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SS (Shelbyville, TN) on 06/23/2009
4 out of 5 stars

I have suffered from BV for about 10 years. I didn't know what it was. I also suffered from UTIs. I divorced my husband and I no longer get the UTIs but still have the BV. I thought the smell just went along with the UTI. I was too embarrassed to ask the doctor about this so I researched my problem and found this website. What a blessing!! I started taking 1 tablet acidophilus and 1 folic acid 800mcg in the morning and evening for a week. I also did the 1/2 water 1/2 hydrogen peroxide douche for the first two mornings. After the second day, the smell and discharge was GONE!!! The biggest test for me was when I finally had sex again. No smell! After a week, I stopped taking the pills. I figured I was cured. It's been over a month. The BV did seem to try to come back. I have found that I need to take 1 acidophilus and 1 folic acid pill every day to maintain. Also, after sex I use the hydrogen peroxide douche. Thank you for this website and to all the ladies that shared their stories!

Replied By Jan (Pitt, PA) on 06/28/2009

I am concerned and frustrated. I am glad I found this website though. I would like to tell you all my story in hopes that I can finally end the vicious roller coaster I am on. I have researched this condition over and over and know now that antibotic remedies only make this problem worse. However, I have tried some other remedies that don't seem to handle my problem either.

I told myself I would never ever do this, but now I'm desperate. I was teamed up with some people from rockwell nutrition, but my results with their expensive protocol have been mixed. I spent hundreds of dollars on expensive herbal remedies that didnt seem to help me and now I'm scared. I understand the implications of this problem and do not want to harm myself with natural remedies.

so, that brings me to my current state of affairs. I have been suffering for almost a year and a half now with bv. I have tried oral antiboitcs, and boric acid, as well as flagyl and some other thing (metrogel?). Nothing has worked.

I am asking for immediate advice. I am scheduling a drs appointment tomorrow to rule out any other pelvic problems. I had tried taking borax for this, but end up with cramps and this has freaked me out enough to send me off to the doctor.

so, about this whole hydrogen peroxide thing? does it work? even for resistent cases? what else is out there that can help me? what do I need to do to permanently solve this hell of a problem. I am no longer sexually active, and this thing called bv is the reason why.

are these douches safe by teh way? i know if you have bv for years the lining of your vagina can become weak and I do not want to risk any toxicity (yeah, a bit paranoid about even treating this thing). why is folic acid so important? are there any other methods I should be aware of to try?

please help. I'm desperate and in so much misery I could scream. I will leave you with a list of my current symptoms as well so you can best judge my situation.

odor (not fishy, more like urine)
discharge.
itching
burning
soareness

thanks and I hope to hear from you all soon. I need help and affordable help at that.

Replied By openheated (Byron, GA) on 07/01/2009

I was suffering for 2 months straight; had been treated for yeast infections twice before I was told it was BV. Took the meds (metro...) didn't work. My symptoms were similar to yours (no fishy smell, but more like urine). I tried the Acidophlilus(took 2 orally & inserted one nightly), Folic Acid, Zinc, and B-12 vitamins (as directed on bottle). It help but the BV was still there. I noticed when I missed my Folic acid dose it would get worse even while using the acidolphilus....(a ha)! So, I researched & began my experiment and I stopped the acidpohlius and got some cranberry tablets (because I noticed that I was urinating more w/ slight pelvic discomfort and the discharge was around the top part of my vagina (urethra/clitoris)w/a constant burning; I've been taking the folic acid, zinc, b-12, and cranberry tablets 3 days and I am symptom free....no joke. I also used the peroxide twice daily to wash that area and have changed my undies to white cotton only w/ unscented pantyliners (when neccessary). I have a mild dischage which is returning to normal but no more discomfort.

I've read that some causes of Bv is: oral sex, contaminated: sex toys,clothing (like PJ's, towels, & etc...)but get: this my best friend was asked by her Dr. if her sex partner has diabeties (too much sugar in his semen) since a high sugar diet can also trigger an imbalance in the vagina. Acidophilus is good, but will not work for everyone. also, one last note: BV is an unbalance/ bacteria in the vagina- it appears that a poor diet & vitamin deficiency could be the #1 problem. Ladies we are eating meat (from animals) and foods that are being pumped w/ steroids, hormones, and antibotics in high quantities (hence the bacteria & imbalance in our bodies), so until we change our diets we will continue to suffer w/ this condition. Something has to be done becuase it's beginning to affect our younger women/ children as well. We're dealing w/ chronic infections, pre-menopausal symptoms (at 30 yrs of age, facial hair, and the list goes on because of the mess we consume in our bodies). Its' time to take a stand and take control of our health!

