RepHresh? ReNo.
Posted by Rachel on August 25, 2007
I saw this ridiculous commercial for “RepHresh” this morning, which tries to hypnotize you with its lavender tones and tells you that if you’re tired of suffering from “feminine odor, irritation, and itching,” that you need to shove something in your vagina. “After your period (RepHresh), After intercourse (RepHresh), After douching (RepHresh).” Your vaginal pH is out of balance. With RepHresh you can “finally take control of your feminine health!” Please.
Bad vagina, I must take control of you! You know what would actually be taking control of your “feminine health?” Realizing that your vagina is self-cleaning and doesn’t really smell “bad” unless something is wrong. Not douching, because that’s probably what’s upsetting your vagina in the first place. Not thinking your period is so dirty that you must be scrubbed from the inside. Seeing your healthcare provider because that odor (if it actually exists) might be an infection, like bacterial vaginosis. Getting a freaking grip over your perception of your vagina.
Too bad the link on the product FAQ page to studies demonstrating how “safe and effective” it is is borked. RepHresh was approved by the FDA simply as a vaginal lubricant under a 501(k) provision that means it was found substantially equivalent to something already on the market.
Look, I don’t know, RepHresh might be the greatest thing since sliced homemade bread topped with homegrown tomatoes, cucumbers, and a cream cheese spread. More likely? Just another product capitalizing on women’s misperceptions and insecurities about their bodies, accompanied by marketing intended to make them feel dirty and as though their vaginas are some alien, uncontrollable, inscrutable creatures. You never needed the Lysol douche, and you probably don’t need this (unless you talk to your doc about that odor and itching and infection in the first place) - you certainly don’t need to be reminded to do something “after douching,” because you shouldn’t be douching. Hmph.
August 27, 2007 at 8:23 pm
This little rant really upsets me. Please don’t assume that all or even most women are so ignorant about their bodies and vaginas that we can be so easily duped. Many women have recurring vaginal problems like BV and yeast infections that have been treated by a doctor without achieving lasting results. Women are intelligent enough to know when their vagina is out of wack due to intercourse, periods, bad diet and/or taking birth control pills all of which can alter the bacterial levels in vagina causing odor, itching, strange discharge etc. Most women aren’t dumb and if repHresh helps them out then more power to them.
August 27, 2007 at 8:39 pm
As a woman who is into other women, I’ve come across an awful lot of chicks who will let you go down there without warning you. Most of these individuals don’t seem to know that the fishy, putrid smell coming from their puss is NOT NORMAL. Vagina’s are not supposed to smell like rotting fish! Once these women get wet and lubed up, the slime and eminence from their nether regions is enough to stop the whole sexual act and spoil my groove. It does not matter if I’ve known them for a couple of hours or weeks, these females do not seem to realize that their puss is a festering sewer!
So ladies (and gentlemen) I am here to tell you the signs and symptoms of “bacterial vaginosis”. If you have sex with men in the raw and they shoot a load off inside of you, you may be susceptible. Different partners increases the risk of contracting BV. You will know that you have BV when your vagina fluids steadily start to smell faintly and then overwhelmingly like rotting fish. No amount of douching will keep the smell away. Taking Canesten, Monistat, and other medication for a “fungal” vaginal infection will NOT make the smell go away, and will only make it worse. The vagina becomes devoid of its natural lactobacillus flora which normally makes it more on the acidic side, and is now decidedly alkaline.
Sperm in the vagina changes its PH. Some women may always have recurring bouts of BV because their partners chemistry does not agree with theirs. A condom is best in these circumstances, until the male changes his diet to make his sperm less alkaline.
Choosing to ignore BV for months, and temporarily douching it away may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Then you will really be a hot mess all through out your reproductive system! Besides, how can you stand the smell of yourself?
So ladies, go see your doctor or gynecologist and get your prescription of Flagyl or Clindamycin antibiotics and get rid of the funk. Then keep checking your stuff to make sure it smells and tastes right, before you expect any woman or man to come near you.
August 27, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Lana,
I’m sorry the post upset you, although many women never actually learn that douching isn’t considered a good thing, or aren’t aware of the problems it can cause. If some women find RepHresh helpful, that’s fine, but the RepHresh ad specifically states that it should be used after douching (among other times), despite the fact that douching is generally never recommended precisely because they can make one’s “vagina out of wack.” It is designed in such a manner as to make women insecure about their bodies and sell a product that is not necessary for most women.
Doc LaLa, that was certainly a colorful response.
August 28, 2007 at 8:19 am
Heh, I just saw that ad yesterday and had the same reaction as yours.
September 3, 2007 at 7:20 pm
i enjoyed reading it all, EXCEPT doclala, which was at its best, ridiculous, and discusting. the same as hearing their ad on prime time tv, when your grandkids are sitting with you. for that reason alone, i would NEVER EVER buy the product,
September 7, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Frankly, I liked Doc LaLa’s response because she’s honest. I’ve recently become sexually active after a very long time away. If I wouldn’t want MY face there, how can I expect him to? I’m not convinced this product is the answer so will keep researching. I agree that most women know better than to take this kind of advertising at face value but, otoh, the horrible perfumey products still sell. And, for pete’s sake, that ad was pretty harmless when you consider the crap that’s on the tube. If they were my grand kids, I’d explain what the ad was talking about.
September 13, 2007 at 5:04 pm
For some women (myself included) vaginal ph can be a real big issue. For the last 2 years I’ve been struggling with recurring (if mild) yeast and BV. The antibiotics just send me into another yeast infection, the antifungal crap just sends me into another BV infection. It’s usually not very bad, my gynecologist didn’t actually believe me the first time when I mentioned a weird discharge, because it’s less than a normal BV or yeast infection and there isn’t any odor. But sure enough she took a look under a microscope and checked out my ph and hey! I had BV. Then when it didn’t go away after a few antibiotics, she sent me to someone else who did another full exam and checked it out, and oops this time its yeast! I never douche. The discharge comes back whether or not I’m sexually active. Probiotic treatments and diet changes help a little but never enough.
So I’m trying this RepHresh crap because I’m out of options, and the only thing I can think of is to try and stop the cycling pH.
Please don’t assume that the people using this product are using it because we know nothing about our own vaginal health. My gynecologist is with me on this because she knows how frustrating it is, and if this crap works then hallelujah, I’ll never have another guy wonder if his condom leaked because random unexplained white discharge left on the outside of it.
On that note - I will say the commericial is pretty dumb. Their website does note that douching is bad and you shouldn’t do it - but if you do, this can help reverse the damage.
September 13, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Amanda, that has got to be a royal pain. I hope something eventually works for you.
September 14, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Amanda,
My situation is almost identical to yours. It’s really embarrassing because I don’t douche, and I have protected sex. I’m researching the product and I hope it works because I am so tired of taking one prescription after another.
