Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
In Jan. 2008, I tried the 1:1 H20/ Hydrogen Peroxide douche + acidophilous (2 after each meal) + folic acid (3 800mcg/day). At first it worked wonders, but because I had done all three at once I didn't know which was working or not. I waited a few days and only took the vitamins. The odor and discharge came back so I knew that the Hydrogen Peroxide had been the quick fix. I douched again and the smell disappeared, but came back by the end of the day. Every other day I tried the douche for about 2 weeks and I found that the cure was losing its potency. I know douching is bad and this shouldn't be done regularly. I stopped and decided to wait if the vitamins alone would work. A week later and nothing. So I took one of the acidophilus pills and put it way in my vagina. This actually worked a lot better than the hydrogen peroxide. However, I noticed after a few times that this had lost its potency too. I was really desperate. The remedies here were my last hope.
Then, I decided to completely analyze my lifestyle. I'm from Korea and I came to NY about 2 yrs ago. I noticed that the bv became serious after I came to the states. 1. Quit using fabric softener in laundry - instead I use vinegar and some drops of essential oils. If you read up on fabric softener you'll find out that it's really bad. I'd hardly used fabric softener in Korea and simply ran the rinse cycle twice. Since fs was something I'd started in the states it had to do with my pH imbalance. Regular soaps/detergents are alkaline, which is what makes washed things rough. In order to get it soft you have to rebalance the pH. Vinegar will do this. I put about 1/4 cup of white vin with some drops of tea tree and lavender essential oils. (The oils are choice. You don't need them if don't have them). Laundry smells Wonderful and not cloying like fs. It's logical to use natural substance for your laundry, especially underwear! And very necessary to keep your clothes pH balanced. Vinegar smell disappears through drying; don't worry.
2. I bought a large batch of KIMCHI and started eating it everyday with my meals. There is a LOT of acidophilus and bifidus in kimchi and I'd had hardly any intake of those good bateria. (I hadn't eaten yogurt because I get skin blemishes with dairy.)
3. Skin trouble or not, I bought a yogurt maker and have been eating homemade yogurt once a day. This is a good way to insure that you have a steady diet of yogurt and after a few tries you'll find that it's cheaper and healthier than storebought.
4. Reduced intake of sugar. This was the Hardest thing to do. I love a good dessert, but I had to stop. I let myself eat a cookie about once a week.
5. I quit smoking. I just had 1 or 2 cigarettes a day, but still it's toxic and I knew I had to STOP.
6. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT in my cure: I did an Eastern medical treatment called moxibustion. I really went back to my roots to cure myself. How moxibustion (or moxa cautery) works is there are these short paper-rolled stubs of wormwood that is stuck to a round clay foundation and their placed usually where the ailment is, and burned. You can picture a 1/4 inch cigarette butt sticking up from a teeny flowerpot; however it might look different because mine was sent to me by my mom and is for home use. Mind you, your skin isn't burned, simply warmed, but the wetness is dried up and toxins seep out through the burning process. If you're not Asian and don't know what I'm talking about go to an Asian medical specialist and tell them to do a moxibustion on your lower abdomen because you have an inflammation in the female area. In Eastern med, smelly discharge and all that women's trouble is said to be caused by a coldness in the lower body, and where there is wet, there is cold. You'll notice that the discharge keeps you cold in that area. You need to make your lower body warmed up again. I did the moxibustion and the discharge and smell was almost gone immediately. I did it a few more days (once a day) and it's COMPLETELY disappeared. Wow, all I had to do was go back to my roots.
Anyway, if you're unable to find an Asian medicine facility where you live... try some things to warm your lower ab. Don't wear jeans, especially tight jeans. Don't just sit down in cold areas - cold plastic subway seats are bad! If you have a hot water bottle, hold it against your lower belly. If you don't have a hot water bottle, use a heating pad or just put warm water into a PET bottle and use it. Drink lukewarm water and not cold refrigerated or ice water. However, I really recommend just a few times of Moxibustion. Everything else is a lifestyle change that should be kept up, but this is something that is direct.
But now I have another problem. I don't smell anymore, but my clothes and sheets still have that odor left in them. No amount of regular laundry will get rid of it. Do I have to get a new wardrobe or can someone help me rid of the stink?
