Hi Didi,

I'm just responding to your post:

"Hi Sharon. I was researching cytolytic vaginosis and one of your posts came up. I've been douching with baking soda but as soon as I stop, it comes back. I even took Augmentin 500 three times a day for 7 days but again it came back. This thing is ripping away at my vaginal lining and it seems like no one cares or wants to understand. I'm going to my 4th new gynecologist at the Cleveland clinic where it's over $100-$500 and if she doesn't listen, I won't know what to do. I suffer from vulvar vestiublitis which was manageable before when I had clear, stretchy discharge but now with this acid it's unbareable. Please tell me how you got to know about CV and if you heard of any cures. I am desperate and I don't know how to contact you privately."

Didi, I learned about CV over a year ago when I was researching for treatment on my own vaginal infection problems. I don't know a great deal about CV because it's not something I've personally had. I have read that the symptoms of CV can be the same symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection. The biggest thing to recognize is that the treatment for CV is exactly the opposite of treatment of vaginal yeast. Also, I seem to recall learning that a CV infection can co-exist with a yeast infection sometimes.

If memory serves, I do recall reading about treating CV with Augmentin, also with baking soda sitz baths and douches. Since CV is an overgrowth of lactobacillus, I recall reading that the recommended treatment is to take measures to alkanalize the vagina. Also, it's advised not to take any probiotics supplements or antifungals. And since menstruation has an alkanalyzing effect on the vagina, some natural practitioners recommend that pads be used instead of tampons during a period so that the vagina can become more alkaline and rebalanced for you.

Vaginal infections of any kind can cause such irritation to the vaginal tissues. I'm wondering if it might help you to try using a Vitamin A and E vaginal suppository in addition to the baking soda? These would help heal the tissues. Carlsons makes a Vit. E suppository that can be used vaginally. And so does a company called Wise Woman Herbals -- they make a Vitamin E and a Vitamin A suppository. And I think the company, Vitanica, makes a Vitamin A vaginal suppository.

Since continued douching has it's own problems in altering vaginal health and making us susceptible to other types of infections, I'm wondering if you could accomplish the same goal in alkanalizing the vagina by using a plain gelatin capsule filled with baking soda and inserting it vaginally?

Maybe you can check with your doctor about this and the use of the Vit. A/E suppositories.

Lots of times the doctors aren't even aware that there are good products out there to help with vaginal support.

To make your own vaginal suppositories you just need to buy some Size 00 empty capsules. I order mine at a pharmacy. Then you could fill each capsule with the baking soda.

Keep in mind that using the Size 00 empty capsule vaginally is what's recommended for making a vaginal suppository with boric acid -- which will acidify the vagina. A Size 00 empty capsule filled with boric acid will provide 600 mg of boric acid.

Since your goal is to reduce acidity, you won't be using boric acid. And I'm not sure whether making a baking soda suppository would require a Size 00 capsule or a Size 0 capsule.

Wise Woman Herbals makes some other really good suppositories -- one that's called Suppositories #1 -- it has Vit. A and Vit. E, yarrow, goldenseal and some other herbs in it. It's really good for boosting vaginal immunity and healing irritated tissues. But, I haven't a clue whether it causes an acidic effect to the vagina.

Anyway, it was just a thought.

I do hope that your next doctor visit goes well. I know how stressful it is to have to deal with the doctors sometimes!

Hugs,
Sharon

Sharon--you are such a wealth of info on this site--thank you so much for sharing so much of what you've discovered over the years--you are the best!!!
Ash

Sharon, thank you very much. I actually started crying just to see you respond. I am surely not a novice at the internet or message forums but for some reason this one is tricky for me so please forgive any mistakes I make on here trying to reply back or contact you.

The thing about CV is that I'm afraid that it is incurable. I know that there can be recurrent infections such as with BV and Candida but there is such little information on cytolytic vaginosis aka lactobacillosis (sp?) that I often wonder if there are people that stay with this all their lives.

I know that the goal is to alkanize and rebalance the pH. The funny thing is I caught CV AFTER my period. As soon as my period came on, it was a milky white, acidic, burning and itching discharge. I got tested for all the STDs and infections and even had a vaginal culture done and everything came back negative and normal. That was summer 05. Finally fall 06, a very nice lady from a vestibulitis group informed me of CV.