September 14, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Queen and Amanda,
Would you mind stopping back later to let me know if it helped?
September 14, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Amanda, Queen, and all of the rest of us who have been caught in
“the cycle”.
First of all, it must be nice to be the individuals not suffering
from BV and passing judgement on a product, that I am told by my
gynecologist, has found some success in his patients or he wouldn’t be recommending it.
God Bless you Lana, you are so right. I think we are past the
point of thinking of our vagina’s as bad or dirty. I’d like to
think we’re now living in a more enlightened society. However, I can see that some women are not educated about BV and what does or does not cause it. Frankly, scientists don’t know what causes it. It is not ever found in men so that tosses out the possibility of STD. Sperm and blood both change the pH in the vagina and create an environment where the BV bacteria can thrive. I am also told that there is not an antibiotic on the market that is more than 80% effective which is why we get reoccurrence…however, if after the use of a good antibiotic, one could control the pH in their vagina then one might have some hope of at least delaying a reoccurrence.
I have a very compassionate gynecologist and I thank him for the
education he has given me on this annoying and embarassing female
affliction. I’d also like to thank my boyfriend for being more
diplomatic and accepting than Doc Lala, not that I don’t completely concur with her observations but it did leave me to
wonder if she has ever suffered from BV.
Kind regards,
Pat
September 15, 2007 at 7:47 am
Pat,
I want to be clear that if you’re talking to your gyn and this seems like the only thing that might work, that’s fine. What I object to is this commercial (and others like it) that lead completely normal, problem-free women to believe that they need extra products to “clean” their vaginas, such as douches, which the RepHresh commercial mentions in passing as though it’s a fine thing to do. While I’d love to agree with you that “we are past the
point of thinking of our vagina’s as bad or dirty,” you’d be surprised how many women still don’t believe that. There was a study in ‘05 that found 25% of women admit to douching regularly. I think we still have a way to go on this one.
September 18, 2007 at 9:36 am
I am a competitive cyclist, and I found that any time I combine sex, a race weekend (read- long hours in moist bike shorts), and the few days before my period, that I will always get a yeast infection. Take one of these out, and it’s questionable, but still likely. Last time I had that combination, I used repHresh, and it worked like a charm. Not even the uncomfortable “twinges” that I’d feel if I thought I was getting an infection.
I don’t think I’d use it all the time, but when things start to get irritated down there, it’s definately worth it.
September 22, 2007 at 6:48 am
hello, just to clarify the above statement, “it is never found in men….”, men simply don’t exhibit any symptoms. the gardnerella, or whatever bacteria is causing the vaginosis (which generally is an overgrowth of normal bacteria}, is colonized inside the urethra. they may not have symptoms, but they will certainly give it back to you, again and again, when having unprotected intercourse. the only way to find out if your man is also infected is to do a urethral swab….how many do you know that would consent to that? LOL. or just blindly treat them with whatever antibiotic is making you throw up. mine? metrogel, or flagyl vaginal gel, which i applied one time and was sick for an entire 48 hours afterwards. needless to say, i stopped. now i am headed to CVS to give this a shot, no pun intended. the funniest part of this whole experience: when the doc called to tell me that i had grown out gardnerella, and, if i wasn’t having any symptoms (mine were mild), that they didn’t need to treat. i love this comment: “you are perfectly entitled to grow gardnerella in your vagina.” i thanked him for his kind permission and hung up! wish me luck…nurse yvonne
http://www.wordpress.whyvonne.com
October 29, 2007 at 10:40 am
Amanda,
You have NO IDEA how much I know your story! I read it and thought I was reading my own. I too have suffered with reccurring yeat and bv for MANY years and it put such a strain on my last relationship as I didn’t want my man to touch me because everytime I turned around I was suffering with one grossness or the other and like you, I was on a cycle of oral anti’s, vaginal anti’s and oral or vaginal yeast infection treatments that continuosly created a vicious cycle. After we broke up I didn’t have sex for 9 months. I was infection FREE! So much so that I debated ever having sex again! I just recently got back into the game with someone I really care about and after the FIRST TIME I thought I was fine and noticed no symptoms until we got into it the second time and I noticed that dreaded crap had returned! Needless to say I was Mortified and luckily my new lover is a gentleman who was very understanding to what I had to explain to him.
I saw the commercial for Rephresh and I am educated enough to know that it’s not meant to be something to make women feel that their natural odors are offensive. I don’t feel that it’ saying douching is ok - as someone stated earlier the website DOES advise against douching. I actually believe that douching all the time like an idiot as a teenager is what has me in all this trouble that I can’t seem to reverse to this day. But I will be going to the drugstore to get this Rephresh and try it along with my re-starting my regiment of Florajen and I am praying that it works. I’ll come back and let y’all know what haps.
October 29, 2007 at 11:45 am
I am sooo frustrated by this whole thing! I have had BV for over a year now and nothing seems to get rid of it. I have tried boric acid suppositories, chinese/homeopathic suppositories, some flagyl gel stuff, etc…the flagyl seemed to clear it up for about a month, but then I was right back where I started. I question the connection this has to sex because I’ve never had sex and have not even been in a relationship. Reading that sex further aggravates the infection I question if I will ever lead a normal life, have sex, have children even! I had several Dr’s give me pelvic exams and then put me on drugs, but I had one Dr tell me that there is no cure right now and if its a reoccurring thing that it will just clear up on its own in a year or two. I had my nutritionist test me for Rephresh, he said it wouldn’t hurt me, but didn’t think it would help me either. For now I’m just letting it be…and hoping that I’m not doing any damage to my body…I hope somebody figures this mystery out!
