Table of Contents
Cure Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
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DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
13 YEA
2 NAY
2 BETTER BUT NOT CURED
1 WORKED TEMPORARILY
1 WARNING!
[YEA] 02/23/2009: Janice from Middletown, NY writes: "I have had bacterial vaginosis on and off for years and after using flagyl many times over, it was time to look at prevention not just treatment. If you have an infection you should get treated first, then follow this regime. Make sure you follow general guidelines to prevent BV and yeast infections by switching to cotton panties, no douching (as it does more harm for upsetting vaginal flora than good), stay away from those poofy loofah's (they caused my recurrences after discovering mold on the most inner part of them!), use unscented soap. After I made these changes recommended by my gynecologist...I decided to try the folic acid and acidophilus combo. I take 800MCG of folic acid and 2 capsules of a high count lactobacillus acidophilus supplement everyday. This has helped to prevent any recurrence. The few times i have gotten lazy and not taken my supplements, i had the same early itchiness/discomfort that i recognized from my other infections. As soon as I took the supplements and kept eating low/no sugar added yogurt...it just stopped. Changing my diet too, taking a multivitamin, and drinking lots of water has changed not only my vaginal health but overall health too.
Another thing that I was told was told by my doctor is if your on the extended-delay period birth control like Seasonale for example (where your period only comes once every 3 months), that it was better to just switch to once a month birth control and flush out your system naturally. This seemed to help too. I don't know how the folic acid and lactobacillus works together like this, and i'm sure it wont work for everyone...but it really does seem to work to a very good degree in prevention...and some good properties alongside treatment."
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[YEA] 02/22/2009: Miss N from Boston, MA writes: "I had been dealing with bacterial vaginosis for over a year. The problem is I didn't realize I had the ailment at first. It went untreated for a year. I noticed a fishy smell during intercourse with my boyfriend at the time, but thought I didn't shower good enough and my period was coming soon. After we broke up, I didn't smell anything so I had no idea something was wrong.
I began dating a new guy about a year later and noticed the strong fish smell during/after sex. This happened with or without condoms. Immediately, I went to see my doctor. She prescribed the metrogel and I thought I'd be cured. Wrong. I went back to see my doctor and she prescribed the metrogel for the second time. I thought I would be cured. Wrong.
I asked my doctor for flagyl, but she refused to give it to me. She said it doesn't work and women often get sick. I immediately started to panic right there and then in her office. I was anxious, embarrassed, and depressed, to be honest.
I started douching with part hydrogen peroxide/part distilled water. The smell was gone! I thought I had my sex life back again, but after the fourth day of douching, my vagina was on fire.
Since my doctor was of no help, I went to one of the best hospitals in the city and they prescribed flagyl. I didn't get sick and the infection went away. For maintenance, I've been taking a probiotic, acidophilus, garlic, and folic acid. (once or twice a day) I believe I had a folic acid deficiency caused by years of smoking and tanning beds.
Anyway, I've been checking my ph balance with the screening kits and I've been registering at 4.5. (normal) Also, I had sex with my boyfriend last night and there was no smell in the room. Not to get too personal, but he said I tasted, "sweet."
I pray the infection doesn't return and I wish you all the best. My thoughts are with you."
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[YEA] 02/18/2009: Racheal from Ooltewah, Tn writes: "due to type 1 diabetes I consistantly went from yeast to bv to yeast etc etc. I just got tired of one dr saying, Im increasing your insulin again and my gyno saying, Your just going to have to get used to the problems as it goes along with the diabetes. Heres another cream for you!! yuck!! I just woke one day and thought, this cant be it. Guess what ladies, it wasnt!! You have to play around with all of these remedies and find what works for you. I will say this, I dont think douching is a good idea as it forces things up. However, There is a way to rinse with the acv or h2o. Lay in your tub and put your feet on the side and lift your rear up. Open yourself up and pour in your mixture and hold it for at least a few minutes. I prefer the h2o but not for all those days in a row or very often. also, in the shower...not bath....make sure your hands are clean and clean yourself out with your finger. Dont wash with soap. I like the baby wash..Nothing scented just gentle. Clean the outside well and rinse well. I also use tea tree oil suppositories about once a week. Very soothing if you feel dry or a little irritated. I take 2 folic acid 600mg per day as well as 2 femanol per day. Ive used the boric acid for yeast. works but extremely irritating. At least once a week I soak a tampon in acv and shove it up there and leave it or at least an hour but no more than 3. That will make your hoo hah inhospitable to the bad stuff. Now....Diet is VERY important. Watch your sugar and artifical sugars. Try and cut out starchy carbs...white bread,potatoes. etc. Little or no alcohol esp beer. Yeasty foods. Try colorful veggies...brown rice....also brown rice wraps with turkey and spinich and sour cream is delicious. Get some excercise. Go for a walk. I know this is depressing and makes you feel soooo unsexy but you can take control. Its work, I know. I take 6 shots a day as well as taking the folic and femanol and watching the diet. Its so worth it ladies. It happens faster for some and slower for others. After 2 months, I feel almost normal!!"
