Table of Contents
Cure Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
 |
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.
9 YEA
1 WARNING!
[YEA] 12/17/2008: Lisa Butler from Webb City, Missouri, USA writes: "I've had bacterial vaginosis for over five years. I've been to four gynecologists. I make my own boric acid capsules. You buy everything you need from the pharmacy, gel capsules and boric acid. Using one tablet in the morning, and one tablet at night, my bacterial vaginosis is almost completely gone. Boric acid in your vagina will not hurt you, do not be scared to try this. You don't want to eat it. I also take __, a probiotic, one pill a day.
I can understand how frustrating this problem is, having endured it for so long. Try the boric acid for two weeks and see if you don't notice a difference.
And one other thing, use Dove bar soap, no fragrance. Always wear cotton underwear and if you can go without underwear at night, go for it.
I've tried all the prescriptions the doctor gives you, and my husband and I both took Flagyl, this didn't work for me. Good luck and God bless."
 |  |  |  |
[YEA] 10/28/2008: Felesha from Tulsa, OK writes: "I have had BV for 4 months now. I have tried everything... peroxide douch, folic acid, acidophilus, plus that terrible flagyl that makes your food taste like metal. I have found a doctor that struggles with BV and her words of wisdom is BORIC ACID. I have been taking it for 7 days and feel so much better. I still have another week to go. I'll keep you posted.
Also,I found a website on how to make your own Boric Acid capsules at http://community.livejournal.com/vaginapagina/4554521.html
I did not make my own. I had a prescription. I just wanted everybody to be aware of another alternative BORIC ACID."
| | | |
[YEA] 01/15/2007: Liz from Atlanta, GA writes: "Boric acid really works to prevent bacterial vaginosis. Just insert one 600mg capsule half full before bedtime and the odor is gone."
05/22/2008: Tonya from Okinawa, Japan replies: "Bacterial Vaginosis Remedies: HELP!!!! Where in the world would I get Boric Acid from? I looked here at the BX and the Commisary and neither one of these places have it. Since we are overseas, I wouldn't know where else to look. I bought Folic Acid, Acidophilus, Aspirin and Hydrogen Peroxide tonight and I will begin trying these remedies as I have fought with BV for years and I've about had it! I'm getting desperate for anything to work at this point. I will listen to anything! Any feedback is great! Thank you! ~Tonya"
[WARNING!] 06/02/2008: Michele from Atlanta, GA replies: "Please be careful about the Boric Acid....it really only helps with a Yeast Infection...from my experience."
[YEA] 10/06/2008: Tina from Hull, MA replies: "Hi, I have always been given boric acid by my gyn for bv. I've never used it for yeast."
| | | |
1 YEA
[YEA] 06/10/2008: Change from Flint, Michigan writes: "I am not really writing about acidophilus. But I do know this go to like cvs or walgreens and pick up boric acid from behind the counter in the pharmacy. Make sure it is the powder one and not the pills. While taking a shower get like a quater size of powder add a little water and insert in your vagina. It kills bacteria. Do this everyday until you see or smell no signs of bv. Also take 1 dan active immunity yogurt a day. It contains lactobicilus (sp) good bacteria in what you will need. Also ladies the finger wipe is good. Get some soap (dove preferrably) On one finger and insert it into your vajayjay. This is like a finger bathe for your vajayjay. I have had bv for 4 years."
11/30/2009: As1990 from Swink, Colorado, United States replies: "Don't ever stick soap directly into your vagina, it kills good bacteria, which is what is causing the bv in the first place"
| | | |
1 YEA
[YEA] 07/30/2009: Richa from Pune, India writes: "Hi all,
I had bv for a long time...n it was really bad.....but i am extremely happy to say that now its been completely cured... as i had read in a lot of articles that yogurt, curd, buttermilk contain probiotics that help body regain its natural microbial flora, I increased my daily buttermilk intake...thus, i recommend a glass of buttermilk, per day for getting rid of bv....
If you do not get ready buttermilk, you just have to take two spoons of yogurt, mix well and add drinking water to make a glass full of buttermilk..