Since I have tried everything that I read (Augmentin and baking soda douches) I feel like I am stuck with this forever. I'm sorry if this turns into rambling but I only just turned 20 and this along with college and everyday life stresses makes this almost unbearable. I'm starting treatment for the vestibulitis using Elavil and soon Neurontin but I had to stop physical therapy because the CV is literally peeling away layers of inside my vagina.

I would just like to hear from one person who successfully cured their CV so that I KNOW that it can be done. I wonder that since it took a year and a few months for me to find out the treatment, if it's too late for my vagina to ever get back normal. I think I will be stuck with this forever, and never have sex again, and never be able to have kids.

Thank you for all of your advice, I really do appreciate it and I'm so grateful. I just feel like giving up on life at this pont. :'(

-Didi

Hi Didi,

I know it's devastating to have problems with vaginal infections. And problems are further made by the shocking lack of care that women typically receive from their doctors for these problems. The frustrations and the effects on our life decisions and quality of life can be enormous.

I saw doctor after doctor for nearly 15 years before I got answers. THe single most important thing that I had done was a comprehensive vaginal panel test. I don't know whether your doctors have done anything like that for you. Many times the docs say they've tested for everything (and they might truly think that), but they haven't. The lack of information and knowledge out there on the part of the doctors is astounding.

I'm confused as to whether you had vaginal cultures taken specificaly for CV and that you were given a diagnosis of CV. DId you have a doctor tell you that's what they found?

The lab that was so helpful for me (and it's the lab that my internal medicine doc uses) is called Genova Diagnostics (formerly Great Smokies Lab). If you do a Google for them and click on the test for "vaginosis" you can see why a test like that is so comprehensive and good. It'll identify vaginal Ph, any yeasts, any bad bacteria, and it will identify how much good bacteria (lactobacilli) you have. That test can confirm whether you have CV and whether that is what's causing your vaginal tissues to feel so irritated. I'm sure there are other labs out there that are equally good in evaluating these types of tests, I'm just sharing that I personally found answers from these people after 15 years of searching. To be sure that the doctors is testing for everything, you can request a copy of the lab report for yourself so you can discuss it with the doctor.

It's possible that you have more than one infection -- whether it's CV, vaginal yeast infection and/or BV. I used to get dual infections of BV and yeast all the time. In fact, that's why I had so many problems with accurate diagnoses because the doctors weren't testing for both at the same time. And nearly all of the vaginal infections have symptoms that can overlap and mimick each other-- especially in women who's vaginal ecosytems are altered and weakened. That was definitely the case with me.

And if CV is what's causing your symptoms, that doesn't mean that you'll have this for life. You could just be going through a time in your life where you're immunity is low. Doing an immune supportive diet can be a huge help for any health challenge, I have found. And it might be a case where you will have to take maintenance measures for vaginal support for the time being. I have to do that.

If you continue to hit a brick wall with help from your doctors, you might want to try Googling for Dr. Tori Hudson, N.D. She's written alot on women's health issues and knows alot about vaginal infections. She has clinical practices in Oregon. I am not a patient of hers and have never met her, but I've certainly read enough of her writings and used the protocols that she recommends for vaginal infections that I'm so impressed with her. I don't know whether you're near that area of Oregon or whether she's seeing new patients or not. Perhaps she does phone consultations with people?

Don't give up. It sounds like you've been working hard on finding answers for yourself. And that's good! If you get tired of all the searching then just take a break for awhile and try to do something enjoyable and pamper yourself. When you're ready to search again, then begin again. It's in the searching where you'll find some answers and help.

It shouldn't be this way. We shouldn't have to work so hard to find answers and solutions. But I suppose when life throws lemons at us, we should just make lemonade and do the best we can.

Blessings and Hugs,
Sharon

Thank you again and always Sharon, for your knowledge, your research prowess and your generosity of spirit and your effort.

All the best to you,

TLC

Hi Sharon, I went to a doctor today in the Cleveland Clinic Weston. She said she found everything to be normal and that I actually had a bit lower than normal count of lactobacilli.

