Acidophilus for BV

I never knew I had BV, until maybe 2 years ago, when my doctor called and told me my pap showed it. I got mines from sex. Even though I've only slept with one person, somehow we don't mix (this is what I call it). I noticed a scent (not quite fishy), but not pleasant. I also just didn't feel right down there, so for a few years, I would always drink cranberry juice mixed with vinegar after sex. This helped for the most part. I also would use bv gel applicators. These work too, but it's only a temporary fix. I soon started doing research and thought maybe I had BV (didn't know for sure until that dr visit) and treated it as such. When my doctor confirmed this, I got a prescription and it did go away, but soon that feeling returned and I did not want to be on a continuous cycle of antibiotics. After researching more, I started taking acidophilus. I only buy the ones with over 1 Billion active cultures. I now take these tablets at least once a day. I also double up on them after too much sex. I'm usually fine unless I slip up and stop for a few days. This has been a savior and I will continue to take them. I no longer have to keep cranberry juice and vinegar around which would take way longer to clear symptoms (acidophilus only takes about a day or 2). Hope this helps someone.

I did this treatment for only two days. First say with a tampon, 2nd day with an applicator. It was instant relief. Today is day three and it has not come back yet. The Yogurt I used was Plain Organic yorgurt and one of the cultures it contains is the L. Acidophilous referred to over and over again on this site. What helped me get much less severe BV was when I read on Web-MD that it may be caused with the anti-bacterial soaps. I discontinued using Anti-bacterial shower gel. Now I am avoiding shower gels altogether and will only use Ivory bar soap. It's the last soap I recall using prior to getting this horrible infection over and over again. I am sooo thankful I found this site. I had been taking the metro gel and pills over and over again but it kept coming back. I hope this will help others too. Good Luck!

I just want to say that this forum has saved my life. I've suffered from BV for at least 5 years without truly understanding what was wrong with me. At first, I thought it was a really bad yeast infection. OTC medicine didn't work. I was too embarrassed to go to the doctor, too embarrassed to talk about it and boy; was sex a chore! The prepping it took to "feel" clean took all of the enjoyment out of the act. Would my boyfriend smell anything? Was I clean enough? I would quickly hop out of bed and run to the shower. No cuddling for me. The odor was putrid and the discharge amazingly heavy. I hopped online and found my diagnosis... now, what to do? After more searching, I came across this site. I burst into tears when I read all of the testimonies and feedback. I couldn't believe that there was a glimmer of hope for me. I immediately ran out and picked up peroxide, acidophilus (1 billion) and some distilled water. First, I douched with a quart of distilled water mixed with 3 tablespoons of peroxide (3%). Then, I took 2 pills orally and one vaginally. Put on a panty liner and waited for discharge and odor. The next morning when I awoke, there was nothing! When I say nothing, I mean nothing. I was in shock! Absolutely amazed. I understand that douching isn't really good for you and will only do it maybe once every 3 weeks. I've taken two pills orally and one vaginally for the past three days and the only side effect I've had is a little spotting. I think I will cut back to one orally, once a day and one vaginally.

I just want to say that this forum is a Godsend and I am SO appreciative of all of the great feedback. Thank you ladies!!

I felt better but it's not cured. I started on Folic Acid and L. Acidophilus on Wednesday night. I felt better on Thursday but started to felt itching on Friday. Here is the list of what I took..

Wednesday - 1 Folic Acid (800 mcg) and 2 L. Acidophilus (5 billon live cell) capsules at night.

Thursday - 1 Folic Acid in the morning and 1 multi-vitamin tablet. Since the multi-vitamin I took during the day contains Folic Acid 400 mcg, I skipped the Folic Acid at night and took 2 L. Acidophilus before bed.

Friday - In the morning, I took a multi-vitamin contains Folic Acid 1200 mcg but no L. Acidophilus.

I only took L. Acidophilus before bed since few women post that they have to lower or stop the L. Acidophilus to feel better. I truly believe L. Acidophilus is good for us but I also want to be careful since everyone responds differently. Maybe I didn't take enough.. On Friday, my condition got worst then Thursday.

