Aunt Vadge: which BV treatment is right for me?
Hi Aunt Vadge,
I’ve recently been fighting recurring bacterial vaginosis (BV) infections almost every month for about 5 consecutive months (apart from 1).
I’ve been on metronidazole about 3 times and I don’t think it’s working. So I’ve been researching on my own.
What I’ve noticed about my BV it comes around the end of my period and the first time it happened I was VERY unwell with a flu. Since then I’ve probably caught a cold 3 months of the 5 since battling with BV so it clearly seems to be related massively to my immune system.
I was looking to purchase Aunt Vadge’s 3 Ls treatment, think that’s what it’s called. But I was wondering how safe it is to take oral probiotics vaginally.
I live in the UK so it might cost me a bit more to get the full package so I just want to make sure that it’s right for me. I’ve been taking oral probiotics already for the last 2 weeks too.
Sincerely,
Nandini
Age 22
UK
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Nandini, dear, it sounds like you’ve been having a real rough go of it with this BV business, haven’t you? Battling recurring infections can be such a pain in the you-know-what, but you’re doing the right thing by getting all Sherlock Holmes on it and trying to understand the underlying causes.
Now, about the probiotics! It’s a great sign that you’re thinking proactively about your vaginal health. You’re right that the state of your immune system can definitely play a part in how your body handles the good and not-so-good bacteria taking up real estate in Vadge-town.
You’ve most likely already read our incredible guide to treating BV – Killing BV – a world-famous BV treatment guide unparalleled in any universe! If you haven’t, download it now. If you have, I think the Three Ls is a fantastic place for you to start, and you’ve chosen well, my girl.
Taking oral probiotics specifically designed for vaginal health is a move many folks find helpful. These lil’ beneficial bacteria buddies can work wonders in maintaining balanced vaginal flora. The thing is, they may have trouble surviving that treacherous journey through your digestive system before they can set up shop in your vagina.
Now as for putting them in your vagina directly, that’s putting the right bacteria where they should be living – we like being direct here at My Vagina. While some studies suggest it could be beneficial, and others say there’s not enough evidence to give it a thumbs up across the board, that’s probably because some probiotics contain a lot of fillers and sometimes even enteric coating, which can upset your vagina.
It’s also because everyone is different, and the cause of each of your BV is multitudinous. Yours might be your immune system, while someone else’s might be low oestrogen levels, or anything in between.
Here at My Vagina, we’ve seen it all when it comes to probiotics vaginally, and we’ve learnt a few things along the way. I want you to know, we are extremely careful when it comes to your vagina and would never put it in harm’s way.
My Vagina’s life lessons when using probiotics vaginally
- Don’t ever put a capsule into your vagina that has enteric coating on it. This coating is not vagina friendly, being designed to get past the acidic stomach. Your vagina is also acidic, so it can not only be irritating, but won’t break down as easily as you want.
If you have the right probiotics for the vagina, but the are enteric coated, switch the capsules for My Vagina’s vagina-safe pure vegie caps, and you’re good to go.
My Vagina’s pure vagina-safe gelatin capsules also work well, but they melt at body temperature and we’ve found that when filled with powder, they don’t always dissolve as well as our specially chosen vegie caps. (We’ve had a lot of trial and error over the years!)
Here are the instructions on how to switch capsules. - We’ve found pure vegetable capsules work really well, as they dissolve in moisture and release their bounty into your vagina. There are some caveats though, and not all vegetable capsules are created equal. The oral probiotics we recommend for vaginal use are in pure vegie caps without enteric coating, and we’ve had loads of success with these probiotics.
Overall, if you use the right probiotics (which come in the Three Ls), you should be A-OK. If your immune system is a little down in the dumps, you might also benefit from some extra foods or supplements containing echinacea, reishi mushroom, vitamin C and zinc.
If you get stuck, we’re always here to help – you can book in with one of our vulvovaginal specialist practitioners for personalised support and advice. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or confused by the options when launching into your new treatment regimen, having someone on your team can really help. Our expert practitioners can help guide you on the safety and effectiveness of treatments, along with providing personalised advice based on your medical history.
Our practitioners can also provide a whole host of other treatment options that are strictly practitioner only, like high quality herbal medicine.
In the meantime, don’t forget about other lifestyle factors that can support your immune system, like getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and veggies, staying hydrated, managing stress (I know, easier said than done), and avoiding things that can disrupt your vaginal flora, like scented soaps or douching.
Since you’re located in the UK and mentioned concerns about getting the full package, shipping is free! If you opt for express shipping for just a little extra, it’ll arrive in days.
If you feel like you need a one-on-one to get down to the nitty-gritty of your situation, you can always book an appointment to chat with someone who can offer you tailored advice.
Keep your chin up, love. You’re already taking smart steps, and with a little more investigation and care, you’ll hopefully find the right balance that keeps BV at bay.
Sending you all the good vibes for a happy and healthy vagina!
Lots of love,
Aunt Vadge