November 5, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Amanda, I can definately relate to your problem. It is a very frustrating thing when something is seriously wrong down there and there’s basically nothing you can do about it. I’ve had problems for about 4 years now and have been told that I have all sorts of things, from BV to yeast infection to vaginismus to vulvar vestibulitis. I’ve seen several different gynocologists and I don’t think any of them really know what my problem is. I’ve tried 3 different kinds of oral antibiotics, vaginal antibiotics, oral yeast medicine, vaginal yeast medicine, probiotics… Nothing seems to get rid of it entirely. I’m married to a wonderful loving patient man who I can’t even enjoy having sex with because it’s so painful for me. My gyn has run out of ideas and I’m at the end of my rope so I’m pretty desperate now. I saw this RepHresh stuff in the store and figured I’d give it a shot, I’ve got nothing to lose. I already take the probiotic ThreeLac twice a day. Hopefully taking this in combination will help my problem. I’m crossing my fingers…
November 6, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Amanda and the others who have expressed similar stories, THANK YOU. I have been dealing with yeast infections and BV for years as well and my doctor could NEVER give me a good explanation why. The irritation came either 1 - 2 weeks before my cycle or after sex and it drives me nuts. I admit to being embarrassed about it as well. I was so upset with my partner and blamed HIM for it because my nurse, doctor, and my mother (who is a nurse) questioned his fidelity. But I had these issues before him so that ruled him out. But I was told that he could pass it back to me because he could be a carrier. I finally got the guts today to ask him about taking something himself for yeast so we can maybe see if that will help. I am not an ignorant, I have never seen the RepHresh commercial. I heard about it from my nurse at the doctor’s office for my 500th visit dealing with my concerns and she suggested that I give it a try and my gyn did not disagree. I do have an appointment with another gyn to see if she can figure something out. I NEVER douche even though my gyn has recommended I do it after each period as does my mother. I went and purchased RepHresh yesterday because I have had it enough! I would love to go months without these irritations and the slight odor (that is not fishy) that goes along with it. The irritation is gone as well as the odor although I have a “normal” smell now not the odor that comes with the irritation. I’m going to see how this works after 30 days. If it causes more harm then good, I will stop. But I’m out of options…
November 8, 2007 at 12:16 am
Ladies I feel your pain and I am frustrated with the doctors and websites that all seem to contradict one another. I have used RePhresh on and off for about a year and I can tell you that it does in fact help the symtoms, the smell the feel what not. What I cannot guarentee is that it is not just masking the infection. I am tired of this I feel like my love life is suffering greatly and I just hope this helps on a long term basis I am ready to spend the money every month to keep this going.For some women this may not be the answer but for some of us who have done more research about their vagina’s than for a college degree, this commercial could be the answer to a prayer. Lets think for a second that maybe women like me are the exact target for a commercial like this and it is just a discreet way to get “our” attention. If you have none of the problems this product addresses you would probably pay no more attention to it than you would to a commercial about “E.D.” if you didn’t have a penis.
November 8, 2007 at 3:22 pm
ok ladies, I’m back. The results are in and I have to say that the Rephresh has helped a great deal for me. I’ve used it exactly as precribed (every three days) and my ONLY issue with it is that it kind of turns from clear to whiteish with me after two days so I PERSONALLY wouldn’t use it after the first day if I’m going to have sex because it looks kinda gross to me. I’ve also added my Florajen back into my regiment and when I’m ready to for reapplication I use a providone-iodine douche (this is not like a regular douche before you guys jump on me) that clears crap out but keeps my ph balance in check as well. Providone-iodine is reccommended to be used several consecutive days but i refuse to do that excessive douching even if it isn’t a typical douche so i’m using it like every 3-4 days when I am about to have sex to get the residue out and when know that i will need to re-apply Reprhesh afterwards. I know this may seem like a lot to do (3 things) but I will tell you this. Itching-GONE! Odor-GONE! Is it masking stuff? I don’t know. But I know this, I’m tired of taking prescription meds that are screwing up my body and making vaginal problmes worse. And if this is what I have to do to keep this crap in check and take back control of my sex life then I’m DOING IT!!! It feels so great to not have to freak out because in the middle of intimacy and have to stop because you notice some kind of grossness happening and have to explain some embarrassing things. So there you have it. That’s my experience.
November 8, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Dee, thanks for coming back and sharing your experience!
November 13, 2007 at 5:10 am
I can relate to these issues as well, ladies. For a full 6 months I cycled between yeast infection and BV. Once you’ve had these, it’s so hard to feel comfortable sexually. Not to mention the discomfort. Rephresh seems to have help me in that the symptoms don’t get out of control when I use it. It’s not like antibiotics are good for the body, and most of us have had no luck with those. The only thing maybe not being discussed enough here is our diets. Sugars feed yeast, so I am trying to cut back, hoping my body will in turn thank me.
November 20, 2007 at 12:09 am
Just wanted to thank all you ladies for your posts. I started using Rephresh last night and I already love it. I’ve suffered from a “fishy” odor for about six months and I was uncomfortable about it during sex. I new it wasn’t normal because I never had the smell before. I even went to the doctor and was tested for STDs and everything was negative. My doctor never talked to me abut BV. I didn’t learn of bv until a couple of days ago when I took an afternoon off to be alone and research on the internet.
Rephresh is great so far. I like the smell of my vagina again!
It’s the healthy, clean, natural smell of feminitity that reminds me of the sexual confidence I once had. I know this may sound gross to some, but my discharge tastes sweeter (yes, I’ve tasted myself, along with my own breastmilk when I was nursing - I like to know what those who are close to me are experiencing but that’s an other story) than it did when my ph levels were out of whack.
I’m not sure if it just masks the infection - I seems that it would do far more than that if it actually alters the PH levels of your vagina. I’m not a doctor or a scientist, but my guess is that Rephresh changes the actual environment of your vagina making it a healthier place to visit!!
November 20, 2007 at 6:50 pm
I found this site because I was looking up RePhresh and the weird white discharge that seems to happen to it the second day after you take it. Would never take it as a lubricant, but like the women above me, I’ve been on some combination of antifungal or antibiotic for 4 months now, with NO break in-between infections, and am damn sick of it and disheartened that any of it is going to lead to tangible results. So my doctor said try this to give my system a time to heal and balance out, and I’m trying this. I’m down to only bacterial right now so if this works without a resulting yeast infection that all antibiotics seem to give me than I am sold for life. That being said, if anything knows about the weird discharge, I’d love to hear it because it makes me panic and think of the awful yeast (which I detest much more than the BV because smell my boyfriend and I can deal with. Constant itchiness and pain during intercourse is another matter).
November 22, 2007 at 4:58 am
I am very excited to try rephresh on my next check. From all the research i have done, i have never come across a single post stating that taking antibiotics or flagyll have helped with BV, and one of the few things i have heard that actually helps is using yogurt douches to increase the amount of positive acidophilus and ph in your body, and Rephresh, and also even the use of hydrogen peroxide in a douche. I am going to try those three home remedies first. I will report back if those remedies actually do work.
November 23, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I am one of those people with constant BV, yeast infections. when it begins, i’m not always in the right position to hit the doc and get another prescription. Rephresh has been my saving grace. its not a cure but if i can go out of town for a weekend and not think about smelling bad…I’m all for it.
November 24, 2007 at 2:46 pm
I’ve never seen the commercial and never heard of this stuff, but for the last two years I have suffered from constant vaginal and vulvar irritation, and yet nothing usually shows up on cultures — except when last-ditch efforts to try antibiotics and steroids have left me with yeast infections. Which suggests that it’s my normal vaginal flora not behaving themselves. Apparently I am unable to maintain a normal pH on my own, and while my gynecologist acknowledges that messing with your body’s normal pH with douches, etc. is not generally recommended, in my case it might be appropriate. So he suggested using RepHresh once a week, and I stumbled across this site while looking it up. I’m heartened to see that it has worked for some of you, as this is a very frustrating and annoying problem to have, and at this point I’m willing to try just about anything.
