As a vulvovaginal specialist, I’m often asked, why did my gynecologist not know how to treat me? This is a frequent question of women with chronic vulvovaginal symptoms consisting of  vaginal discomfort, irritation, itching, burning, discharge and/or odor. Gynecologists commonly attributed these symptoms to recurrent bacterial or yeast symptoms. While excessive bacteria and/or yeast my be present in the vaginal secretions, this is generally not THE problem, but a reflection of the underlying abnormality. The problem is that these women are experiencing symptoms due to Altered Vaginal Micro-flora (AVMF). These patterns are not contagious or infectious but shifts in bacterial flora. Now to answer the question, First: Gynecologists were trained that there are four types of vaginitis because this is the discrimination capability of their standard light microscopes. The true story of vaginitis is that it’s much more complicated than what most gynecologists recognize and most are totally oblivious concerning the existence of AVMF patterns. Second: The typical gynecologist will only see one woman with these symptoms once every 4-6 months so they develop no experience or expertise. Consider the flight of the following patient:

Ladies, please read my review!  I was stuck in this never ending cycle of BV and reoccurring yeast infections.  My gyno kept prescribing me the same medicine and I remember sitting in her office for the 6th time begging her to try something else because what we had been trying wasn't working. She then gave me Dr. R. Stuart Fowler's card and said I think you need to see a specialist.  I immediately googled Dr. Fowler and started reading all of the other reviews.  I felt like many of the women who had wrote the testimonials were experiencing my exact same situation.  I called immediately and scheduled my first appointment with Dr. Fowler.

I am happy to report that after just a few weeks I was already BV & yeast infection free!  I still had a little soreness during intercourse, but I was much better.  It was only one month after that I was 100% better with absolutely no problems or pain!  IF YOU ARE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION, PLEASE GO SEE DR. FOWLER!  The key is to stick to the plan he gives you, exactly!  No cheating or you won't get the results!

*Quick Funny Story-  I was on an airplane headed to a batchelorette party when I looked over a girlfriend's computer screen and asked her how she heard of the soap that she was about to purchase.  She had said her doctor had referred her that soap and she loves it. I asked her if by chance her doctor was Dr. Fowler and her face was in complete shock.  We were both seeing the same vagina doctor, although for separate problems, but both having amazing results!  J. Gilbert, Arizona

I happen to have the distinction of being the “vaginal doctor” for thousands of women all across the US who have fortunately experienced excellent success on protocols I have developed to treat difficult vulvovaginal conditions. At Fowler Gyn International, we use more advanced diagnostic techniques and are able to monitor the progress and adjust the treatment based on response. If you have vaginal discomfort, irritation, pain with intercourse, discharge and/or odor for longer that 4 months, then you are a potential patient for Fowler Gyn International. For more information contact Dr. Fowler at FowlerGynInternational.com or call the offices in Phoenix, Arizona at 480-420-4001.

Some women get symptoms of bladder infections (UTI’s) but on evaluation the urine cultures keep coming back negative.  This can be perplexing to the patient and their physicians alike. Consider the comments by such a patient that presented to Dr. Fowler at Fowler Gyn International in Phoenix Arizona.

“When I first came to Dr. Fowler I was experiencing symptoms similar to that of a urinary tract infection. It turned out that an overdose of antibiotics I was taking for the urinary tract infection, which in fact I did not have, destroyed the good flora in my vagina. I went through great trauma: unable to sit due to discomfort, could not wear underwear, could not exercise, or have intercourse. After 4 months of the treatment prescribed by Dr. Fowler I am now able to do most everything I could do in the past. I am well on the way to recovery and am confident that the symptoms will resolve 100%.” P. Scottsdale , AZ

What many gynecologists and urologists fail to recognize is that women can get symptoms suggestive of UTI’s or even Interstitial Cystitis when it is neither; the unsuspected etiology has to do with the vagina. Here is how it happens: The vagina can experience bacterial flora shifts that result in irritating secretions. The vagina is composed of very tough and resilient ectoderm and is generally not affected by change in bacterial milieu. These secretions not only bathe the vagina but also the tissues at the opening of the vagina known as the vestibule. The vestibule is composed of endoderm and can get sensitized or become sensitive due to the secretions bathing it. It is within this tissue where the tube that comes from the bladder, the urethra, opens into the vaginal opening. When the vestibule is sensitized, it can irritate the opening of the urethra and result in urethral meatitis. This causes a feeling of urgency and frequency to urinate and burning at the opening on urination. To the patient this feels like a UTI, and to a provider it sounds like a UTI. But when urine cultures consistently come back negative, then some providers suggest that it may be interstitial cystitis, when in actuality it is neither. If a provider prescribes antibiotics, this can further damage the vaginal flora making the problem worse and prolonging the problem.

Based on research conducted, Dr. Fowler discovered that these recurrent UTI-like symptoms are often due to problems with the health or the maturation of the cells forming the mucous membrane of the vagina. This diagnosis can be confirmed by doing advanced testing on the vaginal fluid.  By identifying  the underlying cause, the experts at FGI are able to prescribe an effective treatment that will bring the vaginal micro-flora back into balance. If you would like to know what is involved in treating recurrent bacterial infections, then contact FGI at call 480-420-4001 to find out more, or you can visit them online by going to www.fowlergyninternational.com/