Resolved question:
Hello, I am a 21 year old female of mixed heritage (black caribbean and white british). I am wondering what underlying problems could be causing the issues I'm currently having.
I have had bacterial vaginosis on and office for around three years although I am not sexually active. It always recurs after my period, and now antibiotics (oral and topical) can't seem to clear it up, only douching with hydrogen peroxide which I try to avoid and Vitamin D which has had limited success. I have quite a lot of stress and suffer with anxiety but I have a very healthy diet and am active, and not on any medication.
On top of the BV, I have extremely dry skin/a tendency for ingrown hairs on my legs and very dry, brittle, discoloured toenails which are difficult to cut. I also bellieve I have a sensitivity to gluten as I often feel bloated and constipated/have diahorrea after eating foods like pasta and bread. I am wondering whether these problems could all be linked by a deficiency of some sort?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Internal Medicine Specialist
Thanks for trusting us.
So you have been suffering from Bacterial Vaginosis on and off. Also you have extremely dry skin also called " Xerosis " with brittle nails.
Before i recommend you how to prevent it or what needs to be done i need to know a few things.
You said you have been taking antibiotics and even using antibiotics topically. Can you please mention what antibiotics you have taken for the BV till now. And are you on any antibiotic right now? Normally for BV this is recommended,
1) Tab. Metronidazole 400 mg twice daily for 5-7 days
2) Clindamycin gel to be applied locally for the same duration.
So i need to know what antibiotics you have been using till now. This kind of a condition keeps recurring. However it should resolve with a proper course of antibiotic.
Also did you ever undergo any blood test? If you did, kindly upload the reports.
Since you're not sexually active, i will suggest you to completely avoid douching because that also frequently leads to BV.
Coming to your skin problem. You mentioned you have taken Vitamin D before. Did you take it for your dry skin? People with xerosis ( Dry skin ) have further problems such as scaly skin, brittle toe nails, exactly what you are experiencing right now. Are you on any vitamin supplements? Normally dry skin can sometimes be caused due to a deficiency of fat soluble vitamins. So let me know if you're on any vitamin supplement?
Regarding your bloating, some people lack the acid HCL required in the stomach to digest food easily. You might be lacking this acid and hence you get bloated/ suffer from episodes of diarrhoea, after taking bread or pasta. In this case you can avoid dairy products and bread.
So let me know what antibiotics you have used up till now and if you're on any vitamin supplements. Also if you have any reports kindly upload.
Thanks a lot,
Doctor Spring