I'm gross or something.. Ugh.. if anyone has any insight as to how to get rid of this forever i would love the info..

   I have tried yogurt everyday, suppositories, supplements, changed my diet, never take baths only showers, cotton undies... I have good hygiene too I'm not dirty.. i just don't know what to do.. I'm going to have a melt down soon if I don't figure this out.. nothing keeps it away for good, it always returns..

   Thanks

   • ANSWER:
     Yes. I had the same problem back in college. I kept getting BV infections and would take the antibiotics. As soon as my partner and I had unprotected sex, I would get it again. Only when both he and I took the round of antibiotics did it go away fro good. To make sure we used condoms for almost 2 months after treatment to get my va-jay-jay back to a normal ph balance.

10. QUESTION:
    Anyone read the book "3 days to permanent BV relief"?
    I've had this problem for over 5 months now, and I have to say it is damn irritating! I've had a pap smear about 6 times in the past 5 months and the first three times they said I had Bacterial Vaginosis.

    I took some pills, and the symptoms were gone for a week but then came back. I went back for a pap smear again, and she said that she saw some of the symptoms that I described but that it wasn't BV and she couldn't find out what it is. She literally tested me for everything. It's so infuriating to know I'm suffering from this stupid infection and that the doctors had no cure for me.

    I read up on home remedies, and came across this book called 3 days to permanent bacterial vaginosis relief. It sounded like a miracle to me, but the problem was that I didn't have the actual cash to buy the book to see the cure! On top of that I can't find anyone talking about what the book said about the cure anywhere! I'm so frustrated about this, and I know there are many women out there who either have suffered or are suffering from it. I'm sick of taking pills and creams in hopes it will cure this BV bullcrap, only to find it comes back as soon as it leaves.

    Can anyone offer me some advice on things I should maybe start eating that will regulate my PH level(which seems to be the cause of the BV reoccurring)? I am taking birth control and I've switched 3 times now with no different results. I don't eat a lot of meats, nor do I eat a whole lot of vegetables. The only difference in my diet is that I haven't been eating a whole lot of meat recently.

    Thank you for reading, and hopefully I'll hear some good answers. I'm not sure where else to look. :/

    • ANSWER:
      I'm sorry, I can't answer your questions about the book, because I too have been wondering if it really works and I too don't have the moolah for it lol. As far as home remedies go, I've heard of bathing in an Apple Cider Bath and drinking Apple Cider diluted with waters helps. I have yet to try it, seeing as though I have the same issue. Inserting a tampon covered with plain yogurt is another remedy I've heard of. Hope this helps a little!

11. QUESTION:
    why is there a fishy smell comin from my vagina?
    i dont have any stds or bv, and i get my period every 6 months out the yr and i have 2 months of no period left. what i dont get is why the smell? i thought it could be my diet but im not sure. has anyone gone threw this or knows whats happenin, please help.

    • ANSWER:
      If you are sexually active my guess its the males ejaculation still in your vagina.

12. QUESTION:
    Can your location cause more frequent vaginal infections? IS this yeast or BV?
    I moved to a different state about 4 years ago. I became pregnant with my 3 year old shortly after and since then have suffered from more frequent BV and Yeast infections. The doctors don't always even find anything on the smear, but I constantly have an odor now which was NEVER a problem before. (The nurse suggested this might be my "natural odor", I was mortified.) Seriously, I have even been complimented by past partners for never having a smelly problem. And yes, I have been tested 2x in 3 years for every STD!
    As you can imagine, in 3 1/2 yrs I have tried everything! Rx, OTC, douching (new for me), not douching, vaginal wipes, no baths, non fragranced vaginal soaps, suppositories, changing my diet, changing my panties, wearing panty liners, having my IUD removed, etc. The only thing I haven't tried is garlic or vinegar, but if I am having odor (not fishy) with no itching, irritation, burning, or any thing else it seems silly to add a stinky item to the mix. I am at an utter loss here and my sex life with my hubby is suffering along with my self confidence. I just gave birth to my third son 6 weeks ago and I am breastfeeding. This problem continued during the pregnancy and postpartum. HELP PLEASE!!!!

    • ANSWER:
      climate is not important - possibilities are - 1) reduced immune system because of pregnancy and delivery - 2) dramatic change in vaginal micro flora (change in hygienic products?!?) - 3) partner with infections; - try some effective natural remedies for longer period - see below

13. QUESTION:
    Yeast infection/BV help! Will this work?
    I'm at my wick's end with this thing. NONE of the medication gets rid of ti and going back and forth to the Dr is getting annoying and expensive. I've been naked in that dr office more times than in my own bed room!!!!
    I found a bunch of stuff online that I think MAY help. I'm giving up on modern meds because they make me nauseous and they don't help to cure it after being so nauseous for weeks at a time. Has any one tried the Candida diet??? (or as my husband calls it "Why don't you just starve to death diet") There's a link for it in case no one knows what the diet entails:
    http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/candida_foods1.htm

    Also has anyone bought this lady's ebook: Sarah Summer
    Again, there's a link:
    http://www.natural-cure-for-yeast-infection.com/?hop=carolrb
    There's a money back guarantee on her book so I'm willing to try it, but I don't want it to be a scam and have my cards all tied up in it.

    Like I said I'm willing to try anything but one thing I will NOT do is have this plaguing my life for another second! I've had this off and on for the past year and I'm sick of the drs telling me how COMMON it is and then turning right around and acting as if I have a rare disease that they suddenly DON'T know how else to treat! I feel like if it's so common....they should have SOME treatment other than Flagl or Clindamycin or metro gel! None of that stuff WORKS!

    Finished my rant...ready for answers.
    Actually I have BV more so than YI But thank you for your help.

    • ANSWER:
      Ughh....this really sucks! This past year I also battled multiple BV infections, and then once that was finally gone, I got a yeast infection and UTI. Not a fun 8 or so months, so I hear ya. Although once I was finally prescribed the metro gel mine went away, but the thought still lingers that it could reappear any day. Anyway, as for the Candida diet, go for it if you think you can forego everything listed as food no-no's. It's very limiting on what you can eat, and could be difficult to get used to (at least for me!). Here's a link to some at home remedies for yeast infections, though I'm not sure the same would get rid of the BV.

      http://www.altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsqtoz/a/yeast_infection.htm

      If you were going to get the book, I'd suggest starting some sort of remedy in the mean time to hopefully get some relief! Good luck

14. QUESTION:
    For the last year, I have noticed my urine being very odorous.?
    Right around the time that I started noticing this, I started getting BV as well. I have had BV about 4 times in the last year. I mentioned the urine odor to my OB but she didn't seem to think anything of it. Some days it is worse than others, but it is always pretty strong. And, I do generally drink plenty of water and have a pretty healthy diet. Anyone have any ideas what the problem could be?

    • ANSWER:
      You have a Urinary Trac Infection, it usually causes a very strong odor. Go to you primary care physician and inform him/her about it. Make sure you do this as soon as possible it can give you a kidney infection if untreated, so hurry and make an appt.