November 27, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I had BV that wouldn’t go away. After I FINALLY got my doctor to believe me, I had two rounds of Metrogel. That didn’t cure it, but the nurse managed to get me a prescription for Tindamax which is a new treatment for BV. It worked great.
Since then, I have used Rephresh a few times and it has seemed to keep the BV at bay. I also switched to a non-glycerin soap and that seems to help, too.
No, women don’t need to be made to feel unclean. Some of us, however, would like to go through life without the constant itching and discomfort of BV.
December 5, 2007 at 1:51 am
Yes the commercial is a little annoying but it gets right to the point; which is a good thing. No euphemisms or trying to cover up the purpose of the product. I don’t like the idea of anyone downing this product because it is excellent. I don’t know how many of you have experienced menopause or not but many times you experience vaginal dryness and sex makes you sore. Rephresh is great for this because it works from the inside, most other lubricants only wet you up from the outside. Also Rephresh is not something that alludes to the idea that vaginas aren’t self cleansing organs or unnatural or dirty; this product is only for balancing vaginal Ph. It reduces the occurance of yeast infections; which normal women can get while using antibiotics or being pregnant. RepHresh does not claim that women are dirty or unclean; it’s improve vaginal health. Like vitamins for your vagina, no big deal. The author of that blog obviously doesn’t have a full grasp on what RepHresh even is.
December 5, 2007 at 8:58 am
Elyse, as the author of the blog post, I obviously disagree with you, although the critique is of the ad, not the product itself (but for the FDA approval business). Rephresh *is* approved as a lubricant, as you mention.
December 5, 2007 at 1:16 pm
just thought I’d chime in, because obviously women are reading this site, and we all share so many secret “feminine problems” .. I too have had the recurring issues for which antibiotics and monistat do nothing. Rephresh has been a saving grace without me having to go to the doc anymore. It doesn’t just mask the problems, it actually balances the PH so that the vagina’s ecosystem can fight off the baddies on its own. Even using this externally instantly seems to relieve irritation.
December 6, 2007 at 4:02 am
Hello all, just been following the comments on BV. At first I thought my body chemistry was just different during seasons. I was fine this summer but recently got this fishy smell. I had it last winter but I believe it went away by itself. I tried changing my diet but nothing is working now. I’m wondering if I should just go to the dr (it could be a week before I get in) or just go the drugstore and try rephresh.
December 6, 2007 at 5:49 pm
I went to the health food store and tried some probiotics and tea trea oil
December 8, 2007 at 6:20 pm
RePHresh is approved by the EU as a class IIa medical device for the prevention and treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV). (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/536070)
Many women DO know their bodies, HAVE seen doc after doc regarding their BV, and KNOW how to do research.
The FDA has a close relationship with the drug industry regarding what approvals a drug/device gets here in the States. It’s all about money (thus RePHresh as a vaginal lubricant and not a treatment for BV).
Cudos to the women who take responsibility for their own health.
December 8, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Hey Guys…
I’ve never been here before, but I’m researching RePhresh and am finding a lot of sympathetic ears here. I Just wanted to weigh in with my two cents and respond quickly to Deanna….
I used to use yogurt as a home remedy, but then I learned that although it clears up the problem at the time really gently and what seems to be effectively, but apparently it can lead to further reoccurances and weaken your body’s ability to regulate itself, and from what I was experiencing at the time, it made sense.
I’ve been cycling back and forth on and off for a long time now, and it’s SOOO friggin frustrating…I find that it can have everything to do with how careful I am when i have sex, and making sure that nothing (including my partner, and especially toys) that goes in there is less than clean.
I’ve purchased RePhresh and am going to give it a shot in the days before my period when I swing to the yeast-y side and maybe coming off of my period when I would be a little more BV-ish. The last thing I want to do is get into a situation where I have to use a product all of the time and it screws me up even worse when I don’t…I want a remedy for the problem, not a quick fix that masks symptoms, as I believe we are all searching for.
I’d really REALLY like to see a professional opinion aired here though.
December 10, 2007 at 10:33 pm
I’ve had the BV/yeast issues many times. I discovered RepHresh about 3 months ago and thought it to be a great product. So great that I forgot I used it and went ahead and had sex a couple of days after. It was really messy, seemed like bits of wet toilet paper on me and on my boyfriend. That pretty much grossed both of us out, and made me leave the box unfinished.
But lately I’ve been having troubles again, so I decided to give it a second chance (of course w/o intercourse included). I got a considerate amount of white discharge, which was very unpleasant to say the least. The good thing, it didn’t have an odor AND the itching and discomfort was gone.
I do recommend you at least try it (when your partner isn’t going to be around of course) and as in anything in life, don’t overdue it.
After a while you start noticing what triggers these cycles (maybe a too humid environment for your vagina, wearing underwear that don’t breath i.e. non cotton, hormone fluctuations, etc) so you can reach for your pH booster :p
December 12, 2007 at 6:37 pm
omg ladies this is such a mystery….well I just gotta say I love the fact that we all can relate on a sucky difficult situtaion…plus trying everything in the book. such as over the counter….gyno persciptions….omg. when will it stop…..so ima add my story…..I’ve had bv for over a year. tried a few products and flunked….also I haven’t had sex in a year because of it…… seems as if I can’t get rid of the fish odor[yuck]. no matter what I do[and yes I'm negative from any std] this whole un-balanced PH really is kickin our butts here….plus me being 23 and having this isn’t kool……I mean its unpleasant for any female no matter what other problems your juggling……but it makes me feel so insecure about everything because I know what I have and when I try 2 meet someone new[such as a female]…..its the odor [yucky] problem that stops me from gettin any further…..OMG where’s the cure
December 12, 2007 at 6:45 pm
also I might add I’m gonna give it one last try…which is going to be rephresh. never seen the commercial but worked for some..and hopefully will do me wonders [crossing fingers]
December 15, 2007 at 10:17 pm
This is straight from the RePhresh website, so it may be a bit biased, BUT the first FAQ regarded the advent of discharge, and apparently it’s your vaginal wall shedding dead skin cells, which is aided by a balanced pH and therefor is supposed to lessen and disappear with use over time. It does seem to make sense, but I guess one will only know with time.
Here’s the link
http://www.lildrugstore.com/RephreshCat.aspx?Category=af350e2f-618c-413b-9897-cc9e73381b1a
I myself cannot actually vouch for any of it considering I apparently seemed to have balanced out this month ok, but I will use it as soon as the situation calls for it and let you all know.
