Acidophilus for BV

I'm so happy I found this website. About a month ago I started taking 2 pills of folic acid and 2 acidophilus (orally) before or during lunch and dinner every day and within 3 days everything was gone! Using peroxide vaginally did work for me... But only for 24hrs... And doing that everyday didnt seem safe. Plus: these vitamins are way cheaper than OTC remedies (pushing $15-30 a month for temporary healing). A bottle of each costed $11 supplying 2 months. Also, these vitamins are good for your overall health while the temporary OTC vaginal specific medications only help the infection. So for everyone suffering like I was: just give it a shot! It works against the infection and for your overall health

What brand of acidophilius are women finding most effective. I was using Nutrition Now PB8 with Twin Labs brand folic acid and the problem was 90% better. I switched to a different brand of folic acid just because the store did not have the twin labs brand and the problem got a little worst. When I ran out of the Nutrition Now acidophilius brand I switched to a Nature's Way on the advise of the healthfood store worker. That was like not taking anything at all. I went from have no discharge at all, just moisture in the vajiji walls to having to change my panty liner twice a day. I am going back to the Nutrition Now PB8 brand. But I wondered if anyone has had success with the Lee Swanson brand???

Boric acid powder is the only cure for my yeast infections, and it completely eliminates the symptoms of BV as well. However, it doesn't seem to cure my BV. A pill filled with boric acid powder inserted twice daily into the vagina will cure my yeast infections after 2 weeks (thank god - because the over-the-counter stuff no longer works for me - in fact, it makes my vagina burn like crazy). I'm using the boric acid now for my recurring BV infection, but I'm in search of a cure... Been through the antibiotics 3 times now. My obgyn told me that my partner has to be treated. So we did that, but then my BV came back on its own even before my partner and I had sex. I've used Femdophilus before, and at first it seemed to work (orally), but after recurring BV infections it no longer works orally. My next move is going to be inserting Femdophilus vaginally. Wish me luck!!! And try the boric acid. It is a miracle powder!

WARNING!

I participated in douching with half peroxide half water, took folic acid, and inserted refrigerated acidophilus/probiotics from many testimonies I read here. That was roughly 2 years ago. I definitely received some immediate relief. I started having mild urinary issues a few months later and from there my health has plummeted. I have read some scary things about refrigerated acidophilus eventually expiring and turning into mold spores. I'm not sure how accurate this is but I sure wish I had even the slightest bit of that knowledge to eliminate that as a possibility regarding my current health concerns. I now have a systemic candida infection which is causing me severe pain! I don't have all the answers nor am I able to conclude that this was the cause... But if anyone has any clues or any suggestions feel free to do so. Please be warned that this a possibility and taking probiotics should probably remain an oral supplement...

Re: Bacterial Vaginosis

I've been reading a lot on this site about Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. Acidophilus) and its success in treating bacterial vaginosis (BV). For those who are having trouble getting it to work, here's some info that might help. There was a clinical study performed using four different strains of lactobacilli. L. acidophilus, apparently, may be helpful, but is not necessarily the best one to use. They found that L. rheuteri and L. rhamnosus are the most effective. BV can be caused by an imbalance in the pH which leads to a decrease in lactobacilli (good stuff) and/or an increase in Gardnerella (bad stuff). Antibiotics don't work well against Gardnerella because it exists in a biofilm - a community of organisms (bacteria in this case)that encapsulate themselves protecting them from the antibiotics. So the antibiotics never really get rid of the Gardnerella or restore lactobacilli and your BV returns. Gardnerella, lactobacilli, and pH are linked, so if your pH goes up for whatever reason, lactobacilli go down and let the Gardnerella take over OR the Gardnerella colonize and kill off the lactobacilli. Chicken or the egg. Anyway, of the four lactobacilli tested, L. rheuteri reduced the biofilms most effectively and the L. rhamnosus displaced the biofilms most effectively. So basically, one kills and the other crowds out. So if you're having success with L. acidophilus, great! - it's good for you regardless. If not, or you want to try something different...find a probiotic that contains significant numbers of L. rheuteri and L. rhamnosus. There's at least one particular brand that has this, carried at health food stores, in the refrigerated section. It's in a brown, glass bottle to protect it from heat and light.

For myself, I use 2 capsules of this probiotic orally in the morning w/ Vit. B12 400mg and Folic Acid 800mcg. Then at night I take Vit. B12 400mg and Folic Acid 400mcg orally and 1 probiotic capsule vaginally. Wetting the capsule first seems to help give it a kickstart dissolving. I also drink one low-sugar probiotic drink a day, found in the yogurt section of the store and take Vit. C and a multivitamin daily. This has really seemed to help. I do the hydrogen peroxide flush right after my period. Hopefully, this helps someone else. Also FYI I'm an RN and have suffered from BV aka "the life ruiner" since my teens and am just now finally getting it under control. Cheers and good luck!

I have a question. I want to drink the 1/4 baking soda with the two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar but I'm also trying to get rid of my bv and keep it away, is it true that taking ACV makes bv worse? is this true?

