attn: "victims" of BV and/or vaginitis... HBC related?

[thatsnotflab.livejournal.com]

Hi there- I'm new to this community and have been reading the BV-tagged entries, but still had some questions...


I'm 24 years old (25 next month) and have been on the pill (started on Nordette, went to Levlen, then Levora) for almost 4 years.

For about the past 7 or 8 months, i've been experiencing symptoms that resemble BV or vaginitis (still a *little* unclear on the differences). the discharge is yellow/greenish or sometimes mixed with blood. the outer layers of skin become VERY raw (sometimes bleed) and there is a ton of painful burning and itching going on. the infection itself lasts about a week.

i got pap smear after the first few infections, but i wasn't experiencing an infection when i actually got the pap smear and my results came back negative/normal (not sure if that means anything?). also, my physician didn't seem too concerned at the time and just advised me to use Cortizone cream to help with the itching (i used a vaginal cream by Monistat instead, which provides temporary relief).

as the infections continued, i wondered if it was because i switched from Levlen to Levora. i know they're basically the same, but i thought maybe i was having an allergic reaction to the filler ingredients in Levora, so i recently switched back to Levlen. low and behold, i got another infection about a week after my period and after taking the first week of Levlen pills.

i've even tried popping Oil of Oregano pills lately, as i read that they can sometimes help with bacterial infections. not much improvement so far and i've been taking them for about 4 days now.

ANYWHO, i FINALLY made an appointment to see an actual gynecologist this coming Monday, instead of seeing my regular physician. MY FIRST QUESTION IS, for those that have experienced BV or vaginitis, were you currently experiencing an infection when you went to the doctor and got diagnosed? were they able to detect it even if the infection was in a "dormant" state? since my appointment isn't until Monday, i'm worried the infection might be cleared up by then (like it was the first time) and that they may not be able to properly diagnose me with anything (i'm skeptical, i know).

SECOND question: if you were given medication to treat the infection, does it impact the effectiveness of HBC?

LAST question: did you end up changing birth control pills, and if so, from what to what and did the infections go away?

sorry this was so long and kind of splattered all over the place- i'm just anxious to get feedback from people who have actually dealt with this and hope i can have a normal vagina (and sex life) again! thank you so much in advance!

Comments

[sparkle-lite.livejournal.com]

Vaginitis just means an inflammation of the vagina and that can be caused by BV, a YI, or Trichomonas .

It's possible that the pap smear didn't test for the bacteria present in your vagina, and was only looking for abnormal cells from your cervix. If in fact you do have a bacterial infection you will be given either a pill to swallow or a cream to put inside your vagina.

Just be sure to describe all of your symptoms to the gyno, and ask if the treatment will interfere with your BC. They will need to do a pelvic exam and take a swab of your fluids to properly diagnose you. Usually they will be able to leave the room and come back with your results in a few moments since these things can be diagnosed with a microscope. We have been hearing that only a couple of antibiotics will actually interfere with your protection and that Flagyl might not be one of them, but your doctor will know for sure.

I had problems with BV for a few years and they didn't stop until I learned that I am unable to use heavily perfumed soaps on my vagina or in bath water, heavily scented laundry soap, scented tampons, or scented pads. Using any of those things, even once, would throw off my vagina and the infection would begin brewing immediately. A quick trip to Planned Parenthood would diagnose the issue and that was it.

[sparkle-lite.livejournal.com]

Also, take a look at the other things that you introduce into your vagina, like lubrication, douche, condoms, and sometimes even if your guy is uncircumcised he could be harboring bacteria that will throw off your own balance (in which case you could start using condoms if you aren't)

[100ofme.livejournal.com]

I can only wear 100% cotton underwear or I get an infection.

[skeas.livejournal.com]

On Cyclessa, I had BV once--after an unfortunate ass-to-vag incident.

On my new birth control, Necon 7/7/7, I have had BV three times in four months. I've had it during my period every time. It seems to be brought about by wearing a tampon, because the one time I just let myself bleed out (using tp, because pads irritate my skin), I didn't get BV.

[100ofme.livejournal.com]

A pap smear usually only tests for abnormal cervical cells. To test for BV the doc should take a swab of your fluids and look at them under a micoscope. Only takes a minute or two for her to say yes or no to an infections.

For me, I had to change my underwear to 100% cotton otherwise I would get infections.

[thatsnotflab.livejournal.com]

thanks for all of the feedback everyone! i forgot to mention that my bf is circumcised and that we occasionally use AstroGlide, but the infections didn't start until after 7 or 8 months after we had started sleeping together.

i only buy cotton underwear and i only use unscented pads, no tampons. i don't douche either.

glad to know that the pap smear doesn't "tell all"- i'm glad to know there's another test they need to do. i'll be sure not to leave until they've done it. thanks again!

[ablondejudy19.livejournal.com]

I have found that even 100% cotton underwear seems to make me more susceptible to vaginitis so, weather permitting, I try to wear skirts and go without as often as possible. I know others who do the same and all agree it really helps.

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

how'd the appt go?

[thatsnotflab.livejournal.com]

it went ok. she said there was just an imbalance of bacteria & yeast and that it was common. she didn't term it BV specifically, but she did write me a prescription for some oral medication (i haven't picked it up yet, but i'm assuming some type of antibiotic) and also a cream that i'll need to apply after a few days of taking the pills.

unfortunately, it doesn't sound like there's a more permanent solution, but at least i have access to good treatment, it seems.

i was kinda hoping it was related to birth control so i could just switch brands and be done with it, heh. oh well.