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[WORKED TEMPORARILY] 02/07/2009: Stephanie from Albuquerque, NM writes: "I have been suffering from bv for 6 years. I don't get a fishy smell, but more like a burning, urine smell. It's so damn embarrassing. I have quit jobs because people were making fun of me so bad. I have tried everything you could imagine. Antibiotics make it worse. I don't understand how people are using hydrogen peroxide and it's killing it. Wouldn't the hydrogen peroxide kill off the good bacteria as well as the bad bacteria? I have noticed that when I am stressed, it comes on instantly and won't go away. I have also noticed that coffee brings it back, garlic brings it back, and when I use clorox to wash my underwear or wash the toilet with, that always brings it back. So I am thinking since I eat a ton of garlic, the garlic can clean. Maybe I am cleaning my body too much? Stress is a huge factor. I am a very clean person. I have noticed that when I eat one yogurt a day, one folic acid and one zinc a day, no coffee, no alcohol and my stress level is of the average person's stress level, it subsides. As soon as I drink one cup of coffee, or eat too much garlic or if I am stressed or use clorox to clean with, it comes back. Oh my gawd! Now, it's back and now I am being made fun of once again by new co-workers. It's come to the point where I don't know what to do. I have used a couple of drops of tea tree oil in a douche and that maintained it for a few months. But the tea tree oil no longer works. Flagyl gel and tablets and clindamycine don't work either. If someone has any real home remedies I would appreciate it. I know folic acid is a huge part, but I know after several tries of acidophillus and other probiotics, they really didn't do anything for me. I have stopped going to school, switched jobs, but I'm not the only one suffering. I have a child to support and he needs me to support him. So if anyone has any cures/information, I'd appreciate all your suggestions. Thanks!"
02/07/2009: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: "i used to get this often before i was diagnosed with diabetes. have you ever had your blood sugar checked? apple cider vinegar both ingested - 1 - 2 teaspoons in 8 ounces of water and a douche with about 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces of water helps mine. also do not use soap on the area. do not bathe in bubble bath. quit using clorox if it bothers you. you can clean the toilet very well with white vinegar and baking soda. you might also try a baking soda douche - 1 tablespoon to 8 ounces water. wearing tight pants would make mine worse too - when i had the problem i often wore loose skirts w/o underwear so the area could breathe.
good luck
djh"
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[NAY] 01/26/2009: Sarah Adriansen from Las Vegas, NV writes: "I posted a long time ago as I was about to begin my treatment. Now it's been a couple months and I'm sorry to say that NOTHING has worked for me yet! I've tried the douche and it doesn't seem to help for the long run and I can't help but take the warnings about douches by numerous women to heart. SO I'm officially stopping the h2O2 douche.
I've been taking the acidophilus for at least 1 1/2 months now with the folic acid and my symptoms are better but there's still the fishy smell and a lot of discharge. The discharge is kind of clear now there's just a lot of it in random spurts, I don't know if anyone has the same thing going on?
I've tried inserting the acidophilus and inserting yogurt and eating more yogurt but nothing has worked and I'm so frustrated! I'd like to have a normal sex life now! I don't know how I'm eventually going to explain this to my next boyfriend! I'm going to try what a few women have suggested with the bifido and see how that goes.
Please feel free to contact me to talk about it! I sure could use the support too! I know i'm not the only one who this isn't working for! Also if anyone has any other ideas??? I'm getting desperate. I'm contemplating going back to the gyno. I also thought about maybe trying a different gyno to see if they had any different information to give me. Thanks to everyone for all the advice! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all of us! "
01/27/2009: Penny from Great Falls, MT replies: "Have you tried a borax douche? Mix 1 Tbsp in 8 Oz warm water and douche twice a day. This works great for me."
[YEA] 01/28/2009: Matt from Brisbane, Australia replies: "Hi Sarah, I had unexpected results with taking H2o2 internally. I had CFS and developed candida. I had this for many years and did not realise how bad it was until it was gone. I took the upper end dose ie. 35% food grade diluted as follows: 25 drops in 450ml of distilled water 3 times in one day. this works out at .50% strength. It is not pleasant but it worked extremely well. It did not cure CFS but candida symptoms have not returned. Needless to say I feel much better than before. on the day following the h2o2 intake I had a detox reaction until about 2pm then everything cleared and I felt great. i hope this helps."
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01/25/2009: VNG from Mobile, Alabama writes: "Hi, im so so glad that i found this site. Im 20 years old and have been dealing with bv for only a year now. I am sexually active and have been with the same person for 5 years now and it all seemed to come about after my boyfriend ejaculated in me a year ago. It has been down hill since then.I have also been to the docter and been perscribed flagyl which only cured it for a few weeks. The smell is jus so embarrasing that i would stop in the middle of intercourse. I found this site 2 days ago and have been reading all the different remedies. I went out first thing this morning and brought 400mcg folic acid pills, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and 500 million cfu acidophilus. I have only taken 2 folic acid pills and 1 acido pill and will take another folic acid and acido pill tonite. Im sceptical about using the douche because ive heard it was not healthy. Hopefully the pills cure it, if not i will add the douche to my regimen. Im hoping and praying that it works cuz i have really been stressin myself about this lately. I will write back in a few days to tell of any success. Wish me luck!!!"
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[YEA] 01/17/2009: Mary from Springfield, Illinois writes: "I took Amoxicillin for 10 days and it helped. When I started the Amoxicillin, I immediately stopped inserting ANYTHING in my vagina (penises, fingers, tampons, toys, douches, applicators) and I shaved off all pubic hair for cleanliness. Then, EVERY DAY, I drank one glass of organic, plain Kefir; ate one cup of organic, plain yogurt; took one probiotic pill for vaginal support made by Renew Life; took 4 dried garlic pills by Kyolic; and took 150 mg of vitamin c in powder form. It's been 2 weeks and I feel great! I am going to continue to do all of these things every day for the rest of my life, though. It will be even more important when I resume intercourse, which may be a long time from now, but it's worth the wait."