She ordered the kit from Great Smokies from me. I don't know if it comes directly to my house?? She also sent out a culture. She thinks it may be a resistant strain of yeast.

I just paid $447 for her to tell me basically the same thing everyone else has been saying. I KNOW this is not normal discharge and she believes me. I am just even more devastated and depressed and I find myself thinking that one day I just won't wake up!

:'(

I feel like this bad yeast has been living inside me for a year and a half and it's too late to get rid of it.

Hi Didi,

First, I'm sending you very warm hugs, dearheart. Even though you might not have gotten the answers that you hoped for, I'm happy that you are at least getting some preliminary answers. Now you'll have something to work with, so to speak. And while you feel as though you've spent a boatload of money to be told the same thing everyone else has told you, I think you've actually been given some valuable information.

It looks like now you won't have to contend with the issue of the cytolytic vaginosis. And that's good, I think! That form of vaginosis is a little trickier to get a handle on from what I've read. Having yeast and a low count of lactobacilli, on the other hand, is a little easier to work on because there are more remedies available to try.

I'm also so glad to hear you listening to your instincts, especially convincing the doctor that you "know this is not normal discharge." Good for you for that! And well done!

I hope I don't sound patronizing but I just want to say that I've been where you are so many times over the years. It's truly enough to drive a person to despair. Difficulties in getting diagnoses, frustrations with doctors, and having to deal with pain and discomfort in a very deep and private part of our bodies -- it just feels like our souls are being run over by a train sometimes. I know you'll understand when I share that I have spent many, many, many, hours in convulsive tears over the problem.

I'm actually not sure whether the test kit will come to you or the doctor's office. I would imagine that it would go to the doctor's office and then you'll be called to make an appt. for the cultures to be taken because you can't do the vaginal cultures yourself. They have to be done by the doc and sent in by the doc. If you don't hear anything in a week, I'd call the doctor's office back and find out when you can go in for the cultures. I know that's the last thing in the world you feel like doing at this point, but the test might give more information -- particularly on the type of yeast you have.

If you do have the "resistant" strain of yeast, don't worry. There are remedies that can kill the resistant yeast. One remedy is the Yeast Arrest with boric acid and two herbs. It will kill resistant yeast. I found out about this by reading the medical databases at the National Institutes of Health PubMed/Medline. And the boric acid treatment is prescribed alot in treating "resistant" strains of yeast. I've forgotten what, if any, prescription antifungals will do this for a vaginal infection. That's another good thing about a lab like the Genova Lab..... your report will say which type of yeast you have and which drugs (natural and pharmaceutical) will kill it.

You've mentioned that you feel as though your vagina is being torn apart and that you have vestibulitis. You might need to try and heal those tissues before using something like the Yeast ARrest because the boric acid can be harsh if your vaginal tissues are extremely raw. Using Vit. A and E vaginal suppositories can do the trick. YOu might want to discuss this with your doc as well. There are prescriptions that can be given to help heal the tissues too -- I think they use a steroidal type cream for a few days to accomplish that. And while steroids will aggravate yeast, sometimes it does end up helping if it's used very short term.

One thing I want to point out (which you might already know), is when you go again for more cultures, be sure you haven't used any vaginal remedies or medications for at least several days -- preferably 5 days. And refrain from intercourse (if that's applicable) for a day or two beforehand. That way nothing will be affecting your vaginal environment for the cultures. And if you're taking any oral antifungals, stop those too before the cultures.

When we have yeast problems (even if it seems that the yeast is localized to just vaginal yeast infections), it can make us feel terrible -- physically and emotionally. Candida can cause a LOT of symptoms physically and emotionally. For instance, it can make us tired, lethargic, and the depression can be overwhelming. That's one of my first symptoms I experience when I have a flare up -- depression. The mycotoxins that are released from all the yeast overgrowth can actually cause these symptoms. While you might already know all that I've said, I just wanted to say it again because I don't want you feeling frightened by your feelings and left wondering where on earth they are coming from. And let's face it -- we're entitled to feel overwhelmed, depressed and driven to despair when we've had problems in our Nether Regions for so long!

