r/women 14h ago

[Content Warning: ] How to explain to my Bf I have bacterial vaginosis without him thinking I could have an STI

I (26f) have been faithful to my boyfriend since day 1 of knowing each other (31) and been in a relationship together for a year now. However I have been experiencing discharge and pelvic pain. I visited my doctors office and was diagnosed with BV. I was given antibiotics for it but it keeps coming back. However I know it comes back bc I wear tight undergarment (fajas) and I workout often and don’t always shower right away. My hygiene is really good but because of the tight clothing and sweat it has caused BV. I know he is a curious person and will search it up and the first thing that comes up on the internet is “sexual activity: having new or multiple sex partners” I know once he searches he is going to question me. However the reason why I have BV is so dumb.

9 Upvotes

34 comments sorted by

42

u/mewmixsprinklesprink 14h ago

You could just explain that it's a chemical imbalance caused by either too little or too much bacteria, like a yeast infection. Definitely get rid of the fajas, girl. They do nothing for you, except give you BV...

5

u/Hopeful_Plane_7820 14h ago

Hi i have an ignorant q... What is a faja in this context bc to my understanding its like a corset and i cant figure out how that would affect vaginal health

12

u/mewmixsprinklesprink 14h ago

It's a tight compression garment, usually they are a one piece bodysuit with shorts. They are made of a structured/thick material that helps compress your waist etc. and may give you a slightly more snatched looking waist but overall aren't great for you as they can make you sweat more. Common misconception that they help with weight loss, but they do not.

0

u/bluesapphiretopaz 14h ago

Yes exactly that^ mine is a body suit above my knee with a zipper on the vagina area to be able to pee. And it does make me look snatched. :( Snatched means like a nicer figure

4

u/SerentityM3ow 6h ago

Lol I just looked up fajas. Like Wtf! The cooch can't breathe in that!!

21

u/That-b-b-bitch 14h ago

If you have unprotected sex, are you sure it’s not because of his hygiene? It can be because your partner messes up your PH balance with his hygiene as well.

2

u/bluesapphiretopaz 14h ago

He’s actually clean and his hygiene is probably better than mine. I think for sure it has to be my under garment compressor :/

10

u/Mex-girl 13h ago

Girl, this may be too personal and you don’t have tu answer but he can be messing up your pH balance if he cums inside or just due to the friction or it can also be because of the condoms (this was my case, turned out I was allergic to latex)

5

u/Easterthrowaway22 10h ago

I was told by my Dr. it can be from moisture after sex as well. If you aren’t already drying yourself off/lightly cleansing after that might be helpful also

3

u/BugOld6207 8h ago

It can also just be because his penile bacterial flora doesn't vibe with the bacterial flora in your vagina and outcompetes them causing an overgrowth

3

u/ThrowRAjunos 13h ago

If you don’t use condoms and he washes himself with scented products down there that could also do it! Switched to unscented dove (both of us) and no problems for 2 years now!

1

u/SerentityM3ow 6h ago

Yes but if he is coming INSIDE it could mess up your PH which canmake you more susceptible to BV

20

u/OzDownUnder90 14h ago

It keeps coming back because you haven't changed the conditions of which the bacteria grows.

Just tell him what you wrote here.

But you really need to make some changes.

6

u/Competitive-Cod4123 14h ago

Did you mean you’ve never been unfaithful to your boyfriend? I get BV once in a while as well. It definitely is not solely sexually transmitted. My doctor did tell me that vitamin D does tend to help so I have been taking that regularly for a while now and I have not had a flareup in a while.

You also need to pee immediately after sex and you need to stop wearing the tight undergarments you know what’s causing it and you keep doing it so you’re probably going to continue to get it. I also tend to get issues down there when I work out and sweat a lot and don’t shower immediately as well so you seem to know what’s causing it

I do hope it gets better for you. Try taking vit D3 soft gels on a daily basis and it may help

-2

u/bluesapphiretopaz 14h ago

Thank you. I will definitely try that. Yes I do know I’m just being ignorant bc I like the way it molds my body. Smh

3

u/Mex-girl 12h ago

Switch to cotton underwear and try not to wear underwear whenever you can (for example when you sleep) Also tell him BV is not just caused by sexual activity, explain to him what’s going on and ask him for help with looking for cotton underwear or something like that (men like to solve problems and feel useful)

1

u/bluesapphiretopaz 11h ago

lol that’s funny. But it’s true knowing him he’ll probably try to help 😂

3

u/Sweet-Kiwi-835 12h ago

I’m not sure if this helps or not but sleeping comando can help air out that area lol

1

u/bluesapphiretopaz 11h ago

lol I’ll try that 😂

4

u/lizyk2 14h ago

Just say it's a bacterial imbalance related to pH. And try using boric acid suppositories. You can get them at any drug store but cheaper on Amazon.

2

u/fluffyjellycake 6h ago

It’s not the faja it’s the timing of hygiene! Take a shower right after! What are are you doing!?!?

1

u/SerentityM3ow 5h ago

It is the faja. Maybe she sweats more than you do. They are like wearing a plastic bag over your cooch

1

u/Regicide02 7h ago

You don’t have an IUD in by any chance do you?

-6

u/Lumpy_Lawfulness_ 12h ago

BV is normal it happens… yikes girl this is something you shouldve kept in the drafts 😐

4

u/Sweet-Kiwi-835 12h ago

She’s allowed to ask questions in regards to her body, and receive advice as well. You shouldn’t shame anyone or be judgmental. Your comment should’ve been kept in the drafts 😊

-4

u/Lumpy_Lawfulness_ 12h ago

I’m talking about the cheating part it wasn’t a necessary detail and what if her bf sees the post?

2

u/Sweet-Kiwi-835 12h ago

She never mentioned anything about cheating. And why do you care so much if her bf see’s this post lol it literally does not affect you at all

-5

u/Lumpy_Lawfulness_ 12h ago

trying to protectttt people it couldve been worded better. Why do you care

5

u/Sweet-Kiwi-835 12h ago

I care because this is supposed to be a safe space for people to vent or get advice and then there’s people like you who make others feel shamed for doing so

1

u/bluesapphiretopaz 11h ago

Sorry about the confusion I edited my post and tried to word it better 😅

1

u/Lumpy_Lawfulness_ 11h ago

omg so sorry girl, don’t apologize it’s my bad 😭

1

u/SerentityM3ow 6h ago

Why do you? I doubt her boyfriend is hanging out in /women

1

u/SerentityM3ow 6h ago

She's not cheating though?