Hi Soo,
I've never been diagnosed with BV but I have had the odor. Didn't get rid of it until I quit using soap for bathing (learned this from a lovely lady in her 60's about 30 years ago - she had never used deoderant but you didn't fall backwards when she lifted her arms. She said "My daddy was a chemist and he always told us that if you didn't use soap, you didn't need it because soap is what makes you stink." By Ned, I found that she (or rather her daddy) was right!
For your problem with the odor in your wardrobe and bed linens, I suggest you try adding 1 cup of ACV to your final rinse in laundering them. I think you will like the results.
(New York, NY)
06/19/2008
I have continued to take the acidophilous (Nature's way primadaphilous bifius- works great) once a day. I also take one folic acid (800mcg) per day. I continued to use a bit of vinegar and essential oils in the rinse cycle of my laundry and within about 4 washes any residual smell has disappeared from my clothes. I've learned that not smoking is vital in this.
I did the moxibustion treatment about 4 more times since I wrote here. Two times in April and two in May right after my period ended because the BV came back after my period.
However, a week has past since my period this month in June and there are absolutely no symptoms of BV. I've hardly given BV a thought for the past month and a half. That's how clean and fresh I feel.
So here are what must be kept up. The acidophilous, folic acid, no smoking, drastically less sugar intake, and eating lots of greens.
I learned that chlorophyll works wonders as an internal deodorant. I also take 2 table spoons of chlorophyll a day since I'm single and it's difficult to eat a ton of greens every day. Don't give up! It's taken me half a year since I started treating myself with these natural remedies. Thank you and good luck to all!
Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
(Ohio)
08/16/2016
BV is not an STD. I asked my gyno and looked it up it isn't an STD even girls that aren't sexually active can get it.
Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
(Sandusky, Ohio, 44870)
10/25/2010
Right on!! Condoms, thong underwear, sweat, baths, non cotton underwear, just about anything can give me BV. One thing that helped alot was washing my cotton underwear seperately in a fragrance free, all natural, coconut oil based detergent (kind you get in the health food store, or the natural, "greenie" section of wal mart). I wash my other clothes in Gain. I use seventh generation brand. My infections stopped around the time I started doing this.
(Barrie, Ontario)
08/14/2011
hmmmm.... But not using the condoms will pass it back and forth to your partner and the condition will continue ;-( Sex with my husband was sparse when I was nursing the kids and I NEVER had discharge at all or even a yeast infection, now that we are back to as much as I can get (LOL) it seems EVERY time I have sex with him, I end up with an infection!!! Arghhh I've got both of us on GSE, oil of oregano and parasite herbs right now because I'm tired of this shit... I take really good care of myself, eat well, fast, zap, I've done Rife Therapy, ozone therapy, high dose vitamin c, fulvic/humic acid, had my amalgams removed blah blah and he now he is working on the road all the time, he eats like crap, gained weight, is cranky and has athletes foot and is probabably full of candida and who knows what else... I'm thinking condoms are the way to go LOL
(Virginia)
01/18/2017
Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
Multivitamin, Probiotics
★★★★★
- multivitamin pills (which included 0.4 mg floric acid)
- 50 capsules of a probiotic mixture which caught my attention as I was looking in the store for acidophilus. Each capsule contains:
300 million bifidobacterium bifidum
300 million bifidobacterium longum
300 million lactobacillus acidophilus
5.1 billion lactobacillus rhamnosus
For 5 days I used the following remedy:
1 multivitamin
2 capsules of probiotic taken orally (morning and evening)
1 capsule of probiotic inserted in vag. (at bedtime)
On the 3rd day I observed a slight improvement
On the 4th day, I observed considerable improvement
On the 6th day I stopped inserting the capsule in the vigina. (and the discharge was negligeable the next morning)
I have had no discharge since then!!
On the 9th day I stopped taking the multivitamins
Very soon, I will reduce the probiotics to one a day orally (and replace with probiotic yougurt in my diet)
I hope this information can help others. I also switched to 100% cotton and only white underwear.
I had tried the diluted H2O2 wash twice a day, but soon gave it up, because I had a better cleaner feeling from using very mild unscented soap.