And it's not too late to get rid of the yeast. I can promise you that! There are lots of things you can do to put yourself in the driver's seat and resume control of your own body. The healing will take place from within -- our bodies are designed to work that way -- and there are just times when we need to be proactive in boosting the innate healing power that our bodies have been given.

With yeast overgrowth, the most important place to start is with a supportive diet. Have you tried (or are you doing) an antifungal diet? Have you ever tried any antifungals -- natural or pharmaceutical? There are a ton of resources here on the WA Forum about those topics. The moderator here, Tarilee, is a fountain of information regarding the application of a healing diet and natural antifungals. And so many of the members here have been right where you are now -- and they have improved immensely.

And if your lactobacilli count is low there are ways to bolster that as well. Taking oral probiotics and also using vaginal probiotics once you get the yeast infection under control a bit, can really be helpful and often is enough to keep the balance.

You mentioned that you've had this problem for a year .... I hope you don't mind my asking, but was there a particular episode, health challenge or trauma that could have triggered all this a year ago? The only reason I'm asking is because I realized that my particular trigger and cascade into the worst time of ill health occurred when I had some dental work done seven years ago. This might not apply to you, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. And Linda, the owner here of WA, also experienced the same thing.

I'm SO much better than I was even a year ago. I still do have candida problems because my health challenges have been rather severe and I've had to receive multiple rounds of antibiotics and the stressors in my life have been rather ridiculous. But I did find quite a few remedies and products last year that have changed my "vaginal life" for the better.

Try and hang on for a bit longer. Perhaps the cultures that your doctor took at this last visit will come back soon and you'll know what type of yeast you have. And then you can also do the comprehensive vaginal panel to get more detailed info. There are many things you can do to help your body heal from this.

I have some more suggestions just for symptomatic relief while you wait for your results and the other cultures to be taken but I don't want to overwhelm you when you're feeling so badly. Just let me know if you'd like to try them. Some of the suggestions are about sitz baths and such.

And I know there will be other people here who will be able to add suggestions too on things that have helped them.

Please don't lose heart, Didi -- or at least try not to. If you have questions or just want to vent -- we're here! And if you want, you can snoop around the Forum here and also look at some of the newsletters and articles and also have a look at the Whole Approach website. This place is a wonderful resource for information on yeast and how to kill it.

I'm sure Tarilee will have some more info to share with you when she's next online.

Let me know what more you find out, k?

Huggles,
Sharon

Dear Sharon,

First, I'd like to deeply apologize about how long it took me to write you back. Things have just began to calm down for me in life (outside of the health issues). I hope you accept my apology.

I want to thank you for writing that to me. You cannot begin to imagine how appreciative and grateful I am. I copied/pasted it on to Word and printed it out. It is 3 pages full of hope and support. I read your letter frequently. Sometimes I cry, and sometimes I don't. But the crying, I assure you is of happiness that I have received so much from someone who only knows my pain and struggles via a computer screen.

There is nothing, absolutely NOTHING, in your post that is patronizing. I have learned, remembered, and have taken to heart everything you have written to me.

Sharon, your words have been a big silver lining in an extremely dark, powerful storm. I hang on to the hope that I will get better soon. I am afraid that these cultures will come back negative that she sent out to the I think Yeast Affirm people. The Great Smokies kit still haven't arrived yet and I will be honest, I dread being held open by the virgin speculum again for the cultures.

Now that I am in the clear for cytolytic vaginosis, I have turned my attention towards candida and it's different strands. The reason why I did not think at first that it was a yeast infection was because when I had 2 before when I was younger, I never had a thick, white discharge. Now I am afraid that it is too late and it might never leave. Plus when I finally got to a clinic, they would sometimes say: You have no yeast infection, or you have a yeast infection and say take monistat, or you have BV and give me treatment for that. I have been on Nystatin, Monistat, Diflucan, Tetrasol(sp), and Nizoral. I think that's all. None of them have taken this away.

There were a few things I omitted from the gynecologist because I was so embarassed and had already burst out into tears 3 times in front of her. I didn't tell her that this has caused me to be unable to produce lubrication (I just have the nasty white now kind of clear with white clumps discharge), that I have right lower quadrant throbbing sometimes (I had a benign cyst that ended up bursting when I was 15), and that when I am having a BM I on occasion have a lot of pain (used to because of the cyst but now no cyst, so I don't know what it is).