02/15/2010: Hillary from If Town, Idaho replies: "hello to other women with bv. i am 32 yrs old and i am a chronic bv. sufferer. i read this site and all the remedies others have suggested. i would like to add that the lady at the health food store told me to take colloidal silver instead of b-12. it comes in a small bottle with a dropper. you take one teaspoon full under the tongue once per day for maintenance. it was also suggested from another healthfood professional that colloidal silver is safe to douche with since peroxide seemed a little scary to me. i fill the dropper, lie on my back in the tub, insert, and let sit for 1-3 minutes. along with the garlic and acidopholis plus a ton of water the stench is gone. im not seeing any discharge either. what a great feeling. you can get silver in any healthfood store. the only other ingredient it has is pure water. whether the bv is gone or not i plan to maintain this regimin."
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[YEA] 11/15/2008: Carol from Atlanta, GA writes: "I have suffered from this for over 10 years now and for the first 6 I had no idea how to stop it. I have found some remedies that have worked for me at least for a while. First thing, if you smoke please stop. The reason, there is a link between smoking and bv, not sure how but there definetly is. I've smoked for several years and decided to quit as an experiment to find a cure for this. Well it worked...I couldn't believe it. Didn't want to believe it because I was ready to quit at the time. I knew I had to because this was ruining my work and my social life. I am struggling to finally quit. Another remedy that has help is acidopholis pills. I buy the 4 billion count and eat yogurt at night. If the smell gets out of hand at work then I take several doses until I get home. I try not to take any during the weekend since I take so many during the week.lol My body is full of this stuff as it is. I use to jump on the band wagon for ACV, hydro peroxide douches but please don't do this. This makes it very worse and ACV really makes it worse, the stuff stink itself. I do like tea tree oil though, usually this is a last resort I take until I can get to the doctor for some flagyl. I take the tea tree oil on my finger and place it inside my area, this is just a quick fix. I haven't tried the folic acid though, will let you know how that works for me. Also try a whole body detox program at GNC, I use the green tea colon detox. I am also going to try a colonic soon. I have found better results when I try to treat my whole body instead of just my "area"."
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[NAY] 10/28/2008: Rene from Charlotte, Texas writes: "I have been battling bacterial vaginosis for about 5 years and it's really depressing me. I've read all of the suggestion on this site and nothing seem to work long term. All is temporary. I tried appple cidar vinegar with honey and it kept the discharge down, but I still smelled while on my period and after sex. I tried douches with hydrogen peroxide-50/50, acidaphalus, garlic. I tried all seperately and it work for two days and b.v. came right back. So I douched with plain water and got the same effect. The smell went away and came right back after two days. So I really don't think that it's the ingredients in the douche that's making the smell go away. IT's the fact that you're washing the inside of your vagina and the discharge is being washed out. I went to the gyne and she prescribed clindesse this time. It worked up until I had sex with my husband. I was so depressed and upset that I went and purchased folic acid 400mcg once a day.Took that and it worked and could have sex with no discharge or smell until about two or three months later when the discharge and smell came back. I then doubled the folic acid and it did nothing for discharge or smell. Taking acidaphalus pills never helped. I read about ___. I took two of those and douched with providone/iodine.I did a colon cleanser, drank par d arc tea, green drink. It worked for about two days and discharge and smell is back. What is this? It only happens after sex. If I go to the gyne and use the medication, and don't have sex I don't get the smell nor dicharged. As soon as I have sex without a condom, and my husband ejaculate, the smell and the white milky discharge come right back. PLease help. I'm desperate!!!!!!!"
11/09/2008: Andrea from Clinton Twp., MI replies: "This is in response to your blog, Rene...I know you are frustrated and just want to have a healthy sex life! BV is horrible! I have been suffering from it for over a year, and i have done countless experiments with several at home remedies. Let me tell you i'm almost better, not 100% yet, but almost! Here is why your bv comes back after sex...(this may be a bit long, but it will help you) This was confirmed by my new GYN just a couple weeks ago:
BV is caused by a change in the ph of your vagina. Your vagina should be in the ph range of 4.0-4.5, an acidic environment. If the ph goes higher than that range, this causes an overgrowth of the bad bacteria that exist in our vagina, and a depletion of the good bacteria (lactobacillus acidophilus). If the vagina is in the proper ph range, the lactobacilli should outnumber the bad bacteria and keep your vag. in the correct ph range. these good bacteria produce an acidic environment, and the acidic environment keep the good bacteria (this is a constant circle, so it is important to keep tabs on your ph). The reason the semen is causing your bv is likely because semen has a ph of about 7.0-8.0 (don't quote me on that, i don't know the exact number, but i know that semen has a significantly higher ph than the vagina calls for). When you have unprotected sex, the semen (ph of 7.0) interrupts the normal state of the vagina (ph of 4.0), thus causing a depletion of the lactobacilli and overgrowth of bad bacteria, causing bv.This to me is BS, because our bodies were made to procreate, and how do you do that without semen, right? If I were you, I would keep tabs on your vaginal ph on a regular basis with one of those kits you can buy at the store (about $16, but VERY worth it and better than doctors bills!!). Also, after sex, you may want to douche with half organic apple cider vinegar/half distilled or previously boiled water. ACV has a ph level of 3.0-4.0, which is perfect for restoring the ph of the vagina. Be sure to take Lactobacillus Acidophilus supplements every day. You can do this orally, and if that is not enough, you can apply vaginally with plain yogurt or just putting a pill up there. The most important ingredient in the vagina is the lactobacilli, so if you have to pick one thing, i would choose that. I really hope this helps. You sound frustrated, and i don't blame you! And, remember that the doctors arent telling you the whole story most of the time, so you may want to continue doing some research on your own and experimenting with different home remdies. Everyone's body reacts differently so be sure to choose the correct remedy for your body.