This is really an effective way, rather than taking tablets and other medications."
| | | |
08/19/2007: kisce from Columbus, Georgia writes: "I just wanted to share this one with you. I was talking with an older lady, my neighbor, I asked the question on BV home remedie cures. She told me to douche with buttermilk and a little water. I just wanted to share that with you, I will try this one and get back with you on it."
| | | |
01/31/2010: Benny from Dania Beach, Florida, Us writes: "First off, Id like to thank everyone who responded to my first ques. I have been so desperate to get rid of both BV and a yeast infection, that I have tried just about every remedy posted lol. Not really sure whats working or what causes it as almost every day I add something new... I have a really important question though...CAN TAKING TOO MUCH ACIDOPHILLUS (oral capsules) ACTUALLY CAUSE A YEAST INFECTION OR BV????"
03/06/2010: Marilyn from Harpers Ferry, Wv replies: "Hello there, I have been dealing with BV for almost a year, I found probiotic yogurt called Kefir that have live cultures on it. I can said that after 3 days the smell dissapear, no burn, no smell :) Now I made my own kefir with grains, you should tried. I also keep taking my 1800 mg of folic acid. Good luck"
| | | |
01/28/2010: Benny from Dania Beach, Florida, Us writes: "Question for treating both BV and Yeast Infection
Oh my God this is so frustrating...I have a Question concerning both BV and Yeast Infection combined! I am on my last day of the gel my gyn prescribed to me for BV now I have cottage cheese type discharge.. this would be a first for me unfortunately the BV isnt. Im assuming its a yeast infection so here goes the question DOES ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO TREAT BOTH?"
01/29/2010: Dj from Pdx, Or replies: "Benny,
Almost anything prescribed by an MD for BV or yeast has a tendancy to invite the oposite or more of what was originally being treated.
You have two seperate issues. Bacteria and fungus. Acidophilus for the bacteria and Oregano oil for the fungus and of course there are other anti-bacterial and anti-fungal herbs out there and the EC pages have an enormous amount of information from others on what worked for them.
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/bacterial_vaginosis.html
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/yeast_infection.html
Important things to remember are that it may take you one or two or 5 tries until you find the perfect combination for your personal cure. If you choose to douche don't over do it. You want the good bacteria to build back up in the vaginal canal. These both feed off sugar so stopping sugar and products loaded with sugar is really important. Also if you have a partner make sure they wash before and after sex and both of you should wash your hands before sex also and scrub under the nails where bacteria love to hide.
I hope you feel better soon."
01/29/2010: Elizabeth from Nashville, Tn replies: "I know how you feel! I was suffering non-stop BV and YI's for almost a year before I found this site. After reading ALL the feedback I started testing the remedies. I douched with H202 and distilled water 50/50 mix. This worked pretty well but it left me a little irritated and I found I was having to do it more than I wanted to. It can be dangerous to douche too much. So then I tried tea tree oil capsules. I got an empty veggie capsule and filled it halfway with jojoba oil and added 1-2 drops of tea tree oil. It worked well for a couple of weeks but then I actually GOT a yeast infection (I guess b/c it killed too much of the good bacteria). Out of desperation I researched boric acid suppositories. I bought some boric acid online and filled the capsule. I inserted one capsule in the morning and one at night for 5 days when I had an active infection. It worked the first day! That was almost 2 months ago and I haven't had an infection since. I insert a boric acid capsule after sex (semen tends to put off my ph and cause infections). I use 2 capsules a week as a maintenance dose to keep the ph in check. I read you can do this up to one year. Also, I ingest oil of oregano, coconut oil and a good probiotic to keep my systemic candida in check. Hope this helps!"
| | | |
1 YEA
[YEA] 05/11/2009: Kelsey from Muskegon, Michigan writes: "LISTEN UP LADIES!! I wrote a yr or some ago about BV. I have tried everything.The Flagl the gel, the acidiphoulus( 10 billion) and folic acid. I have done much research about the ph level in the va jay jay, and have learned that even following everything like cotton underwear, no douching, no scented products, no tampons, use condoms and etc. I have done it all but it brings alittle relief but of course it comes back.
First OFF, I never really had a permanent gyno doc bc i move alot. So i was going into the clinics and this and that. Well After awhile i just stopped going and wasting my money. I know this can cause so much on us women.