15. QUESTION:
    If my almost 15-year-old sister took these green tea fat burner pills, what would happen to her?
    She weighs almost 140 lbs and she does have a gut, but she's not really FAT.
    She gets picked on and she wants to either go on a crash diet or take these pills...
    I don't know...what would happen to her if she took them? Would she die or would her body reject it or what?
    (Their our dads pills by the way)

    http://www.bostonvitamin.com/images/product/bv_img_greentea_fatburn_600.jpg

    • ANSWER:
      i don't think that green tea pills would be harmful, it is good that they are a sort of natural product. i wouldn't worry about it, although she probably should ask your dad if she can share them with him.

16. QUESTION:
    Ladies about the itch?
    I was treated for a yest infection and BV about 3 months ago. My diet consisted of a lot of sugar and I cut down on the sugar for those three months and I was fine.

    Just recently I had a relapse mainly because I am depressed and I am doing a lot of things that I probably should not be doing like drinking coffee with tons of sugar, staying up until 6 am, stressing out, eating bread etc.....

    I plan to go back on my normal diet tomorrow.

    I don't have a discharge or anything I am just a little itchy near the clit, behind labia folds and the vaginal opening. This itchiness can be from the sweat because it's so hot but I do not have a clumpy discharge. MY discharge is sort of like a light version of conditioner. It is creamy almost sticky but before then it was really stretchy and slimy.

    My period is due on the 4th of next month.

    I still have some vaginal cream left over from my prescription it is the metronizadole vaginal gel. Do you think I should apply some of that down below to help with the yeast?

    I'll also cut out or decrease the amount of sugar and I'll go back to my regular sleep pattern.
    Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      yes definitely also vagisil wipes are actually pretty good too. idk if uve tried them

17. QUESTION:
    I'm a virgin and I keep getting vaginal infections, so what can I do?
    I'm 17 and I've never had sex. I keep getting bacterial vaginosis, I was treated for it with antibiotics and it came back, but now it's worse. My lower abdomen is sore and the other day there was blood coming out of my vagina, which only lasted a few hours. I know it wasn't my period. I looked up the symptoms and I think I might have pelvic inflammatory disease from the recurring BV. I'm really scared and upset, I don't understand why I get so many infections when I don't even have sex. I read that poor diet could be a cause of BV; my family doesn't have much money so we eat a lot of "cheap" foods, but my mom's been eating the same things I have and she's fine. I'm going to tell her to take me to the doctor asap, but until then.. Could anyone give me some advice?

    • ANSWER:
      You are smart to involve your mom. Push to see a doctor soon. If that is not an option due to cost, go to the local county health center. You will have to wait (take a book) but you need to be seen soon.

      Be sure you wipe from front to back so no germs are making contact via toilet paper.

      Also be sure your underwear are being washed in hot water and/or with some bleach. Or use a disposable liner for a while to limit the chance that you are reinfecting yourself.

      In any case, do not get too upset, it might be something as simple as yeast - just be sure you see an expert.

      Good Luck, I hope you feel better soon.

18. QUESTION:
    this is embarrassing but, idk what to do. Female help please ?
    last three yrs ive had an issue down there, although i shower regularly. It was confusing bc im very clean. Ive noticed a smell, and i become insecure during intercourse.. but i didn't think anyone could smell it until recently, my guy friend acted funny when i wanted him to go down there.. he told me that sometimes i didnt smell to appetizing (a good way to put it) . that made me 10x more embarrassed.. went to a Doctor & was told I had BV. Took the treatment, all the symptoms went away but like 3 weeks later (no sexual contact) the smell began to return, I went back to my gyno who says im fine.. no yeast, no std.. no bv .. so whats the issue a bad diet? is there something I can do to make this go away?

    • ANSWER:

19. QUESTION:
    34 Weeks Pregnant Need Midwife or Experienced Mother?
    I woke up from a nap a little wet but I have had a increase in discharge for 3 days so I thought I just overflowed my pantie liner by the time I stood up and walked to the bathroom it was all over my legs it was a white and clear discharge with like lil bubbles in it I have SPD which causes severe pelvic pain but today I feel good just a weird feeling in my cervix but its the babys head that I'm pretty sure of other info second pregnancy might find useful I have SPD manage pain with rest and lots of pillows to keep my hips in a relaxed posotion I am 2cm dilated for past 2 months I also have gestational diabeties managed with diet checked for stds yeast infection and bv on friday all came back good my doctor is away that deals in my case I was told to not take advice from the current doctor on staff cause he dismisses what I have to say and has misdiagnosised me many times when stuff was serious he would also be the doctor on staff if I go to the er

    • ANSWER:

20. QUESTION:
    women, sleeping with no underwear?
    2 make the long story short, I've been batteling bv for 3 months and it's finally gone, only the gel gave me a yeast infection, so now I'm on dufilcan for that. last time i had the pill it allowed the bacteria overgrow giving me another case of bv. anyway, I've been changing my diet, staying away from a lot candy, sticking to my fruits and cranberry juice, and now thinking about getting off this yasmin. I dry down there with a hair dryer, and as of now I'm using scentless soap. I've already got the answer that it's a good idea not to have panties on while sleeping, but now I have 2 questions. 1: is it possible that I can use this scentless soap only for that area and use my regular soap for the rest of my body? 2: if I decide to go to bed without underwear, which is very weird because discharge happens at night sometimes, is it possible that I can wear my pajama pants still, just without the panties? boxers maybe? It gets cold in my dorm and I like something on my legs. Thanks ladies!

    • ANSWER:
      1. Yes you can use scentless soap there and normal soap everywhere else. Alternatively you could stop using any soap down there at all.

      2. Yes just wear no underwear but still wear boxers or your pyjama pants, it's a lot looser than underwear so the skin can still breathe etc. but you are covered.

      This site has some good info on hygiene etc that you might like: http://www.the-clitoris.com (it's an anatomy site, not porn, and discusses both the soap issue and underwear at night issue)

21. QUESTION:
    Why do I burn down there?
    I feel so much burning down there and have since I slept with my husband - especially after I pee - it last for a long time. It sucks! My docs have given me antibiotics for BV infections, but I'm starting to think it's not that, because it does NOTHING for me - I eat a good diet too. Last time I got checked for BV they did a urine test and it came back neg..they did a swab & said I barely had any bacteria, but went ahead & sent me on with an antibiotic. My pain is so bad that if it was BV it would've showed up easily with a urine test. I have been checked for gonorrhea, chlamydia, Hepatitus, HIV, had a pap test...all came back neg! Anything else they are missing? What is going on? No, it's not a UTI! Thanks.
    and checked for syphilis too.
    Thanks. The doc who is seeing me is my obgyn. I need relief!

    • ANSWER:
      Hard to say. try an appt. with your ob/gyn if you haven't already or even a urologist. So many different things it could be. Good luck.

22. QUESTION:
    Is this good?? How to increase...?
    I am 5'3 3/4", 15 year old girl. I just grew 3/4 of an inch in a week and 2 days (So, in nine days, WOOHOO!!) Is this good? For me it is good, but I'm scared my growing age will end soon and I can't grow to be 5'6" as I wanted! Please no growth hormones please... Stretches and diet only... And what is the noprmal mazimum growth age? My sister was 5'2 1/2" when she was 16 and grew to 5'5" bv the age of 17. I'm just giving you some details about my family since I don't know about my mother and father.