So I went to the local natural food store and picked up some organic fresh garlic, a bottle of garlic supplement (6,248 mcg allicin - 90 tablets), tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide and a bottle of cranberry juice (fresh pressed, not from concentrate and no sugar added).

I never douched before and I don't know what I need to get so I decided not to try that yet. I decided to start on use a garlic in my v first.

Friday - At night, I took 1 garlic supplement and 2 L. Acidophilus. I also used organic non fat plain yogurt mixed with some L. Acidophilus (open 1 capsule and use the powder inside only) on the lips of my v. I left the yogurt mix on the lips for 30 min then washed off and dried it well with blow dryer. I was hoping to get some release from the itching on the lips. The yogurt was cold so it did calm the itchiness. It did seems to work (I can't really say it worked but I feel fine after). I decided to try the garlic method, put a fresh garlic in the v. I pilled the garlic and cut the end off. I also pressed few marks with my nail so the juice of garlic can come out a small tiny bit. I tied a string on the garlic by using needle passed the string from one end to the other then tie a knot at the end. Make sure the knot is not too small and it will lock on the garlic and help you pull it out from your v. I also make sure everything is clean! my hands, string, needle, everything I need to use.

Saturday - I felt much better! I do see some white discharge and I think what I have is yeast. (I get yeast and bv both usually) I took the garlic out after I woke up.

A hour later, I cleaned my v with hydrogen mix with water. Just to washed the outside, not douche. Before the wash, I tried to clean up some discharge inside my v a bit. Make sure my finger is clean and dry, try to scoop some white discharge out (no nail and be gentle and careful not to hurt yourself). After washed, dried it well and got another garlic. This time I cut it half and before I put it in. This happened 2 hours ago and I am really feeling much better!

I am a firm believer in the Acidophilus. I have only had BV once in my life and it was about a year ago. Well this year, I have had it 3 times and do not know why! I am very clean, shower every day and have had limited partners (and used condoms). You clear up the BV and then you get a yeast infection because the PH levels are so screwed up. Or you take Metrogel and get a yeast infection because of it being an antibiotic and then get BV again from all the activity in the vaj jay :).

Anyway, my doctor asked me if I had ever heard of Acidophilus. I said Huh ? She told me to take it for 14 days and i felt great while taking it. But as soon as I quit taking it, I felt like it came back. She tested me and said it did not come back, but about a month later I had such an odor from between my legs I could not stand it. So i went back to the dr and got checked, confirmed I had BV again and got some more Metrogel.

I was told that the thick, cottage cheesy discharge from the Metrogel is the bad bacteria coming out of your body.

I started taking the Acidophilus again and have decided to take it regularly to help with keeping it from coming back!

I have taken it for over a month now and felt great. But I bought a different kind and it only has 100 million bacteria in it, and I feel kinda weird now. So I wondered if I need to try the 2 pills/day and one at night in the vaj jay ? Maybe the dose is too little ?

Anyway thank you for all your comments and suggestions, it definitely helps and makes ya feel better that you are not alone!

I am sorry to see that many women like me suffer from this, but glad I'm not the only one. I thought I was suffering from a yeast infection for a month due to the fact that I had more white discharge than usual and no odor, a burning sensation when urinating, and itching. I had these about a week before my period came on and then suddenly left during my period. However, after it went off the symptoms came back full force except I no longer had any burning when urinating. I tried an antifungal cream that contained miconazole, but it irritated my vagina even more and made it swell. So I only used it for 3 days and not 7. Now I think it may be BV because my discharge has changed to yellow and there's a horrible odor.

I have been taking acidophilus pills (100millionunits, not enough I know) to help and it has been. My itching has gone down, but I still have plenty of discharge and odor. I've tried inserting the capsule vaginally, but it doesn't really dissolve. So I wouldn't recommend using capsules inside the vagina. I've also tried sitz baths with apple cider vinegar and salt which help the itching temporarily. I'm going to try the folic acid and vitamin c next. Hopefully it'll work because dealing with this is so annoying.