LAST WEEK, i finally made an appt with a great gyno and after she looked at my medical records she was floored!! Floored because NO DOCTOR BEFORE has ever done a full universal culture. They just looked under the microscope or did a whiff test. SHE WAS SHOCKED. She being that i always have these infections, she did one for me. AND last week she called me with some pretty interesting news. I have something called GROUP B strep and candida overgrowth. Now Group B is usually more common in pregnant women so thats where it gets confusing, i have never had a child, or never have been pregnant. GROUP B is bacteria that grows in the small intestines and finds it way to the vagina, and sometimes sperm irrates it and can make it worse. SO i am taking a high dose of antifungal anitbiotic every 6 hrs and i also am using a very strong antifungal cream for down there. SO FAR ITS GOOD, i am still taking this medicine, and well keep everyone updated. SO i suggest ANYONE that keeps having infections, to make sure your docs are doing a FULL culture, it usually takes a few days to get the results, so if they tell you in the office that u have BV, maybe ask if they can do a full culture. I remember having infections soooo bad sometimes i would want to curl in a hole, I also seemed to be having Gas (lol) or belly aches alot. Now my gyno said that it should clear up after this because she found the direct source, but bc i have had this problem for so long it might take 2 doses. I am not saying anyone has what i have, but please make sure u have a full culture done. When they test for stds, its not a full culture, that only tests for those diseases. SO GOOD LUCK LADIES.. and please if any questions at all feel free to email me. CheerchicSC027@aol.com If you do email me please put BV as ur subject."
05/28/2009: Jenna from Los Angeles, CA replies: "I'm dying to know....how did those antibiotics work for you after your culture? Are you cured still?"
| | | |
1 QUESTION
[QUESTION] 07/08/2009: Louise from Hartford, CT writes: "I have had BV a couple of times in the past, and have gone to the doctor, gotten treated with metro, and been fine. But being unemployed and uninsured, I wanted to find a cheaper way to treat this. I bought a homeopathic remedy for BF which was pretty expensive (about $25) and it DIDN'T work! Then I found this sight. I've only done the H2O2 douche/Acidophilus/B-Complex vitamin (incl Folic Acid) for one day and my problem is not yet resolved--will post again when a few days have passed just to update--but I'm wondering: Could a latex allergy cause BV? I had sex recently that involved condoms and toys (don't know if they were silicone or what), and I got it. I have responded unfavorably to latex in the past with very mild irritation and itching after inserting a diaphragm and after being examined with latex gloves. I've long suspected a latex intolerance...but could that be the cause of BV as well???"
| | | |
1 SIDE EFFECT
[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/30/2009: Annie from New York, New York writes: "I am thankful for this website. I have been experiencing this issue for several months. I have been taking the chewable acidophilus pills (3-4 per day), folic acid (1 per day). I also take 1 chlorophyll tablet every day. It worked for a while, but after my monthly cycle, a mild form of the symptoms returned. It was not as bad as before, but a little itching and a very mild scent returned. I could not understand what the problem was. I began to backtrack to figure out what the cause of the issue was. I realized that I had switched brands of maxi pads several months ago. Prior to the change, I never had the problem. I used to use the brand that begins with the letter "S", but switched to the brand that begins with the letter "A". I think it is the gel strip that is in the center of the pad. I read on another website that this brand of maxi pads is known to cause infections. Since I have stopped using it, I have not had any problems so far. I am very surprised at how quickly the acidophilus tablets worked. Within 24 hours I experienced a change."
| | | |
1 YEA
03/09/2010: Bzzergrl2 from Houston, Ak writes: "Bacterial Vaginitis
I have read many of the posts discussing regimens different women have used; it's a bacteria affected by pH of the vagina. When the vagina has a higher pH the bacteria grows well. Blood, semen, soap all have a higher pH, and when the bacteria is exposed to these things they give off the typical amine odor that smells like fish. Any way the vagina can be kept a little more acidic will help. The pH table runs from 1-15. You don't want to be much less than 7, because too acidic will be irritating too. It's a balance that if found will help keep the flora and fauna protective to prevent overgrowth of one organism or another that creates the imbalance. Good Luck with this aggravating problem. Women have such complicated plumbing sometimes and it can be so annoying!"
| | | |
03/01/2010: No Bf No Bv from La, Ca writes: "BV STORY, 5 yrs ago I got a new boyfriend. The first time we "got naked" HE smelled, "down there" a bit nasty and slightly fishy. It was hot weather so I thought, just sweaty and didn't want to ruin the moment by telling him to wash up. This went on and I started dropping hints "it's hot, do I smell sweaty?", him: "I like hot sweaty sex", me: "yeah, you do smell a bit sweaty, maybe we should do it in the shower" I did not think that I could "catch" a "smell" I HAD NEVER IN 30 YEARS OF HAVING SEX HAD ANY INFECTIONS or bad smell.