(Memphis, Tn)
12/07/2009
Hi Simi,
I have been suffering from yeast then BV for almost a week now. I think it started as yeast but turned into BV now. (I had to take some antibiotic a week before for urinary tract infection and then I started to have white chunky discharge). I also follow the remedies which suggested by many people on this site but it has not cleared (it has been 5 days now).
I am taking 1 garlic supplement, 2 L. Acidophilus capsules and 1 multivitamin (I use Folic Acid on the first 2 days but then slow down since my mutivatamin has folic acid). I also inserted 1 L. Acidophilus capsule two nights ago. The first morning after I tried the L. Acidophilus in vagina, I felt a lot better. I then insert another one few hours after I woke up and one later in the afternoon. I then started to have itchiness and irritation on my vagina. The white chunky discharge seems almost gone but I started to have light ivory color discharge. The discharge is more liquid form with a light smell. The smell is not fish at all, not like most people with BV. It is a very light smell. I think I may insert too frequanly. Did you have the similar discharge after you use the probiotic capsule in vag?
I stop insert it in my vag since I am not sure if I am actually making my condition worst by insert more bacteria. Please let me know if you also have discharge and how you feel during the treatment. Maybe I just need to limit to one at night. Thank you!
(Montreal, Quebec)
12/07/2009
Hello Dameimei,
I suspect that 1 capsule a day would do the job (at bedtime). The discharge I had seemed to be similar to yours (no smell, transluscent witish-grey color). It was all gone after 5 days of treatment with the probiotic capsules. You are probably not using the same type of capsules that I used (my bottle specified that they were for restoring vaginal flora).
Anyway, you're on the right track. Don't give up!
(Memphis, Tn)
12/07/2009
Hi Simi,
Thank you for replying. You are right, I use the same capsule as the one I take orally. That must be the problem.. My condition was better for a day but then started to get worse.. Good thing I stop after one day. My vag is now swollen a bit and irritated. I need to find the right type for inserting. Once again, thank you!
(Memphis, Tn)
12/07/2009
Hi Simi,
I searched the web but I am not sure which product to get.. Does the capsule you use for vaginal insert has a vaginal use label on it? or is the same type you use orally? I can't find a probiotic for vaginal use contains as much as the one you use. I was at our local healthy food store for a hour today but I didn't find anything close to your neither (the contains of the probiotic). I know this site does not allow member to mention about the brand name so I know it's a bit tough to describe but I really need help. Thank you for all your advise, I really appreciate it!
EC: If you search "probiotics for restoring vaginal flora" on google you will find the brand!
Sorry, we've had hundreds of fake submissions over the years on the bacterial vaginosis section in particular, so we don't want to mention the brand name.
(Montreal, Quebec)
12/08/2009
Hi Dameimei,
I should clarify that the product I used specified ORAL use. I used 2 capsules a day orally, but added a third capsule in vag based on recommendations from others on this web site and from similar recommendations found on another site. I strongly suspect that the main factor responsible for my 5-day cure was the capsule inserted in vag. (a nurse I had consulted early on had recommended to use yoghurt in vag but I thought that was a messy solution...glad I found the capsules instead). If you don't find the product I used, I found an alternative product on the internet and it seems very promising: each capsule contains 5 billion live organisms, a mixture of:
lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus reteri.
In this case also the bottle specifies ORAL use but the web site hints that using in vag would produce faster results. Good luck!
(Sandusky, Oh)
05/01/2010
★★★★★
Yes!! Vitamins are the number one key factor for teating BV. I was taking folic acid and a multi vitamin for a while and that seemed to work for about a year, but then I started getting them again. I reado somewhere your body can get used to vitamins and build a tolerance over time.
Super B complex!!!! B vitamins. I did A TON of reaearch, because, ever since I was 22, I HAVE SUFFERED with BV, and yeast infections, AND bladder infections. I read that many women prone to chronic yeast infections have a b vitamin defiency. I started adding a b vitamin complex to the regime, and also, I do the tea tree oil douche, and I take alot of raw garlic in my diet, (in cooking, etc) works great.