I have been doing the hydrogen peroxide on a tampon as suggested by another person on this site. I started out putting it in for only five minutes (afraid of what might happen) and then increased my time. At one point i fell asleep with a peroxide tampon in and slept for about 6 hours before taking it out. It seems to be helping and no adverse effects. The odor is gone but one symptom is not and i'm wondering whether anyone else has this symptom. It is somewhat embarrassing, but it seems the bv gives off a gas so that when i sit down to urinate, I expel air from my vagina - slight but noticeable. This has been going on for months prior to the peroxide so i know it is not the peroxide. Also taking the folic acid and B vitamins, apple cider vinegar. I think i bought the wrong kind of acidophilus as i read that one must have the one with bifida reguilarie (sp) and mine doesn't have that so i quit taking it. I have tried the metrogel 3-4 times, the boric acid cure sold in drugstores OTC once. It always helps for a little bit. I am going to keep doing the hydrogen peroxide on a tampon nightly if possible.

I was soo awed to see how many women were going through what it is that i have only been experiencing for the last 2 months now. Thank you all for sharing...when one is going through something as personal as having an odor you feel like you are the only one out there experiencing it...you look at other women other there at the supermarket or in class thinking that they are all just fine...and to think this line of though is coming from a health educator...LOL

The odor that I was having was very mild but I knew that it was not normal...to describe it..it was more like a biology experiment done with bacteria in lab class. Anyhow.. .I was inspired to take a little advice from here and there. I first bought the acidophilus 500 million live cultures 2 per day. Then I bought a twin pack douche ( a generic brand) i just used the bottle i threw out the liquid inside of it. Filled the bottle with distilled bottled water and 2 ml of Goldenseal root. I only douched with that mixture once and i saw an instant difference. Its been 2 days now no smell no nothing. I'm going to keep an eye on it and i'll keep you all posted.

I'm not sure if it is the goldenseal's direct contact or the acidophilus' bacteria. Maybe the combination works.

hi everyone! I suffered from bv since I had my first baby nine months ago. Since then i've been to the doctor once sometimes even twice a month for creams, gels or antibiotics. Nothing seems to help! I even asked the doctor if there was anything I can do at home to cure this problem. She said she doesn't know becuase usually when someone gets bv, they take the antibiotic and that was it! Cured! For a long time I felt alone. I didnt know that theyre were others out there that was also suffering with the same condition. Suddenly I felt like I had hope! I'm so thankful for all u ladies out there who posted up remedies for others to try. GOD BLESS U ALL! I'm going to try the acidophus tonight. I am a little worried that it might come back like all the other stuff I've tried. However, I'll be back to let u know how the results went! Thank u ladies again. God bless u and I pray that each one of u ladies don't have to go thru anything like this anymore.

Amy, there is a combo treatment in the drugstore that you can try.. one is a pill and the other is a gel that you insert every 3 days. When you use both of these together along with 2 folic acids a day... you'll be bv free. I tried this method after suffering from bv for over 3 years and I am bv free. I didn't want to post anything too soon, because I thought surely it would return, but it hasn't. You will notice a bit of a disharge (may actually look like yeast infection in the very beginning), but this is normal so don't panic. Other tips include washing with water only (genital areas) until things are stabilized, wearing non-scented pads/liners every day (g-string too). I am pleased with the results and am happy to share this with everyone recognizing that I've been BV free for 3 months now. Good luck!!

Hi Karen from Mobile, Have you been BV free since you used the combo treatment? If you have what's the name of this drug/treatment? Thanks!

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 am living in Grenada, a small Caribbean island, and I suffer from BV AND heavy yeast infections for quite a while now. I have to say that I hate myself because I ignored the symptoms for a long time before I finally made the gyn appointment. Health care is very expensive here, and most medications are not even available here, unless you have them ordered. Besides, they can also be quite expensive.

After the first gyn visit, my doctor prescribed 3 different medications, but I could only get one of them at the time, and it was almost 100$. It was Flagyl antibiotic, prescribed against my yeast infection. I took it for a week, but absolutely nothing changed, I had discharge and odor during the whole time and also after finishing it, it was not gone at all. So two weeks later, I went back to my doctor, and she diagnosed me with BV and heavy yeast infection. Great! She prescribed two meds, caplets that I had to take twice a day for 4 days plus a vaginal suppository for a week. I am still using the suppositories, and I just had my period, so I can't really tell yet if anything helped.

Because I don't really trust anymore that my doctor (she is the best gyn on the island though) is able to help me to get rid of my infections and BV, I did my own research on the internet, and I am so glad that I found this site. I am now also taking one folic acid tablet every day (all I could get here is a smaller dosed pill though, but they were very cheap, not even 10 cents per pill), two Acidophilus tablets per day, and I also eat plain yoghurt in the morning.

Now that my period is gone and I am using the suppositories for the next 6 days, plus my folic acid/Acidophilus regimen, I am very hopeful that it will help.

Additionally to what I am doing already, I ordered VH Essentials BV treatment, boric acid powder and empty gel caps from Amazon. It will take a while until it gets here, but I am hopeful and positive that something of that will finally help to get rid of that nightmare. I am with a wonderful man and our sex is great, but I am so insecure because of the foul odor, and every time we have sex, I am getting heavy discharge and the odor during the day after. It's a nightmare!