December 18, 2007 at 10:47 pm
I have suffered and suffered with Bacterial Vaginosis for ever and ever. I have tried rePHresh and I’ll be darned…IT WORKS!!! You can even use it for a long period of time if needed, but it is quite expensive, but so is untreated BV that turns into PID!
I have also tried douching with Hydrogen Peroxide. Even though I don’t condone douching, this home remedy really works.
Hydrogen peroxide (H202) is a by-product of Lactobacillus. While a number of studies suggest that H202 is not enough, the increased presence of H202-producing Lactobacillus — whether through ingestion in food and drink or via direct suppository to the vagina — over 7 days was sufficient to eliminate BV and restore natural flora. Even more telling was that a number of studies agreed that this natural remedy was more capable of long-term elimination than the current antibiotic regimen supported by CDC guidelines (which is plagued by high recurrence rates.)
December 19, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I wrote in earlier. I just wanted to let people know that the odor went away almost immediately using RePHresh, however, the white discharge did not go away, and me and my partner both started experiencing a burning feeling after sex- leading to another doctor visit.
Guess what? I had a yeast infection.
Next on the list is boric acid suppositories.
December 20, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Has anyone wished they could just buy a new vagina? Yeah, having bv for around eight years can make you hate it. I have been to countless doctors, taken countless prescriptions and natural cures, and after eight consecutive treatments of metro gel a few years ago, I was in severe pain and couldn’t have sex for almost a year. The moment I saw the rephresh commercial months ago, all I could think was, if this is real, my life is saved.
For the past two years I’ve just been douching twice a day with hydrogen peroxide and water, it’s good enough to be able to have sex. But if I want to have spontaneous sex, I can’t. Luckily my boyfriend doesn’t mind that I have to jump in the shower first. But lately I’d been experiencing some pain during sex, and it’s ALWAYS uncomfortable to have bv. He didn’t wanted me to try rephresh because it’s a lube and obviously has some sort of residue. And I figured, even if you use it while you have full blown bv, it won’t work. So while away for a month for work, I used one last round of metrogel, used rephresh directly afterward, and it’s looking pretty good. It’s been three weeks and no bv. I have not gone more than 2 days infection free in my life before this it seems.
If rephresh continues to work, the money I spend on pantiliners and douches will gladly be transferred over!!!! And the residue that comes out typically falls out between 12-24 hours. I use it directly after sex at night so it’s gone before the next night.
I hope it works in the long run, my biggest fear is that bv will cause problems for me when I get pregnant. Just a suggestion for those trying it, antibiotics have always killed the massive infection for one to two days for me. Get rid of it first, then use rephresh to prevent it. It’s not that antibiotics don’t work, they just don’t continue to work after use. We’re just unfortunately prone to keep getting it.
December 30, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Thank you so much to the original poster for starting this conversation. How did women ever find out this kind of information before the internet??? I would not have tried this product if I hadn’t read everyone’s comments.
I have struggled on and off for years with constant yeast infections, BV, and undiagnosed itching. When I have itching, I just want to rip my crotch out! I can’t walk normally, I certainly can’t exercise, and everyday tasks like going up and down stairs and taking care of my kids are agonizing. I have often times gone to the doctor to be told that it must be an irritating soap or perfume because I don’t have any infection. The truth is that I could not be more careful with the type of products I use. And the type of itching that I have is much worse than a soap irritation!
Nonetheless, I haven’t had great luck with prescription medicines for yeast or BV. I seem to be resistant to Diflucan and most of the other yeast infection creams make the itching feel even worse because they are so irritating. I’ve switched to boric acid suppositories for now. The BV antibiotics have sometimes worked, sometimes not, and when they do work, the infection recurs anyway. Lactobacillus supplements seemed to work for me for about a year, but then I started having an overgrowth of lactobacillus, which caused identical symptoms to a yeast infection…so once I finally figured that out, I stopped taking the lactobacillus and then started having yeast infections again…it never ended.
I just came off of a bad infection - yeast and BV together. After I cured the yeast, and took a round of flagyl pills, I was still having some uncomfortable twinges so I tried rephresh. I think it really worked! I only used one 3-day dose, and today, the fourth day, I feel symptom-free! I know that my pH is often too high because I’ve tested it myself with pH strips. I don’t want to use it too often, but if I have to use it when I have mild symptoms again, I definitely will.
January 1, 2008 at 10:35 pm
in response to DOREEN, sex is not the only reason for an imbalanced ph in the vagina. the tampons you use, the sweat when you exercise, even your menstrual cycle may change the ph level down there. rephresh helps prevent the growth of these infections which thrive on elevated ph. give it a shot!
January 2, 2008 at 11:58 am
i did stop using tampons quite awhile ago as well and did not douche or use scented products. i guess things beyond my control (sweat, period) could have been a factor, but i guess i wanted a definite reason where it came from. after having been diagnosed twice with bv, i found out recently that the infection is not there anymore! i still have all the same symptoms though so i didn’t believe the doc, i went out and got some vagisil testing strips and sure enough, my pH level is normal. so repHresh wouldn’t even help and since i don’t have an imbalance i really don’t want to use something that might screw it up.
i did speak with a nurse practitioner on the phone about some of the possibilities. i am a small, petite person. she said that its possible that i have an exterior (in the vagina) estrogen imbalance because of this. estrogen is what keeps the vagina feeling right. which would explain the itching and all the discharge. i don’t know any of this for sure yet, but it kinda makes sense right now. i have an appointment in about a week and hope to get some answers!
January 8, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Like the ladies here… I too all of a sudden starting getting an odor and was really worried. I spoke with my nurse practitioner and she said it could be due to the fact that I had recently started excercising on a regular basis(try to do something good and look what happened). A year later I still cant shake the odor either. It had got to the point where I would not excercise, have sexual intercourse or anything that involved me sweating the least bit. I even took unscented wet wipes around with me in a ziplock bag in my purse to use after i urinated.
I have been given medications as well. I shower on a regular basis. I do not sleep around. I have not had unprotected sex. I pretty much eat right. So what could possibly be going on?
Me being the curious person that I am I immediately started doing research on the subject. I have even went as far as to question women that I know and some that I do not know. The honesty that you women provide is very helpful to me. Did I mention that I am a biology major? If I needed ans to certain questions regarding the type of activities that women do that could possibly lead to where this is coming from. . . it would be GREAT if some of you would help me out!
I have not tried rephresh yet, although I have thought about it many times. I will give it a try since it has been recommended by so many here and see what happens.
January 9, 2008 at 2:29 am
shonte your problem started when you started working out. this may expose your intimate part to a lot of sweat for an hour or so during your regimen. sweat as may have read already changes the ph level in the vagina making it more basic. This encourages the growth of BV. i suggest you try rephresh. use it every 3 days and it will keep your ph level at a healthy, normal level so can go back to exercising and to your normal activities. let us know what happens!