Good luck!"
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[YEA] 10/08/2008: Cheri from Titletown, FL writes: "Bacterial Vaginosis Cures: This is long, but I hope VERY helpful. The reason I listed the subject as I did is because this post is based on weeks of research on various websites, forums and personal experimentation. I have tried my best to condense all of the best and most useful info I could find on this subject.
I DO encourage anyone suffering from this to do as much research as they can, but if you are not good at research or do not have the time, I think this post will be helpful to you.
First,my story/symptoms- i am 40 and have had yeast infections from time to time during my adulthood. Have always treated them with OTC treatment that has worked well for me. A few weeks ago I felt that unmistakable itch that has always, for me, signaled a yeast infection. I tried the usual OTC. Didn't work...hmmmmmmmm. tried it again, didn't work again. That's when I realized I'm dealing with something else this time. Begin with the research and reading- I'm 99.9% sure I have BV. Looked at the "official" info websites on the subject. They give great info on the causes but all treatment suggestions send you to your Dr, where they promptly give you a pelvic and a dose of antibiotics. After reading hundreds of posts from ladies that followed that course-went to Dr, got antibiotics, got temporary relief and BV keeps coming back; I decided to try and treat myself from the get-go. If you make that choice also, please do it carefully. I am NOT one of those folks who doesn't believe in going to the Dr. But after all I've read, it is my strong opinion that the general medical community has really dropped the ball on this problem. All they seem to do is throw antibiotics at you; which at best gives you temporary relief only to have BV return. At worst, temp relief of BV, but a lovely yeast infection in it's place.
OK, Off the soapbox and on with the info....
First I'm going to talk about the WHY. If you've been to other sites you may know this already, so skip it. If not read on.
The vagina is an interesting little ecosystem. Basically you have "good" bacteria that live there and keep everything happy. The environment of the vagina needs to be acidic (3.5-4.5) Just a little primer on the PH scale...0-14, 0 is extreme acidic, 14 is extreme alkaline. If your PH gets off and moves toward the higher end, your Good bacteria die and bad bacteria take over-thus BV. Or a yeast infection. Either one lives at the more alkaline. The acidity/good bacteria is a circle. The good bacteria help keep the acid right and the acid keeps the good bacteria alive. If you need more info on whether you have a bacterial infection or a yeast infection, that is pretty easy to find here and all over the web. My info is designed for gals that pretty much know they have BV.
OK...what now??? Another gal put the treatment process very succinctly and I'm basically repeating her thoughts.
1. Kill bad bacteria
2. Make environment in vagina more acidic.
3. Re-introduce good bacteria.
4. Find out what is causing yours and prevent. This is a mystery, I think there may be more to BV than what we currently know. There are Soooooo many ways your ph can become unbalanced and cause this. Educate yourself as much as possible and try to figure out your why.
The tools I have found that seem to work the best for the most people are these:
(I will tell you how to use each) You can find all of this at a health food store.
1.Hydrogen Peroxide
2.Folic Acid
3.Tea Tree Oil
4.Apple Cider Vinegar
5.Probiotics
1.Peroxide-Good all around cleasing agent. The bad bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they thrive in the absence of oxygen. The good bacteria are aerobic, the opposite. Peroxide floods the vagina with an environment that the bad stuff hates.
2.Folic Acid-I don't know why or really if this actually works, but a LOT of women swear by it and it can't hurt you-so why not.If anyone has more info on why Folic acid works please let me know.
3.Tea Tree Oil- This is a great natural TOPICAL antibiotic. There are others also, but Tea Tree is easy to come by and inexpensive and goes a long way.
4.Apple Cider Vinegar-This is a natural, inexpensive acid. Some gals insist on getting the kind with the "mother". You can find this at natural food stores.
5.Probiotics- I cannot (because this would be unbearibly long) go into all the details of the various strains of bacteria that should be living in your vagina. There is soooo much info out there to read on this(and I suggest you do)So I'm going to be VERY basic. Lactobacillus Acidolphis is one of the strains you need and can be easliy bought and administered.
OK, now for actual treatment. Other tools you will need other than the ones listed above are-
1. A small syringe. Get the type that has a bulb on the end. Designed for giving children medicine. Looks like a large eye dropper or a tiny turkey baster. Found mine at Wallgreens.
2. Tampons- get the kind that have different sizes. You will use the small tampon in the large applicator.
How to use these tools for treatment:
Take 800 mg of Folic Acid in the morning and 400mg at night.
You can rinse with the Peroxide first or anytime the discharge is bad. I found no problem with using it full strength. You can dilute if it bothers you. Draw it up into the syringe, insert as you would a tampon and squeeze it out while the syringe is inside. You can repeat this a couple of times.