I will post here again in a while, after I got my order from amazon and hopefully I can post some good news.

To all of you suffering with the same sh*, thank you for sharing your problems and experiences here, it's so great to know that I am not alone!

PERSONAL BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS REMEDY COMBINATION

I have been dealing with BV for years now and it comes back pretty often, but I've begun to notice patterns and when/why it comes back (usually due to diet). But anyway, after much experimentation, I have found a combination of remedies that gets rid of all my symptoms within 1-2 days. Start treating it at the first sign and seriously attack the infection with all the weapons you've got:

Acidophilus capsules - take a billion 3 times a day
Diluted apple cider vinegar - 3 times a day
Insert boric acid capsule into vagina every other night right before bed
Take women's health vitamins (these usually contain cranberry, more probiotics, and other important vitamins for feminine health)
Drink a ton of water
Eat fruits and vegetables
Sleep well

Stay AWAY from the following (or at least cut down significantly):
ALL caffeine (coffee, soda, energy drinks/5 hours, tea [even green tea causes BV to come back for me so I drink this in moderation])
Spicy foods
Alcohol
Sugar
Processed, fried, and unhealthy foods in general

So I know everyone says to stay away from these things, but you'd be surprised at how quickly and surely it comes back after you eat one of these items.

When I don't have symptoms, I continue everything except the boric acid and apple cider vinegar. As long as I stick to these remedies and restrictions, the infection stays away. Every time final exam week comes around and I have a couple of Red Bulls and coffees, skip some acidophilus pills, and eat some junk food, it comes back. Good luck ladies!

This REALLYYY works, I promise! Here's how it goes: douche with a solution of half hydrogen peroxide and half PURIFIED water. Absolutely NO NO NO NOOOO TAP WATER! Do this for seven days, morning and night, and then follow up with seven straight days of acidophilus suppositories once or twice a day. Make sure that while you are doing this you are taking at least 4 billion units of acidophilus and 800 mcgs of Folic Acid by mouth each day, and do not have sex! Also, cut back on smoking and TRY (I know it's hard sometimes) to eat healthy and be conscious of what you are putting in your body. Alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco are extremely hard on your immune system.

It's also wise to follow up with weekly or bi weekly peroxide douches but ALWAYS follow it immediately with an acidophilus suppository to replenish the good bacteria.

You can find the suppositories online and in some health food stores.

Hope this helps every single one of you like it helped me!

Helpful but no Cure--Hello Ladies, I found this website about a month ago and have been battling BV for about 10years now, i've always been cautious especially when it came to my genital areas, so couldn't understand how I got this sickness. At first I didnt know what the hell this horrid thing was I went to the doctor time and time again and only got diagnosed with yeast infections then I started seeing a female doctor who diagnosed me the right way she gave me antibiotics and I thought I was cured then it came back a few month later and every time I seen her and got my fix it would come back in a shorter time even worse then before. Fed up of the embarrasement I went on a cure search im doing everything I seen on this site apple cider vinegar, peroxide and water, folic acid, probiotics, acidiphillus (not sure of the speling), yogurt inserts... To tell you the truth I dont know if the cocktail is working for me because I was jumping for joy when the peroxide took away the smell and the discharge the first day, but then after about two weeks I thought okay I should be able to go without everything and just keep up the vitamins, boy was I WRONG!!! Two days later it came back... So im back on this site and im happy to see that there are more recent posts. Ive been doing the cocktail as I said it does work especially the peroxide and water mix I use it as a douch every night and every morning along with my yorgurt insert. But its only a temperary fix.

I seen that Marina has used something starting with a "V" not sure we have that in Canada but is that something you used for a short period of time and everything went back to normal for you? if so please please please let me know where I can get that PLEASE... im so desperate!

Im going to try and add something new to my cocktail and see if this works I found a product called Purfem I Will update on the status of that and let you all know the outcome.

Fingers Crossed!!!

Hey ladies I've been dealing with BV for 4years... Understand that it has to do with the ph of our vaginas and the over growth of (bad) bacteria, therefore we have a increased sensitivity to sex etc. Also keep in mind, the ph of your vagina changes during your period due to the basic ph of the blood. Sperm is also very basic. I dont think the douche peroxide is a bad idea, its supposed to be 2 caps of peroxide with a quart of water for 3-7 days. Please becareful with this. The peroxide is supposed to clear out the anaerobic bacteria that is causing all the problems. Also, Try using products like femdophilis, probaclac (but it's in Canada, they're not FDA approved yet) or the probiotic made by rephresh while douching with the peroxide. But continue to take the probiotics on a daily basis until there is some stability down there (you can take them 2-3 times a day the 1st week, the more units of bacterium the better! ).

FYI: I have douched with peroxide after sex and it prevented reinfection but probiotics are key!!! The probiotics that I recommended are live forms of acidophilius and are not the bacterium found in yogurt. They care bacterium that are healthy and are the normal flora in your vagina. Ladies I've been through a lot and it took me a LONG time to get where I am. I'll be glad to share any info I have and would love to hear yours. My partner is very supportive despite everything. It was my ex who caused this occurrence. His sperm was so alkaline that it BURNED me everytime we had sex, and it completely threw my vagina out of whack.

