Question about Bacterial Vaginosis:

I have Bacterial vaginosis and have cramping as well - I know that Bacterial vaginosis can cause PID - I am fearful... I did a round of flagyl in Oct/Nov 2009 for the same thing... and then immediately got what felt like a UTI and yeast infection... treated with diflucan & bactrim. I have been successful at treating bladder pain and vaginal flare ups with coconut water and oil since then.  However, I recently had another BV flare up that is not controlled... - May 27th (I did another round of Flagyl) - and Diflucan for the yeast...  my MD had suspected I would and gave me refills of both back in OCt 2009.
 
However, after my period, I now have Bacterial vaginosis again... it was so painful and none of the home remedies gave any relief - probiotics, yogurt, hydrogen peroxide that I had to fill the flagyl AGAIN!  and i started on Sunday - and now already have yeast... it is always at this point that i want to stop the Flagyl...  BUT I have this cramping and I am concerned the damage PID would cause.  I know some practitioners still don't believe that BV causes PID but i know it does.   most remedies are geared towards vaginal health -- DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING I COULD TAKE TO GET RID OF PID - not just the BV?
 
I am in trouble I know.
 
I know that I should go see my practitioner - AGAIN.  But I also know that MOST women end up having to find an alternative - we can't live on Flagyl -- it is sooooo harmful... and obviously not helping in the long run.  BUT I see very little alternative to PID.
 
It is of course possible that I do NOT have PID -- and I could just be cramping from the Bacterial vaginosis???  Bloating is a huge problem with BV and yeast so i can't tell... but I do feel as though I may burst and can feel my ovaries throbbing.  Back in Oct 2009, my MD said that there is no really good way to see if a patient has PID without taking a sample - which, in his mind, can do more harm -- and he says the treatment is the same - Flagyl... so it seemed appropriate back in Oct/Nov 2009 to just treat it as if I did have PID and the cramping did go away.  But now it is back and i hate to do another heavy round. 
 
So, i am seeking ANY advice on what remedies for PID --- over 100,000 women get this.  The CDC has already declared BV a cause of PID and is well on its way to declaring BV a STD (since most women get it after sex -- this, of course, could be pH changes from semen or the act itself - as we know, pH is a big factor - since the other time women get it is after their periods because the pH is higher from your own blood - and the vagina needs to remain acidic to combat predatory bacteria)
 
This may be more than you could handle but, at this point, I just don't care -- I am looking for any remedy for PID that you could possibly know about.
 
Thanks for your time,

BV Go Away
(we make names anonymous to protect identities)

Suggestions to reduce Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Occurrences by Dr Ben:

Hi BV Go Away -

Sorry to hear of your situation. Does not sound fun. Bacterial vaginosis is tough on thousands of women.

The good news is we can help you.

I can handle a lot. :) Nothing phases me anymore.

We all need help in some way and whether it be in the eye or vagina, it does not matter. What matters is being open enough to provide the necessary information and detail which enables me to offer more effective suggestions. So - good work.

Bacterial vaginosis stems from an imbalanced vaginal flora, imbalanced digestive flora and a weakened immune system.

PID stems from severe vaginal flora imbalance and STD's.

Once the vaginal flora returns to normal and if STD's are present and addressed, then PID should go away. Given the seriousness of PID, I highly recommend you remain in contact with your gynecologist while you attempt to get at the root cause of the bacterial vaginosis.

If you can get your immune system, vaginal flora and intestinal flora stabilized and balanced, then the recurring bacterial vaginosis will no longer be an issue.

Not many people are aware that more than 60% of our immune system's antibodies are created in our digestive tract. That is significant.

Thus, when people are put on antibiotics and Flagyl, the healthy bacteria are destroyed thereby making way for harmful pathogenic bacteria. The immune system weakens causing further disruption. Pathogenic bacteria take over the digestive tract and even part of the reproductive tracts when severe.

Thus, taking antibiotics and Flagyl over and over only compounds the problem; which you are fully aware and have discovered.

The first place to start with bacterial vaginosis is with high potency, multistrain probiotics.

It is imperative that the proper digestive flora, ie probiotics, take hold and effectively eradicate the harmful yeasts and harmful pathogenic bacteria. If probiotics are taken short term, incorrect strains or in low amounts, there will be recurrence of bacterial vaginosis and other disturbances such as gas, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, poor absorption of nutrients and a weakened immune system.