I actually think that I might have to write that down and give it to her when I go in my cultures for Great Smokies. I know that mind sound stupid and immature. But when faced head-on with this problem, all the hopeless and scared emotions come up at full-force and I end up finding myself concentrating on not crying than remembering everything to say.

Sex is IMPOSSIBLE and it frightens me in a very deep part of my soul (that I never knew was there) that I will be stuck this way for the rest of my life. My physical therapist (whom I had to stop going to because of the irritating discharge, but who I keep updated on) told me that the vagina is self-healing and once I get the proper medications, I will be amazed at how fast my vagina will heal itself. The gynecologist however said she doesn't know if she can treat it, and my mother said she probably said that because she doesn't want to say something she'll end up regretting later.

Sharon, when I swipe my vagina I can see my normal clear discharge swarmed with white clumps. I am afraid that the swabs won't get the white clubs. It's such a distinct smell too, even though neither my PT or gyn said they smelled anything out of the ordinary. To me, it smelled something like the beginning of baking bread!

There was nothing I think that really triggered it. It happened after my period. It was thick, white, burning, and itching. I was so afraid! And I didn't know my school clinic was open in summer. As I said before, I didn't think "yeast!!" because I never had the discharge with yeast before. Just the itching/burning. So if it is a 1 1/2 year long untreated yeast infection, why isn't it showing up as yeast and why hasn't it responded to meds??

I would love to try the boric acid and vitamin E capsules and do you think estrogen helps in situations like this?? But I'll wait for her to call me in for the Great Smokies cultures and results for both before I try something new.

Sharon, you are the best! And I thank you for being so patient and understanding and supportive of me.

MUCH, MUCH LOVE,
Didi

Didi,
I have had horrible vaginal problems-- started w/ BV-- then took tons of antibiotics to get rid of it-- then got yeast infection for more than a year-- the times the yeast cleared up, I had lactobacillosis (I think same as CV you described)--- Had the lactob. for a long time-- and still think I do at time. I used an antibiotic (followed by nystatin)-- the nystatin seemed to clear all the yeast up finally, but the lactob came back. My gyne didn't know what to do -- she has had some women use some sort of chemical (something they use for patients w/ vaginal cancer) that sloughs off all the cells in the vagina and you are left w/ new "skin." I was too afraid to try because of the possibility of being burned down there with the chemical.

Baking soda douches made it worse-- My Dr said she's, at some point, going to try and "invent" some way to put more alkalinizing agents down there (something that sticks better than baking soda), but hasn't come up w/ anything yet (but I guess it's "good" news that she has other patients w/ same problem). She did recommended I try RePhresh-- it's supposed to balance the Ph of your vagina (can get it at drugstore, Walmart, etc)-- I tried it once and it didn't seem to help, but maybe it will do the trick for you. Actually, what has helped me the most is not doing anything down there because I think I try to over-treat it when I'm itching and burning and sometimes it clears on its own when I just leave it alone.

I know sometimes that seems ridiculous when the burning is so bad and I cry to my boyfriend that I'm afraid sex will always be painful. But mine did clear up on its own somehow. It has done that in the past and then come back, so who knows. But maybe being patient and just trying to de-stress will help.
The funny thing is that having more sex and eating more poorly (I have not been very good at all w/ the candida diet lately) seems to have "cleared" it up. I know that my bad eating habits did not "cure" me of this (yes, I can keep wishing), but sometimes I think if you relax and de-stress and don't try so hard, things will take care of itself. It seems w/ me, the more I stress about it, the worse the situation becomes.

And I've been there before. I do have discharge still (I haven't gone a day w/o a panty-liner in about 2 yrs), but the itching and burning are gone and sex is totally doable. (When you do get ready for sex, be sure to use lubricant-- being too dry for sex can cause more irritation and problems after-- olive oil is a good one and easy/cheap to buy, but some on this site make flax gel- you can do a search for the recipe)---

Boric acid was often a big help-- whether it was a yeast infection or the lactobacillosis.