    Family height :
    Mom: 5'6"
    Dad: 5'10"
    Sister: 5'5" at 17
    Me: 5'3 3/4" at 15

    Another question, will I be taller than my sister?? We are always jokingly around who is taller and I want to know what other people think...

    Sorry for too many questions!!
    What? I'm NOT on diet, I am asking for what kind of diet can get me taller! Diet as in what nutrition I take, duh!

    • ANSWER:
      If you are still within the growing age then perhaps you can add a few inches by eating a balanced diet and leading an active life. A nutritious diet that includes fruits and vegetables, dairy, cereals, meat, and plenty of water will aid the natural process for enhancing height. A good and proper night’s sleep is also essential for the growth process. Taking part in active sports along with some stretching exercises can have a cumulative effect on human growth. There is not much we can do to grow taller after puberty. There are many products in the market today that claim to increase height of adults, but they are all scams without sufficient scientific evidence. Surgical options, though available, are EXTREMELY RISKY and of course expensive. This leaves us with basically two options.

      1.Stretching Exercises: - These exercises will help you improve your posture. You’ll be surprised that how much of “Height” is hidden behind your slouched back. You can, at any age, add an inch or two of height by simply improving your posture. Follow the link below for information on specific height enhancing exercises:
      http://walktallshoes.com/grow-taller-exercises.html

      2.Second, you can create a “Taller” effect by following some smart fashion techniques. You can easily add another inch or two of “illusionary height” by improving your dress coordination. The link below can provide some input on height increase through fashion effect:
      http://www.walktallshoes.com/how-to-dress-taller-quiz.htm

      Good luck

23. QUESTION:
    Help, i'm in so much pain and so unhappy?
    Ok, I am a 20 year old female. I am having horrible pains and nobody knows whats wrong. I have a very, red,almost purple vagina, its very swollen,with tons of discharge,and its very itchy and very painful, i also have cuts at the bottom of my vagina. I have been to several doctors and have been tested for STDs, yeast infections, BV, vaginitis, everything and it ALWAYS come back negative. I have changed my diet to not eat unhealthy foods, no soda, I use dove soap, baby laundry soap(no smell or colors) i wear cotton underwear and no tight jeans/pants. I am in so much pain, and I'm so unhappy. I dont even want to wake up in the morning. I am looking for any sort of help. It will be much appreciated and very helpful. Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      Pray for to God for healing, since you said that you've tried everything else.

24. QUESTION:
    lady issues: Can anyone help?
    Ok, I am a 20 year old female. I am having horrible pains and nobody knows whats wrong. I have a very, red,almost purple vagina, its very swollen,with tons of discharge,and its very itchy and very painful, i also have cuts at the bottom of my vagina. I have been to several doctors and have been tested for STDs, yeast infections, BV, vaginitis, everything and it ALWAYS come back negative. I have changed my diet to not eat unhealthy foods, no soda, I use dove soap, baby laundry soap(no smell or colors) i wear cotton underwear and no tight jeans/pants. I am in so much pain, and I'm so unhappy. I dont even want to wake up in the morning. I am looking for any sort of help. It will be much appreciated and very helpful. Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      itchy vagina, red almost purple and tons of discharges, hope you didin't scratch your vagina or washes too much, or you have lose your ph or have you ever tried to check if you are diabetic? have you got in your family who is a diabetic if not diabetes can be develop by eating too much food that contain sugars, if you negative of any test it seems you are diabetic, but seek professional advice, and ask for blood test for diabetes, sometimes it will cause itchiness in our vagina without knowing you have diabetes though in young age.

25. QUESTION:
    Major lady problems! HELP?
    Ok, I am a 20 year old female. I am having horrible pains and nobody knows whats wrong. I have a very, red,almost purple vagina, its very swollen,with tons of discharge,and its very itchy and very painful, i also have cuts at the bottom of my vagina. I have been to several doctors and have been tested for STDs, yeast infections, BV, vaginitis, everything and it ALWAYS come back negative. I have changed my diet to not eat unhealthy foods, no soda, I use dove soap, baby laundry soap(no smell or colors) i wear cotton underwear and no tight jeans/pants. I am in so much pain, and I'm so unhappy. I dont even want to wake up in the morning. I am looking for any sort of help. It will be much appreciated and very helpful. Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      I have no answer for you but I want you to know you're in my prayers! Well, I could suggest maybe an allergy test. Sounds silly, but maybe it's a specific food ingredient that is conflicting with your vagina's chemistry. May be far-fetched but it also may be your answer. Good luck, honey.

26. QUESTION:
    Help, Chronic Bacterial Vaginosis!?
    What if you have gone to the doctor 15 times. What if you have tried the meds over and over again? I suffer with reoccurring BV. I have tried everything. Here is what I have tried:

    All known medications (flagyl & metrogel)
    Changed my diet (no sugar, yeast)
    Cotton underwear
    No feminine products
    No tampons (pads only)
    No sex (two months)
    No tight cloths
    Wipe front to back
    Use alcohol wipe after each bowel movement
    Use dye & perfume free soaps & detergents.

    The Results:
    The meds have destroyed the lining of my stomach causing severe cramping (not related to periods). The doctor should warn women of this side effect.
    I lost 20 lbs but still have bv. I am depressed and my husband thinks I'm not attracted to him.

    What’s next? I saw on this site where someone used "uritract powder" I can not find this anywhere but I hope to find it and use it! Also, I read about using Tea Tree Essential Oil. I found this at GNC in the mall & I am going to use it. Ideas? Help!!!

    • ANSWER:
      A few other suggestions that came to mind while reading here;

      If using pads make sure they are organic, cloth or homemade, commercial pads contain synthetics that prevent aeration to the vulva and chemicals that can affect vaginal pH and so in turn affect the natural flora within your vagina leading to infections.

      Don't use soap to wash with, for the same reason as not using commercial pads, because soaps contain chemicals that can affect vaginal pH it can in turn lead to infections – your vagina only ever needs water to wash with and a good wipe within the inner-labia to wash away dirt, your vagina is self-cleaning so can take care of the rest.

      Watch out for detergents, you may have a bad reaction to the chemicals in your washing powder, don't just switch brands but keep an eye on the ingredients in the washing powder you are using – try switching to a more natural brand or not using washing powder at all, there are things such as eco balls you can try instead. Also try adding some tea tree oil to your washing as well as this may help kill off any bacteria lingering on your underwear.

      The problem with bacterial vaginosis is that it is not just a case of treating the infection but also trying to reintroduce a healthy bacterial balance within the vagina and keeping any further infections away. For the most part your vagina is very good at taking care of itself, often when it comes to BV I have seen that medications do make the situation worse because although it may solve one problem it can cause a whole load of new ones by killing off not just 'bad' bacteria but also 'good' bacteria or can cause other infections such as yeast infections being common with antibiotic use.
      BV is one of the most common vaginal infections around, but for some women it is a constant problem and then the whole thing seems to turn into a mystery.