Tea Tree Oil. This is where you use the tampons. Take out a small one and a large one, remove both tampons from their applicators. Throw out the small applicator and the large tampon. The reason you are doing this is(duh) a tampon swells when it is wet, so you have to get it saturated with oil THEN insert. Use the syringe to draw up some of the oil. saturate the small tampon with the oil. place the tampon in the large applicator and insert. leave in for up to 3 hrs. This is the A-Bomb for the bad bacteria! Take out and wait a few hours before the vinegar.
Vinegar. I found that the vinegar will burn if you do not dilute heavily. Find a level that is comfortable for you. You can either use your diluted mixture to rinse inside as you did with the peroxide or can saturate a tampon as you did with the oil. This will bring your Ph over to the acid side and make it a nice place for the good stuff to grow.
Acidophilus. This one has the most latitude. Probiotics come in capsules, tablets, "liquid", and in various foods. Most strains cannot migrate from your digestive tract to your vagina. Sooooo, the best way to adminiser these babies is to put them right where they need to be. i found that the capsules didn't disolve in the vagina as they would in the stomach, so I found an Acidophilus that is in a kind of liquid form. It actually looks like a runny yogurt. This is an easy method to get the little guys where they need to be. Use the syringe and insert a couple of teaspoons inside.
I found it best to use the Peroxide, Oil, and Vinegar during the day and the acidophilus in the evening before bed. That way it's not so messy (put on a pair of COTTON undies) also allows the whole night for them to multiply.
As for taking probiotics orally, certianly can't hurt and may help a lot. So take them orally in conjuction with vaginally.
I had results from this treatment plan in one day. I hope to get some feedback with others experiences. Sorry this was so long, but I hope it helps. This is such an awful problem and there aren't that many real answers out there."
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08/14/2008: Marcy from Waterford, MI writes: "I do believe that bacterial vaginosis can be caused by oral sex, I read some research on this. I'm a dental hygienist, and I know that many poeple do not brush and floss properly to control the harmful bacteria in thier mouth. Diet, also can be a big factor with many people who consume processed foods, and refined carbs."
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07/13/2008: Alex from Little River, United States writes: "Since the summer of 2006 I have been suffering on and off miserably from BV and yeast infections. Any time I have a flare up it is either after my period or after I have been swimming or in a wet bathing suit for more than two hours. This is a huge problem because I do alot of work in the water. The multiple sex partners that my Dr. is convinced I have, because of my constant falre ups, is a crock since I have a steady boyfriend and wouldnt dream of cheating. I have tried Triconazole, for the yeast infections and my dr. has put me on all too many BV antibiotics. I'm about to leave and go buy plain yogurt and some acidophilus. Thanks for the posting ladies and I will report back as soon as i get any result. But ladies definatly dont stay in wet bathing suits for too long if you get BV alot it just adds to a new flare up, which is something alot of dr.s forget to tell you I have been to so many and no one ever told me until I found one female nurse at my dr. office who told me about too much moisture for too long will trigure the bacteria"
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[YEA] 05/12/2008: Karen from Millbury, Massachusetts writes: "Bacterial Vaginosis: Mixed Cure. Hi! I want to thank all of you ladies and the owners of this site for all of the help! I have had BV for a few months now and I feel like I'm finally free of this horrible infection. I started with Flagyl thinking that this would be the only way to get rid of it and after getting another infection, I decided it was war! I refused to go back on that strong drug so I did all that was recommended and more. Here's what I did... I bought 800mg.of folic acid and took 3 a day along with live probiotics, Activia yogurt twice a day and used tea tree oil diluted with water at the start to ease the pain and redness. I also bought Yeastgard douche and used the 2 bottles of that just one per day. It was inexpensive and you can get it at any major drug store. I also bought hydrogen peroxide and povodine and did a douche with that diluted with water. I also broke open a capsule of the probiotic and used my finger to put it inside of my vagina. I have been proactive about eating my garlic in soup and drinking unsweetened cranberry juice with seltzer water.It's all working! It seems like I'm feeling better than I have in years! I'll bet I've had this for a very long time since I thought it was 'normal' to wear pantiliners all the time! Well, it will be a new way of life for me but a much healthier one. I hope I've helped someone else who is suffering from this."
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[YEA] 04/14/2008: Sherri from Winchester, Virginia writes: "I used to get BV about a week before my menstral cycle. I got tired of going to my OBGYN doctor because I felt dirty because I was going there almost once amonth. Finally I went to another doctor and he said that I needed to ve on a low dose of birth control and it will level out my hormones. Once I started taking the BC, I didn't get another episode of BV, until I received a blot clot in my leg from a foot operation and I could no longer take BC. I now get BV every month again. Believe me the low level of BC worked miracles for me. I hope this helps all of you out."
[WARNING!] 05/25/2008: Karasi from Tallahassee, FL replies: "BC can cause bloodclots...you have to be careful. Your BV might have went away, but the BC brought you a bloodclot."
07/23/2008: Stephanie from Chicago, Illinois replies: "BV is not an STD."
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[YEA] 09/20/2007: YoYo from Detroit, MI writes: "I tried Flagyl, and it worked. I take showers instead of baths. I also use unscented dove or ivory soap. I only wear cotton underwear, and lose fitting pants, and at night i sleep with no underwear. Now i have no problem with bv."
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[YEA] 08/17/2007: Toma from Chicago, IL writes: "Here's other remedies that can help cure BV : iodine or H2O2 or ACV tea tree oil douche for 4 weeks, a dose of silver once a week for a month, wash or douche with H202 your private area after sex or period, use Aci-jel, eat garlic, slice garlic cloves and insert them into your vagina for a day - do it for a 2-4 weeks. Also, a partner should be treated, too as BV is an STD. Also, have a bacterial culture. Good luck! And remember you should never give up never give up!"