I know you got your culture back and it said your lactobacilliosis counts are low, so I guess the CV is taken care of-- great! But sometimes even when Dr said there was nothing there, I still had itching/burning and discharge. Again, over-treatment might be a problem-- there was a time I was trying a different yeast killer down there every night, and I think I just over-irritated it. So maybe some vitamin E-- but maybe leaving it alone for a bit and trying to de-stress will help.

Hope this ridiculously long post has been helpful. I do know what you're going through-- nothing seemed to cure me down there. And I fear that things will come back at some point. But hopefully I've offered something that might be of help to you.
(I wrote some older posts about lactobacillosis if you're curious-- though I didn't get too many responses bec no one seems to know what to do w/ it)

Good luck in your quest for vaginal welleness (how often do you get to say that to someone?! )

Hi Ahab,

First, thanks very much for such an informative and supportive post!! I am so happy to have received it.

But, let me clear a few things up that I may have been murky on about and I'm sorry if I was confusing.

When I went to that (TOO EXPENSIVE) gyn, this is what she told me:

My pH: 3.5 which she is happy about and says I don't have to use Rephresh. I've used Rephresh in the past and did nothing for me

Yeast: Negative

BV: Negative

Trich: Negative

Lactobacilli count: A bit on the low side

That's why she was baffled. She did say, however, sometimes yeast takes a while to come up and it could be a different kind and that's why she sent out the cultures. I still haven't received the results back yet And I still haven't received a call so I can come in and get the Great Smokies kit culture yet.

I thought I had CV and baking soda douched the crap out of my poor vagina. All that did was help stop me from lubricating, and you can imagine the shock I felt when I went in and she said the lactobacilli was in fact not taking over, but was very low.

Ahab, I also have vestibulitis and interstitial cystitis which really bothers my urethra more than my bladder. So sex was okay before, I had some pain for the first maybe minute and then it was okay but after this discharge came, sex is impossible. Along with the pain from my urethra which feels like the top of the inside of my vagina is burning, this discharge has made my insides just raw.

I see so many good results on boric acid that I can't wait to try it!

And by the way I love long posts of help!!

Thank you so very much,
Didi

Hi Didi,

Wow, Sharon had some really helpful information for you hun. I'm so grateful that she is here right now as you sound like you really needed some wise and very-well-informed advice, both of which, Sharon's advice always is. She keeps more things straight in her head than anyone I know and I'm sure I just know the tip of it.

I'm sorry for how discouraged you're feeling. I too can relate and the only thing I can say that might be helpful is to allow yourself to fully accept and surrender to your discouragement when you are feeling it. If you allow it to be fully, perhaps it will be easier to let it go fully. Sometimes we just have to cry and feel bad and try to accept that feeling that it feels like it will always be this bad. Then things release and our brains change, our bodies change and we can find inspiration again. To me, this is life. Allowing the pain with the awareness that it is impermanent and enjoying the pleasure without becoming fixated on it, because we know this too, is impermanent.

I have a favourite quote about dark times and the way they cultivate wisdom that I'll share with you. I hope I have it right, "In a dark time the eye begins to see, I meet my shadow in the deepening shade." Theodore Roethke. Below is the complete poem, In a Dark Time.

Take good care Didi,

TLC


In a Dark Time

In a dark time, the eye begins to see,
I meet my shadow in the deepening shade;
I hear my echo in the echoing wood--
A lord of nature weeping to a tree,
I live between the heron and the wren,
Beasts of the hill and serpents of the den.

What's madness but nobility of soul
At odds with circumstance? The day's on fire!
I know the purity of pure despair,
My shadow pinned against a sweating wall,
That place among the rocks--is it a cave,
Or winding path? The edge is what I have.

A steady storm of correspondences!
A night flowing with birds, a ragged moon,
And in broad day the midnight come again!
A man goes far to find out what he is--
Death of the self in a long, tearless night,
All natural shapes blazing unnatural light.

Dark,dark my light, and darker my desire.
My soul, like some heat-maddened summer fly,
Keeps buzzing at the sill. Which I is I?
A fallen man, I climb out of my fear.
The mind enters itself, and God the mind,
And one is One, free in the tearing wind.