January 9, 2008 at 5:51 am
Someone might have said this, I didn’t read very far, but the Rephresh website does NOT “condone” douching…..It specifically says in the FAQ and elsewhere that douching is disruptive to the natural cleaning process and is not recommended…but if you just “have” to do it, at least use Rephresh afterwards to balance out the ph that you just messed up.
January 9, 2008 at 10:40 am
I’ve heard that scented tampons can cause bv….but what about the non.scented ones…because I noticed that once I switched from pads I’ve had bv….but the thing is I only used scented…I just recently switched to non.scented….plus I’m on my 3rd day of using represh. so I’m hoping that’ll help somewat…
January 10, 2008 at 3:36 am
i agree with jennifer. douching can cause a problem rather than keeping your vagina healthy. shonnie, the tampons may cause the change of your ph level down there, or it could also be the type of undies you use or activities you do…it could even be the soap that you use…there are countless reason that could let your guard down and allow bv to grow. how’s the rephresh helping?
January 10, 2008 at 9:25 pm
thanx movashi.
yea I think its the types of soap I use. I was warned once by the gyno about it……but um wat kinda soap is actually good to use….fragrance free I guess, right¿…..
well as for the rephresh I noticed right away that it was workin. since I had the odor problem….and now wat sux is. I just got my period. so gotta start all over after that’s gone…..so I’m happy for now since it really does work [ps. don't wanna speak to soon lol. cuz I'll be back wit more to add on.]
January 13, 2008 at 10:42 pm
that was great shonnie…finally a solution for your problem well even if you change soap other factors could still throw off the ph level down there…now that you know rephresh works for you, you can just continue on using it. after your period you might experience itching or a little odor again…because even your menstrual cycle can be ph trouble heheheh…so after your period you can start using it..include it in your hygiene routine, every 3 days. so glad to be of help… i have read of countless women who have tried a lot of products already to no avail. so i am putting the word out about rephresh
January 22, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I am so glad I found this site. I felt like I was reading about myself. For years I have had the same problems that you all are discussing. Started when I was 18 and now I am 34. The doctors have no answers and I have been tested for everything in the book. I bought RepHresh today and am going to try it. I am willing to try anything to make these problems go away. I will let you know if it works.
January 24, 2008 at 12:10 am
hi pearl! so how was your experience with rephresh so far?
January 26, 2008 at 5:06 pm
wow. firstly, i just discovered repHresh yesterday while flicking through a health magazine which led me to buy the product today. Then i came online researching it before i used it and am amazed to see what is virtually my story posted above by numerous different people!! I am also in a hideous cycle, when its not a YI its BV, its hardly ever neither but frequently both. its been this same story for probably about 5 years now and i’ve felt like some sort of freak for always having a problem. early on i was tested for STI’s and of course nothing was found besides a YI then and with the same partner for the past 6 years, nothing has changed in that department. with what is years of cycling through YI and BV, the overall effect has been that i’ve been getting increasingly uncomfortable, sex is now increasingly painful from the costant irritation. I was prescribed Metronidazole (antibiotic) on a few occasions which put a dent in the BV infection but never kept it at bay for long. I’d been prescribed diflucan, pessaries, creams… all with no lasting effect. seeing the advert in the magazine may have been my saving grace judging on what i’ve read here today. i’ve had my first application and i’m astounded - reading it is one thing, experiencing it firsthand is incredible. smell is instantly gone and things felt oddly soothed within a half hour. if this stuff continues as it has started, i think i’ve finally found my miracle! its been really good to read all your stories, i feel so much better knowing i was not the only one! thank you!
January 28, 2008 at 11:57 am
ok I’m back. yes my ph is wacky again since my period is over….so I used the rest of the rephresh. no use. this is so sucky. but I’m gonna buy another box. hopefully. it’ll work this time. like it did b4
January 31, 2008 at 3:47 am
Another point - to the people who keep having the problem, have you ever been tested for STD’s? Maybe you have something other than BV? If you are sexually active, maybe you have an STD?
January 31, 2008 at 9:03 am
BL, I do so love it when commenters drop by and call me ignorant, without actually understanding that I was criticizing. In this case, it was the television advertising of the product, which tossed off “douching” like it was a regular, healthy thing, and I noted that many women likely need to see their healthcare providers rather than trying some random product first. Your comment got killed because I don’t allow personal attacks, especially when they’re flat out wrong in their understanding of what I was talking about. I’m happy to have people discussing, but keep it above board - dissent is fine, insults are not.
January 31, 2008 at 5:34 pm
The Nurse Practitioner who works at my clinic does recommend Rephresh to our patients to use occasionally (i.e. one after a period to balance your pH). She also says to stay far away from Always brand pads.
A few comments I have about what people have said:
1) I would definitely recommend an STD test for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia to anyone having discharge of a questionable nature. These two STDs are rampant right now, and women don’t tend to get the typical/obvious symptoms that men do. A majority of women do not have any noticeable symptoms; therefore, have it for years and not know it. There’s not a day that goes by when we don’t have someone’s test come back positive for one, the other, or both (approximately 1:20 tests we do come back positive irregardless of marital status or alleged fidelity).
2) Anything that you insert into your vagina can throw off the balance of your vagina. Unprotected sex can do it, but so can protected sex most condoms contain chemicals of one sort or another–not to mention the whole latex thing. Spermacides can do it, but also just the lubricant itself can disagree with your body. Flavored lubes and condoms, as you probably know, also cause problems. Sex toys, fingers, mouths, tampons, etc. None of the above are sterile so all have the potential to cause problems.
3) Soap is not necessary. Really. Some types of soap are better than others when it comes to causing you problems, but really none of it is all that good. Lifting you leg and rinsing well with water should be all that is necessary to keep your bits nice and clean.
4) Remember the happy girly bits guidelines: cotton undies only and give your bits the chance to get some air at night (don’t wear undies to bed). Also, I would think (though I do not know) that wearing cotton undies but other tight non-natural pants could still cause problems. Wearing cute snug exercise outfits composed of 60% lycra, 30% poly, and 5% something else (for example), might just counteract the benefit of those cotton undies.
With all that said, I’m off to the store for some rephresh ’cause I’m a bit yeasty at the moment–that’s what I get for changing the type of tampon I use.
January 31, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Planned Parenthood Worker,
See, that’s the kind of helpful comment I appreciate - hadn’t heard that Always pads could be problematic - I avoid ‘em all and stick with my Keeper.
January 31, 2008 at 8:41 pm
a few questions for this GREATLY informative thread:
do you use rephresh continually or just one dosage when necessary?
how do you tell the difference between BV and yeast? i’ve been told both at different times…
does florajen prove effective for some people? looking for solutions here!
THANKS!
