Folic Acid for Bacterial Vaginosis

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The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

May (Bellingham, Washington) on 10/12/2008:
1 out of 5 stars

So I came across this site regarding home remedies for BV. And I bought Acidophilus (10 mg-100million active lactobacillus acidophilus) and folic acid (400 mcg). The first day I took 1 folic acid in the morning and at night. I also took 1 acidophilius in the morning and at night..and it didn't work. The next morning is was still there..so I thought maybe I should increase my dose? So I started taking 2 of each morning, afternoon, and at night..and i even inserted a capsule of acidophillus..and now the discharge is worse than before. It's still the white discharge and the odor is still there. Nothing seems to be helping..How long does it take for this work? Some girls have said overnight?? Am I taking the wrong dose?PLEASE HELP ME..I'm tired of going to the doctors and paying for meds and insurance when I'm gonna have it all over again..Someone..help me..

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Vanessa (Farmington, CT) on 09/22/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Folic Acid (and Flagyl): Hello everyone ...i've been suffering with BV for about 5 years now. About 4 months ago i found this website and decided to try the Acidoph and folic acid. The acidoph did not work but the folic acid somewhat helped a little. I was taking 1 (800 mcg) folic acid pill in the am and also 1 in the pm. I was still discharging and had the fishy smell but not as bad as before i started taking them. So I went to the doctor (for the billionth time) and she prescribed me Flagyl. I had to take 2 pills everyday for 7 days but i still continued to take 2 folic acid pills too. It's been 2 weeks now and still no signs of BV WHATSOEVER!!! I'm feeling great and my sex life has improved like 100% lol ... Good luck to all you ladies.
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Lisa (Pusan, South Korea) on 09/14/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Folic acid works! And this web site is a life saver, especially for women with BV. What happened? I had a new partner, had this terrible BV ooze and was put on an IV drip by my Ob-gyn!!!!OMG.Given a HUGE dose of metronaizole, and couldn't take it because my stomach can't handle it. Fever. Vulva-dynia, crabs, smells from hell.
Bladder infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria. Irratic bites and itches. sprayed the whole house with flea bombs. Douched like mad with all sorts. Hid from friends and relatives.

Out of work for 6 months, spent entire savings on 50 doctors visits. Pretended not to be going to doctor, but that was my twice weekly destination.Obsessed with my recovery. Got another job, terrified of BV returning, asked a question on Yahoo answers and some dear angel showed me your website!!!! Left work early, ran to the pharmacy, bought a big bottle of folic acid, ran home and took 800mg at night and 800mg in the morning, ooze subsided for several days and no smell from hell. Honestly this website has saved my life. I was feeling quite desparate in a mental health day sort of way. IT GAVE ME HOPE WHEN THERE WAS NO HOPE.
When I read account after account of women who had been desparate and said folic acid works, my depression lifted - I had hope.

Thank you again and again. I hope something really good happens to you today and everyday because you deserve it.

Gratitude forever(to the webmaster/mistress of this website).
P.S. I had also taken flagyl while taking folic acid and 3rd generation antibiotics at the same time due to desperation.

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Deva (Arcata, CA) on 08/19/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been suffering most of my adult life with the embarrassing smell and the uncomfortable feeling of bacterial vaginosis. I once had a miscarriage that a midwife told me could have been caused by BV. I have tried literally everything: acidopholus, boric acid suppositories, various essential oils in my vaginal, homeopathic cures, Chinese medicine, garlic suppositories--ad infinitum. I even tried the guaranteed natural cures that you buy online and ended up getting my money refunded. But Hallelujah! I found your site and tried 800 milligrams of folic acid twice a day and the next morning my vagina was close to normal and this continues 3 days into taking it. I am so excited and want to share this with every doctor, midwife, and woman I know. Does anybody know why it works? Should men also take the remedy? (Please post these questions to the site) I decided to give some to my boyfriend in case he was a carrier as well. I have noticed over the years that men with foreskins intact can carry this bacterial inbalance as well. My life is going to be sooo much better!!!
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Ann (Clearwater, Michigan) on 08/15/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

This site is AWESOME. I have suffered with BV for several years. To many to count. I was so tired of having the fishy smell and the discharge that comes along with having BV. I tried the Folic Acid remedy and it DOES WORK... I take 2 tabs bid of 400 and then 2 tabs bid at qs. Layman terms 2 400 mcg in the morning and 2 in the evening 1600 mcg in all. This has been a GOD sent remedy. There is nothing worse then looking good but smelling foul. For some odd reason, know one seems to know why some women get this condition. I am not over weight and I am physically fit, yet I too suffer from this annoying condition. Ladies, you owe it to yurself to try this remedy. I can attest to the results. However if you stop treatment the symptons will come back. It is best to stay on this regiment daily to prevent a relapse. Good Luck.
EC: Lately we have been receiving at least 3 emails a day about bacterial vaginosis. It appears to be a big problem!
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Marie (Boulder, Colorado ) on 08/09/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