About two months into this relationship, I started to smell just like him. I remembered reading about "trich" a fishy smelling STD (my mother taught sex ed). Looked it up and found BV as well. I told the BF that "we" should get checked. Both of us were positive for BV.
Now this is very important!
I asked my BF if his ex girlfriend (before me) had smelled, he said yes AND that he could smell this in his own urine when he peed! He was unaware (as men are, tuna jokes) that it was an infection or that it was abnormal for women to smell fishy. Clearly he had this before I got it from HIM!
I did some deep research on this. Men can and do get this, the bacteria lodges in the epithelial (skin cells) in the urethra (inside penis) also can be under foreskin. This is how you CAN get this from men. Found a dozen med studies that confirm Gardnerella in MEN, and sexual transmission to/from women.
Normally we have a balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria. The good ones Lactobacillus (acidolphillus etc.) produce, guess what?- HYDROGEN PEROXIDE! so they can usually kill off enough bad bacteria to keep 'em in check or if a few more come in. BUT if your BF drops an extra load of BAD (Gardnerella etc.) in you, THESE bad bacterias produce enzymes that split into amines that cause the stinky discharge AND they raise the pH level too high so they can live in there and the good bacteria die off because the pH is too high for them. (BV study-Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX) So you have a situation where you have been invaded by a big "army" of BAD bacteria that your normal little vag defense league can not defeat, the "bad" bacteria takes over- BV nightmare!
SO, Initially we both did the Metro pills, smell went away so we though it was gone (low level infection may not smell detectably), but no! Both of ours came back, did the Metro again. I WENT BACK FOR A RECHECK TO MAKE SURE IT WAS GONE, it was gone. MY BF didn't want the swab up his P again so he didn't go. I stupidly trusted that the second round of antibiotics had worked for him too, but NO, HE was getting smelly again, I even smell checked his pre-ejaculate and semen, fishyyyy! We went back for more metro. The stuff makes me very sick and we both (men get yeast too) got yeast infections after the 3rd round. I refused sex for 2-3 months several times and I did not get BV. It came back as soon as we did it again.
So I finally tried the HP about 2-3 ozs used a little pop top travel size squirt bottle, laying down, hips up. 1-3 minutes for 1-7 days depending on how bad you have it. THEN mix multi live probiotics (acidolphillus and ruteri etc.), break open 2 caps mix into 2-3 ozs PLAIN organic or natural yogurt without sugar or additives! in a small cup. Suck this up into empty tube part of clean plunger (from the Metrogel or whatever useless gunck you tried), don't get air in it. Then stick plunger in bottom end of tube, use a usual. Did that for 5-6 days before bed so it stays in or put ORGANIC, cotton, unscented tampon in after as "plug" for day time. Continued taking the capsules orally for a few months, and did not eat sugar! or anything with sugar in the ingredients list, avoided restaurants as you don't know what's in the food. You need to "eat" probiotics anyway because antibiotics destroy them in your gut as well as your vagina. THIS WORKED. USED CONDOMS ALWAYS at this point for nine months, and made him wash first in case it was ON him, to avoid him getting it ON the condom while putting it on! (I was not convinced that he was actually taking the antibiotics or that they would work on him) so NO BV. Then BF takes more Metro and gets checked, SAYS he's clear so no condom:
THEN I got it again and found out that BF was cheating, dropped him! NO BF for 6 months, NO BV!!!
You can get this for other reasons, I suppose, BUT YOU CAN give and GET IT FROM MEN!!!, HAVE YOUR GUY CHECKED!!!! THIS MAY BE WHY YOU KEEP GETTING IT, BACK AND FORTH OR FROM ANOTHER WOMAN VIA HIM."
| | | |
[YEA] 04/29/2009: Holly from Pensacola, FL writes: "FORGEIGN OBJECTS!!
The culprit of my BV was a dislodged little tampon that had been fermenting in my holiest of holies near my cervix for about 3 weeks. Don't ask me how it got lost, I am a totally clean, fanatic obsessive freak about my va-jay. I NEVER dry my vagina with a towel, I always wash up after sex, I don't use drugs, I am engaged so I have 1 sexual partner, I never used scented tampons, and I eat lots of yogurt and take prenatal vitamins every night because they contain a lot of folic acid. I have never douched in my life, and I never over clean the area to disturb my pH balance. Still, the funk was peeling paint off the walls. I think the odor could have killed a small child. It was like fish + egg farts.