      I share your pain as I had constant infections, however mine were due to using tampons and as soon as I switched to using a menstrual cup I no longer got infections – someone did tell me something about a type of laser therapy that kills off all vaginal flora you then re-introduce healthy bacteria. Unfortunately I never did find further information on this, however I will say it came from the natural-living line of thought so might be worth going to a naturopath or similar to look at alternative treatments and look at your health as a whole to try to find the cause, doctors are all well and good but they only know so much and often in the end all they do is throw pills at you, I also second the idea of getting yourself a new doctor or at least a second or even third opinion.

      As a side note, abstaining from sex does suggest that your partners semen or lubrication are not to blame, although these will affect vaginal pH furthering problems to some degree I would not worry too much about having sex as long as you both make sure you shower beforehand, and bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted.
      If you are comfortable with sex then go for it. I know what it's like avoiding sex, no matter how much you tell them that it is not anything to do with how attracted you are to them your partner still feels a little like it is them and it can cause issues, so it is worth really addressing that problem before it becomes serious.

      A lot of the time yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis go hand in hand, although some treatments may not be bacterial vaginosis specific they will deal with more general vaginal health issues. Things like acidophilus [commonly used in the form of yogurt] for example work on yeast not bacterial vaginosis because it works by producing hydrogen peroxide that kills yeast, not the 'bad' bacteria in the vagina, however it will help reintroduce healthy bacterial balance.

      Have you tried to use boric acid?
      This is one of the most successful home methods, and to be honest although tea tree oil will help boric acid is about your only self-treatment option that has any chance of working for you. It can be bought from pharmacies and health stores, if you get yourself some size 00 capsules and fill them up with boric acid, then insert two of these capsules into your vagina every night for a week. The capsules will dissolve in your vagina releasing the boric acid, as scary as it is trust me when I say it is safe, it may cause a burning sensation that should not be uncomfortable and additional discharge so get yourself some organic or cloth pantiliners just in case you need them. If it is uncomfortable then wash out, I'd also say if you have this reaction to mention it to your doctor as this sort of reaction could be a sign of problems relating to your chronic infections.

      I know I haven't really been much help, but what I would say though is to try not to let it get you down and go about treating it a different way.

      Good luck.

27. QUESTION:
    Yeast Infection....how long?
    How long does it take to clear up a yeast infection when using home treatments? I mean OTC creams, Acidilpholus pills, garlic, and less sugar in my diet? I have been dealing with this for a long time. Went to the Gyn, and those meds didn't work. I may have to go back and be tested for BV, but it's really hard to get into to see the doctor here.

    • ANSWER:
      I had it in high school and my gyno told me to go pick up Monistat. It worked and the infection was gone is 7 days ( I got the Monistat 7 day treatment). Each day it itched less and wasn't as red as it was in the beginning.

28. QUESTION:
    Ladies should I just stop eating sugar?
    I was diagnosed with BV in February and the smell went away but I had a clumpy white discharge. I just went back to my Doctor two days ago. She prescribed me the metrinozadole (not sure of spelling) pills, the vaginal gel and 1 pill of difulcan.

    I am a vegetarian/vegan and I love sugar! My diet consists of brown rice and vegetables, instant cinnamon oatmeal, and snacks like pretzels. I love tons of sugar in my coffee as well. I also enjoy bread! So my diet is full of carbs.

    I have decided to eliminate as much sugar as possible in my diet. I really don't want to but I am tired of having this clumpy discharge. So I am going to start treatment tomorrow and I will just enjoy all the sugar I want today.

    I was thinking maybe I should start eliminating the sugar from my diet tomorrow when I start treatment. Treatment is for several days and I have to start tomorrow because my period will be here on the 4th.

    Do you think that this is a good idea?

    I will have things like veggies and brown rice, water, nuts, and maybe fruit. It is going to be hard to eliminate all sugar from my diet but I think it is the best course of action. I also fear that I am going to get super skinny. I have already went from my normal 132- 135 weight to 118 pounds! What's going to happen when I stop consuming foods with sugar in it?

    It is so unfair but I want to be intimate again and I can't, not with a discharge like this.

    Any suggestions?

    • ANSWER:
      Well, from a health standpoint, cutting back on the amount of refined white sugar would be a step in the right nutritional direction. But sugar isn't the problem behind the BV. Your diet simply doesn't really play any part in that. And for the record, carbohydrates are the fuel your body runs on. Protein is for doing repairs only, for the most part. What you need are carbohydrates from complex sources, rather than the white stuff in the bowl, or highly refined white flour. The carbs in your veggies and whole grain foods are good for you all over, and you shouldn't eliminate those. Instead of cutting the sugar and going cold turkey- aside from being unpleasant, it will be really hard to stick to it- try swapping sugar forms. You could use stevia or agave syrup instead of all that white sugar. While nobody really knows what causes BV, it is an imbalance in the bacterial numbers and types that occupy the vaginal canal. It's not likely due to something you eat, but more likely something that you are doing to the outside of you. It could be the soap you use to wash yourself with, the detergent you wash clothes with, your perfume, body powder, even perhaps the fabrics that make up your clothing. If you tend to wear a lot of synthetics, you are holding in extra body heat and moisture- two things bacteria really, really like. It might be a combo of these things, as well- and most likely is. So try perhaps wearing looser clothing, going commando at night while you sleep (lowers the temps and gets some airflow), swap to non-scented, plain old basic soap. If you use a body scrubber, get a new one and sanitize it between uses with bleach and water. Take showers, not baths. Consider wearing more cotton, linen, and wool, and not so much synthetic. Make sure the undies are all cotton, at the very least- not nylon with a cotton patch. And hopefully, this round of treatment, along with the changes will put things back in balance again.

29. QUESTION:
    embarrassing discharge..?
    hi, i need a little help, sorry if its a little graphic
    so, i have an embarrassing kind of rusty fish smelling creamy discharge, and i've had it since i was 13, right after my first period, i've recently seen my OBGYN, who took a swab, and it came back negative, but i took yeast infection and BV medication anyways, and it didn't do anything to help. maybe its my diet? i'm 5"6 and 154 pounds, apparently my BMI is on the verge of being overweight, is it that? i don't drink a lot of water, i drink a lot of pop, could it be the sugar? i'm a virgin, but its embarrassing when my boyfriend goes down on me , any help would be nice!!

    • ANSWER:

30. QUESTION:
    Vaginal Onion Smell?
    I also have the mysterious onion smell during intercourse. I went to my OBGYN for an annual exam and informed them about the onion odor. They couldn't offer an explanation other than it's probably BV. I was prescribed the metro..... pills. That didn't help so I went back and saw someone different. She saw signs of UTI and BV. I was prescribed meds for both conditions and I am still having the same problem.

    My next step is to change my diet. I do use onion and garlic alot as a base for flavors. I drink plenty of water. BUT I do not eat fruit regularly. I can't stand this anymore. I used to smell sweet and yummy. That was when I was younger, in college. Back then my diet consisted of fast food and sweets.

    If you have any experience with this, please advise. I really don't need any silly uneducated responses.

    Thank you!

