I still use folic acid 400mcg x3 and 1 stress b-complex tablet.bHope other ladies will give this a try.
Michelle (Butler, PA) on 10/09/2008:
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.
keisha kimble (brooklyn, ny) on 09/14/2008:
for the past two years i been suffering from BV when i first was diagnosed with it i was fortunate enough to say that the medication really worked my BV actually went away for a year and a half unfortunately i started using a product that triggered it again and it came back. this time i wasnt as fortunate because nothing seemed to work for it. i tried the medication and different antibiotics and nothing worked. Anyone that suffer from this terrible thing called BV knows how much strain it puts on your life emotionally and physically.just thinking about it almost made me wanna cry daily. i couldnt enjoy sex and was to embarrassed to even let my boyfriend touch me.i dont know why but i said to myself oneday it just gotta be a home rememdy i wasnt expecting something that would cure it but just something that will relieve me from this god awful smell lol. while on the computer one day i simply typed in home cures for BV and thats when earth clinic popped up i saw the link that said folic acid and acidophilus and i clicked on it at first i wasnt convinced until i started reading the stories of other woman. that night i could barely sleep i couldnt wait for the pharmacy to open in the morning. i went to get the folic acid and the acidophilus but the pharmacy didnt have any folic acid so i just got the acidophilus i couldnt find the tablet so i got the capsules. i took one capsule 10mg 100 million active lactobacilllus. since i had capsules instead of tablets i couldnt insert it so i opened the capsule and poured the powder into my hand and inserted it into my vagina. as soon as i put the powder inside i noticed a difference but it wasnt until the next morning that i realized i had absolutely no discharge,no smell,and no itch i was so happy i wanted to cry. the next day instead of washing with soap i opened a capsule and poured it on my washcloth with nothing but water, i then did the same thing i did the previous day. a whole day went by and still no smell. By the next day my period had started i didnt wanna stop my regimen so i continued doing the same things i was doing before it came. usually when my period come the odor is very strong i could honestly say i havent had any unpleasant smells and i am now two days into my cycle. when it goes off im going to take a douche bottle fill it up with water and open two capsules and use it instead of peroxide i think that would have a more lasting effect. i wanna thank whoever posted this rememdy it truly changed my life for all yall out there thats looking for some relief from BV i wish you the best hopefully it work out for you the same way it did for me.
Dee (Atl, GA) on 09/09/2008:
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.
Terry (Savannah, Georgia) on 08/06/2008:
I have been suffering from this god awful thing(BV) for about 2 years now and as the rest of you have stated none of the so called cures from doctors work. I have been taking acidophilus for about 2 years also, it does not work by itself. I just bought the folic acid, wish me luck. I have read where some of you ladies are douching... Let me remind you that you are washing out the bacteria that is needed in your vagina... STOP DOUCHING!!! It is not healthy, i don't care what you're douching with, STOP!!!!!
Alex (Little River, United States) on 07/14/2008:
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
Ann (napoli, italy) on 03/03/2008:
I`M DONE WITH BV!!!..HERE`S WHAT I DID: 17 yrs on and off with BV ... this is what I do.
When i was 22 I got it all the time..every month.I am 39 now. I have no symtoms now.
'They were still studying it, and i was a guinea pig so to speak with my doc trying boric acid pills placed in the vagina to help make it a nuetral place so to speak. it never helped. she said my boyfriends` sperm was acidic. i was always in long term relationships.... so it had to be something i was doing.
I started taking ACIDOPHILUS PILLS .... they work...but the trick is..... you must ALWAYS take them .. as in every day....forever. not just when you are having BV. trust me....this helps.. then... you MUST be VIGILANT about washing your privates IMMEDIATELY after long days and workouts.....THIS IS A MUST! I am american but i moved to italy 11 yrs ago....now this is why I am literally free from BV: they have bides here....you know the little sink like thing you squat over to wash...
That has made it soooo convinient. now here is how i wash: ( dont laugh..i`m serious) squat in the tub.. wash with neutral soap non perfumed (i like dove) wash only on the outside...rinse well... then get your finger in there... (JUST DO IT) SWIRL IT AROUND... removing the discharge... scooping it out so to speak until there is non left.. constently rinsing your fingers off. now do this once a day (I do it twice) do it also AFTER SEX...Scoop out that sperm so it has no chance of upsetting your balance. have your man wash before sex...(make it fun ladies so he doesnt think he`s in a clinic) this washing is also great while you are on your period...it actually lessons a day of your period... because you are not waiting for every last bit of dischargeblood to ease its way out...
