If you are going to play in the swinging lifestyle, the odds are good you will eventually come across. It is one of the most common issues for vaginas. According to the CDC, bacterial vaginosis will impact roughly a third of vaginas at least once, if not multiple times. That’s why it is important for all swingers to become informed about it.
Bacterial vaginosis is often called BV because regular people like simpler terms. Let’s be honest. It is also easier to say BV. Even though we will keep things simple in this article, you should talk with your medical doctor if you suspect you have BV.
BV is an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the vagina. That causes vaginal discharge with a foul smell and itching. BV is very similar but different than yeast infections, aka UTIs which are another common problem with vaginas that swing. It is hard to tell the difference; it might even be an STI. Some UTIs can be handled with over-the-counter meds, but BV needs prescription strength. Be smart and consult your medical doctor.
Why bother with a doctor? You don’t want to risk your swinger reputation and become known as the swinger that passed along a bacterial problem to sex partners. Plus, BV is more severe than a bad smell. If untreated, it can lead to permanent issues. Having BV also increases your risk of STIs like HIV, herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. So take care of yourself and get treatment. You are worth it!
Spotting Signs of BV
The following are some of the more common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis:
- Thin, gray, white, or green vaginal discharge
- Foul-smelling “fishy” vaginal odor
- Vaginal itching
- Burning during urination
- Some BV people have no symptoms
It is very similar to a UTI. See your medical doctor; they can quickly determine which ointment or antibiotic you might need. The good news is that bacterial vaginosis & UTIs can be easily and quickly cured.
Avoiding BV When Swinging
When playing with a new swinger partner, it is always a good idea to enjoy some foreplay. Ease into it and help everyone get into the right mood. Now, we’ll mention the quiet part that isn’t said enough. Foreplay lets you do recon for the warning signs of BV & STIs.
When enjoying your foreplay, explore your way around their inner thighs and pubic area with your fingers. They will love being teased and warmed up. You’ll appreciate the chance to see if there are any bad smells or worrisome discharge. If you find anything suspicious, it would be wise to skip the full swap swinging and keep things above the waist.
Science doesn’t completely understand what causes BV. Some virgins have contracted bacterial vaginosis. We know BV can be transmitted on shared sex toys, fingers, or swingers that don’t wash between partners or use the same condom for multiple women.
Sex Toy Tangent – If you share a sex toy with other swingers, wrap it up with a condom and change that condom between swingers. Make sure to use the right lube with your sex toy. Some lubes can damage the surface of certain sex toy materials. That damage can be microscopic, creating prime conditions for nasty bugs to grow and infect you. Wrap it up & use the right lube.
To boost your odds of staying healthy, ensure all your swinger partners are clean & clean up after each partner.
If you are unsure about someone, you can always suggest taking a steamy shower together as foreplay. No swinger will turn down a naughty shower with a sexy lady. A shower will give you an even better chance to recon your playing field.
Your swinger setting can also put you at higher risk for bacterial vaginosis. Spending too much time in pools & hot tubs with their chemicals can help the harmful bacteria overwhelm your good bacteria. Wearing tight swinger costumes that don’t breathe can also throw off that good balance below.
Bonus Tips:
- Use mild soaps & skip any scented products down below. We don’t want anything harsh on the good bacteria.
- Wear breathable underwear. Skip the lycra, nylon, pleather & plastic stuff. Don’t put on dirty or sweaty underwear after playing.
- Pee right after sex. This is more for avoiding UTIs, but it is always a good idea to pee immediately after sex. Help your body eliminate bad stuff so the good bacteria have an easier job.
- Always use condoms. Wrapping it up makes it easier on the good bacteria by not having to deal with foreign bacteria being thrust into the vagina. Spermicide isn’t friendly to good bacteria, so avoid those condoms.
- Use daily probiotics & stay hydrated (especially during those sweaty swinging sessions). Fostering a healthy internal environment lets good bacteria flourish and keep the bad ones in check.
- Smoking increases your BV risk. Be friendly to your body without stressing that good bacteria.
- Black vaginas are at higher risk for BV (science doesn’t fully understand why), so black swingers should be extra vigilant. Honestly, all swingers should be extra vigilant because more sex partners mean higher BV risk.
Swinging Can Be Tough on Vagina Health
Vaginas are more awesome than a race car! Like a Ferrari or Lamborghini, they are sexy & mighty but also need to be finely tuned. The more sex partners you have, the more chance a vagina can be overloaded and break down. Bacteria are in the saliva from the sexy mouth action, on the fingertips that pleasure us, and in the fluids from shared PIV. That bacteria can throw a lousy monkey wrench into things.
You can ask your doctor about taking boric acid suppositories to make it easier for your vagina to keep things in a good balance. Boric acid is a natural chemical used for generations as a home remedy for vaginal infections. It is generally safe as a vaginal suppository but toxic if swallowed, can cause skin irritations, and shouldn’t be used during pregnancy, so talk with your doctor before using it. Studies have shown that combining boric acid with antibiotics clears up BV issues faster.
We should also mention that if you are a swinger, heck, even if you aren’t a swinger, you shouldn’t douche. We weren’t joking when we say that vaginas are awesome. They generally do an excellent job at cleaning themselves and finding a good balance. Douching tends to cause more problems than it helps, as it takes out many good bacteria trying to maintain the right balance in the vagina. That’s probably why so many studies find douching increases your BV risk.
Have fun & stay safe out there!
More BV Resources
Planned Parenthood Talks About BV