I'm thankful to this website, as it led me to the cure for problematic bouts with Bacterial Vaginosis. The acidophilus and folic acid combo has worked well for me. I found a product that was particularly helpful and widely available at pharmacies called _____. If you get the supplement, It contains acidophilus cultures that are particularly helpful for maintaining ph of your lady area. Taking three of these a day (and inserting the CONTENTS of one capsule vaginally) each night for a week got rid of my infection. It is important to maintain consumption of the acidophilus, as the activities that upset your ph in the first place (mine was a sexual encounter with a new partner) may cause it to come back. It is also important to assess the factors that may have caused your infection. The first time I got it, it was from trying a new brand of tampons. Don't use heavily scented soaps to wash with, and use hypoallergenic laundry detergents as well. I also found that switching to all cotton underwear has helped immensely. Also, I would recommend sleeping in loose breathable clothing. Anything that can foster the environment for bad bacteria to grow is something you should try to fix. Since then, I've only had a recurrence when I quit taking the remedies altogether and did something that triggered the infection. The peroxide douche is also helpful, though I wouldn't use it just by itself as a remedy. It seems to be a temporary fix. When I combined it with my aforementioned remedy, it seemed to speed up the cure process. Within the first day of using the four capsule dose and one tablet of 800mg folic acid, the odor and discharge were gone. I used the peroxide to flush out the area initially before taking the pills. It did wonders for me, and I hope this helps someone.

I read what you all have written on this site, and I noticed that I usually get BV after having sex. I had one partner for 2.5 years and making sure that he cleaned his penis prior to sex pretty much stopped the BV. I had a new partner and got BV immediatley. I bought acidophilus chewable tabs by accident but was desperate. I inserted one and and noticed about 2 hours later the smell was gone. I inserted another one before bed and still no smell. No bleeding or anything. Only problem now is that I still have some slight itching and irritation around the vagina as well as swelling. now it feels like a yeast infection without all of the discharge.

Hi all, Ok managed to pick through all the details and am doing the following. At the end of my period last month I had the itch and smell so just as a trial I inserted a capule using a tampoon. The most common brand with an applicator in the UK has a sort of, for want of a better word, claw on the top. the tampoon can be lowered and the capsule placed in the top, it actually fits in the top and stays there and can be easily inserted. The following morning the smell was gone.

From then on I have been taking and doing the below:

AM
Take 1 x 1 billion Acidophilus capsule, 1 x Zinc 15mg, 1 x folic acid 800mg

PM
take 1 x 1 billon Acidophilus
with these I take Dong Quai 250mg morning and night and 1 x multi vit and mineral, these help with some other stuff I have going on.

1 x a week mix probiotic natural yogurt with the contents of a Acidophilus capsule, and using a tampoon insert this and leave for up to 2 hours, its a bit messy but any itch is very quickly releived. Basically I have only really done this when I feel some thing going on.

I have been to my doctors and explained the vitimin etc cocktail and she is very interseted in finding out what happens in the next few months (I think she maybe a fellow sufferer), mean time she has prescribed me metronidazole vag gel 0.75% which I am not going to get or use.

My BV always is much worse a couple of days after my period has finished. I do want to expell one thing though, just because the smell is worse at some points in your cycle does not mean that it went away between these times, if you have it, you have it all the time. Its just is worse at certain times and can be detected in a test at any time of the month, trust me I have had a few tests.

So ladies I am now on my period and will report back once its over but so far so good, no smell even after sex. If all this works then I hope the info helps you all. I am happy to have met you although I think some of your methods maybe a little crazy.
x

I was looking on the internet for remedies, because I was tired of calling the doc especially when I had no insurance for flagyl. I finally said, I have to find something because even if I get another prescription for that stuff, its coming back! So I ran across this website, and finally decided to try acidophilus. I bought probotic capsules, 10mg, and have been taking 4 pills total, 2 in the am, 2 in the pm, and I've inserted one capsule in my vagina with an applicator(the ones you get when you have a yeast infection, that come in like a Monistat Box) with a teeny tiny bit of Ky jelly. Just to give it something to "stick" too I guess.