    • ANSWER:
      haha sweet and yummy!
      um yeah maybe its cause u eat a lot of onions and garlic
      if i were you i would switch back to fast food!

31. QUESTION:
    I have a constant (3 years now) case of Bacterial Vaginosis.?
    I believe that I caught it from an old boyfriend because he told me that his ex gf had a horrid case of it. My OBGYN says that this is a common transmittable disease. I have been to my gp and gbgyn for 3 years, been thru seven rounds of the two RX's and now they all have both given up on me! Both say I gotta treat this thru my diet. Even the local health food store is stumped why I can't get rid of this. I tried the grapeseed and Accu-Flora for 8 months, but it wont get rid of it. Every period, it is back again. I have stopped the sugar and processed flour in my diet and stopped drinking any alcohol. I also stopped douching.. much to my NEW bf's dismay. But, I still have this awful discharge and the terrible BV odor everytime I get my period. I thought I could buy OTC yeast products to help with the itching. But, they don't seem to stop that either. Can anyone give me suggestions??? JTLUK, I sent my new bf to the doctor to get tested for the BV virus and they told him that men are not

    • ANSWER:
      i have the exact same problem...and my doctor just tells me also to stir away from sodas and candies....because he said that it can cause a flare up...GO to your doctor and ask for a medicine called FLAGYL....this will most definetly clear it up...you can get the pills which are a 10 day dose...or you can get the shot which is a 1 time thing...and within 14hrs after the shot your itching...burning...and misery will be out the door...just make sure to not and douche right away...>Good LUck!

32. QUESTION:
    Vaginal itching and redness?
    I've been to several different doctors, my own and planned parenthood doctors. I am std free, treated before for yeast infections. The yeast infection medicine provides temporary relief then it comes back. I have severe itching, and inflammation where it itches that can get so bad the skin cracks. The planned parenthood doctor thought maybe I had BV originally along with yeast and it was never detected so she treated me for bv, saying if it didn't go away she'd see about a steroid treatment. Her test results revealed I had a high PH level and that it wasn't exactly BV , but there was bacteria there (her words were that it was more a bacterial vaginitis than a bacterial vaginosis, and she prescribed me clindamycin which didn't work- going to return soon for steroidal treatment). Has anyone had similar issues? And if so what's going on? ...It's like I'm allergic to myself. (oh and i have ruled out allergic reactions to laundry detergent and etc).

    What can I do as far as diet to reduce the ph level to normal? I know that could be why my skin is so irritated, in addition to whatever else. I do regularly eat yoghurt to maintain healthy bacteria levels but it doesn't seem to work.
    oh yes, i forgot to say my discharge is not clumpy, yellow, etc. it's basically normal except for the whole being acidic and causing me to hate life.

    • ANSWER:
      I am so sorry that sounds absolutely terrible. I can only speak from experience and when I was younger suffered from yeast infections all the time. I think it was due to being on the birth control pill and not knowing how to properly cleanse. Oral contraceptives can throw off the normal PH of the vagina leading to recurrent yeast infections.
      Also, no bubble baths or soap should ever go near the vagina. Cleanse with cool water, spread it open and gently wipe clean any discharge or bacteria from the area. Air dry with a blow dryer set on cool.
      Another thing, when going to the bathroom always wipe front to back (vagina to anus). Sometimes if you are feeling a little itchy putting organic plain yogurt on a pad before bed really helps to get rid of any external yeast. I'm sorry what your going through, hopefully you can figure it out soon.

33. QUESTION:
    What is my vagina supposed to smell like?
    I had been having bacterial vaginosis for 6 years and I couldn't figure out why because I was sooooo clean. Well, a close friend of mine and I stumbled upon the subject one day and she revealed to me that she had battled it for years as well and she said it was the way she was washing herself...she was letting too much soap get into her actual vagina and it was throwing her PH and acidity level off in her vagina and the minute she stopped washing like that it went away. I had also been washing the same way so I took her advice and stopped and presto! NO MORE BV!!!! But here's the problem....I have had bv for so many years that I forgot what a normal vagina is supposed to smell like. I wash myself in the morning and I'm pretty good at wiping when I use the bathroom but it seems like no matter how good I wash by the end of the day I have an odor down there. Its definitely not BV because I know all too well what that smells like and this is no where near as strong but its not as fresh as I would like it to be. Is this normal to have an odor by the end of the day? Could it be my diet?
    Ok, can I get some real answers now? thanks

    • ANSWER:
      It's totally normal for your vulva*) to have a scent of its own, and yes, that will be stronger by the end of the day.
      It's hard to describe that it smells like... maybe a bit musky and a bit like the sea. It should not be strong enough to be noticable through your clothes.

      *) Vulva is the correct word for the external parts of a woman's genitals. Vagina means the internal part.

34. QUESTION:
    The Pill and all its glory!?
    I have been on the pill for 7 1/2 years. All the women on my mothers side (3 and that is not including my mother) have a history of osteoporosis and I have been dealing with chronic BV for 4 years. I have tried everything to get rid of it. I have stopped smoking, changed my diet, changed my pill, and other stuff. My doctor has told me that the pill can also be a factor in why it will not go away. I am at the end of my rope here and I am willing to try anything. I am going to take a long break from the pill but i do not want to have a kid. I am allergic to condoms and they give me BV and a yeast infection (even the non-latex condoms). So i was going to try using spermicidal lube along with SDM method or Rhythm Calendar. Does anyone have any input on these methods or suggestions to which natural birth controll to use other than NO SEX?

    • ANSWER:
      Have you used a diaphragm? That might be something to try.

35. QUESTION:
    Natural Birth Control?
    I have been on the pill for 7 1/2 years. All the women on my mothers side (3 and that is not including my mother) have a history of osteoporosis and I have been dealing with chronic BV for 4 years. I have tried everything to get rid of it. I have stopped smoking, changed my diet, changed my pill, and other stuff. My doctor has told me that the pill can also be a factor in why it will not go away. I am at the end of my rope here and I am willing to try anything. I am going to take a long break from the pill but i do not want to have a kid. I am allergic to condoms and they give me BV and a yeast infection (even the non-latex condoms). So i was going to try using spermicidal lube along with SDM method or Rhythm Calendar. Does anyone have any input on these methods or suggestions to which natural birth controll to use other than NO SEX?

    • ANSWER:
      Um.. You could get your tubes tied.
      Your insurance might actually pay for it since you kind of need it to heal your body from BV

      Or you could get an IUD. Get the kind without the chemicals I am not sure if it is the plastic or copper one.. I think ask for the copper one. (Check with ur doctor though)

36. QUESTION:
    question about creatine??
    Which protein supplements is good for me? . I have started gym almost 3 months back and now my performance is improving really well. I started with 100% whey protein isolate by name ISO GOLD …liked it bcoz of its low carb and high protein value and kind of protein with highest BV. I was told to add some creatine in supplement list too which is not present in this product so I switched to another product from MUSCLETECH by name nitro tech ..i used it for very first time and I felt some diff in energy in my workouts like I did’t feel tired even for a moment. I tried a little heavier workout too but I m still good. But I m not sure coz as per its profile this product is high in carbs, high in cholesterol , high in saturated fat as compared to my last product ..how creatine actually helps in workouts and what others things I need to be in consideration.i m on carb diet too but i was told that creatine increase ur weight little bit coz of water retetion in muscles So shd i take it or not ?

