I am a 23 yo graduate student studying for my DPT with a decent amount of knowledge of basic medicine. I am having an acute episode of bacterial vaginosis. I am using OTC remedies that have helped in the past because I am broke and out of town right now and only have coverage at my student health facility back home. Id prefer not to go on antibiotics unless necessary anyways. I will go to a doctor if the condition persists or worsens. I have pain in my lower abdomen, yellow-green thick discharge, foul odor, and severe itching and burning. I have had this on and off in the past. I am on NuvaRing, which I have been told can contribute to why I have this problem, but I do not wish to switch back to oral contraceptives and would rather use other methods to prevent this from happening. I am about to use medicated wipes and a rephresh vaginal cream to help balance my pH. Should I remove my  NuvaRing during this episode even though it has a week left? What can I do to prevent having bacterial vaginosis problems in the future? Eat more yogurt? Take folic acid? Take vitamins or even prenatal vitamins? And what about acidophilus pills? I know all about how sex can affect this and how condom usage is important but I havent had a sex in a while so thats not what brought this on. I shower twice daily and use hypoallergic non-scented Cetaphil soap for that area, so my hygiene is good too. Please help me ASAP! Thank you!
HiT hank you for asking ChatDoctorI have gone through your query. If you are getting recurrent vaginal infection then it is wise to avoid Nearing. For bacterial vaginosis I treat my patients witChatDoctorbination of antibiotics like clindamycin or metronidazole with clotrimazole in the form of suppository or oral tabs. I also recommend them to use intimate wash regularly to normalize vaginal bacterial flora and PH and thereby prevent further infections. You can continue all other measures like using hypoallergenic non-irritating soaps taking Yogurt folic acid and vitamins also. Hope this may help you. Let me know if you have any further query.