Well this will be a releaf for everyone. I have suffered from bv for 2 yrs now I have tryed everything doc vist pills, douches, creams. It can be a pain. But what I found out is in 30sec after taking folic acid u should get the 800mg if you have been suffering a long time bc it need to work out the buildup and probiotic 100billion. u will c the discharge go away and with in 4 day everything is gone I am so glad. Also what works is activea yogert eat 8 cups a day for a week straight . if ur not into pills. Also soak for 20 min in warm bath water with 1/4 of viniger I know it sink but it works to. Okay pls reply to let me know if it helped anyone out there, thanks

Looking into a diet that will kill Candida. That is the reason for the yeast infection or BV. You have to kill it in your gut because it travels in your body and makes its way to our lady parts. I had to treat this first before I even saw in difference in the symptoms. I really hope this helps. The dirt will starve the yeast or whatever bacteria you have and it will eventually die out.

I have been fighting back and forth with BV and Yeast for over a yr now! Apparently it has gotten bad enough for me that it has caused a mild Staph infection. Too bad the meds to treat that feed the Yeast and BV, also apparently Metro Gel doesn't work for me so after reading everyone's stories I decided to go Natural. I have a RN friend who is into Natural healing and she recommended Luvina you can get it at Walmart and I've seen it at Rite too but Ive used it 1 day and I had no symptoms until around 4pm. It says use evey 3 days but it your having symptoms to use it everyday which I plan to do. I REALLY hope this works!! I'VE HAD ENOUGH!! I will post results!!

Hey ladies, so I've been going to the doctor for the pass year and a half for bv. I am usually treated with antibiotics and the symptoms return. So I started thinking maybe the antibiotics only cover the symptoms. What if there is a deeper issue below the surface? Rather than treat bv why not treat the condition that is causing bv. So after further research I read that low estrogen levels causes the vagina pH to be alkanized above 6.5 pH rather than acidic pH 4.5 and below. So I believe bv is a hormorne imbalance. Please get your estrogen levels tested and see if that is your issue. I will keep you posted after I go to the doctor to get my estrogen levels tested. good luck.

Hey ladies! I've suffered with BV since I was 14 and have tried everything from prescriptions which only temporarily worked to over the counter to home remedies which seemed to work at times... For a time. Always coming back shortly! However I was on drugstore & came across a feminine cleanser that had great reviews regarding BV issues. It's expensive... Around $30 for product that states it's a "cleanser for optimum feminine hygiene" (not supposed to list name brands im told). It's a 120 ml bottle. Starts with an N. White & grey slender round cylinder type bottle. Anyway... If you can find what im talking about, try it!!!! I haven't had problems with BV in 3 years since starting to use this cleanser!!! Just an external feminine cleanser that's pricy for a feminine cleanser but PRICELESS to me!!

Ladies I have been dealing with BV as well tried all the remidies on this site nothing worked found out about a new product by vitanica called bacteria arrest I used it thursday night and when I woke up 90% less discharge used it friday night and again maybe 95% less. I am not affiliated with this company just ran across it after trying yeast arrest I am so excited to see almost no discharge in my undies and it has been a while just thought I would let u know and it is a homeopathic remedy that does not cause a yi for me it was worth the price I bought it online

I have tried the hydrogen peroxide douche, 1/2 water 1/2 hp. I have tried bathing in 2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar in a hot bath for 20 minutes for a week. I have tried Folic Acid 400mcg 2x a day along with a cranberry pill 1x a day (helps with UTI's), and Acidophilus pills 2x a day. I've been doing this now for a couple of weeks to no avail. The only thing to rid yourself of the smell (for a SMALL amount of time) is the Hydrogen Peroxide douche. Usually I have to do the douche 2x a day. The yogurt suppository did not work. I have yet to try the boric acid.... Summertime seems to be when I get BV the most. My guess hot sweaty crotch and the inability to walk around naked with nothing touching, covering or smothering it is the reason! :-/ This is the craziest thing EVERRRRRRRRRRRRR. Us women are basically not supposed to stick ANYTHING near our vajayjay's for us not to encounter some sort of issues... BOGUS!!! I demand a recount, or a do over, or SOMETHING!!! I wish you all the best of luck and health. With this damn thing WE ALLLLL need it.

I have had multiple strep b infections and bacterial vaginosis diagnosis' in the last seven years. The symptoms seem the same regardless of what the doctor the diagnosis. I went through many oral and vaginal antibiotics and it always returned. I was fatigued and felt bad all the time.

I got relief for about a year and then stopped doing the things that worked. I was diagnosed again about three weeks ago and again oral antibiotics did not work.

The natural remedies that worked as long as I used them were Reuteri acidophilus 2 X a day, 400 mg of folic acid four times a day, one or two cloves of crushed garlic aired for ten minutes twice a day, one tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in divided dose twice a day with a little lemon juice, (I used one squirt from a bottle of organic lemon juice) and I douched twice a day with undiluted hydrogen peroxide with one teaspoon of Betadine Iodine and a took a good quality multivitamin. It took about three months to totally clear, then I went to twice a week on every thing but the Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic and Lemon which I used daily. I did this for about 8 months and remained symptom free until I stopped altogether. It took about six months, but my symptoms have come back. Now I plan to do this forever. I also switched to a gluten free diet and seriously limited my sugar intake. Some times I would put a little Reuteri powder inside my vagina after douching to restore some good bacteria.

