Treating BV without health insurance.

October 13, 2012 10:56 AM

Treating recurrent bacterial vaginosis without health insurance?

Hi, not a very complicated question. I've been getting recurrent BV for the last 5-10 years, before I was "sexually active," but occurring more frequently when I'm having regular sex. My typical pattern was to go to the doctor once I could sense it myself (through smell), take a course of antibiotics, and voila.

However, right now my insurance status is rocky-- I'm on a state insurance plan (MN), which is fine except when I'm out of state, and sometimes goes dark on me when my work or income status changes. I've been in Chicago for the last couple weeks and I have a new case of BV. I'll be here for possibly a few more weeks. Is there anything I can do before I go home? I've tried acidophilus pills (orally and vaginally) and they don't seem to be helping a great deal. I've only been using them for two days-- should I keep on?

Last year I had surgery to correct an issue which is thought to be sometimes caused by pelvic infection, so I really hate leaving an infection untreated and risking the need for another surgery. I've never had any pain or discomfort from BV, just the smell and discharge. It would be nice to know if there are any free services in the Chicago area, or effective at home/over-the-counter treatments, or even prevention advice. I spend most of my time between MN and Chicago, but knowing what to do while traveling is one of my biggest hurdles. Thanks, everyone.

(I saw a few questions about treating recurrent BV in the history, but this question is also partially about health insurance, so I thought it would be okay.)

posted by stoneandstar to health & fitness (17 answers total)

You have state insurance. If it is a medicade type of insurance, you can go to an emergency room in chigago. All hospital ERs have to accept out of state medicade. Good luck and don't wait too long to get this corrected.
posted by JAD'E at 11:15 AM on October 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Keep up the probiotics (http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0905c.shtml)

Also, if your finances allow, try VSL-3. It is an expensive but really effective probiotic. It is used in research studies and has been demonstrated to have a good effect on GI disorders. YMMV, but it seems to have the most research support that it actually does something. Have you tried making your own yogurt? It is a cheap and easy way to get some good bacteria in your system.
posted by gilsonal at 11:31 AM on October 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

If you can get an appointment with Planned Parenthood it shouldn't be outrageously expensive if they don't take your insurance. In my experience if you let them know you have an infection they will try to get you in as soon as possible. But if they can't get you in I agree the ER might be your best bet for getting it treated soonest.
posted by bleep at 11:36 AM on October 13, 2012 [2 favorites]

try a peeled garlic clove inserted like a tampon
posted by brujita at 11:52 AM on October 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

I'm assuming you have Medical Assistance. I don't understand how MA actually works, but from the website it looks like you get insurance through one health insurance company or the other. Here's the list of their phone numbers. There's also a general help desk for all of the state health care programs.

My apologies if you've already tried calling the state and/or the insurance company and asking what you should do. For what little it's worth, HealthPartners has 'in network' doctors in the Chicago area, despite the company having no presence there and I imagine the same is true for the other companies. Whether the MA plans are restricted to MN providers, I don't know.
posted by hoyland at 12:03 PM on October 13, 2012

try a peeled garlic clove inserted like a tampon

I'd wrap it in gauze first, and try not to nick it when you peel it. Those juices can burn!
posted by vitabellosi at 1:10 PM on October 13, 2012 [2 favorites]

Garlic in your vag orrrr you can get a latex glove, fill the finger with PLAIN yogurt, freeze, peel out, and stick the frozen yogurt into your vagina like a vaginal suppository.
posted by spunweb at 1:15 PM on October 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Nthing the garlic.
posted by greta simone at 1:25 PM on October 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Google "bacterial vaginosis hydrogen peroxide". Douching with it and taking probiotics have helped me. But honestly, good ol' antibiotics have worked the best. Planned Parenthood is probably definitely worth a visit.
posted by Jandoe at 1:31 PM on October 13, 2012

Coconut oil used topically (vaginally). Unlike the descriptions of garlic, it tends to be soothing.
posted by Michele in California at 1:47 PM on October 13, 2012

Coconut oil cannot cure a bacterial infection.
posted by needs more cowbell at 3:07 PM on October 13, 2012 [3 favorites]

Call Planned Parenthood, as suggested above, or contact your county's Department of Health. (Google "[your county] [your state] health department.") Most health departments either have clinics available or will be able to refer you to a low-cost provider.
posted by Aquifer at 4:08 PM on October 13, 2012

Coconut oil cannot cure a bacterial infection.

Coconut oil does have antibacterial properties. Whether is will cure bacterial vaginosis I couldn't say.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:28 PM on October 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Apple cider vinegar is another home remedy. I don't know about the trustworthiness in general of this page, but it gives the dilution ratios.
posted by snorkmaiden at 6:46 PM on October 13, 2012

Howard Brown is a fantastic walk-in clinic in Chicago, and completely pay-what-you-can (confidential too).

FWIW, I would get the antibiotics in this case (or whatever the doctor recommends) and look into lifestyle changes in the future since it sounds like this is a chronic thing for you. A daily probiotic might really help, for example. The garlic trick has worked for me for yeast infections, but only in mild cases, not once the infection is full-fledged.
posted by susanvance at 7:46 PM on October 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

nthing that garlic works.
posted by feets at 12:34 AM on October 14, 2012

If the idea of making an iceblock out of yoghurt for your vag makes you clench up, soak a tampon in in instead. A thinner probiotioc yoghurt, no sugar, no flavouring, but you would have worked that out yourself anyway.
posted by Jilder at 9:16 AM on October 14, 2012