Thank you all for sharing and God bless.

Replied By Jan (Pitt, PA) on 07/01/2009

thank you so much for your response and your speedy response at that. how much folic acid did you take daily and did you douche with hydrogen peroxide? (douching freaks me out still, but if that's what I gotta do that's what I gotta do). If so, how did you formulate it? It's nice to know the effects of acidophilis. Its funny you mention cranberry tabs. When i first came down with this, i had mild pelvic pain and burning too on urination. It was so intense I was literally dubbed over in pain at the gynocologists office. I was put on heavy course of antibiotics for a widespread infection (scary I know. )I do not have diabetes, but my ex did have quite a sweet tooth. and why white cotton only?

You've been an amazing help! thank you so much! I hope to hear back from you soon so I can start my own recovery here. This site is such a blessing!

Replied By Openhearted (Byron, GA) on 07/02/2009

No problem, Glad to be of help! First: only white underwear because the colorful onee contains dyes (not good for your vaginal health). I take 2- 400mg (folic acid), 1- 30 mg zinc, 1- B-12 tablet, and 2-canberry tablets in the morning. I didn't douche w/ the peroxide/water combo, but I did wash the area w/ it. At night I take 1-400mg folic acid, and 2 more cranberry tablets before bed. Drinks lots of water (try adding lemon juice) becuase the lemon juice is benificial in detoxing/cleansing the body. Also, if you're feeling irritated still, insert plain yoguart vs douching; it should stop the buring immediately! I told you about the slight discharge that was left (so last night I inserted the tampon soaked in yoguart)...no discharge detected at all so far and half the day is gone. I myself was not a vitamin taker at all and I was inconsistant w/ my diet, also a major junk food eater (sweets, cakes, pastries, etc..) I have cut all that out and I hope to develop a healthy eating habit to strengthen my health/immune system. I think we can cure it by eating wholesome natural foods and making sure our bodies have the proper nutrition/vitamins it needs.

Good luck.

Replied By Stella (Atlanta, Georgia) on 08/02/2009

Folic Acid cured nasty BV.

Replied By M (Nyc, Ny) on 03/30/2010

After 2 months of trying the douche, folic acid and acidophilus combo, my BV was much better but definitely not cured. Thanks for the tips ladies.

I tried Goldenseal 4 days ago (1 capsule inserted at night, panty liner the next few days) and already I have better results than 2 months of the combo mentioned above. No smell, no irritation and no more globs of discharge all day. I am still afraid to sing its praises as it's only been 4 days but it's worth a shot for those of you trying the combo and still experiencing symptoms!!

Replied By Chrissy (Fayetteville, Nc) on 05/28/2010

Just wanted to say TY!! To all the ladies. I've seen results hours after douching with 1/2 water and 1/2 H202. I've always taken 1 800mcg Folic acid and also acidophilus with breakfast and then with dinner. But I still have slight itching. But no where near the degree as before. I've struggled with BV for two years and could not go to a doctor. I have no insurance. But I'll come back and update everyone after a week. So far the smell is gone and I have normal discharge. Thanks again.

Replied By Ne Ne (Chicago, Illinois) on 05/29/2010

Utilisation of hydrogen peroxide in the treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginosis.
[Article in English, Italian]

Cardone A, Zarcone R, Borrelli A, Di Cunzolo A, Russo A, Tartaglia E.

1st Obstetric and Gynecologic Clinic, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.

Abstract
AIM: The authors have evaluated the real efficacy of using hydrogen peroxide for previously treated recurrent bacterial vaginosis that is resistant to other forms of treatment. METHODS: The study included 58 women aged between 18 and 42 years old. Vaginal irrigations with 30 ml of hydrogen peroxide (3%) were prescribed in the evening for a week. The follow-up was carried out 3 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: The results clearly show that the use of hydrogen peroxide in vagina can eliminate the main symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, and in particular the malodorous leucoxanthorrhea in 89% of cases at 3 months after the end of treatment, a result that is comparable to that obtained using metronidazole or clindamycin as a vaginal cream. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide facilitates the restoration of normal vaginal bacterial flora (represented by H202-producing lactobacillus) in 100% of cases and normal acid pH (pH<4.5) in 98% of cases; it also fosters the disappearance of clue cells from vaginal smears and anaerobic pathogenic flora from vaginal secretions in 100% of cases. The amine test became negative in 97.8% of cases. All results underwent statistical analysis and were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Hydrogen peroxide represents a valid alternative to conventional treatments for recurrent bacterial vaginosis, and associates the absence of collateral effects with low costs, excellent tolerability and real therapeutic efficacy.

PMID: 14676737 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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