To get the garlic down, I would put it though a garlic press and put it on a spoon and swallow with out chewing and chase it with the Apple Cider Vinegar, Warm Water and lemon. To sweeten the drink, I now add a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of Organic Coconut Oil and it tastes like a delicious warm apple cider vinegar. I have switched to an organic diet and eat no processed food. I have seen several articles about gluten from wheat and flour and sugar feeding the Strep B and BV.

I would start out slow as I had a bit of the Herx reaction by trying to take high doses of garlic and Apple Cider Vinegar. I decided to try to boost my immune system because from my research and reading, it seemed that the Strep B thrived in a weakened immune system and sugar and carbohydrates.

I wish you the best and hope you find relief. I hope this works again for me, but I know it worked the first time. There are many things that can strengthen the immune system. I personally found the most helpful information on www.earthclinic.com.

Take Care, Tara from Tennessee

Hi ladies, It gives me a weird kind of comfort to know I am not alone on this. At first my gyno thought I had yeast and that took almost a year. I went on a candida diet and took tons of diflucan. Finally she told me I have bv and no yeast. I guess I have defeated at least one evil. Then I went on 2 rounds of metronidazole (oral and vaginal). Didn't work. Now after reading all of the comments, I am taking folic acid, e vitamin, acidophilus, encinea, and multi (just to cover grounds) and St. John wort. I am also drinking kombucha daily! That seems to have made a lot of difference. My discharge is way more mild and seems to be more controllable. The problem is the days right before and after my period. Somehow it is messing everything up. Does anyone have any idea to control it during those times? Ps: just got bacteria arrest suppositories. Can't wait.

Hey guys I just want to say what worked for me was taking lactobacillus. I took one in the morning and one at night and when I woke up in the morning it was cleared up. Each pill contains 10 billion good bacteria which will kill the harmful bacteria that causes the smell and discharge. I also soaked in a apple cider vinegar bath for about 30 min. I'm going to continue to take the pills and then make an appointment with the doctor to make sure this is gone for good!!

I wanted to update my post. I have simplified my supplements to keep the BV at bay. I haven't found any way to be rid of it forever, however I have found a way not to have symptoms. I take 3 tsp on ACV either in divided dose or once a day. Daily consistency seems more improtant than amount. I also eat one minced clove of garlic a day. Lately I have been taking ACV and Garlic pills (one each) and they seem to work just fine twice a day. I still douche with H2O2 full strength and 1 tsp of betadine undiluted at least twice a week and more often if symptomatic. I also am pouring in 8-10 drops undiluted Colliodal Silver with a dropper 2 times a week in my vagina. I have switched to a gluten free diet and this has helped me tremendously. I was a slow convert. Apparently, the GMO's in our food are wrecking havic with IBS and multiple health problems like BV, Strep B. ADD, ADHD, autism, celiac disease, gluten intolerance and autoimmune disorders, ect.

Having suffered with this for many years, if I was newly diagnosed and wanted a simple formula, I would try ACV, Garlic, H202 and betadine douches and Collidal Silver dropped into the vagina. I had it so bad and that is what I do now and I have my energy back. Also, if still symptomatic, try a gluten free diet.

I never had this problem until my second husband and now he is gone 5 years and I still have to deal with this. I suspect it might be linked to HPV, but I am not sure. I got sick every time I had sex with him. It's been five years since he is gone and I still have to treat the symptoms. If you are symptomatic with a partner, I don't know what to tell you. I have had one new partner and I never got symtomatic with him. Google Colliaodal silver. I am very impressed.

Tara from Tennessee

Update. I stopped the Colliodal Silver in my vagina. It caused me to be symptomatic again. I am having exceptional results with hydrogen peroxide and betadine douches, ACV and garlic.

To my understanding from information from my OBGYN, you will always have good and bad bacteria in your body. So you are never really 'cured' of the bacteria. The trick is to keep the ph levels in your body balanced so that the bad bacteria will not take over. The acidophilus is what keeps the ph level in your body balanced. Also I have found the acidophilus that you buy in the refrigerated section of your health food store in the capsule form seem to work better than the pills you find on the regular shelf.

I have been dealing with this for a few years now and I went to the drs a few a times. The first time they gave me the Metrodizondale pills than I got it again and they gave me the gel for 6 months and now I have it back. I don't have the smell so much but I have the discharge. So i'm gonna try taking the acidophilus and folic acid. And hope it works. But just a question. Do you take 2 of acidophilus and once vaginally or one orally and once vaginally?

Dani 93, I hope you get this message. I drink Alkaline water and it has completely cleared my BV. I hope you can find a local health store you can buy alkaline water. It saved me.