    • ANSWER:
      just make sure that your doctor knows about this. the only problem with having too much protein in your body is that it creates a lot of ammonia inside you. this is highly toxic to your body especially since you are on the work out.

37. QUESTION:
    What vaginitis do I have?
    I have been having wierd symptoms over the last two months

    Itching/tingling
    Swelling
    Extreme redness
    Lumps on clitoris
    Flaking vulva
    Discharge which was very yellow

    I then had an abnormal period where I had large blood clots

    After my period I now have occasional tingly sensations

    Slight redness

    My discharge changes every day and sometimes its thick and white and other times its watery, and thos happens several times in a week.

    Also every so often I get a sweet sugary smell that fades and develops

    Please can anyone help?
    Im at wits end. I mean I have been looking up thrush and bv but ut doesnt seem to exactly fit
    Im 17 and im virgin, I havent changed my diet or soap or anything...

    Im really scared to go to the dr coz ive been reading all over the internet that havent helped or misdiagnosed it. I mean I dont want them to say that to me, I cant live like this

    Any response is welcome!!

    • ANSWER:
      The first test to do, at home, is to measure you vaginal pH.
      you can buy a vaginal pH kit from the nearest medical store. It's also called nitrazine paper.
      now, normal vaginal pH is acidic, anything below 4.8 is ok.
      if you get a high pH, i.e more than 5, this leaves you with 2 differential diagnoses: bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.
      in your case trichomoniasis is more likely due to the apparent inflammation.

      in either disease of those 2 mentioned earlier, the treatment is the same: metronidazole.
      given the safety and efficacy of this drug, i suggest taking it even before diagnosis, if symptoms are alleviated just by taking it, this method by itself is diagnostic (you may call it the Dr. House approach).
      one common precaution: avoid alcohol while taking metronidazole.

      if your pH is ok, i fear cervicitis or a pelvic inflammatory disease, although most unlikely.

      i hope this was helpful.

38. QUESTION:
    women..going to bed with no underwear on?
    I have been batteling with bv for a few months, and finally it's gone (for now) but the gel gave me a yeast infection, so now I'm on the pill for that again. last time this happened it allowed the bacteria to overgrow and gave me another case of bv. hopeully it won't do it this time. Anyway, I've been looking up ways to keep these problems from happening, because I know from research that there r lots of women that go throught this. I've been changing my diet, staying away from a lot of candy. Instead I stick to my fruits and cranberry juice, I try not to stress myself out, and I'm thinking about getting off of this yasmin too which is probably causing some of the problem. I take showers all the time, but I make sure I use the soap very lightly in my vulva area, and just use water when it gets around my vagina area. But I came across someone who is in the same situation as me and said that sleeping without any panties on work. I'm like "ugh," what if something happens in your sleep?
    what if you have a discharge, or your cycly comes unexpectedly or something? Anyway, what do u think? Is it a myth, or should I continue to wear panties. I only wear the cotton ones to bed anyway. They said it's good to wear the cotton ones, but cotton is all I really wear in the first place

    • ANSWER:
      I have heard that helps, but if you don't feel comfortable doing that, maybe just change your underwear before you go to bed. Also, I used to battle yeast infections and I started using baby soap to wash that area and it really helped. Also be careful about detergents. Tide makes one that is free of dye and perfume. It may be good to wash your underclothes in that.

39. QUESTION:
    Yeast infections and diabetes. But i barely eat any sugar?
    For the past year i've been getting yeast infections/BV infections pretty much every other month, sometimes every month. I read that diabetes can cause you to have yeast infections due to high glucose in the blood, and this can cause other infections (BV?). Thing is, i'm very healthy. I may not eat as much as i should some days, especially w proteins (I'm a vegetarian), but i VERY rarely eat any sugar.

    My dad is diabetic so this is a possibility but if i don't eat a lot of sugar, could this still be the reason? How does the diabetic diet work? Has anyone dealt w this first hand before?
    Tabea - I've just became a vegetarian 3 moths ago, this problem has been going on for much longer. But i do eat whole grain bread, pasta and cereal. Thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      When you bake a yeast bread, it needs sugar to work .
      A vagina is a moist dark place and a wonderful environment for yeast to grow. Add a high sugar level and you have a new sweet spot.
      See your doctor.

40. QUESTION:
    vaginal odor after sex?
    i have battled with bacterial vaginosis in the past so i have done some major changes to hopefully prevent it. I have read many books and researched websites for this problem. I have changed my diet to no wheat or gluten, no acidity drinks, and no pickled or fermented foods. I have also been taking 30billion live probiotics daily, eating yogurt like crazy (thank god i love yogurt), plus taking daily does of l-lysine, folic acid, vitamin e, flax seed(omega-3), b-12, and vitamin c. in the last two months i have noticed that vaginal odor only after sex...so i went to my doctor. they tested me for BV and it came back negative...? so what the heck is going on with me? i am truly losing my mind... i do also have ulcerative colitis but i have not been having any problems with it. i do know that antibiotics kill off good and bad bacteria thats why i dont take it the only thing ive used for BV is the creams or gels.

    • ANSWER:
      After sex - protection or unprotected? If unprotected sex, could be the scent of his semen you are smelling (all people have their own unique musky scent) and maybe it doesn't mix well with your scent.

41. QUESTION:
    First prenatal appt.....some great news and some bad...a few questions?
    Good evening all. So I'm 9 weeks one day today. This is my second pregnancy but the first ended in a miscarriage. Anyhow...today was my long awaited first prenatal appt. I've been extremely nervous but it didn't go so bad. My ob doc is absolutely amazing. Anyhow....they did the basic tests and the such. I ended up having protein in my urine so she's thinking I have a kidney infection. I also ended up having bacterial vaginosis. (No surpise there....I've been itching like no other!!!). Anyhow...she prescribed me clindamyacin for my bv and they'll be calling me tommorrow when the results come in for the kidney infection. Has anyone ever taken clindamycin for bv? I've only taken flagyl for it the first time around and it worked mircles within a day. She always said that hopefully the clindamycin can help with the kidney infection but only time will tell. Oh and I've been having extremely painful sharp odd cramps...and apparantly this unknown kidney infection was the cause of it!

    With that said...I had a sonagram a week ago because I bleed a few clots and I was pretty sure I was having a miscarriage. But all was well and my baby is just fine. However...I have to go back in a week because I have an area on my amniotic sac that didn't fuse together and that's where she thinks the bleeding came from. Has this ever happened to anyone???? She didn't seem that concerned and she said if it wasn't fused together by my sonagram next week then we would discuss what that meant. I'm oh so paranoid! I'm hoping all is well next week.....

    Oh. And my doctor always prescribed me phernergan because I'm obviously dehydrated and I've lost 9 lbs in three weeks (best diet ever...the pregnancy one! Lol). I'm already a big gal so I didn't think it was such a big deal to lose weight in the first trimester but she said in 4 weeks I have better gained a lb. So has anyone ever taken phernergan? I was on zofran...but it never stayed down. I always puked it up.

