Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 7/26/2006

Question
Hi there,
7 years ago when I conceived my now 6 year old daughter I developed what my gynecologist (at the time) thought to be the STD trich. I had the classic symptoms: discolored vaginal discharge coupled with a foul odor and pelvic pain. He tested me on a wide range of diseases and all came up negative; he treated me for trich anyhow. 7 years, four gynecologists, 2 cervical cryosurgery treatments,  and an abundance of  ultrasounds, antibiotics and negative paps and cultures later no one can figure out what is wrong with me. I have the fould smelling off-colored discharge daily, the pelvic pains daily and the depression and embarrassement due to this situation daily. I'm at my wits end. I presently have an appointment to see a doctor at Loma Lida Univ. Hospital set for late October. Somehow I feel I will be told "I have no idea what the problem is".... again...

If you have any thoughts on this, please, could you share them with me?

Thank you so much for your time and thoughtfulness,
Kristina

Answer
Kristina,
Thanks for your question.  In peristent infections like you have, I would look at a few areas for further work-up and/or treatment:
1 contact allergy, such as clothing materials, soap, vaginal washes or douches, tampons, bath oils, etc.  
2. low immune system function, which can be boosted by herbs like echinacea, astragalus, etc.  
3.  reinfection from your partner.  Sometimes, partners will pass infectious agents back and forth, and men may not exhibit as many symptoms.
4.  multisystem candida infection, that may exhibit effects in the vagina and GI system.  This could occur after antibiotics or for many other reasons.  Treatment would be a anti-candida diet and supplements like garlic, oil of oregano, followed by probiotics.  
5.  resistant strain of trichomonas.  Perhaps a different treatment, natural or conventional, could work.  Natural treatment for trichomonas is tea tree oil or iodine application (using a specific protocol).  Possibly suppositories might work if you could not find a GYN to use the protocol.  
6.  Infection with multiple organisms.  Trichomonas, bacterial vaginosis, and candida can all occure together, or one may have devloped first and allowed the others to develop, too.  You should be able to get confirmation of this from a culture/ exam/ specimen analysis, but if that's inconclusive, you may treat without confimed diagnosis.  
I'd suggest you seek out a naturopathic doctor in your area at www.naturopathic.org, for full evaluation, testing, and treatment.  They can give you more guidance in finding the right options to help you.  Good luck in your search.  
Dr Conner