I've had BV about four times now. Every single time I had it my Ob-gyn would give me Metro-Gel. I just moved to LV recently and haven't found myself a new Ob-gyn yet and my prescription for the Metro-Gel has expired so when my down there started giving that awful smell, I was so horified. My boyfriend one day said ewwwww what is that smell and it was such an embarrassment. For a week or two, I would go to the gym and I feel like my trainer can probably smell me. I tried to get in with my family doctor but she was so booked thus I was googling for home remedies and found this website. I went to _____ and bout some Acidophilus and took two capsules right away and stuck the other one in my vagina. I was a little nervous about doing this home remedy but I was sick and tired of smelling like bad sushi. I have to say after a day, the smell went away and since then I've been taking a capsule everyday. I just want to say thank you sooo very much for all your great stories and insights. I find this site extremely helpful.

I have also been a victim of this horrible stuff...ive had it as long and i can remember...somedays i dont know whats normal and whats not! ive been to the dr and hes given me pills...and it comes back...Im so glad i found this site! i have VB now and i didnt want to go back to the dr...i knew there was natural remedies out there...all i could find was this chick with the same problem SELLING THE CURE! come on! not fair at all i dont have that kind of money to spend on a book to find the cure in min....SO anyway i have vb now...its not bad...but its not normal either...i feel like everyone can smel me...but the odor really isnt that bad...anyway again! I also sweat alot down there...does anyone else have this too? ive done the alcohol rubs to kill any of the odoros causing bacteria...i cant wait to try some of the remedies that are listed on here...so glad for this site!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Hi ladies, I inserted a acidophilus capsule last night and slept with a panty liner on. This morning in the shower, I noticed I was bleeding as well. I hope that maybe it's just due to the capsule being drying to the vaginal tissue. Did any other ladies who spotted or bled have any more bleeding after the 1st or 2nd day of inserted the capsule?

yes i have been spotting too..during sex also have you had this problem during intercourse?

Every time I have treated this, within hours I begin to bleed. The spotting isn't close to the level you would have from a period but it is still disturbing.

Your vagina might be dry. Try to add water on your vagina to moisten it before you put the pill in. That might help, if it doesn't then. Break the pill use the power to make a paste.

TO MAKE THIS PASTE:

In a cup or something small you can use to put the ingredients in.
Add a little bit of water.
The entire capsules powder.
Add some yogurt that has live active cells.
Mix together. You might get this smell of yeast but that's totally fine.

Probiotic is basically yogurt so adding yogurt to the paste just enhances the amount of live cells your putting in there and also it makes it stronger so you may feel relief quicker.

i was sick of anti biotics, so i tried my own remedy i used natural live yoghurt, i dipped a tampon in it i did this only twice and it completely cleared up. 2 weeks have passed and no sign of it returning. just thought i would let you know it is worth a try.

I am so frustrated also. I dealt with an infectin for 6 months straight. I thought I was done, forgot to keep taking my probotics and now it is back. I am trying the advise listed below- I have inserted one of my capsules in my vagina. I hope it works.

Having read a lot of if not over 100 posts on the site, I still do not know the amount in MGS of Acidophilus that firstly you are to insert and secondly to take daily. Seems most have tried and had success but not give the most vital information for us new readers. Sorry to sound annoyed but I have had BV nearly consintly for over 4 years and am frustated to have maybe found the cure/relief but with no guidence. Can some-one help clarify this for all of us first time site users. Thanks guys

ACIDOPHLIUS WORKS!

PERSCRIPTION - 3 capsules orally and 1 inserted vaginally.
TIME TO TAKE EFFECT - 1 HOUR OR LESS

I usually get BV twice a year if i'm sexually active. Definitely with unprotected sex and I notice definitely if I use Magnum condoms. I usually go to Dr. and get a Metrodizondale perscrip and it works. Was out of town and scent got so bad and there was no Planned Parenthood in the area so I typed in home remedy for BV into the search engine and this site pops up. I decide that I would try the acidophilus and the peroxide douche. I call walgreens and ask if they have acidophilus and to my surprise the pharmacist said yes. So I grab a box that says its -- --- EXTRA STRENGTH and 1 BILLION CFU'S per CAPSULE. ------

I get back home and realize that I forgot to get the Peroxide. So I take 3 capsules of ACIDOPHILUS orally and stuff one into my vaga. The capsule that I stuck inside of me was actually triple coated and when I checked to see if it was melting it was. But I did take one capsule and put it in a bottle with a small amount of water for 20 minutes then I took that capsule and pulled off the top layer. That layer was a bit sticky so I decided to take the one I had already inserted out and replace it with the one that I had just peeled. I will say 1 (ONE) HOUR LATER the BV scent was gone. Not to mention that I was on the last day of my period and the strong ammonia scent was at an all time high. Before doing this the scent was literally coming through my clothes and my pantyliner reeked of ammonia scent. GONE INSTANTLY!

Later that night I decided to peel another one and place it into my vaga but a little while later I started to feel a lil irritated on the outside like a yeast infection so I took the capsule out and the irritation stopped shortly after.

Reading the box I realize that Acidophilus is for the intestines and I also have a problem with not having regular bowel movements. The next day I had one. So Thanks to this site I've been able to fix 2 of my problems with one product. The box says take one a day so from now on I am going to take one a day and add some yogurt to my diet.

Thank you so much for this site.

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!