    • ANSWER:
      Hey hun,

      first off congrats on your pregnancy, and I hope everything works out for you. Second, in a way don't feel to bad about losing a couple of pounds in your first trimester. I am in my third trimester and I have only gained like 11 pounds my whole pregnancy and I weighted 204 when i got pregnant with him and I am 4'11. My obgyn told me at the beginning of my pregnancy it was normal because of the throwing up and everything. I have taken phernergan almost through my whole pregnancy and everything has been fine. Make sure you take it about a hour before you try to eat anything so you have it on your stomach by the time you do eat. I to have been on clindamycin while pregnant and it is safe. I am not sure about the part on your amniotic sac or anything. But I hope everything works out for you and the baby

42. QUESTION:
    battling bacterial vaginosis for past years...help?
    i have been fighting bv for almost 2yrs now. i get it at least once or twice a month. recently i have had a bout with it for almost 2wks now. i have been to doctors and have done all the perscriptions just to find myself battling with again soon after. i have changed my diet i eat no wheat products and no sugar. i also have ulcerative colitis so i'm not sure if this is linked in anyway to my bv problem. as far as vitamins i take glutamine to keep my sugar level plus it cuts any cravings i may have for it. acidofillus was taking 2 billion a day but i was told to take triple that. the rest of my vitamins are just daily natural vitamin c, e, etc..what is going on with my body and why do i keep getting such an overgrowth of bad bacteria? i need a natural remedy for this cause i am done with the doctors. theres got to be something i can take to keep my bodys ph balanced. thanks i sure would appreciate any feed back and or websites you may know.

    • ANSWER:
      You are doing most of the things that are recommended for this infection but it seems that things still are not right. One of the things that you may not know [and it does seem counterintuitive] is that you must not wash your vaginal area with soap. No, not at all. Just use water to rinse when you take a shower but no soap, since soap disturbs the natural PH balance of the area.

      Another problem is that many of the bacteria found in the regular probiotic capsules that you buy in the store are not the right ones to fight this type of bacteria. Probiotic therapy is effective in treating this infection, but only specific bacteria are effective. Four strains of lactobacilli, L. acidophilus (61701 and 61880), L. crispatus (55730) and L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii (65407), demonstrated the greatest inhibitory activity against the BV-associated bacterial species, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10847208].

      By the way, antibiotic therapy with Cleocin Vaginal Cream (clindamycin phosphate) is not recommended for patients with ulcerative colitis, though this is the common treatment for the infection. You didn't say what the prescriptions that you took were called, but you must be careful which antibiotics you use.

43. QUESTION:
    Can you tell me please? I really need to know...?
    Which gainer is better, I mean with which of these gainers you can gain your mass faster?

    With Magnum 8000

    OR

    Mass XXL

    Specification for Magnum 8000:
    MAGNUM 8000 belongs to the group of foodstuffs for particular nutritional use, created for athletes or people performing intense physical activity, especially for athletes performing weight-lifting sports, as well as for people who wish to increase their body mass in a short period of time. The supplement can be successfully recommended for athletes whose workout is intensive and whenever they need to supply more nutrients in order to produce more energy.
    MAGNUM 8000 includes balanced amounts of carbohydrates, protein and high - energetic lipids in the form of MCT oil. In order to increase the anabolic properties of the supplement, it was additionally enriched with creatine.
    The application of MAGNUM 8000, in addition to an appropriately balanced diet, may support fast increase in body mass. The supplement was additionally enriched with an optimal set of vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for appropriate metabolic processes, and which make the absorbing processes easier.

    Specification for Mass XXL:
    MASS XXL is a complex of long-chained carbohydrates and the highest-quality whey protein. This dietary supplement is intended for athletes who want to gain muscle mass quickly and increase their energy level during intense workouts.
    MASS XXL consists of high-quality 80% whey protein concentrate and well-balanced selection of mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides. Whey protein used in MASS XXL is characterized by the highest biological value (BV) as well as maximum BCAA and glutamine concentration (compounds that enable anabolic effect). Carefully balanced proportions of carbohydrates of different glycemic index (GI) provide constant supply of calories. Additionally, the formula is enriched in vitamins essential for proper protein and carbohydrate metabolism in the body. Systematic MASS XXL supplementation, well-balanced diet, and adequate training result in considerable weight gain. For best results, it is recommended to combine MASS XXL with creatine, l-glutamine peptide, or l- glutamine.
    I didn't ask you for other gainers, I'm asking you which one is better? lol

    • ANSWER:
      i used this and it really benefit my body and every day my muscles get stronger and bigger http://www.bodybuilding-supplements.co.uk/reflex-one-stop.html

44. QUESTION:
    Haven't had my period in 2 months. Not PG. pls help!?
    So I haven't had my period in two months. I have never ever skipped. I have never had a problem. Normal pap last year. Normal ultra sounds last year and rays . I've had 2 babies, my son is 5 years old and my daughter just turned 3 last week. I went to the doctors office today and he had SO much trouble looking in my vaginal area My uterus was extremely tilted. the nurse had to push on my belly because he couldn't see the opening. He changed to a smaller scope and said that he could see it. He said I had a lot of discharge and the stings on my IUD we tucked under weird and he had to fi them. He couldn't even see my IUD with the first scope. (med size had to switch to small one). Anyway I got some test done. He was able to tell me that I'm not pregnant and I have BV Bacterial Vagi and gave me some meds to clear it up. But he said that didn't explain the missing period. I recently lost 22 lbs. I lost 20 in 1 month (jan-feb) and 2 (feb-mar). I lost the weight with diet and taking a diet pill. He said that could be it, however I feel like my hormones are going crazy sometimes and my boobs are tender. He is testing my levels and will let me know in 2 days and I have to follow up in 3 weeks. I dont know what to think or what it can be. I'm only 27 and I'm really scared. Please help.

    ***I have never had a problem with my IUD
    ***Doc said I was a little inflamed
    ***I've been tested for STD's -all good! btw very married and faithful!
    ***Not TTC. Just trying to be healthy!
    ***LMP was Jan 12th

    • ANSWER:
      relax dont stress out.it is normal to skip your periods at times.it might just be a change of cycle in your body.the doctor would have informed you if he doubted any problems.weight loss and dieting can really throw of your periods.that happens to many women.so it can be those or any climate changes that is affecting you.worrying about periods may actually delay it.so the best thing to do now is to relax and AF will show up when you least expect it

45. QUESTION:
    Ladies, I notice this after pleasuring myself?
    After inserting a finger I notice a slight amount of clumpy stuff not a lot. It does not smell bad at all The smell is actually a turn on to me. I just love how I smell. It is sexy and it smells like sex.

    In February I was diagnosed with BV and in February the clump stuff had a bad breath smell to it but after taking the meds for a week the smell went away. I no longer have the smell but the milky white discharge and the slight clumps are still there. It's like in pieces like small tiny pieces of wet tissue.