I was self-examining myself this morning after trying every single possible remedy known to man, including antibiotics. You name it, I shoved it inside my hole. I began to get the discharge after having the inner-odor for about 4 whole days. My poor vagina probably hates me or wonders what the hell kind of weird fetish porn I've taken up. The smell was more horrid the further into my vagina I'd go. I thought I had a septic cyst! I switched soaps, tried RepHresh three times in one day. Dude, I was hopeless and beyond desperate. This morning is the second time I noticed the "frilly thing" inside of me. I thought I could have had cervical cancer. I can't believe the puss and mucous that had accumulated around the tampon I inched out of me with 1 finger. The tampon was barely recognizable anymore. I had an appointment with a gynocologist a few hours after pulling the lost tampon out, and let me tell you, he wasn't able to detect ANY sign of any infection or any odor whatsoever. That's how fast my insides healed.
I read online about women losing tampons and the exact same symptoms occurring. I just thank god I was digging around in there, otherwise the infection could have gotten a lot worse, triggering infertility and all that bad stuff. NEVER AGAIN WILL I USE TAMPONS!!! They're evil, or after 13 years, I just can't be trusted to properly use them anymore. It's not Alzheimer's and I am not a pot smoker, so my memory is presumably in tip=top shape. And now my vagina is too. NO MORE SMELL! NO MORE DISCHARGE! I AM GOING TO BE ABLE TO LOVE MY FIANCE AGAIN WITH CONFIDENCE!!!! So to all of you ladies who can't identify the source of your funk, ask yourself what you could possibly have stuck inside your you-know-where. Even clean freaks can have an accident like this."
| | | |
04/15/2009: Jane from Oakland, CA writes: "It's been over five months and I'm happy and healthy and having lots of un-smelly sex!
For over 2 and a half years I was having my own battle with BV. Starting out as an occasional after intercourse whiff it became a constant embarrassing odor that I felt that I and everyone else could smell All-The-Time. I didn't want to have sex or be intimate at all. Eight months ago I began a relationship with the man I'm going to marry this summer and I felt so unattractive I almost called the whole thing off - I felt my health was never going to come back and I was going to be stuck with this problem forever.
I tried everything that Planned Parenthood had to offer. Metro Gel, Metronidazole antibiotics and the Clindamycin cream. I relapsed after each course, sometimes to a much worse state than before the medication. In between trials of prescription medications I tried many natural cures - also with no results that made the effort worth the mess and acrobatics.
Like the time it took nearly 20 minutes to retrieve a clove of garlic which had slipped out of its cheesecloth and dentalfloss net! Or navigating the obstacle course of housemates and house pets in a mad dash to the WC as the yoghurt covered tampon decided to exit my veeg because I had been laughing so hard!
I have learned a few things during all my self experiments and apologetic conversations with the gynecologist who's got her fingers all up in there - 'sorry about the smell, nice lady, I've honestly tried everything'
First - no matter how bad it gets - Never Douche!
If you really can't help your self and feel the need to clean out the holiest of holies try this instead - hop into the shower, wash everything, especially the outside of your veeg and your hands. rinse off your fingers really well and slip one or two up there, off to one side, move them to the other side and crook them a little on the way out, rinse really really well and repeat a few times.
I did spend a bit of money on pro-biotics and I know they have worked wonders for many other ladies, but not for me. I was even popping 2 or 3 up the veeg a day to try to change the balance of my 'situation'
I Swear! I put more things up my veeg that weren't supposed to be there than ever before!
Nothing was working! I thought I was dirty - that I was unable to keep myself clean and that's why it was coming back over and over again. I thought I had some horrible disease that might have BV as a symptom and began to feel like a hypochondriac. I thought I was 'allergic' to men - or just that one man part - Nooooooo! I thought everyone else could smell me the way I could - so I started to hide out and avoid sexy situations like the plague!
I thought I was going crazy!
So I began to do some serious research into diet and Ph and acidity/alkaline balances. I was desperate! Here I was starting a relationship with a man I had been flirting with for 2 years and I hated having sex! It was awful! Yes - it was so awful it drove me to Do Research.