The next day, I woke up with this discharge, and no smell. I was shocked. STILL Shocked. I'm trying to not over do it. Its only been 3 days. This will probably be the last capsule I insert for the week. I think I may do one capsule insertion twice a week, and 4 capsules a day( 2 in the am and 2 in the pm) Oh, and I also had a bath with regular vinegar. Just a capful, and sat in it. I'd do that ONCE a week. Douching is bad no matter WHAT it is, your just flushing out good and bad bacteria, and PUSHING it back up. So try to avoid it, if your gonna do it anyways, then do it ONCE a week. Less is better, trust me. I also try and "scoop" out the discharge every time I pee with a finger, or at least see if its something in there. I know its weird but we do have to get the discharge out right? So anyways, I'm doing pretty well, Ive had no odor, and hopefully, it stays that way. I haven't bought any Folic acid as of yet, but I'll be adding that to my regimen soon. Good luck ladies.

I wanted to thank this website and all the wonderful women who provided me with a way to overcome a "curse" that I have been living with on and off for several years now. BV has haunted me and it has made me feel like less of a woman. First, I stumbled upon this site accidentally when looking for boric acid suppositories...something I heard was a natural cure for BV. I have to say, the boric acid didn't work for me. I tried, it seemed better, but it returned. Mind you, these ideas have become a sort of last resort for me because I have been through cycles of antibiotic over the years, only to have the BV return. I honestly turned to homeopathy because conventional meds didn't work long-term and I didn't want to keep taking antibiotics. When I found this site I must admit I was skeptical. How on earth could such a simple suggestion cure something that everything else I tried couldn't? Honestly, my skepticism was high. Thank God I was wrong. I'm ultimately writing this to say that, while I am not 100% free of discharge, I am @95% better. It's been 4 days now and I have not been so happy to be so wrong about doubting something. I have been taking two acidophilus supplements a say, one morning, and one night, and there's a ton of folic acid in the prescription vitamins I take. The acidophilus I take _______...so easy to swallow. I read some of the other posts, and I didn't quite work up the nerve to put one in the vagina, nor did I find the courage to use a hydrogen peroxide douche. So now I just stick with the acidophilus and the folic acid, and as I said I feel so much better and the results are fantastic. Again, I wouldn't say it's 100% cured, but it is so much better that I could shout it from the rooftops. I urge you if you are at the end of your rope with BV like I was and you think it's safe for you to take these supplements, to definitely try it. you know your body and what you can handle. I'm hoping that with more time the results will be 100%. I hope to share this info with my gyno. I don't know how he'll react to it since most doctor's seem to turn a nose at anything that isn't from a drug company, but I again think that if there's another woman like me with this BV curse, maybe he will pass it on to her. In the meantime, I thank all the ladies who had the courage to be so brutally frank on these pages. Somehow your frankness and suggestions brought me back a hit to this webpage when I googled it, and I couldn't be more grateful. My only complaint was that I couldn't find an exact suggestion of what to take and how to do this "cure". I had to read through several postings, and piece things together. If there's a page that has it listed (exactly what to do) I couldn't find it. So maybe someone (webmaster?) can take care of that. In the meantime, thank you again to this site and to the women who posted. I appreciate your insights and thank you for your help.

I have been dealing with BV for 4 years without fully understanding what is was. There was always an odour and a milky discharge. I notices when I was with one of my boyfriends, after sex it actually burned to the point I had to place a cool damp cloth over my vagina. I recently had an ear infection of all things and my doctor put me on a form of anti biotics. My theory about antibiotics....they kill all the bacteria. I was finished with the pills and a few days later this horrible itching started. From the clitoris to my vagina. At first I thought it was a yeast infection so i went bought good ol stand by drug store antifungal cream. It made it worse. SO muchw worse. I went to the health food store and asked what could possibly help or stop the itching and she gave me some ionize silver soloution. Which is also an antibacterial solution. Was better for about 24 hours. I read through all of the posts the acidophilus would help. Strangely I have some in my fridge that I had gotten to help with cronic uti's. It's 11 biillion plus with 10 cultures in it. I took 4 this morning and put one directly into my vagina. It feels much better now but the clitoral itching is still there. I am going to go out and buy folic acid today and some peroxide. I am just wondering if there is anything else anyone has tried to stop the vulvular itching? This site is amazing! It is always the case that women have to pull together to figure out the issue and how to fix it! Thanks so much everyone who has posted on this site!!!!!

