Any way to treat BV without antibiotics?

[Anonymous]

the hippie in me does not want to go to the doctor to get a prescription for it. Any other hippies out there with some notions of treatment alternative?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately antibiotics don't prevent recurrence of BV either. If you find a cure, please post back and let me know!

[Anonymous]

Took me a while to figure out what you were taking about.

This is a lifestyle condition. Your pants are probably too tight. You need to stop wearing thongs or lacy underwear. Wear cotton underwear. Wash daily, do not douche. Don't touch without washing your hands.

Is your husband circ'ed? He may need to be treated as well. Only have sex after you both are clean. Wash up afterwards.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Actually I almost never wear underwear of any kind, let alone a thong. I have never douched in my life, don't rub soap where the hair doesn't grow per gynecologist's advice, and husband is clean and circ'd. I wear a lot of loose fitting cotton and cotton bikinis under skirts. So perhaps other things are triggering it...

I periodically get these infections and am looking for alternative treatments that don't require a prescription.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Actually I almost never wear underwear of any kind, let alone a thong. I have never douched in my life, don't rub soap where the hair doesn't grow per gynecologist's advice, and husband is clean and circ'd. I wear a lot of loose fitting cotton and cotton bikinis under skirts. So perhaps other things are triggering it...

I periodically get these infections and am looking for alternative treatments that don't require a prescription.

The lack of underwear is a problem. Get good cotton underpants. Never wear them 2 days in a row. Wash with hot water.

[Anonymous]

http://www.amazon.com/RepHresh-Vaginal-Gel-Prefilled-Applicators/dp/B0011WYO26

It's worth a shot -- it helps your body regain its ph balance so it can fight back.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

If you aren't going to the doc then you don't know that it is BV - you should get a culture.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. Actually I almost never wear underwear of any kind, let alone a thong. I have never douched in my life, don't rub soap where the hair doesn't grow per gynecologist's advice, and husband is clean and circ'd. I wear a lot of loose fitting cotton and cotton bikinis under skirts. So perhaps other things are triggering it...

I periodically get these infections and am looking for alternative treatments that don't require a prescription.[/quote]

The lack of underwear is a problem. Get good cotton underpants. Never wear them 2 days in a row. Wash with hot water.[/quote]

Not OP, but why is lack of underwear a problem? I have bouts of BV too and my OB recommended underwear-free as often as possible to prevent yeast infections. (Yes I know BV and yeast are not the same thing)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Actually I almost never wear underwear of any kind, let alone a thong. I have never douched in my life, don't rub soap where the hair doesn't grow per gynecologist's advice, and husband is clean and circ'd. I wear a lot of loose fitting cotton and cotton bikinis under skirts. So perhaps other things are triggering it...

I periodically get these infections and am looking for alternative treatments that don't require a prescription.

I'm confused how you can never wear underwear and also wear a lot of cotton bikinis. How are you defining the word underwear?

[Anonymous]

Lack of underwear is an issue if OP wears the same - yoga pants - or whatever that contains the bacteria and/or causes her crotch to become sweaty. Cotton wicks away moisture and ensures protection from bacteria.

Also I agree with a PP. This could easily be jock itch (fungal infection) that needs to be treated.

Your husband would need to be treated too.

[Anonymous]

http://earthclinic.com/CURES/bacterial_vaginosis.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lack of underwear is an issue if OP wears the same - yoga pants - or whatever that contains the bacteria and/or causes her crotch to become sweaty. Cotton wicks away moisture and ensures protection from bacteria.

Also I agree with a PP. This could easily be jock itch (fungal infection) that needs to be treated.

Your husband would need to be treated too.

Yes, you're probably passing it back and forth to each other.

[Anonymous]

Is BV the same as a yeast infection?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is BV the same as a yeast infection?

No it's a bacterial infection

[Anonymous]

bacterial vaginosis?