So - here's the Second important thing I've learned - Know Your Body. I knew I was somewhat anemic and that my diet is closely linked to my communal living situation. But I never thought that it would have such an effect on the flora of my nether land.
It was becoming obvious that adding yoghurt and pro-biotics to my diet and my inner sanctum was not the answer for me. I needed to go in another direction - so in the spirit of being a self-made lab rat I decided to take lots of drugs.
OK - it was just Folic Acid.
It worked the first day.
I purchased a generic over the counter bottle of 500 tiny little folic acid tabs for just less than 6 dollars and took 3 along with half a multi-vitiman and that did it. I take 2 or 3 nearly every day with my half vitamin - and IT has not returned.
I do notice that the smell tries to make a comeback when I have my period - blood actually changes the Ph of the veeg - but I just take a few more in the evening and it's all better.
If things aren't working for you - Start by taking a close look at your own diet - check the Ph of your veeg and find out which way you need to go to get it back to center. Check in with your diet - are you getting enough leafy greens - are you getting enough iron? - don't forget that fruit has a lot of sugar! maybe that's an issue - cut out the junk food - or yeasty processed foods - experiment on yourself! - one experiment at a time so you can keep track of what's up and remember - Don't Ever Douche!
but most important -
Get to know your own body!
Good Luck out there Ladies!
~~~~J "
11/23/2009: Merryanne from Orange City, Florida, USA replies: "To Jane in Oakland, CA,,,Thank you for explaining in a very funny way,,I think I laughed to much or I drank to much tea,,but everything turned out OK,,,but thank you for real,,and let us know how you are. Merryanne in FL"
| | | |
4 SIDE EFFECTS
[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/13/2010: Lost Tampon from Wellington, Fl writes: "I recently had symptoms of BV and especially a foul smell. I tried the tampon soaked in hydrogen peroxide and took a daily dose of acidophilus pill 1 billion c.f.u. and I took 800 mg folic acid. The peroxide helped to control the smell and the pills helped reduce the discharge. However like most of the posts on this sight the symptoms kept coming back. I finally gave in and went to my Gyno.
To my surprise the problem was lost tampon syndrome. Once the tampon was removed the smell went away and after a day the discharge stopped completely. My doctor recommended a new anti-biotic on the market to treat any BV symptoms. The good news is that all is fine now. The lesson here is that you should ask your doctor to check you for a lost tampon, especially if the symptoms keep coming back. Please make sure you have yourself checked for other serious conditions before you try a self cure that might mask the symptoms and aggravate the root of the problem."
| | | |
4 SIDE EFFECTS
[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/20/2009: Jo from London, Uk writes: "Bacterial Vaginosis- or so I thought!
Hello ladies, I thought I would share my experience with you. I was convinced I had BV, foul odour, smelly brown discharge and stomach cramps so depressing and embarrassing. I think this website is brilliant and wanted to try a natural remedy. I tried folic acid/ acidophilus tablets and also hydrogen peroxide douche, but with no luck. Finally decided this morning I HAD to go to the doctors for antibiotics. Then I went to the toilet for a poo, I had a bad stomach cramp and suddenly felt something solid coming out of my vagina. I thought I was having a miscarriage or something, when I looked in the toilet it was an (very) old tampon! it must have been there 5 weeks or more. I had forgotten to take it out at the end of my period. I'm so pleased I now know the source of my problem and would encourage anyone who thinks they might have BV to check they do not have a tampon stuck inside them. I am 32 years old and this has never happened to me before. I went to the doctors and got some antibiotics but the smell/discharge has gone already and I feel so much better, so I probably won't need them. HOpe this helps somone else."
[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/22/2009: Billie from London, Eng replies: "About a year ago I had a foul smell coming from my vagina and after 5 or 6 weeks of douching with tea tree oil & water I went to private gyny and she pulled out an old tampon - how embarrassing and smelly too, but apparantly quite a common occurance. Now months on, I have a musky smell and feeling of being damp, although my vagina is actually too dry. Doing all the right things.. folic acid, zinc, vit B, acidophillus, H202, etc (all thanks to wonderful EC). Ive just turned 50 and thinking I might need HRT/oestrogen cream down there so I dont get irritated during sex. I enjoy sex with my partner but am starting to spend more time worrying about my vag than 'luving him' during our imtimacy. Anyone know anything about ATROPHIC VAGINOSIS?? x"
11/23/2009: Sunsitara from San Juan, Puerto Rico - U.s.a replies: "Check for candida. Sometimes this could be a symptom. In the meantime,reduce your refined sugar intake and everything refined that converts into sugar like white flour. Candida flourish and grow nicely in a sweet "media" Try to be in a good PH level. Acid PH makes us prone to inflammation and disease. Mucus membranes are very susceptible to these changes in PH. Search for information about food that makes us acid or make us alkaline.The equilibrium is HEALTH."
