What Causes Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?

I first started getting BV after having an IUD inserted, and it comes back every time I have sex. It's caused me to avoid sex with my boyfriend and embarrassment at work or when in close quarters with anyone as I worry they can smell the fishy odor. My doctor has always prescribes the antibiotic Metronoidazole for it, which gives me the most awful side effects. I've started to dread the antibiotic more than the BV itself.

I am so glad I found this site and read the countless positive reviews. I am also happy to be able to leave a positive review of my own. :)

Using a 50/50 solution of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and water, I soaked a tampon in the solution for about 5 minutes. I then inserted the tampon and waited for about 20 minutes before removing. After the first time, I instantly noticed that wonderfully, the smell was gone. About an hour later I still felt a mild tingling sensation but it wasn't painful or uncomfortable, just a little distracting. Halfway through the following day, I noticed that the smell was still sort of there, and so I repeated the process twice, keeping one day off in between each treatment to avoid burns or irritation. Then, 7 days after the first treatment, I bought a douche kit, emptied it out, and filled it with the 50/50 solution. The smell wasn't really noticeable after the second treatment but I really didn't feel I had done enough to get rid of the bacterial buildup, and wasn't convinced it was really gone, so a thorough douching process seemed worth the added effort (even though I always promised myself I would NEVER douche! ).

It's only been a few hours since the douching process, and I avoided my boyfriend ALL WEEK so that I could try this treatment, which, to be quite honest I was very very doubtful of before I tried.

I am not sure if the BV will stop occurring now, because I do believe that my IUD is the cause. However, I am glad to know that I can treat the nasty problem when it does come back, and using items I have around the house!

Hey Ladies,

because BV is a PH imbalance, tampons will actually cause BV. I was on antibiotics for almost 2 years before learning about this miracle cure. But I took it a step further and stopped wearing tampons as well. I have not had a problem since.

Just an FYI Ladies: BV can definitely be contagious. You can get it from feminine sprays & other chemicals like your laundry detergent (always rinse clothing twice) which can be eliminated by stopping the products you're using or it could be coming from your partner. After taking meds for BV for 3 years I finally convinced my doctor to treat my boyfriend & I together & ever since I've been fine. So if you're having recurring BV infections & having unprotected sex, get your partner treated as well. I know men do not like taking pills, so fortunately there is a two day course they can take of tindamax. Please of course consult your doctor first. I think doctors are not treating male partners for this because there's no way they can test them for it, therefore they don't want to be held liable for prescribing medicine to men that have not been tested. If that makes any sense, while women continue to suffer & get sick over & over & the pharmaceutical companies continue to prosper. If your partner is reluctant in taking the meds, see if his doctor can check him for gardnerella. That is the clinical term for BV. Good luck ladies!

Absolutely love this website. It really helped me deal with my BV and YI symptoms. Took Flagyl after being diagnosed with BV. Symptoms went away and then the YI came full blown. Used yogurt, probiotic, water with lemon in the morning, and junk food occasionally (I'm not going to lie...I'm a student). I was feeling great!!

BUT...symptoms came back when I started back in an unprotected sexual relationship with the same person before the flagyl. To my surprise (or maybe I was playing stupid), I began to realize that...it could be "him" reinfecting me.

This time the unprotected relationship has stopped, using condoms now!!! Back on the regimen for YI because the itchy feeling is back, with slight smelly discharge in the morning. I'm going back to doctor to re-test me. LADIES SOMETIMES ITS NOT US...ITS REALLY THEM! Good luck and be well. :)

I am so glad I found this site. I want to share my piece of the BV, just about cure all, for me anyway. I suffered from BV for many years until I figured what was triggering a flare, up so to speak. A flare up would normally happen after protected sex, washing my undies in regular detergent, washing my private with regular soap, etc. I slowly but surely found out I must use non latex condoms, an antibacterial soap down there and also wash my undies alone in antibacterial liquid soap only. I no longer have the problem! It has been a great relief. Hope this helps someone.

When I was younger I used to get BV all the time. It took me about 3 years to figure out what was contributing to the problem. It was the condoms we were using. Started using trojan and never had another one for about 8 years. Recently a different brand was used and..... I now have it again! This may not help everyone but it dosent hurt to try.

Way back in the mid '70s I had what I believe was BV. We didn't know about acidolpillus and they had just come out with a cream to insert for yeast infections but being BV that didn't work. I tried everything but the kitchen sink and finally I read in a book about spermicidal jelly killing EVERYTHING. So after 6 months of agony, I tried it and it worked! So if all else fails, you might give it a try. It's not "natural" but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.

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.