I use folic acid for my bacterial vaginosis. I tried acidophilus and yogurt but nothing works as strongly and quickly as the folic acid. As long as I take it every day (1600 mcg/day), the BV is non existent. I will tell you this though. I experimented a couple of times by not taking it for a day and it comes back within 24 hours. I wanted to thank this website for having this information as I had originally found this cure here on earth clinic. I am an alternative health practitioner and will certainly recommend this site to others.
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Suza (Missoula, Montana) on 07/25/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

I had been fighting off BV for two weeks when I came across this web site. I had been using boric acid suppositories. And when this didn't work, I was put on a course of Flagyl. The burning, pain, itch, and irritable bladder would not subside. I was feeling quite ill all over. I didn't believe Folic Acid could possibly fix the problem, but after being on an antibiotic for 5 days and no relief, I decided what could it hurt? I purchased a small bottle of 400 mg Folic Acid and immediately took 3 tablets. I expected nothing to happen but around 4 - 5 hours later my burning and pain had lessoned noticably. I continued the folic acid the next day and by the 3rd day my symptoms were gone! I still cannot believe it. Ladies, this is worth a try. Take it from someone who has been suffering with BV since 1997. Now I'm wondering if I were simply deficient in this vitamin. Bless you for having this site.
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Lola (Houston, Texas) on 06/22/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

After battling with BV for the last year, I finally had it with the antibiotics. I am social person and like to have a cocktail now and then. Flagyll and Clindamycin was killing me sexually, physically, psycologically, socially and mentally. BV made so uncomfortable. So I come to this site because I am sick of the doctor. Also, I get yeast infections after the antibiotics. One morning I wake up with BV, so I go to GNC and buy a bottle of Folic Acid 1000mcg. It was $5. I figured if it didn't work. I only lost a few dollars. The next day, no smell, no irritation, no nothing. So far, a week has passed and still nothing. I am taking one daily and will keep you all informed. I feel great.
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Melanie (Kobe, Japan) on 05/14/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Thanks for the site - I was so surprised to find so many women suffering from Bacterial Vaginisis. I cannot beileve this is not taken more seriously by health professionals and there is not more awareness in general. I think it's great that this provides much-needed support for women to share their experiences. I have the same story as everyone else here & after discovering this site, started taking 400mg of folic acid twice daily. the smell and discharge have completely disappeared!! It has been a week so far. I just want to show my appreciation and I hope this works for other women!!!
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Dree (Houston, Texas) on 01/29/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

I just want to say that I have been dealing with BV for about 8 years and I know I've been treated by the doctor at least 50 times. It would alwas come back after intercourse or my menstrual cycle. It has always come back until I came across this website!!! I tried the Folic acid (800 mg 2x a day for the first week) and the smell was gone within 3 days. I continue to take 800mg of Folic Acid a day just to keep the Bv at Bay. I also did the half peroxide and water and felt instantly clean and fresh! There is still a small amount of discharge though any suggestions for that? Thanks so much for the post!!! I feel like I have my life back. I had even stopped working out because I was so afraid that people would notice the fishy smell. My boyfriend of 6 years had suffred with this also. our relationship was strained because I was always embarressed of the bv and sex was at a minimum. So thanks once again!!!!
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butterfly73 (Atlanta, USA) on 12/18/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I wanted to thank the women on this site for sharing the information on Folic Acid! My sister and I started using it and I promise 1-2 days later, we are BV free! Praise GOD for the sharing of information! After age 30, Bacterial Vagnosis became a friend of mine. My doctor would tell me that it is common for Black women to get BV. Well, I have changed soaps, made my partners take showers before intercourse and also taken the medicine (Flagyl and Metro-Gel). I was beginning to get tired of taking that medicine. ACIDOPHILUS works but not like FOLIC ACID did! I believe in sharing information in order to help others! Once again, thank you! Butterfly in Georgia!
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Toya (Jacksonville, Florida) on 12/17/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I had been a BV sufferer f for about a year and I would continue to go to the doctor and would always leave the doctors office with some antibotic (does not work), and again no resolution to my BV. So I had decided to search the web with natural home cures for BV, and I continued to run across the folic acid. So I ran out and brought some folic acid 800mg and would take 2 a day. I promise after the 2nd day I was free of BV. No more smell, or discharge. I also wash with hydrogen peroxide after I have sex with my boyfriend so that it does not interfere with my ph balance messing up. And I continue to take the folic acid (1 tablet daily) just to make sure that nasty infection does not comes back.
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Zara (leeds, west yorkshire) on 12/09/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