Relieved....... Hi ladies...... I just want to say...... Thank you for sharing your stories. It feels comforting to know that there are many of us suffering from this. I've never had this before..... And I'm currently dating someone whom I care about deeply..... And it's been so depressing for me. Just trying to enjoy sex with you're partner and being cursed by this is so embarrassing. He told me to visit the doctor since his ex had it before..... But here I am with no insurance whatsoever. I was on a quest to find natural cures..... Looking for cranberry pills..... And god lead me to you ladies. Wish me luck as I will return back with hopefully good results. I'm heading to the store to get the acidophilus and colic acid pills. You're stories give me hope.

After reading about the women who've tried using acidophilus IN the vagina rather than just orally, I decided to give it a try. I put a capsule up there before bed last night, and when I woke up this morning, the area felt pretty irritated, rather than soothed and improved like so many women claim it should.

Is this normal? Can this happen depending on what capsule you use? I'm definitely NOT doing this again. I'm really afraid I took a step backward by doing it, I guess I'm looking for advice and words of encouragement!

I have had bv since May here it is July. Been to the doc twice for different antibiotics, it did take away the odor... but the bv came back with a vengence. The itching burning yellowish grey discharge the reddness the swelling of the outside of the vagina is driving me NUTS!(but no odor this time) .... I am going to try the acidophilus and see if it helps. I used a garlic clove wraped in gauge in the vagina and that seem to really take away the itching during the day, oh and I haven't had sex since May to see if that would help..NOPE been eating yougart like crazy and I did try the peroxide flush.. caused me to bleed slightly.

I suggest inserting plain (unflavored) yogurt. Make sure it has acidophilus. Some people insert it with a tampon. But tampons mess up the ph, so I don't feel it makes sense. If you dont have an applicator to insert it, take a plastic tampon applicator (cardboard ones will fall apart) (take the pon out) and rig it. I like the tampax compact ones. Plug up the little part with the tampon and fill the big part with the yogurt. Insert carefully, and apply. It's very soothing. You will need to wear a pad. I usually use an apple cider vinegar or peroxide douche before bedtime, then insert the yogurt and sleep with it. Kill all the bacteria, then replace it with the good ones. I started getting BV after I got a mirena. My doctors swear it's not from the mirena, yet I find numerous pages like this with thousands of women claiming the mirena gives them incurable BV. (and that their doctors say the same thing)

I just want to say that I am sooo thankful for this sight. I have had BV atleast 3 times within the past year. I have been on Flagyl and other antibiotics....but nothing...and I mean nothing has worked as well as the acidophillus capsules that I opened up and inserted into my vagina. I started off taking these pills orally...which I don't think they work as well for me orally....so I came to this sight within the past week since I had BV and I decided I would open the acidophillus capsule and I took out the stuff inside put it into my vagina with my finger...I had a pantyliner on and laid down for a little while. I kid you not within a few hours when I checked back...The smell was gone....."THANK GOD" and there has just been my normal discharge...I am very happy ..and plan to use many other home remedies in the future...Those pills taken vaginally are awesome.

JD,, question?? Is the meds inside of the acidophilus cap, a powdery substance or is it once peeled, solid, if powder, how exactly do you insert it inside of the va2

BV flora is caused by the conversion of protein & amino acids which is responsible for raising the vaginal PH balance and producing the typical odor of the vaginal discharge. The best thing I do is stay away from anti-biotics because it kills off the good bacteria also douches especially perfumed douches it adds insult to injury, , the PH needs to be re-balanced, "sugars are not good during this time";even juices have natural sugars, I buy super strength cranberry caps for uninary tract health, stay with a good balanced diet. I found that the odor smells like bread/which is yeast(protein) I also found that my PH balance is lacking protein//amino acids. These situations only happen to compromised immune systems which includes poor eating habits where it tells the immune system we are lacking in many nutrients, vits. and proteins etc. Therefore the immune system rarely gets attacked when we eat right, I am a vegan some times I eat chicken(protein) but also need to take more protein//amino acids. I just read that ACV is great to ingest as well as apply to the vagina often. I bought L-Glutamine but it's not always needed to buy this one substance, meat and veggies & fruit are great but I don't eat animal's. I am beginning to feel a little better but I need to stick with building then keep on re-building the immune system. God bless

I just read most comments about BV and inserting acidophilus. I have used it vaginally, but never had BV. Late last year I went to the Dr because of bleeding after sex and a smell that was horrible. All STD checks and BV check was clear. I did however use a acidophilus capsule vaginally to help with the odour. My Dr never heard of this.

I also have a Mirena and wondered if the Mirena can cause imbalances in the ph level down there.

Nevertheless the symptoms came back and the Ultrasound revealed that there is a foreign object stuck, length 2cm. My Dr thinks its the residual of the capsule I used vaginally. Either way after the ultrasound went back to the Dr. to remove this 'object.' Strange thing is she can't see nor feel it and called a second Dr to confirm. Same. Then she sent me off to the womens hospital. Same story, two Dr checked and no findings. Now I am booked in for a surgery, D and C, removal of the 'object, ' taking out the mirena and put a new one in at the same time. My question is is it possible for the capsule to not fully dissolve and get stuck so far up that one needs surgery to remove it? I don't think it is a retained tampon, nor does my Dr, as the measurements don't correspond. Apart from that I haven't put anything else in my vagina, tampons or a capsule on the occasion.

