totally TMI gross question

tootlebug

at least to me.  has anyone had BV (bacterial vaginosis).  i guess it's more common than a YI.  anyways, i had it for the first time ever last october, after antibiotis and going of bcp at the same time.  i hated it.  but i took some stuff and it went away. 

in march, i got it again after a super long double antibiotic course again (i have chronic sinutitis).  i had it around the time i ovulated in march and again when i ovulated in april.  i dont seem to respond well to the oral pills but i couldnt take the gel bc my OB didnt want it to affect my CM (which seemed affected anyways by the BV, especially this last time, it looked weird). 

i was wondering if anyone had any insight as to whether BV can affect conception? insight, bc apparently my RE cant give a straight answer on it. i asked my RE this the other day and i got hte standard "we know it can be related to pre-term birth"  i explained that wasnt what i was asking....i was asking if it affects my cervical fluid, making it a less hospitable environment.  he said there where no studies that show this.  ....i just feel like i cant get a straight answer. (maybe bc know one really knows?) i just want it to go away and stay away!  i just usually have to take antibiotics like every 2 months for my sinus problems and im worried that it will keeping coming back.  at least though with my RE, i can get an IUI and hopefully bypass the CM stuff if i have it...

callmeAl19

I don't have any experience with bv, but I hope you get some answers soon.

EricaK28

I hope you get some answers soon.

tootlebug

hope everyone isnt grossed out by this.  it's more common than a YI but i just feel like it's way grosser!!!  just the name of it..."bacterial vaginosis" - ugh couldnt they name it something else?

hopefulmom81

I am not employed anywhere near the medical field, but I think that BV can affect fertility, but only if left untreated.

The bacteria are in your vagina, so unless it is left untreated and spreads to your ute, there should be no problem. 

This is definitely not a gross question  It makes sense that you would post and ask. 

tootlebug

yeah, i was just worried about the bacteria killing off the sperm, and making my CM a less than desireable area for the sperms.

jkfranklin

For some reason, I think that antibiotics are worse for making it hospitable than the bacteria.  But I could be way off.  Sorry you aren't getting answers.

MrsMitty08

As one of the most common vaginal infections, it's not a gross question   some people refer to it as Gardernella, I think (which sounds like it could be related to Cinderella's step-sisters...)

Here is a study I found:

 https://www.bmj.com/content/319/7204/220.full

It basically says this:

Bacterial vaginosis does not affect conception but is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage in the first trimester in women undergoing in vitro fertilization, independent of other risk factors.

and

• Bacterial vaginosis does not affect conception rate

• Bacterial vaginosis is associated with a two-fold risk of miscarriage in the first trimester

• The increased miscarriage rate is equivalent to one extra miscarriage for every six pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis

• The most likely cause of the miscarriages is due to pre-existing endometritis affecting implantation or early embryonic development, which could also affect naturally conceived pregnancies 

It also points out that 13-30% of pregnant women have BV. 

Do you (or your RE) think taking probiotics daily would help?

 

tootlebug

ahh, mrs. mitty - i have read that too!!!  i discounted it though bc it is only an IVF study.....so sperms dont have to swim through the BV infected CM : ) 

thanks for the responses guys.  and PP i hear what you are saying about the antibiotics...killing off the good bacteria and all that.....but doctors seem to think antibiotics dont affect CM either. 

also PP, i am taking a daily probiotic.....we'll see if it helps.

Smurphette

I'm not sure how it affects your chances of conceiving but I thought I would share that you're not alone in fighting what can feel like a never ending battle against it.  I have had recurring BV for over a year now.  It seems to alternate with YI sometimes even being so kind as to co-occur (because what could be better than having a yeast infection AND a bacterial infection at the same time :P). 

I have heard that it can increase the chances of miscarriage and my doctor's office confirmed that after I was diagnosed with yet another BV/YI round during my last pregnancy.  Unfortunately I did go on to miscarry and I am almost certain the BV had something to do with that.  I am now working to find an OB/GYN who will work with me to find a sustainable long-term treatment plan.

BarooGirl

Wintersbride talked about some kind of magic probiotic- does anyone remember what it was? Someone who took lots of rounds of antibiotics took it and was amazed at the changes. Heck, it might be worth a shot?

karma79

I don't have any answers but I hope you get some soon! Take care!

tootlebug

Smurphette:

I'm not sure how it affects your chances of conceiving but I thought I would share that you're not alone in fighting what can feel like a never ending battle against it.  I have had recurring BV for over a year now.  It seems to alternate with YI sometimes even being so kind as to co-occur (because what could be better than having a yeast infection AND a bacterial infection at the same time :P). 

I have heard that it can increase the chances of miscarriage and my doctor's office confirmed that after I was diagnosed with yet another BV/YI round during my last pregnancy.  Unfortunately I did go on to miscarry and I am almost certain the BV had something to do with that.  I am now working to find an OB/GYN who will work with me to find a sustainable long-term treatment plan.

wow that is awful for you!!!   i've read that it can reoccur over and over again and it is just the worst!   i feel like i can kick it if i can stay off antibiotics long enough.....they are what has brought it on 2X in 7 months.  and actually, these past couple months i have had to take the oral pills which dont work as well for me (do they work for you?).  the gel works much better and after i ovulated and figured i wasnt pregnant (i can just tell) i wasnt sure if it was yet again making a come back so i started using the gel.  i hope that keeps it at bay for awhile.  im also taking a probiotic...dont know if that helps...all the "regular" people seem to think so but doctors seem to think not!  i dont think it can cause a miscarriage unless it spreads to the uterus....was yours unnoticed for awhile?  im sorry you care going through that....it's way worse than a YI even though a lot of women dont get symptoms....and it's hard for me to tell sometimes, bc it's very odorless for me....the only way i can tell is the extra discharge in my underwear....