February 1, 2008 at 9:55 am
Ladies,
You have just validated my existence for the last seven years. I have expressed this problem to multiple friends and doctors, and I have yet to find understanding or comiserating. In fact, I’ve had some incredibly insensitive (female!) gynecologists in recent months. It’s a good thing I’ve developed thick skin. I have started calling the problem by a nickname, since I rarely know which affliction has taken hold at any given time. I call it ICS (Itchy-Crotch Syndrome).
Should we start a freaking support group or what?!
Has anyone encountered any progressive doctors or nurses who have taken this issue on? It seems like there’s got to be someone out there who is passionate about helping us!
Yours in Solidarity Against ICS
S
February 1, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Hey Moyashi
Well I tried Rephresh. Not so sure about it. I had the side effect of the little white stuff that they say is the vagina cleaning itself, I guess. It did go away after two days. I only used it that one day, a few days after my period ended. That is when all the problems always start with me. To my surprise I am not feeling that bad this month. This is a big improvement from the last 3 months. I think I will give it another try.
February 1, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I used to suffer from BV for years because my chemistry did not agree with my boyfriends. It was a nightmare. I would get BV, take the meds for the BV, get a yeast infection from the meds, take meds to get rid of the yeast infection, then get my period. It was a vicious cycle each and every month. Luckily I have only had BV once since we broke up over 8 years ago! I think I might have it again now though so I am wondering if (now that I don’t have medical insurance any longer) if this stuff actually gets rid of BV? I cannot afford to go to the doctor because they almost always want to see you before prescribing meds. Also, is this stuff FRAGRANCE FREE???
February 1, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Because if it has a fragrance in it, then I don’t know how it could be helpful in curing BV.
February 1, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Kitty, if you have a local health department or Planned Parenthood, you could try there - they’ll typically charge on a sliding scale for being seen.
February 1, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Rachel, yeah, that’s an option. Do you know if the stuff really works for BV though or if it’s got fragrance in it?
February 2, 2008 at 9:43 am
Kitty, I’m not sure about fragrance - the website is down at the moment. I would assume it doesn’t, but I’d check first. BV seems like such a crapshoot - from what I’ve read, sometimes it just clears up, but antibiotics are the regular treatment, although sometimes it recurs after antibiotics
February 2, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Ladies,
I have to tell you, reading all of these posts made me feel SO much better about everything i’ve been going through lately. I dont think many people realize how debilitating it can be for a girl to go through vaginal problems. I recently had the strangest thing happen to me about a couple weeks ago (to which im making an appoinment with my gyno this week). I noticed that one day i had this strange odor, but not in my discharge or on the outside of my vagina, but inside you know? There was no irritation or itching. It took me by surprise bc as i’m sure all of us are, im very clean showering sometimes twice a day, never douching, etc etc. I attributed to a what i was eating, but several days later, nothing changed. I researched online and quickly found out about BV and to be honest, i hope thats what i have! I just want to know WHATS WRONG. I want an answer.
This problem is now always on my mind, and since im seeing someone, im constantly making excuses. I used to be the girl in which guys would COMPLIMENT how good i smelled and tasted…and now im down to this. You feel like you did something wrong or that you are unclean.
Anyways, i went to the drugstore with my best friend and i almost almost bought Rephresh, but i decided to wait until i can make an appointment for next week.
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for not making me feel so alone in this, and im going to try and keep updating. Good luck everyone
February 3, 2008 at 1:20 am
Metrogel causes the “little bits of balled up toilet paper” reaction in me (and sometimes they are not such “little” bits, I might add.) In fact, because I had this instant response to Metrogel, I thought I was allergic to it. My newest doctor suggested it was the base that is used in the medicine that caused the reaction.
I’ve started using Rephesh this week. It helps a great deal - odor GONE, discharge clear, not milky - BUT yes, the very second I use it, the discharge balls up just like with Metrogel. This leads me to believe that Rephresh is just the base chemical for Metrogel. It smells and feels the same to me.
February 3, 2008 at 1:27 am
Reading the comments here gives me hope that WE can be our own sleuths about this. Let’s get together and discuss this in a forum! That way we can begin to figure out what works for MOST of us, and WHEN in our cycles we should do WHAT. To get it started, I created a forum called “BV and Yeast Cycling Solutions”. For some reason I can’t post the link here, but perhaps you can find it by visiting QuickTopic.com and searching for it.
February 3, 2008 at 1:33 am
Well, apparently you can’t just “search” forums at Quicktopic… so if you want to join in the discussion, you’ll have to go to quicktopic, then add the letters in the quotes after the main QuickTopic URL - “41/H/VT6ER3mdWQU”. If we get a few participants we can discuss whether to set up a more serious discussion board.
February 3, 2008 at 2:44 pm
quicktopic.com/41/H/VT6ER3mdWQU
February 3, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Right on girlfriend right on! I just saw the commercial and the first thing that popped in my head was WTF…..and viola my good friend Google came to my rescue. Needless to say you could not have said it better. TV suckers people into believing and buying anything.
February 3, 2008 at 8:54 pm
thank u so much for all the posts! this is truely an awsome site. it’s just good to know that i am not the only one with a wacked out kitty!!!! thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
February 4, 2008 at 10:20 am
My Planned Parenthood NP recommended rephresh to me 2 weeks ago to deal with BV. My husband’s pH is the issue. I’ve used 2 apps in 2 weeks, and my ‘girly bits’ (love that tag!) smell fresh & natural again. Cured YI years ago with acidophillus caps, still take one a week for maintenance.
Is Rephresh available in a more economical form? Reusable applicator?
February 4, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Thank god I’m not alone!
I’ve had odor and discharge for as long as I’ve had my period, since I was 13, and that along with body image insecurities has made sexual relations of any kind completely non-existent.
I had no idea where my problems were coming from; I’d never had sex of any kind, and even after desperately going to see a doctor, all my tests for STD’s and infections were negative.
No BV, no yeast, nothing.
The doctor said that some women have trouble with “vaginal sweating” and that she had nothing to prescribe and nothing really to suggest. I tried not wearing tight jeans as often and few other routine changes, and saw (and smelt) absolutely no difference.
I saw a commercial for Rephresh and immediately headed to the nearest drugstore to pick some up and try it.
As if my troubles weren’t crappy enough; they don’t sell Rephresh in Canada. At least no where I’ve looked (and I feel like I’ve looked EVERYWHERE!) So I’m going to order some online and give it a whirl.
I’m also a type one diabetic and so, often have problems with bladder/urinary track infections. I am so unbelievably ready to be rid of vaginal complications and just be… Normal?
Fingers crossed!
And thank you all so much for sharing your stories, it’s given me serious hope.
February 5, 2008 at 12:26 am
Wait! You all cant go yet I still have questions!
1st. What was the bit about being petite and having “external estrogen” problems? I dont understand the connection, but being a petite little thing myself I’d love to know more about this?
