Bacterial Vaginosis Questions (and birth control ?'s) - Sexual Health - Women Message Board

ButterflyGirl22 · 08-19-2003, 08:16 PM

I went to the doctor today to be tested for a urinary tract infection because although I was in no pain, I was urinating frequently. My doctor said I do not have one, but asked if I thought I had a yeast infection, which I answered no to. I also had a pap smear done and my doctor said there wasn't yeast like she had thought, but I have Bacterial Vaginosis. I got a prescription for "MetroGel" vaginal gel to use for a week. I had no idea I had any "problems" other than a possible urinary tract infection, so I'm surprised I have this.

My doctor said it is not a sexually transmitted thing, and I have not been sexually active in over a year and a half so I believe that since I've had pap smears and been tested for things in the past and everything's been fine. She said the cause is really unknown other than a change in the pH balance causes it. That got me thinking because (I didn't think of this until after leaving the doctor) last month I totally screwed up on my birth control pill. I take it for acne, not because I'm sexually active, but anyway I had a lot of stress in my life and the month before I had forgotten to take the last few pills of my pack. I accidentally took that old pack instead of my newer one which I was about halfway through. So I had about two more weeks until I was expecting my period and instead I got another period (making two in one month!) and I thought it was weird that I was getting my period so soon... but with so much going on I didn't realize I had made the mistake until later! I asked the pharmacist what to do and he said to start a new pack when I'm done with my period, that following Sunday as usual. So I totally screwed up my system and I wonder if that changed my pH balance and caused this? Does anyone know what typically causes Bacterial Vaginosis for them? Any opinions would be appreciated.

tpopescu · 08-19-2003, 09:48 PM

Hi, the Womens Health board on here has plenty of information on this. Good luck.

lisab · 08-25-2003, 09:01 PM

Well, Ive had a serious history with bv in the past. Your ph really isnt altered from the pill. Things that change the ph are like semen. Does your boyfriend *** (excuse me) inside? or have you switched partners? They say your vagina gets used to a guy, so when you switch, your vagina kindof freaks out. If its not reaccuring dont sweat it. Alot of girls get it every month like I used to.

ButterflyGirl22 · 08-25-2003, 09:56 PM

Thanks for responding! I hardly know anything about this. It's the first time it has happened to me. I don't have a boyfriend right now and I'm not dating anyone, so I haven't had sex in over a year, so I know this has nothing to do with sex. I don't wear tampons or put anything inside me, so I don't understand how else this happened or what caused my ph level to change?

Also, how do I really know if this is gone? My doctor said I don't have to go back to be rechecked and I really had no clue I had this to begin with! I thought I had a urinary tract infection because I had to go to the bathroom a lot, which I was told can happen with bv, but that problem has gone away now. I'm using a gel every night and I'm almost done with it. I don't mean to be gross (sorry!) but I did notice some white discharge stuff on the applicator after I take it out. It seems to be decreasing every day. If I see it the last time I use the gel I might go in to my doctor to be sure it went away. It doesn't itch or smell or anything, so I just hope it all goes away before it causes other problems. Anymore opinions would be great!

ButterflyGirl22 · 08-25-2003, 10:50 PM

(Double post - sorry)

[This message has been edited by ButterflyGirl22 (edited 08-26-2003).]