VAGINAL INFECTIONS AND STRESS??? HELP!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2003
VAGINAL INFECTIONS AND STRESS??? HELP!!!
1
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 3:43pm
Hi girls, i was just wondering if any of you have had Bacterial Vaginosis, and have gotten it due to stress??? My doctor says i keep worrying about whats going on "down south" and its causing me some imbalance in the bacteria in there.So she diagnosed me with - BV secondary to stress - Does any one know exactly what this means?? Sometimes I feel like i have discharge come out, but when i go to the bathroom nothing is there. Thats vary rare, so most of the time i have a lot of discharge and its either clear or a yellowish white AND I usually have to wear a panty liner. Ive had no symptoms of BV except discharge. THere was no foul smell or any other symptom associated with BV. I would like to know if stress causes BV??. I dont seem that stressed out but i do worry alot about whats goin on down there due to the fact that 1) i was dx with genital warts in December 2002 and 2) ive been having ongoing infections..Ive been tested and retested for all other STDs including ghonnorhea and chlamydia.

I feel like i am paranoid, but at the same time, dont want to do anything if i do feel like somethings wrong down there. Should i see a doctor for this?? What can I do to stop feeling this way????

ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

THANKS

JESSIKA

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 4:42pm
Hi Jessica,

Any infection can be brought on with stress...when you're really stressed out, your immune system gets weakened - and that weakness can allow infections like BV to crop up.

As for paranoia and all that...what do you think? Do you feel as though the amount of paranoia you have is unhealthy? Is it negatively affecting/controlling your life? If its going 'over the line' then maybe it is something you could see a doc for and benefit from that - but we don't know you and can't make that call. Use your judgement, and talk to your doc and the people you're close to...its possible, too, that doing other things for your body (like a smart exercise program and eating well) can make you feel better. If the rest of your body is feeling good, then perhaps you won't feel so vulnerable and unduly worried about your vagina?

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