Sexually active women will get "BV" periodically. The treatment is not useless if the discharge and bad odor
go away, but it is a normal consequence of sexual activity.
You can treat yourself with a "vulvar douche", (a wash cloth
soaked in Acidophillus milk, a couple of times a day for a few
days), which has the advantage of restoring the nomal vaginal bacteria, which tends to reduce the incidence of BV problems (don't use a commercial douche which can disrupt the normal vaginal organisms). Using an Acidophillus milk
douche can restore the normal bacteria after antibiotic therapy too.
BV is not a contraindication to placing an IUD,assuming there is an adequate cervical "prep" (e.g. betadine) as it is not an "ascending" infection, (is not considered a hazard for uterine/tubal infections), but you should be certain you are not at risk from ascending infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea, which can lead to more serious infection with an
IUD. Get checked for these infections before the IUD is placed and whenever you have a new sexual partner, after the IUD is placed, and consider using condoms to avoid BV
and STD's if you are not in a stable long term relationship.
John H. Sand, MD
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