10/07/2009: Marilyn from Harpers Ferry, Wv replies: "BV IS NOT A STD..."
EC: True, but worth mentioning that Trichomoniasis, which is an STD, can be misdiagnosed as Bacterial Vaginosis--
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[YEA] 07/23/2007: Jay from Jackson, MS writes: "I have very sensitive skin, so condoms, dryer sheets, and of course antibiotics can bring on a yeast infection. Step one is to avoid condoms and spermicide (for me) and using dryer sheets, particularly on underwear or athletic clothing that is close to the skin. To treat, I have had great success with bathing in lemon or lime water. This is probably more gentle than apple cider vinegar. Yeast needs a basic enviroment to live, and a healthy vagina is slightly acidic, so you want to return your environment gradually and gently to normal. Also - sperm is basic, so wash thoroughly after sexual activity to avoid creating a "good home" for excessive bacteria or yeast. There are also antifungal natural ear drops that are a little better than using a strong chemical treatment that you could try. For bacteria, I find that eating yogurt and probiotics during antibiotic courses, garlic, and avoiding triggers like dryer sheets helps as well. Hope this helps someone out there!"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 12/06/2009: Simi from Montreal, Quebec writes: "I am so grateful for this web site and the recomendations which helped me to cure my BV (bacterial vaginitis). I am 60 years old and have not had any symptoms for the past 10 years. My BV symptoms consisted of a sudden appearance of an abundant discharge on DAY 1 (Nov 7th). After 7 days of treatment for a yeast infection there was no improvement. Finally I found your site on DAY 20 and immediately bought 2 products at the pharmacy:
- multivitamin pills (which included 0.4 mg floric acid)
- 50 capsules of a probiotic mixture which caught my attention as I was looking in the store for acidophilus. Each capsule contains:
300 million bifidobacterium bifidum
300 million bifidobacterium longum
300 million lactobacillus acidophilus
5.1 billion lactobacillus rhamnosus
For 5 days I used the following remedy:
1 multivitamin
2 capsules of probiotic taken orally (morning and evening)
1 capsule of probiotic inserted in vag. (at bedtime)
On the 3rd day I observed a slight improvement
On the 4th day, I observed considerable improvement
On the 6th day I stopped inserting the capsule in the vigina. (and the discharge was negligeable the next morning)
I have had no discharge since then!!
On the 9th day I stopped taking the multivitamins
Very soon, I will reduce the probiotics to one a day orally (and replace with probiotic yougurt in my diet)
I hope this information can help others. I also switched to 100% cotton and only white underwear.
I had tried the diluted H2O2 wash twice a day, but soon gave it up, because I had a better cleaner feeling from using very mild unscented soap."
12/07/2009: Dameimei from Memphis, Tn replies: "Hi Simi,
I have been suffering from yeast then BV for almost a week now. I think it started as yeast but turned into BV now. (I had to take some antibiotic a week before for urinary tract infection and then I started to have white chunky discharge). I also follow the remedies which suggested by many people on this site but it has not cleared (it has been 5 days now).
I am taking 1 garlic supplement, 2 L. Acidophilus capsules and 1 multivitamin (I use Folic Acid on the first 2 days but then slow down since my mutivatamin has folic acid). I also inserted 1 L. Acidophilus capsule two nights ago. The first morning after I tried the L. Acidophilus in vagina, I felt a lot better. I then insert another one few hours after I woke up and one later in the afternoon. I then started to have itchiness and irritation on my vagina. The white chunky discharge seems almost gone but I started to have light ivory color discharge. The discharge is more liquid form with a light smell. The smell is not fish at all, not like most people with BV. It is a very light smell. I think I may insert too frequanly. Did you have the similar discharge after you use the probiotic capsule in vag?
I stop insert it in my vag since I am not sure if I am actually making my condition worst by insert more bacteria. Please let me know if you also have discharge and how you feel during the treatment. Maybe I just need to limit to one at night. Thank you!"
12/07/2009: Simi from Montreal, Quebec replies: "Hello Dameimei,I suspect that 1 capsule a day would do the job (at bedtime). The discharge I had seemed to be similar to yours (no smell, transluscent witish-grey color). It was all gone after 5 days of treatment with the probiotic capsules. You are probably not using the same type of capsules that I used (my bottle specified that they were for restoring vaginal flora).
Anyway, you're on the right track. Don't give up!"
12/07/2009: Dameimei from Memphis, Tn replies: "Hi Simi,
Thank you for replying. You are right, I use the same capsule as the one I take orally. That must be the problem.. My condition was better for a day but then started to get worse.. Good thing I stop after one day. My vag is now swollen a bit and irritated. I need to find the right type for inserting. Once again, thank you!"
12/07/2009: Dameimei from Memphis, Tn replies: "Hi Simi,
I searched the web but I am not sure which product to get.. Does the capsule you use for vaginal insert has a vaginal use label on it? or is the same type you use orally? I can't find a probiotic for vaginal use contains as much as the one you use. I was at our local healthy food store for a hour today but I didn't find anything close to your neither (the contains of the probiotic). I know this site does not allow member to mention about the brand name so I know it's a bit tough to describe but I really need help. Thank you for all your advise, I really appreciate it!"