[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/24/2009: Lyn from Huntsville, Oh replies: "Boy, I know how embarrasing that is. I have always been very , very particular about vaginal odor. I started to smell something one day in a store and I thought it was the lady beside me. As I walked through the store, I continued to smell it and when I got in the car, it was overpowering in that small space. I wernt home and douched immediately with a medicated douche. The next day and the next I had to miss work because of a fever of 103 degrees. I was douching 2-3 times a day, but the smell remained. Finally I felt like there was something inside of me and when I went to the toilet and strained, a tampon fell out of me. It was so disgusting. I immediately douched with the medicated douche twice, took some antibiotics and aspirin and felt like new the next morning. i thought later I may have had TSS and didn't know it."
| | | |
1 YEA
[YEA] 02/21/2010: Corinna from London, England writes: "Here is an easy and fast remedy for bacterial vaginosis, which is relatively harmless but very smelly 'down there'. Simply put some virgin coconut oil in and around the vagina. The smell will be gone within hours but keep it going for a few days to make sure the infection is gone."
02/27/2010: Hopefultay from Hammond, La, Us replies: "Does this really work? I went to the Dr. for my regular check-up and I was told I had BV. Took some antibiotics and now I have thrush. I wish I would have found this site sooner!"
| | | |
12/21/2008: Lisa from Miami, fl USA writes: "I've been reading alot of the posts and I didn't know a lot of the remedies would work for BV, I thought they would work for only yeast such as yogurt? Also, has anyone heard of using collodial silver or garlic for BV?"
02/05/2009: Sheronketa from Atlanta, Georgia replies: "I read that it works on another website. Also there are women on earth's clinic that say they have used it. Garlic is going the have to be one of my very last options but if all else fails what the heck. I'd try if it works."
| | | |
1 YEA
[YEA] 05/05/2008: Robin from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia writes: "I have been suffering for years (about 5) with what seemed a bit like a yeast infection (but no yeasty discharge), fishy/unpleasant smell, itching and a lot of burning upon urination. Sex is difficult because it almost always ends up with me fighting all the old symptoms mentioned above. I just felt that my health was going down the tubes- there was no spark and the constant pain made me a regular at my doctor's office. I had many swabs which showed a heavy population of Gardnerella and you know what that means- more antibiotics. Of course, when I was feeling at my worst- burning/itching/discharge that was greyish, and sometimes there was an oder- I would take the antibiotics. However, it never helped for very long. I finally got tired of taking the antibiotics and suffering with all the stomach problems that ensued. So, I thought I would take control of my own health and I searched various websites for information. Last year, I found Earth Clinic and read all the messages from miserable women all over the world suffering from what I assume to be b.v. I tried all sorts of things because I wanted to be healed of this monster. Here are things which have helped:
a. tea tree oil and vitamin E on a tampon. The tea tree oil worked well and the Vitamin E kept me from drying out. I am peri-menopausal and do not need a dried out vagina.
b. eating lots of plain yogurt and taking acidophilus powder dissolved in water each day.
c. Wiping myself off with 3% hydrogen peroxide a few times a week. It nukes the bacteria brilliantly! e. I took cranberry tablets to help against bladder infections that often seem to accompany the b.v.