    I am not big on taking meds and I heard that the meds kill all the good bacteria and so I have decided to try inserting the plain yogurt inside of me and drinking 8 glasses of water a day.

    I am also like a vegan. I only eat pasta, veggies, rice and fruit, oatmeal, nuts and bread so I am not sure if my diet has anything to do with it. I love sweet stuff too.

    I just want to have sex again but I don't want this stuff to come out on the man's penis so I am anxious about this. When you have sex isn't the man's penis supposed to come out clean?

    I am also due to have my period in 2 days and notice that som edays the clump stuff is not there at all. Other days I can see it on the vaginal wall and I just wipe it away.

    Any advice?

    • ANSWER:
      dont worry,, i read somewhere it smells like what you eat and considering your diet is healthy and sweet i wouldnt mind trying it! its normal, your turned on,its discharge and it needs to flow.

46. QUESTION:
    How do I boost my immune system now? Food?
    I am on 2 antibiotics, Clindamycin and Metronidazole. The Clinda is for a dental abcess and I'm just finishing the course. The Metro is for a mysterious case of BV which my doctor attributes to all my bacteria being screwed up from the Clinda. Note, I was previously on Pennicillin and Doxycylin for the abcess, neither worked so that's why I was put on Clinda. Issue is, I feel like crap. On top of that, my recovery has already been 3 weeks and I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. What can I do to support the recovery process DIET wise? What other things can I do to get 100% better?

    • ANSWER:
      Kisha has a good answer about foods that will help to boost your immune system, but I think she minimized one of the most important for your case.
      Your doctor is exactly right that the excessive antibiotics have more than likely caused the BV because the antibiotics kill off the bad bacteria and the good bacteria that normally holds the bad stuff at bay. In fact, one of the most common "side effects" of antibiotics is recurring infections because of this. Of course, giving another antibiotic to treat it is like starting a fire to stop another fire.

      Anyway, the part she minimized is needing more good bacteria. You could eat more yogurt or kefir as they both have Probiotics in them, but no where near enough to make a fast impact on yeast or other growths that a good Probiotic supplement (one with 30+ billion viable organisms from several strains) can.
      In addition to Probiotics, Caprylic Acid and Grapefruit Seed Extract also help to fight the BV directly, so those three together are a very good combination to fight the infestation.

      Also, to be on the safe side, you may want to take a good maintenance dose Probiotic (5-8 billion would be sufficient) after the antibiotics are done (or even while they are going on if it's a long-term one, just take them as far apart as possible) to make sure you keep the good bacteria up and help you recover from the antibiotics. You could take a few cups of yogurt a day for maintenance instead, but that's a personal call if you prefer the taste of yogurt over swallowing a pill. Good luck and I hope I helped!

47. QUESTION:
    first doctor didn't know, second opinion?
    I went to an ob/gyn to discuss my concerns with yellow discharge and a foul odor. She cultured my vagina and all the tests came back negative - no bacterial growth, etc. She still prescribed me countless medications for BV and YI, which obviously did not work. This doctor seemed a bit annoyed by me and did not offer any good solutions. She didn't listen very well and seemed to insist it was my diet or laundry detergent, when I know FULL WELL it isn't. This has been a chronic problem for me throughout my whole post-pubescent life.

    I am in a new town. Do you think it's possible that a different doctor would care more to help me, or have more knowledge?
    I am a virgin. So it's not an STD. And there are many things that cause yellow discharge, but the odor is my biggest concern

    • ANSWER:
      Of course you should get a different doctor.
      Couldn't hurt, should help.

48. QUESTION:
    Thick yellow-green vaginal discharge - what is it?
    Hey, well I've seemed to have had Thrush for a long while, but lately its just getting worse and I'm having yellow-green discharge, sometimes in small globs. I am not itchy or have any inflammation. There is no fishy smell either (thank God).
    I am currently trying a Yeast-Free Diet to see if that will kick what I have. I always keep myself clean, but feel the need to wear a panty liner everyday because it is uncomfortable to feel that 'wet'.
    I am still a virgin, but if it came to a time where I may want to take that step further, would he be able to contract anything? Should I tell him what problem I am having?
    I really need info - I'm going to make a Dr's appt tomorrow but any info now will be a great help.
    I've had a look on websites and found info on Candidiasis, Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and Trichomonas vaginalis, but any other info would be great.
    Thanks!
    Oh and I've also just recently stopped taking the Pill. About 1 - 2 weeks ago.

    • ANSWER:
      Green discharge means bacterial infection not yeast infection.BV doesen't always have to come with odor.Some woman don't have the symptoms and have the infection.Every body is different.Virgins also can get bacterial infections ,not only just yeast infections.I am a virgin too and I have a bacterial infection.

49. QUESTION:
    Help? 31 weeks with VERY bad back pain?
    31 weeks pregnant, and when I say horrible, I mean I can't even sit up without crying ( from a laying position ) in the mornings. All day its a dull ache. My dr. didn't check me just prescribed muscle relaxers. T has been going on for a month now and I am not that big ( 3rd baby ) but 5 lbs. lighter than the last two pregnancies. Anyways, I don't know what else to do. I have taken tylenol with codeine, tylenol extra strength, everything my dr. prescribed ( she won't check down there just listens to baby's heart beat ). Heating pad, yoga, stretching, walking, laying down, diet change, showers nothing helps. I am desperate, I can't take this! Add in braxton hicks and I am miserable. Shouldn't she at least check me? I have had untreated bv since 12 weeks, and have HPV as well.
    I'm military, tricare prime and I have NO choice. I called tricare and since I am near a base I have to use them. I have submitted a written request to change drs. but it takes up to 6 weeks to do so. I was just curious as to if I should be being checked at this stage, or if other women had this issue. Ihave gone to ER, but since its a military ER I have to go to they give me tylenol and tell me to call my dr. in the morning. Both my other pregnancies were 100% normal so I dont know if this is just " one of those pregnancies " or not.

    • ANSWER:
      well my water broke when i was 31 weeks and now im super scared when i hear things like this from other women. if i were you i would FORCE them to check! my pregnancy was COMPLETELY normal until my water broke and unfortuantly i gave birth at 32 weeks. my son was a primi and spent 2 and 1/2 weeks in the NICU so i say take every safety measure you can and if i were you i would make them check just to be sure your okay.

50. QUESTION:
    Hope someone can help me!!?
    I recently asked about body odor a member suggested I ask my doc about a metabolic fish syndrome. When I went to talk to my doc.. she did not smell anything. I am so frustrated!!!! The odor at first made me smell like an elderly person. I started taking vitamin B supplements. The odor is still there but at times it's a funky odor.. like I have not washed my hiney in a while. I have gone to the OB who said at the time I had a slight BV, but was treated for it. If this at all helps someone to help me, I have been on and off a low carb diet for the past 6 years. I noticed the smell right after I loss weight the first time. My hygiene is good and I have tried everything from different soaps, deodorant.. you name it. I believe I have a deficiency of some sort. I am a really good person who helps everyone, but people are not kind to me about my issue. I really need some help.. don't know what to do. The odor comes and goes, especially at work.

    • ANSWER:
      Perhaps Body Mint deodorant tablets might help.