Menopause Support Group

Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.

1,907 Members
4,054 Posts
0 Online
Women's Health
/ Menopause Support Group

BV

kms2402
kms2402
Has anyone had problems with bacterial vaginosis? I am 46 and started perimenopause 4 years ago. I have had all the anxiety, depression, bouts of crying, sagging skin, slow metabolism, fatigue, hot flashes, etc. This one is the next battle, I guess. I hadn't done anything new. I was using a new shower gel for about a month so I don't think that's what it is, but I stopped using it none the less. My doctor just shrugs her shoulder and says it's normal. She gave me a weeks worth of antibiotics and I have a day and a half left and now I think I'm heading into a yeast infection, but everybody says take the full 7 days. This is driving me insane!! Some days it feels better, other days not so much. I have stopped running (which I do every day) because I worried the sweating was causing the problem. I had finally started losing weight and now with all of this, I just feel depressed :-( sorry for the rant, I just don't know where to turn :-(
sandi
sandi
I have found by starting cranberry ;pills that my vaginal health got better. The burn is gone thank goodness. I dont know if that helps or not. I also do not use soap but a vaginal watch for sensitive skin.
Tracy
Tracy
Hello. I am in perimenopause. I am just finishing up my period this month & I am in weird mood. Bitchy & crying over I don't even know what. Sorry, off topic, but I understand your mood swings. My sister is older than me & is in menopause. She had terrible pain in her vulva & vagina. She has found that eliminating sugar & carbs has really helped her. Now if she eats sugar she has urinary symptoms, feeling like needing to pee all the time & an aching bladder like a bladder infection. She cuts out the sugar & it improves & goes away. She also used a vaginal cream that her Dr formulated & had made at a compounding pharmacy. It had many natural ingredients. But cutting out carbs & sugar made the vulvar pain stop. Best of luck.
raquel
raquel
A few helpful things:

Reduce or cut out the sugar in food / drink. Sugar feeds yeast.

Eliminate perfumed soaps shower gels etc. Use natural products especially those that contain lavender and teatree essential oils (.they're both antibacterial and anti fungal, just be sure to dilute a few drops in water and do not apply undiluted if you're using the essential oils on pure form ). .

Eat lots of natural yogurt with live culture, no sugar added. The live cultures will replenish your body's flora/ bacteria. This is especially important if you've been on courses of antibiotics. Also, Natural yogurt can be used topically as it soothes itching and calms the vagina. The live cultures get straight to source this way too!

Natural Cranberry with no sugar (taken as juice or in capsule form) help to fight bacteria and infection within the body. The best place to buy this is in your local health food store. It's very tart/sour to taste, so consider capsule form if you can't take the taste. I keep a bottle in the fridge and add it to sparkling water as an instant remedy for bladder infections.

Also, wear white cotton underwear if you've an infection. Natural fibres are best to allow your skin to breathe and no dyes in the fabric means less chemical sensitivity. Best to wear no underwear at night too, so skin breathes. Bacteria and yeast thrive in warmth and moisture with high blood sugar.

Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day to cleanse your system.

Hope this is helpful!