Hi Kaylie!! I'm so happy this story found you, that was my whole purpose in writing it - so other women and girls would feel less lonely on this journey.

I totally understand all the anxiety and shame that can come from BV/other infections. Validating those feelings have been really important for me. I remember one therapy session I had, I just briefly mentioned my experiences with BV and my therapist was like "that can really affect people's self-esteem and be very anxiety driven" and just that alone helped a little. Like "FINALLY! I thought I was just being a baby about it" but no a trained psychologist was like "hey it's totally normal to feel really intense feelings about this. there's already a lot of shame towards women's bodies so there is an emotional toll often associated with the physical discomfort/pain"

Some tips I've been told/read about over the years (that have maybe helped me...not sure to be honest):

-Probiotics once a day (yogurt or my personal fav Renew Life's Ultimate Flora Probiotic)

-Only cotton underwear (which sucks bc i love my lacy and spandex material but I hate BV more)

-Drinking lots of water

-I use an organic lube just in case

-showering/changing after working out

-rinsing off after sex

-switching up toilet paper

-no thongs (or not all the time)

-no underwear to bed!!

-limiting tight clothing and showering after a day of wearing tight clothing (i.e. leggings, nylons)

-wiping front to back

Hope these help if you haven't already found similar things.