I have had to teach so many friends of mine how to wash... and the majority of women here where i live do not know how to do this.... if you use soap once a day... you can just do it with water after that. if there is not enough time to wash after gym... make sure you have a washcloth and do it that way in the bathroom.... It will literally make you oderless. to you ladies who already do this... I`m glad... but those of you who dont... start right now
ok the rundown:
1.) acidophillus pills plus eat yogurt. you must space them out during the day to keep the good bacteria in your system all day. 4 pills morn.. yogurt afternoon... 3- pills at night...
2.) Wash using the finger method at least once a day (careful not to get soap inside)
3.) you must make your boyfriend wash... I mean gals.. we have all encountered a sweaty member or two in our romps no? he``s got to wash that sweat off of there!
You keep doing this... forever... you will find that you will no longer have bv in your life... now this is a prevention!!!! so i would usually do the cleocin cream for 7 days, or the flagyl which i think works well but take with the acidophillus and eat tons of yogurt. make it your lifestyle.
good luck
indy stylist (indianapolis, indiana) on 02/24/2008:
folic acid and acidophilus works wonders for bv. thanks so very much for this remedy!!! i can truly say this works and i feel great!! absolutely nothing has ever worked and i am praying that this keeps me chemically balanced. i have suffered with bv for years and years. medications only cured me for a moment for bv to only return time and time again. i have spent countless dollars on medication and doctor visits. i am just bso thankful and consider this a true blessing. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE try this remedy if you suffer with bv, it truly works.
kali (Kona, Hawaii) on 01/30/2008:
I had BV very bad. First I decided to end my relationship with my boyfriend. He has several lady friends so even if he got treated, he would continue to pass crap to me. Over the next week I tried a douche with ACV and then tried miconazole, Then Baking soda douche. All to no avail and getting worse. Went to clinic where The Nurse Practictioner put me on 3 days of Antibiotic followed by 7 days of Flagyl. I decided to do it reluctantly. But it didn't seem like it was clearing up by day 4. I kept taking the meds but tried the suggestion on the hydrogen Peroxide.. still no clear up. Then tried Boric Acid. That seemed to help a little. Then stopped that and drank unsweetened cranberry juice, ate plain organic yogurt and took acidolphilus too. I put a small amount of yogurt mixed with the acidophilus inside my punahni for several days. Also I used a hair dryer to keep the area there dry after using the toilet and washing off. The combination of these actions seemed to help. But I still have some BV. Not nearly what it was before. I will report again next week.
Lisa (Nashville, Tennessee) on 01/19/2008:
re: Lisa follows up. I continued with acidophilus and folic acid but when I noticed little to no change I switched to a stronger acidopholis (10 billion CFU) and added the hydrogen peroxide douche into the regimen. 3 days later the discharge has finally lessened and the smell is gone today. I've read you have to use the peroxide daily for 2 weeks. If that doesnt work I'm going to try the boric acid which I've researched and it has antibiotic properties.
Lisa (Nashville, Tennessee) on 01/13/2008:
I've been taking 800mcg of folic acid 4 acidophilus tablets (1 billion cfu per tablet) daily since the start of my cycle (7th). Things look a little different, but too early to tell you if the odor is gone. I'll get back to update everyone in a couple of days which is usually when the discharge begins to return. . .
Lisa (Nashville,Tennessee) on 01/07/2008:
Diagnosed with THIS episode of BV over a year ago. Dr. prescribed flagyl, metro-gel (both usually work for me), clindese, and OTC rePHresh...none have worked for this bout. As soon as treatment is finished symptoms return. I noticed that no one has stated they were able to stop the courses of folic acid and acidophilus??? Today my cycle started. So I figured this is as good as time as any to start the regimen of folic acid and acidophilus to restore my vaginal PH. Stay tuned.