All these things worked fairly well, but then I stumbled upon cayenne pepper, and this seems to be the key ingredient- the cherry on the cake. Here is what helps me- I find the hottest chilipepper sauce that I can find- Tabasco or Sriracha sauce. I put about 2 tablespoons of the hotsauce, or even cayenne pepper powder, in a cup and add some hot water. I drink this about 3-4 times per day and eat a lot of chili peppers when I can. I have found that the addition of the chilies/chili sauce/cayenne pepper has been a marvelous tonic. It gives me a bit of a warm pepper 'rush', it alkalizes my blood and it helps against the burning and itching pain that always seems to be present. Chilies are great for the circulation and I suppose for that reason alone, it seems to get to the inflammation that always seems present with b.v
Oh yes- I blow dry myself each morning after a shower and I do not use soap anymore when washing the vaginal area.I use something like a non-soap, Ph balanced product. Just to keep the area moist, I use Vitamin E once a week as a vaginal lubricant. It is also important to cut down on sugar, as that feeds bacteria. I drink lots of water and cut down on coffee and alcohol. It helps to consider why you might be run down to the point of having this annoying infection. Be gentle on your self. These things have helped me immeasurably and I thank all the angels out there who offered up their remedies. One did not do the trick, but many have helped. Perhaps my remedies will help someone. Thanks Earth Clinic!"
| | | |
1 QUESTION
[QUESTION] 11/30/2009: As1990 from Swink, Colorado, United States writes: "I have been suffering from what i think is BV for about a year now. However, the only symptom i have is the foul fishy smell :( I have no discharge, itching, or pain but the smell is enough to make me desperate. I'm not sexually active. I have also tried folic acid and acidophilus, but there was no change. Do i have a mild case of BV because there is no discharge,etc. or does anyone know of something else it could be?"
| | | |
1 YEA
[YEA] 12/16/2008: Di from Brooklyn , NY writes: "Hello ladies, ive been suffering from BV for some time myself. The reason for this bacteria occurrence is the pH imbalance in your vagina. I've noticed that a lot of you are recommending the hydrogen peroxide, it is a good way to get rid of the bacteria but dont over use it. It still is an acid and eventually could cause other complications because it strips away you vaginal walls. For starters what you all should do is try to change you diet. SUGAR IS A BIG NO!! sugar will prevent Lactobacillus species from growing. You should also try to eat more grain and less refined flour foods like white bread and pasta. If you have whole foods in your area or a Russian store you can get kefir, it is cultured milk and a natural probiotic. Try to incorporate kefir into your daily diet. Acidophilus will cure the infection but its up to you to keep it from coming back. Your diet is the key to keeping the pH balance in order. it took me about 2 months with just cutting out sugars and drinking cultured milk to get rid of the infection. I didnt use acidophilus or douches, just kept what i eat under control. Maybe itll help you too."
12/17/2008: TLN from FL replies: "I was interested in what you said about the hydrogen peroxide striping away the vaginal walls. I used hydro perx for a yeast infection (at full strength) and now cannot have sex at all. It burns so bad, I can't stand it. It feels like a chemical burn and I'm wondering if it was the hyro peroxide. It's been long enough now that it should have healed. I'm worried it may be vulvodynia possibly. Anything you could think of that I could do to help or any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated."
12/18/2008: TLN from Any, FL replies: "revising previous post: I googled to find out more and it's not vulvodynia, because this condition is on the outside of the vagina and somtimes near the opening NOT on the inside. My condition is on the inside ONLY. Anyone that has thoughts or suggestions, please respond. Thanks"
| | | |
1 QUESTION
[QUESTION] 06/28/2009: Anne from Richmond, British Columbia, Canada writes: "I suffer from BV so I did a little research on the internet about it. I have read a number of times that douching is not recommended and that it is likely for women who douche to suffer more health problems than women who do not, and this include vaginal irritation, etc, and more importantly BV... BV! Yet a lot of people in this site seem to recommend douching with hydrogen peroxide and to many, it seems to work. Now I am confused as ever as to what "douching" really does. Is it safe?"
| | | |
1 YEA
[YEA] 02/06/2009: Kay from Sunny, CA writes: "I tried not eating any yeast made foods, no pasta, breads, etc and tried folic acid, b12, acv but nothing worked. The doctors I went to visually thought I had BV or an STD but the test results were always negative. I googled and found that coffee can cause BV, yeast infection, migraines, balance problems and dizziness, I had all those issues. I quit drinking coffee including decaf and caffeine products. No more BV! voila!"
| | | |
1 YEA
10/13/2009: Jlbnj from Millville, New Jersey writes: "Omg..I am so happy I found this site. I have been dealing with bv for a couple years now and it is the worst! I haven't tried the remedies yet because I just found this site. I went to the my dr once again with bv and once again she gave me flagyl. I'm going to take it and start the remedy tomorrow. After that I'm done with the antibotics. Well thanx for the advice ladies and wish me luck"
| | | |
 Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next  |