hi to all my BV friends, i call you friends because i am so happy that i found someone to talk to about our situation. i was also ALLERGIC TO MY X-BF SPERM. i have cried about having bv, because nuffin works 4 me. people could smell me from a mile lol.. so i decided to try FOLIC ACID 400g 3X daily, this works 4 me. so never give up!
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Anna (USA) on 12/07/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Update: I am still clear and the Estrace once a week has been discontinued. By way of clarification I was using the Estrace once a week for 2months and took a week of ORAL Clindemycin at the start of this use of Estrace. The clindemycin vaginal cream did nothing. (see previous post) The Dr. had not heard of using Folic Acid and was very open to the idea and gave me a prescription for a high dose. So far BV free and normal flora are restored to the now lovely environment of the vagina. Thanks to all.
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Anna (New york City, New York) on 12/01/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Thanks to everyone for the info on Bacterial Vaginosis, especially the effectiveness of Folic Acid. Before I found this site I had several months of metrogel vaginal cream, two series of prescriptions of the metrogel pills,(flagyl), clindamycin cream and as you all testify it just kept coming back. I researched the web and found out a lot about BV, in particular that Doctors do not know why the anarobic (bacteria that use no oxygen} overpopulate the vaginal canal and the good bacteria, which are oxygen loving, get moved out. Attacking gardnerella which is what the metrogel and flagyl do, might work but is usually temporary. Gardnerella is normally found in the vagina, but why does it get out of control? The conclusion of the best is that there is a synergistic or interdependent relationship among several of the anarobic bacteria. Clindemycin is a broader spectrum antibiotic and if metrogel and the pill, generic flagyl, do not work then Clindemycin should be tried. BV is dangerous because it can travel as a real infection to the ovaries and elsewhere, even into the lumbar region. Though it is caused by "overpopulation" of one bacteria naturally occuring, this definition may be a little too soothing. Waking up one morning with a sudden sever backache on the same time my first prescription for the oral flagyl pill was ready freaked me out because my research had come up with cases of "disc space infection" in the lumbar spine due to BV....So ladies don't relax on this issue. The discharge was greyish and fishy..not a yeast infection for sure. No itchiness. Swabs showed overpopulation of Garderella. Problem was the six months of repeated use of the metrogel cream cleared the vaginal canal and most of all the discharge, but the smell was bad...something was wrong. I believe the problem moved up into the uterus...at the end of each period the grey smelly discharge would manifest. This happened even after using the flagyl pill. As others said it came back. I went to another doctor. He used clindamycin along with ESTRACE vaginal cream once a week. When I asked why, he said, " Local Estrogen helps restore normal flora to the vagina." It worked. But he wants me to stay on the estrace for 2 more months. The key is restore the balance of flora. By the way the first thing this dr. did do was give me the acidopholus in the form of capsules (Culturelle) to use vaginally. But that did not work. After I read this site I started taking Folic Acid 800mg for two weeks and now take 400 every day. I eat yogurt, but probably should take the acidophilus also. Anyway here is my experience and I hope it helps. I plan to tell the Dr at the next visit about the folic acid. I don't know if I am out of the woods yet Thanks to all
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Venessa (Honolulu, Hawaii) on 11/08/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Folic acid really works! I've been fighting Bv for the last 9 months, been to the doctors but ntg really work. I came upon this website and went to buy Folic acid and consumed it instantly. My Bv is gone after 2 hours!!! I can't believe it...i keep going into the bathroom and check if i'm really dry from time to time! It's really gone!!! If women know folic acid is the cure, then things won't be so complicated. It's cheap and you can get at any pharmacies w/o precription! take 3 pills a day and it really works!
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Jayne (Sheffield, England) on 10/20/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

After reading this site I thought I would try Folic Acid to cure me from BV. I have had this problem twice before and didn't want to go to the doctors again. I took 3x400 Folic acid and noticed within 2 days that the smell had nearly gone. I now take 2x400 every day and no longer have a problem.
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nicole (syracuse, ny) on 10/07/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I HAVE HAD A LIGHT FOUL ODOR AND SNOTTY LIKE DISCHARGE FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I WENT LAST NIGHT AND BOUGHT THE FOLIC ACID AND WITHIN 1HR THE SYMPTOMS WERE COMPLETLY GONE!!!!
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Sara (MOLINE, IL) on 06/20/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I had been fighting bacterial vaginosis for almost a year when I came accross your website. I had tried flagl (metronidazole) pills, boric acid, clindamycin, and metronidazole gel. The gel seems to be the only thing that works. Even though the gel clears me up I seem to eventually get syptoms again. I also had my partner treated. Then I read on your website about the folic acid (3 pills once a day) and the apple cidar vinegar. This has helped tremendously!!! I have yet to try the plain yogurt but it is in my fridge just in case. I also use the metronidazole gel twice a week as a preventative medicine. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!
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Melissa (Woodstock, IL) on 05/08/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

i too thought i was having reoccuring yeast infections. till i got to the third day of yeast treatment and had no change . looked up yeast inf cures and found this site and realized i was wron it was my bv. i was excited to hear that i'm not the only one. i tried the folic acid. 3 @ 400 mic) and within 30 min the burning and itching was gone... thank god!!! i have a pap secduled hopefuly the bv will be gone . i plan to take 1 folic acid pill a day from now on... thanks ladies. ill let you know what the dr says.
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