I have had BV for about a year now and have been treated with mostly flagyl cream. The symptoms go away but come back again as soon as I finish the treatment. I've been given flagyl oral as well which can really make you sick; headaches and everything, plus don't drink on it it is suppose to really make you sick. I've also been prescribed ciproloxin, which I tolerated well. I've been taking the acidophilus 14 billion live cells, called PB8 for about 2 months now with no help. I added the folic acid. I think what really helped were the hydrogen peroxide douches.

I read that if you have pelvic inflammatory disease you have to be treated 2 weeks with oral antibiotics and your partner also and have a 4 - 6 wk. check up. Also, you may not have symptoms any more than the ones we're getting with BV. I think the reason this bear keeps reoccuring is because I have PID. Untreated BV can turn into PID.

Also, no one mentions cultures here that I've read. I was cultured by gyn. and had two infections; one staph and the other bacterial vaginosis. The second is treated with flagyl but the first is treated with ciprofloxin. My gyn. never gave me cipro. just the flagyl, so I think that's part of the reason why it keeps coming back.

I will see how I do, I am finished with the cipro and have douched for about 4 days now. I will let you know how I respond.

Does anyone else think these are reocurring because it has progressed up the vaginal canal to the uterus? or PID. If I don't resolve this this time that is what I will suggest to my dr. Plus, I have not had sex to aggrevate anything in about 7 months.

I've been using wipes drenched in peroxide, spraying peroxide down there, stopped using scented soap, no tampons during menstruation, and hope I got it this time. I've even put the antibiotics up there and the 14 billion live bacteria alternating with the douching. I'm actually doing well now, no symptoms, but time will tell. Will write again in a week, my name is MK.

I really am grateful to have found this website. I felt compelled to share my experiences and cures. First of all, I wanted to say that I believe that my BV experience first occured when I had a new sexual partner (unprotected). I couldn't believe it! Not only did I rush to get tested for all the STD's, I got an HIV test. I was diagnosed with HPV at age 17 and now I'm 32. I did not test positive for any STD's. I thought this was supposed to be an STD that was non-curable?? I have read that it can go away. Don't understand that too much. However, back to my reoccuring BV...I have had the same problems most of you women have had. Get the typical prescription for Flagyl, Tindemax (which actually worked, until I had unprotected sex once again.) I'm not here to be judged, I know I'm crazier than most. I must also add that I never understood if my boyfriend had anything to do with it. He doesn't have the best oral hygiene in the world if you get my drift, and he doesn't shower before we have unprotected sex. I normally use Dove or Ivory, but I do use much soap "down there". I am so sick of this problem I don't know what to do. It is refreshing to know I'm not the only one in this world who is having such an issue with it. I am somewhat different I guess, because I haven't taken protective matters into my own hands. However, if you get medication for it, and they (doctor's) claim it's not an STD, what gives? I am currently taking acidiolphilus and this is my first day. I took two capsules and unfortunately I am on my menstrual cycle. Yet I can tell a difference in scent. This is usually the 1st sign for me. I have had boric acid inserts as well and they seemed to help. I really feel that when I stick to one partner, I'm better off. Although I'm becoming unsure...Hopefully the acidolphilus capsules work for me. Good Luck.

Hello ladies, I sent out a message earlier today that i was going to try Acidophilius. and plain yogurt, they only sold non-fat yogurt but i dont think much of that tiny detail. so far the pain swelling and some of the itching is gone! already and i just started today , I took 2 capsuls of acidophilius and dipped a tapon in some plain yogurt and did my normal cleaning activited around the house with in two hour most of the swelling was gone! and most of the uncomfortable feelings. I'm getting ready to go to bed and i just stuck a acidophilous tablet you know where, i have faith that by morning im going to feel MUCH better!"

07/13/2008: Alex (scvpmedia200607[at]yahoo.com) 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