ProBiota 12 Powder contains 200 billion multispecies probiotics per 1/2 teaspoon. That is potent and takes care of many flora imbalances.

Consider taking 1/2 teaspoon directly into your mouth at dinner time or just before or just after. This is the ideal time to take probiotics.

The ProBiota 12 Powder tastes like chicory which is slightly nutty so the taste is quite palatable.

Do this for 1 month and then taper down to 1/4 teaspoon for another month.

After 2 months, switch to ProBiota 12 Probiotic capsules and take 1 capsule as a maintenance dose for another two months.

I also recommend you use Yeast Arrest and HLC CandaClear.

Yeast Arrest will locally help eradicate the pathogenic bacteria and yeasts while the HLC CandaClear will help restore the proper pH and beneficial vaginal bacteria flora.

Yeast Arrest - follow the guidelines on the box. I advise you wear a pad in the evening while using the Yeast Arrest.

HLC CandaClear instructions are included and I advise the use of a pad.

Proceed with the Yeast Arrest as directed on the package. Once you are finished with the Yeast Arrest, proceed to use HLC CandaClear.
Only one package of each is needed.

The above products are sufficient to help eradicate the bacterial vaginosis.

I do recommend that you consider a quality multivitamin and vitamin D3 to maintain your overall health and wellness.

Vitamin D3 levels lower than 37 are 50% more likely to get bacterial vaginosis. I recommend you get your blood vitamin D3 levels checked and then take 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3 a day. Vitamin D3 is very inexpensive and is utilized by every cell in the human body. That tells you how important it is. Another key role for vitamin D3 is that women who take 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day are nearly 50% less likely to get breast cancer.

One drop of Vitamin D360 contains 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3.

When you are ready to obtain a multivitamin, let me know and I will help guide you to the right choice. There are factors to consider.

Lifestyle tips to reduce recurrence of bacterial vaginosis:

- During intercourse, use condoms until your symptoms have completely gone away. This way you are not transmitting the bacteria back and forth.

- Give your partner a course of probiotics as well.

- Do not use scented soaps, vaginal powders, spermicides. All these contribute to harming the local healthy vaginal bacteria which allows the harmful bacteria in.

- Use breathable underwear, pants and shorts.

- Ensure to wipe front to back.

- Avoid Bubble baths or other artificial baths. A chlorine bath filter is recommended if you bathe frequently as chlorine disrupts the pH of the vagina and harms the local vaginal flora.

- If performing anal sex, discontinue until symptoms are gone. Instruct your partner to be careful not to touch the vagina during or after anal sex. This prevents harmful bacteria from entering the vagina.

Dietary tips to help keep bacterial vaginosis at bay:

- Limit sugar and refined carbohydrates.

- Eat more crushed garlic. Crushed works best as it contains more allicin. Allicin is the active component in garlic which is a fantastic anti-microbial. Use crushed garlic on slightly toasted whole grain breads, homemade salad dressings and in your meals.

Summary Treatment Suggestions for Bacterial Vaginosis:

- ProBiota 12 Powder: take 1/2 teaspoon with dinner for 1 month. Then take 1/4 teaspoon with dinner for another month. Then stop.

- ProBiota 12 capsules: take 1 capsule with dinner as ongoing support.

- Yeast Arrest: Begin immediately and best used at night with a pad. Follow instructions. Best used during menses but if not menstruating, it is fine to use.

- HLC CandaClear: Use once Yeast Arrest course is finished. Use as directed on label. Best to wear a pad and use at night.

- Measure vitamin D3 levels and likely take 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day

- Follow lifestyle tips and dietary tips.

- Get on a good multivitamin to keep your immune system and general wellness up to speed.

I recommend that you visit your gynecologist as well to ensure that nothing else is going on such as sexually transmitted diseases.

Should you have further questions, please do ask.

Do let me know how you are feeling a few days after taking the suggested products above. You should notice relief starting in a matter of days.

P.S. If you just read this article, share your thoughts and comments. What works for you? What didn't work? Tips, traps? Your ideas are welcomed!

In health,

Dr Ben
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