EC: If you search "probiotics for restoring vaginal flora" on google you will find the brand!
Sorry, we've had hundreds of fake submissions over the years on the bacterial vaginosis section in particular, so we don't want to mention the brand name.
12/08/2009: Simi from Montreal, Quebec replies: "Hi Dameimei,I should clarify that the product I used specified ORAL use. I used 2 capsules a day orally, but added a third capsule in vag based on recommendations from others on this web site and from similar recommendations found on another site. I strongly suspect that the main factor responsible for my 5-day cure was the capsule inserted in vag. (a nurse I had consulted early on had recommended to use yoghurt in vag but I thought that was a messy solution...glad I found the capsules instead). If you don't find the product I used, I found an alternative product on the internet and it seems very promising: each capsule contains 5 billion live organisms, a mixture of:
lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus reteri.In this case also the bottle specifies ORAL use but the web site hints that using in vag would produce faster results. Good luck!"
12/08/2009: Dj from Pdx, Or, USA replies: "Dameimei,
If you haven't thought of it try looking in the refrigerated section of your store for the acidophulis.
Also if you do try another brand and still have a problem you can dip a tampon in plain yogurt and insert it over night and get the same results. There is also a liquid acidophulis if you do not want to use yogurt. Make sure the yogurt is plain. I am not sure what would happen with blueberry. lol
Feel better soon."
12/08/2009: Dameimei from Memphis, Tn replies: "Thank you to Simi, DJ and Earth Clinic! I found a vaginal suppository online and ordered it. The shipment will take 2 to 3 days though..
I think the capsule shell of the L. Acidophilus caused some irritation and discharge... I don't know. I only take them orally now. I made an appointment to see my doctor tomorrow. The discharge I am having is very different then what I used to have during yeast or BV. I also worry that I may be pregnant. It's not likely but just in case. I really thank you guys for the help!!"
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08/13/2009: Misty from Choctaw, Ok writes: "I've been suffering from bacterial vaginosis for more than five years. I've been trying everything suggested by everyone such as acidophillus pills, yogurt, folic acid, hydrogen peroxide... you name it. I recently went to a health food store and the lady working there suggested I use Olive leaf extract because it killed viruses and bacteria. I only started taking it yesterday but haven't seen any discharge or smell today. I pray this is the answer for me and anyone else the other remedies haven't worked for. I bought a bottle of 60 capsules and it says to take 3 times a day after a meal. I hope this helps someone!"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 06/02/2009: Krissy from St Louis, MO writes: "I have been dealing with BV for 3 years now. I've tried everything. Gels, creams, pills, pills and more pills. I was looking online after my last "outbreak" happened and the dr prescribed yet another antibiotic. I found this site. The acidolphilus worked when I could remember to take it. I wouldn't try the douche. It seems everytime I douche it only makes the BV worse. But I did mix 1/3 part peroxide with 2/3 part water and wash myself with it. And then opened an acidolphilus capsule and inserted it. It helped. For a few days that is. So I asked a friend of mine that is an herbal expert what I could take that might help this "curse" I have. She suggested trying oregano pills. So I took two a day for three days. And while it tasted like I'd just eaten a huge slice of pizza everytime I belched. The BV is now gone. I know this isn't going to be a permenant solution. My dr says there's nothing that will cure BV, but possibly he's wrong. Maybe together us "cursed" ladies will find a cure. Thank you so much for all of you that have had the guts to post about this. I know first hand that it's a very embarrassing topic. So thank you! Good luck to everyone!!"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 01/27/2009: Dee from Houston, TX writes: "Ladies, I think I found the cure for BV. Go to Wal-Mart or Walgreens and buy Rephresh. It is in the same aisle as douche and pregnancy tests. Do this every 3 days for 4 treatments (Included in one box) and take 2 folic acid pills a day. I tried everything out there, and nothing worked. I found this suggestion on another site and it WORKED! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!"
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PACKING YOUR FANNY WITH TISSUE
[YEA] 10/23/2009: Robert Henry from Ten Mile, Tn Usa writes: "LORDY,,,,,,,,,,, How do I present this post? It is gross, but so is bacterial vaginosis and no one has problems with that.
So here goes. I learned this while hunting squirrels back in the early '70's in Southeastern Okla along the LIttle River and below Broken Bow. If you want to find 8 squirrels up a tree, then you got to go hunting when there are 8 squirrels up a tree. That is when the the squirrels are cutting Hickory Nuts and that is at the end of August when the temperature is 100 in the shade. Being a tad fat and a sweater , I always got chaffed and my hunt was spoiled. I used baby powder to no avail. Being smart , jus slow, I concluded that the problem was sweat passing through my fanny picking up bacteria and affecting my crotch.
In about 1972 I began to pack my fanny with tissue and lots of good things happened to me. I no longer got chaffed, and I no longer got the jock itch. My shorts no longer had nicotine in them nor had any odor. My wife and no longer passed fungus between us. 40 years later, I am still packing my fanny with tissue.
It is especially important to old folks as their anus spinster ain't what it used to be and leaks. Anyway, It think it is especially important for fat wimmins. Their female problems may be from sweat bring down e-coli from their anus.
I know this is rude and crude ,but I believe it with all my heart. My suggestion for folks with crotch problems
=======pack your fanny with tissue. Your problems will go away."
10/23/2009: Eve K from Houston, Tx replies: "FYI, "fanny" in most other English speaking countries means something else.
To the non-US readers, "fanny" in America means "bum", bottom, backside...