2nd. Whats wrong with “Always” pads as opposed to others?
3rd. I’ve heard that using an occasional vinegar douche will help clear up the yuckies, along the same lines as hydrogen peroxide, does anyone know anything about this?
Thanks!
February 5, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Hi All, Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but another option for restoring vaginal pH is boric acid capsules. I know it sounds scarey, but my doctor suggested it b/c my body apparently really hates sperm
The pH change is pretty extreme (immediate fishy smell, and no normal bacterial flora present, no bad bacteria either though) and like has been mentioned before, the treatment for BV leads to a yeast infection. I was tired of this cycle and the boric acid capsules (used as a suppository) works like a charm. I had seen the commercial and got on here to do research. It was really nice to see how many other women have had this problem and that I wasn’t alone.
February 5, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Post #1 said it best. It’s an arrogant assumption to declare that the only women using this are the ones who’ve been fooled by the misogyny machine that tells us we should be embarrassed about our cunts. I’m a feminist. I love my vagina. I’ve never douched in my life, and I’ve never been ashamed of my natural smell or taste or feel or anything. I’ve never felt awkward about menstruation or wetness or dryness or texture or odor or appearance or pretty much anything else about my vagina.
However, my vag-pride doesn’t prevent things like period blood and semen from throwing off my vaginal pH balance and causing some funk every once in awhile, and all I know is that this RepHresh stuff (which is odorless, by the way) made my vagina normal again (my normal–normal for me) after it started smelling abnormal. I don’t like taking antibiotics unless I absolutely need to, and I’d already talked to my doctor about my concerns, so I tried this and it worked. End of story.
You can pass judgment if you’d like, but my vagina isn’t interested in hearing it.
February 5, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Nope, again, it was about how the product was advertised, which seemed to imply that douching was some normal, recommended thing, and ignored that douching could cause vaginal problems of its own, which typically need a medical opinion.
February 7, 2008 at 9:59 am
omg I heard that the boric acid works like a charm also. but no luck on finding it…where can I get it from¿
February 7, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I have a few things to add that I didn’t read from anyone else. First, Always brand pads (and some knock-off brands as well) have an upper layer that can only be described as “plasticky” and non-cotton in feel. I learned the hard way (YI/BV) that those pads encourage moisture to stick to you. My saving grace has been Kotex Ultra-thin. And before you ask, yes, on heavy days you will change them alot because they are so thin, but they are super-absorbent and non-bulky.
Second, for preventing yeast during my period I use Azo Yeast, a supplement you can find next to Monistat on the shelves. During your period, after sex and other yeast risks, you can take as much as two tabs three times a day. On regular days, take one. It’s a maintenance thing.
Last, I never use soap directly on my girly bits, and after sex I ALWAYS clean up. Avoid using stuff like the Elexa wipes, they have too much alcohol. Just a cool wet cloth if you can’t manage a shower. If you take a bath, keep it fairly cool, since overheating it down there is a good way to grow stuff
February 7, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I was given amoxicillian for an ear infection and bv. Then once that cleared up then I got the episode again aloing with a yeast infection. So I have jsut finished Metrozonidole but the yeast is back again. I am so ready to try this rephresh. I would like to know where should I get the boric acid from?
February 7, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Hello I just wanted to thank everyone for posting, as everyone has said it is so great to hear people have the same problems. Two months ago I got my first yeast infection. At 20 years old I didn’t know what was going on, just thought that it was a allegic reaction as I was using a new soap. I didn’t end up going to a doctor til Jan. They gave me diflucan, it calmed down for like 3 days then came back. The doc told me to wait 2 weeks so I did. But then I coulnd’t handle the itching. Went back and she said my pap didn’t show signs of yeast, she wasn’t sure what it was. So I had some std tests. Came back negative, thank jesus. So she gave me a yeast cream and insertor (can’t remeber the brand) and Flagyl. 3 days of the cream and it was basically cleared up. I was doing good for about 2 or 3 days untilI started my peroid, I am on the pill and it’s not suppose to have started and has been going on for about a week. Since that started I have began itching like crazy again, but on the outside not the in, I can’t really detect an odor and since I am on my period I can’t tell if there is a dicharge. I was just wandering if this is a common sympthom of a yeast infrection or bv, as I am still new to this. Also, I was wondering if the rephresh helped with exterior itching also.
February 9, 2008 at 2:04 am
If someone could come up with an answer and remedy to this they would make millions.
I have had the same reoccurring BV and YI for years. It was really bad just after I had my son but recently usually only after sex and not everytime. My sister had the same problem and she said she went to many many different doctors to get rid of it and one of them finally fixed it by changing her birth control pills (not sure which). So my question for all of you is what kind of BC are you taking (if any)?
I’m no doc but I think its a hormone imbalance of some sort making the vag incappable of regulating the PH.
I am currently on Flagyl and I know it will be followed by a YI. Anyone know of a way to avoid the YI from the antibiotics?
February 9, 2008 at 12:02 pm
KT, when I’m on antibiotics, I always make sure to eat some plain yogurt (helps keeps antibiotics from hurting my stomach so much as well) and try to avoid sugar. I have to admit that this is one topic on which I haven’t looked at the scientific literature to see if it really helps (perhaps I should do that and post on it), but is simply what my mom taught me, and I never get yeast infections with antibiotics. As for birth control, I’m using the Necon 1/35 28. {edited to add: obviously what I use for BC may not be right for everybody}
February 9, 2008 at 8:21 pm
For those of you experiencing pH balance issues leading to recurring yeast, I would suggest talking to your doctor about something that has worked for me. Boric acid suppositories, which are prescription and can be made at compounding pharmacies, have changed my life. They restore your pH balance and break the cycle. Really. I haven’t wasted my time with diflucan or any of the other standard stuff since I tried boric acid. It’s actually an old-fashioned treatment out of vogue since the fancier prescription stuff came along, and many docs don’t know of it or think of it. But it’s really worth a shot.
February 10, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Tried cranberry pills for occasional bladder problems and found it helps with this one. When I think about it, the odor wasn’t usually noticible the first time I empty my bladder each day, but it was by the 2nd time. Maybe it’s something in my urine that contributes to the problem.
February 11, 2008 at 4:22 am
To those who keep saying that they have recurring yeast infections. I’ve had them too…for much longer. I had them four and five times a year from the time I was 17 until the time I was 22. I found out I had candidiasis (sp). It’s a yeast infection IN THE BODY…like…in your gut. There’s a strict diet to follow to get rid of it and kill all the bad yeasties. If you speak to a dietician or a doctor they should know about it but it’s very hard to diagnose and treat so they usually just throw it to the wind and brush you off. You can research it online to find the diet necessary, it definitely helps and works…assuming that’s your problem.