I'm about to go try the Acidophilus treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis as I too hate to take antibiotics. My question for ALL of you who tried it is: Does it just make your symptoms feel better, or is it actually curing you of BV? I ask this because many of you feel better, but say that you keep using it to keep it under control. It can be dangerous to have BV for a prolonged amount of time. I'd like to know if this method has completely cured anyone...or has anyone used the treatment and then gotten tested by a gyn who says they now have no sign of BV?

Thanks!

I am wondering the same thing. My symptoms return if I stop taking my acidophilus and Folic Acid for 2-3 days. How can it be gone if it comes back so quickly?

Hi everybody. Just wanted to add a comment. I got BV for the first time after my boyfriend and I stopped using condoms (I have an IUD). Apparently there's something (sugar, I think) in his semen that triggers BV for me. Hope that helps some of you with chronic cases.

Thinking of trying the acidophilus for BV. Went to the Dr a few months back and he told me I had bv. I get yeast infections all the time and now this. He explained to me that there is acid in semen that might agitate the cervix and cause bv. Tried rephresh and it didnt work. Antibiotics dont work and I think thats the reason why I am so susceptible to these types of vaginitis.

I'm so happy I found this site! I cannot believe how many women suffer from this awful infection! Can you believe there is no permanent cure? I'm sorry, but I refuse to continue on antibiotics... they're temporary, the side effects are horrendous and the visit to the doctor plus the time and cost is inconvenient.

My husband recently came home on leave for three nights from the military. We're newlyweds and haven't seen each other in months. I felt awful because by the second day he was here I could feel the BV coming on. He was so understanding and very patient, but I'm frustrated! I don't want this to affect my marriage. I enjoy sex with my husband and don't want to have to sacrifice that because of this stupid sickness.

I started the boric acid suppository treatment yesterday. Symptoms are all gone! I will continue it for two weeks. At first I was very nervous about using boric acid because what I had read online was that it was used to kill ants and roaches. However, I'm sure Flagyl could do the same. That stuff is awful! I've had no side effects from the boric acid.

I'm also considering the hydrogen peroxide method. I'm awful at taking medication on a daily basis, but I'm going to really try this time!

I hate to get my hopes up because the thing about "chronic bv" is that it always comes back.

I wish all of you ladies luck and hope you find a cure for yourself! Just think of the fortune we could make if we found a universal cure for this!

What I first want to say is THANK YOU to all of the women who have shared their experiences here! I have had BV for 4 mos now and had enough of abx from the MD. I first tried the H2O2 douches, acidophilus, and 800 mg of folic acid x 3 days. It burned significantly for about 5 secs, then went away. But I realized that I wasn't doing the douching correctly as the nozzle wouldn't go all the way. Clearly a positional issue. I was doing it in the shower, lying down. The discharge would be gone for the night, but back by morning. Then, I decided to douche differently (on the toilet)... Well, this worked perfectly. I have a retroverted uterus and believe this is the reason it didn't work out for me lying down. Anyways, I stopped using the peroxide b/c it burned and I began itching right at the vaginal opening. Here's what I did thereafter that has worked wonderfully:

Douche 2x in the am w/ 1tbs of baking soda in water bottle (1 disposable douche bottle filled twice)

800 mg of folic acid (2x/day)

1 Garlic pill daily

80 billion live probiotic (in the refrigerated section--email me at roband2000atgmaildotcom for specific brand info)

Douche again at night w/ one iodine douche

**If I have itching, I also rub a little pure coconut oil in those areas. Works like a charm.

There still may be a little stinging, but it goes away pretty quickly.

I'm on day 7 and I'm squeaky clean! Hang in there. I plan to do it one more day. If I feel the symptoms returning, I will do it first sign. I've also read where many of the women are doing it w/ a monthly regimen. I too may adopt this plan b/c its wonderful to not have to worry about BV. Thank God for EarthClinic!

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 can't be sure, but if you are using caplets (i.e. not capsules) and inserting them, the color may be from the caplet itself just coloring any discharge. the caplets i use have the spice Tumeric as an ingrediant for some reason. This spice can turn lots of stuff yellow. check the ingredient list of your pills nd maybe switch to capsules.

Turmeric is one of the ingredients! That must be it because I skipped a day of the acidophilus and my discharge is returning to normal. Thanks for the quick reply. I was getting pretty worried there. :)

I have had BV for the past 3 months and have been in and out of the Dr's office. Im sick of it. This month was almost over and i was so happy that i didnt get it, right when i said it, the next day it showed up. I started reading this website, and you ladies have def. been a life savor for me! THANK YOU! now heres my question. I inserted one tablet of acidophilus and i have been drinking folic acid as well. When you insert a tablet of acidophilus does it just stay there, does it come out? I know it sounds stupid but i am new to this and i was very hesitant to insert one.

Please advise on how this works!

I inserted a pill on the second day and got yellow discharge also. Im just trying to get rid of it as soon as possible but I think that I will stick to just swallowing them.