To the rest of the world it is a slang term for a woman's genitals."
EC: Thank you for clarifying that, Eve!
10/24/2009: Tricia from Ireland replies: "Thanks. Eve. I follow Robert Henry's stuff cos one of his posts gave me the confidence to try the rosacea remedies. But that one gave me tears in my eyes at the thought of retrieving the tissue. Words can mean totally different things in different countries so it is something that needs to be watched out for on an international site such as this one. Only recently I had to explain to an American lady that the word "CRACK" means drugs in the USA but here it is simply a word for fun. When somebody in the group said we were all cracked up, her face was a picture."
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08/02/2009: Calientemami from Gso, Nc writes: "I have not tried this but I was watching a show and it said some people found that pineapple juice is known to having it smelling fruity fresh down there, and this is just for odor not BV so dont try this to cure BV. I am also trying the folic acid and b-12 and I will see how this works for me and bathing in ACV cause ACV seems to work for alot of things its amazing!! I stumbled upon this website on accident and its very helpful!!"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 05/24/2009: Michelle from Salt Lake City, UT writes: "Please add this remedy in the Vaginosis section :)
I have tried so many things for this terrible, frustrating, humiliating and irritating condition - including the Hydrogen peroxide, folic acid, and acidophilus cures. What *has* worked for me is the combination of povidone-iodine swabsticks & high doses of vitamin c. A few years ago, I saw a MD who also did alternative care (when I had a wicked case of candida). He suggested that I swab vaginally with 50% povidone-iodine and 50% water. This was a tremendous pain until I discovered povidone-iodine swabsticks (google them for retail sources). After months of an unrelenting vaginosis (complete with fishy smell), I decided to try the povidone-iodine swabsticks on that. It works!! The wicked smell and discharge is washed away immediately!! I think it's important to do this 2-3 times/day for the first few days, but after that, once seems adequate. Note that I am doing this once or twice a day now - and am unsure of how long I'll need to do it, but it's ridiculously easy so I'm totally cool with that! Also, it doesn't sting - *at all* even immediately after sex, which I definitely can't say about the hydrogen peroxide douche (ouch!).
Also - I have been diagnosed with cevical dysplasia and was looking for a treatment for that. In the Doctor Yourself website, this quote is made: "Dysplasia is a study in scurvy. In vitamin C deficiency disease, there is insufficient production of collagen, the strong, healthy glue that holds your cells together. Whether dysplasia is triggered by a virus, physical irritation or other cause, the fundamental problem is weak intercellular ground substance due to inadequate ascorbic acid." So - I decided to start taking 3-6 grams vitamin c daily. (If you're concerned about this check out the vitamin c foundation web pages & know that Linus Pauling took 6-18 grams daily!)
Since adding the vitamin c, the smell vanished! I'm playing it safe and not going more than a day without one swabbing, but it really doesn't seem necessary so.. I don't know - it's just so easy that I figure it's worth doing!
Best wishes to you all :)"
10/31/2009: C from Wylie, Tx replies: "They can do cryosurgery for cervical dysplasia. It's quick, easy and done in the drs office."
11/09/2009: Marilyn from Harpers Ferry, Wv replies: "povidone-iodine swabsticks, did you use this only in the entrance of the vayjay or insert it and leave it there in you vayjay for a couple of minutes? sorry I want to be sure how to use it."
12/13/2009: Mstommie from Orlando, Florida replies: "I have also been diagnosed with cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells on the cervix). When I was diagnosed 8 years ago I also had recurrent bv. I had a colposcopy which eliminated the cervical dysplasia and I had no problems with bv for 7 years. Recently I have had recurrent bv for about 6 months, additionally my PAP smear shows that the cervical dysplasia is back! My doctor tells me one has nothing to do with the other. Has anyone else experienced this?"
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3 YEA
[YEA] 02/13/2009: shannon from Oakland, california, usa writes: "I notice that whenever I have rough sex where he sort of slips into the back door and then back into the front, accidentally, the infections shows its ugly little head a few days later. I would usually go to Planned Parenthood and get checked and treated with METRONIDAZOLE. It can be taken orally, which is the more invasive way. You have to take it twice a day for a seven days with plenty of water and food and you should avoid alcohol. You can also take it vaginally. There's the METRONIDAZOLE GEL that is inserted into the vagina with an applicator before bed for five days. Lastly, the cream one time insert that stays in place and treats over the course of seven days. I like the gel the best because one tube is actually enough to treat yourself twice in case it returns, however, most meds have an expiration date so be sure it isnt expired before using it. I also feel very embarrassed and ashamed because it feels as if Planned Parenthood is my second home. I am actually experiencing an episode now and decided to treat with ACIDOPHILUS. I notice some women are experiencing some problems with it not disolving. I use a small dropper and I open one pill and disolve it fully in warm water and then insert the solution slowly inside and let it flush out on its own. I have tried this in the past and I must say it worked. I do, however, began ito experience some mild itching which is characteristic of a yeast infection but there are tons of over the counter remedies to help with that. Although I have been able to clear it up with the solution, I still feel better about seeing a GYN and getting a prescription for the METRONIDAZOLE. I guess some of us are just more sensitive than others and we have to pay attention to what SHE can handle and what SHE cant. Plenty of water makes a differnce where all health is concerned and urinating before and after sex makes a difference as well. WHEW!!! I feel a lot better knowing that I am not the only one. Thanks for reading and for sharing
shann"
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