MARIA (LANSING, MI) on 09/28/2007:
Well im glad that im not the only woman in the world struggling with this crap. nice to meet everyone, anyhow, i started takng acidopholus like two months or so ago from reading different websites, i would have to say ive been dealing with recurrent bv since i was 19 and im 25 now, my doctor says its because of my hormone levels and the fact that i dont take proper bacterial precautions before having sex, i also where tight clothes and the wrong underwair. well after thorough investigation of how to cure this without taking meds, because i hate pills and cream and gels, i bought some acv, well i did bath in it and it didnt work completely, so i figured it was because i only did it once, so for the last two nights i have been mixing acv and plain yogurt together and inserting. there wasnt a drastic change yesterday when i went through the day so i did it again last night and douched with acv this morning,well i shall see what the outcome will be, i plan on doing this for the next 5 days and see what happens, im also taikng 3 billion live bacteria 3 times a day which is 9billion/5 strains of an acidopholis pill. i will keep you lades posted on my progress. thank you to the people that created this website, i feel so good and comfortable talking about this now. oh make sure when you ladies are purchasing the acv, that it is organic and raw and unfiltered,the other kind wont do any justice, "so ive been told".
Jennifer (Dover, DE) on 09/25/2007:
I have never delt with a ongoing anything in that area before so the symptoms Im feeling are a bit alarming, since I have been to the Dr. office 3 times in the last 7 weeks with little to no change in the burning, swelling, itching and painful intercourse. I tried the OTC generic 1-day monistate and was left with a pain and swelling that almost drove me to the ER. I had taken the oral yeast infection pill along with a cream the DR gave me... Had a pap a few weeks later and I was still having "flare" ups. Went back to the DR a week ago to be handed triple paste (zinc oxide) and another yeast cream...through all this things would start to feel as about normal as I can remeber since this all started and then I would wake up and the swelling and itching would be back and the redness, Sigh* So after several attempts this morning to reach another DR to get yet again another would be failed attemp at clearing this problem up I found this site. I thankfully already have the Folic Acid pills (800mcg) and the Acidophilus...I took the pill just before writing this and I do plan on inserting the Acidophilus tonight...Im not sure if I have a misdiagnosed BVI (I have no fishy odor) but after everything else it seems to be the only thing left that makes sense. I have to say that as horriable as it is that our own educated DRs have a hard time helping or even diagnosing many of the womens issues out there, that as women we can find a commen place to share our story and help one another out. If I have good news pertaining to the pills I have just started then I will be posting again to share :)
Lyra (winston salem, NC) on 09/24/2007:
For a long long time, a couple of years i guess, i have battled with BV on and off. The last time it was bad, it lasted for about 7 months and just got worse and worse. It was so embarrassing, i didn't want to have anything to do with my partner sexually. i couldn't enjoy it because i was just so embarrassed. It was ruining our relationship. i thought it was a yeast infection all the time but i took medicine and it never went away. Then i looked online and saw BV and read about it. i just happened to come across a website that said to insert acidophilus pill into ur vagina, and also to try inserting plain yogurt once a week always to maintain healthy balance if you are sensitive to getting BV. So i tried the acidophilus before i went to bed, the next morning my symptoms were almost gone, so the next night i did the yogurt, and that was it. i was cured...all this time of going through everything, and it was that easy. But regretfully i didn't do the once a week thing. SO then 7 months later, i got it again, i think from taking too many baths with a lot of soap and stuff. So this time, i did the acidophilus pill, but when i inserted it, i also put plain yogurt on it, the next day i woke up and it was gone. Its amazing. i just can't believe it works that well. But im happy. i would recommend that to everyone. Just make sure that when you buy the acidophilus MAKE SURE that it is NOT in capsule form, make sure it is a plain regular pill that will dissolve, because i used a capsule and it did not dissolve, just got really sticky and it was really bad. Anyways, i hope that everyone here can get rid of this terrible thing. Good luck.
foneny (mt pocono , pa) on 08/29/2007:
re: BV Cure -- the insertion of plain yogurt worked for me. instead of using the acv, i spread the yogurt on the exterior service also and washed it off the next morning. i had relief from the burning, itching, and smell in about 15 minutes.
Lynne (Columbia, MD) on 07/13/2007:
When I read that BV returns even after antibiotics I decided taking that route would be pointless, so I researched other ways to treat it. What works for me is taking one acidophilus pill a day, and increasing the amount of yogurt products I eat/drink. Particularly Kefir seems to be helpful, as it has, I believe, a higher concentration of active cultures than regular yogurt. Also, I mixed vitamin E oil with a few drops of tea tree oil, placed this on a wet wash rag and wiped the area. I have also done this with ACV and tea tree oil, but the vitamin E oil prevents drying, which will help with the itching.
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