Hi Sarah and others that have gave the supportive words. My Yeast Arrest culture came back and it is negative. I was very quiet and the lady said she thought that was good news. I told her I've been having a weird discharge for almost 2 years now, so good news is bad news for me.

The Great Smokies Lab test is here and I will making an appt. hopefully tomorrow to go back to the clinic and get the cultures done.

If this come backs negative, I don't know what I'll do. Does anyone think that the yeast infection left but changed something about my discharge to make it taste bitter and be whitish???

I've been corresponding through e-mail to Dr. Tori Hudson. She said maybe I should ask for some estrogen cream to at least heal the tissues. She also said she thinks I have desquamtive vaginitis or something like that.

Sigh. Thank you all for your words.

I mean SHARON not Sarah, sorry!

I understand the good news is bad news thing Didi. Good luck with your next investigation and exploration. Sorry you didn't find what you needed quite yet.

TLC

Hi Didi,

Just wondering if you're still on the forum and where you're at in terms of your investigations. The reason I'm writing is because I have symptoms that are remarkably similar to yours and have also had a very frustrating time trying to get answers . .

Hi, I still have the same problem... what worked but only for a few days is if I do a hydrogen peroxide douche. I bought a plastic speculum online, sit in my tub, open up, and pour a cup of hydrogen peroxide and water in. I don't think it's cytolytic vaginosis anymore but some aggressive form of BV. I don't itch or burn but the white discharge is disgusting and tastes horrible. Not clear and tasteless like my natural discharge which I have not seen for 3 years...

I went through heavy antibiotics for something and it gave me a severe yeast infection but after all the antibiotics and antifungals, it's actually gotten better. I get wet now when I'm horny with the clear discharge but it's a bit salty. But when I'm not horny and wet, it's the same nasty discharge...

At least one very good and shining light is that I'm able to have sex. It was painful the first dozen times but after a while I've been stretched out a bit and now I can have painless sex. Thank God. I am a bit sore in the beginning and he has to go slow but after a while it's fine. The only problem is that my cervix makes me jump through the roof if it gets hit, it's incredibly sore from this discharge.

Hi Didi,

I'm really glad to hear you're having sex again. That means you've overcome a major hurdle. I can certainly relate. I've written off sex for the time being -- I just don't feel comfortable like this. Do you find that the clumpy white discharge is worse at certain times of the month (e.g. mid-cycle and after)? What really struck me was your description of it in one of your posts. Mine tends to have white clumps in it (like pieces of cooked egg white) and most of the time the discharge is very acidic and "funny" smelling -- i.e. not what I recall to be my normal, inoffensive smell to be. Like you, if I get aroused, it seems more normal (and salty), but that doesn't last. Every single culture I've had in the past 5 years or so has come back normal. Hormonal profiles are normal. But . . . I have very little lubrication -- have to put oil on the vulvar area every day, otherwise the skin is so dry it gets very itchy and irritated. I'm 40 years old, so my gynecologist thinks this could be early menopause, but can't explain why the hormone levels are normal. Otherwise he (and other doctors) just look at me like I'm mad and say everything's normal. How they can say that, I really don't know! I have a history of endometriosis and had to have two large ovarian cysts removed when I was 25. Don't know if that has anything to do with it, but I the last time I felt truly normal was in my early twenties.

quote:

Originally posted by Didi:
Hi, I still have the same problem... what worked but only for a few days is if I do a hydrogen peroxide douche. I bought a plastic speculum online, sit in my tub, open up, and pour a cup of hydrogen peroxide and water in. I don't think it's cytolytic vaginosis anymore but some aggressive form of BV. I don't itch or burn but the white discharge is disgusting and tastes horrible. Not clear and tasteless like my natural discharge which I have not seen for 3 years...

I went through heavy antibiotics for something and it gave me a severe yeast infection but after all the antibiotics and antifungals, it's actually gotten better. I get wet now when I'm horny with the clear discharge but it's a bit salty. But when I'm not horny and wet, it's the same nasty discharge...

I'm so glad Rachel V. directed me to this thread. I have been having this clumpy, thick, white discharge for well over a year now. Althoug