Olive Leaf Extract
★★★★☆
(Washington, Dc)
01/17/2012
I've almost read the entire thread and wanted to add my two cents. I've also suffered from BV, though I really didn't realize it until the last 4-5 years. I'll be honest in saying that I don't really know the cause of it, but after going to a few doctors I realized they had no idea on how to treat/cure it. In fact, I was told there was not cure for it. So I managed to just deal with it by doing a lot of the stuff by other listed on this site.
Interestingly enough, I started doing the Master Cleanse (referred to as the Lemon Aid Diet) to detox my system. I did it two times last year and started again this month. However, the last time I did it, I noticed that my pH was MUCH better, though still had a slight discarge but was nowhere near the color and it did not have an odor to it at all. But when I came off of the diet, it went back to what it previously had been (milky yellowish tent with an odor that apparently only I could smell). And of course, while some days were better than others and no one knew other than myself, I became extremely selfconcious about to the point that it affected my sex life.
So this time around, I bought the strips to test my pH levels before starting and I was at 7.5. After starting the cleanse and a few days into it, I tested myself again and I was down to 5.5. A week later, I was down to 4.5. However I noticed a difference in my scent the very next day after I started the diet.
So what I decided to do was incorporate the "cleanse" drink into my everyday eating. I am changing my eating habit and of course exercising now but I drink a smoothie in the morning (that I make each morning with various fruits, spinach and carrots). I drink about 6 18oz cups a day of the lemonade solution throught the day and with my meals. I also try to drink at least 32oz of water each day. I eat soup and salad for lunch and eat a pretty normal dinner but before 7pm. While I eat more baked fish and chicken, I make 1 weekend day a cheat day where I can eat anywhere from pizza, fried chicken, steak... whatever (but within moderation of course).
And while I just started doing all of this (this is week 3) I have noticed that my pH levels are pretty normal now with the last 3 tests I've done.
This may not work for everyone else... But so far, it's working for me. I just wanted to share my experience.
Olive Leaf Extract
★★★★★
Olive Leaf Extract
★★★★★
Oregano Oil
★★★★★
Thank you for sharing! It worked! I mixed 4 drops oregano oil with 1 tablespoon coconut oil, each night.
Also, every night before bed, I mix one teaspoon coconut oil with one drop oregano n rub it all over the external genitalia.
No more fishy smell or discharge!
You will notice this from the 3rd day onwards. No need for suppositories. Just do that regimen.
I take 1000 mg vit c and zinc per day and 2000 mg d3. Just to help my system. But It totally cleared after the coconut/ oregano oil mix.
Hope this helps.
Relax, don't give up, smile and be happy.
(Not Canada)
06/28/2020
Oregano Oil
★★★★★
I got another BV infection. Once I felt it come on I immediately started using a tea tree oil tampon. My boss had told me she's used that before and it worked wonders and it was much easier than the more messy suppositories. I used that for 3 days, per her instruction. After that I still didn't feel ok so I went to the Dr to get an actual diagnosis to make sure it wasn't yeast. The Dr confirmed it was BV and sent it to the lab. I went home and did the tea tree for 7 days thinking maybe it wasn't long enough the first time. I just dropped about 10-20 drops on a light tampon and inserted it and changed it out every 8 hrs. While I was doing that the lab confirmed it was a mild infection. After the 7 days of tea tree tampons I did my 14 days of the boric acid, coconut oil and probiotic suppositories just to be on the safe side. When that was done I was sure it must be gone but 48 hrs later I started getting symptoms again and feeling a little feverish. Back to the dr I went. She confirmed the infection was still there and still mild. I told her I was not taking an antibiotic and she was totally supportive. She suggested 3 wks of straight boric acid at night. I got capsules and filled them with boric acid and inserted one in the morning and at night for 3 wks. I felt better for a bit and then didn't toward the end of the 3 wks which was also my period. I was also drinking ACV at 2 tbsp 2x a day and that didn't seem to be helping either.
My diet is already very clean. I am on a modified GAPS diet where I drink homemade bone broths, only organic/grass fed meats, organic eggs, organic veggies, no sugar, no chemicals, no preservatives, no grains. So there is not much I could attribute or change in my diet.
I came back onto earth clinic and found the posts for Oregano Oil. I've heard it's awesome as an antibiotic and have other friends that have used it for other kinds of infections. I did some more research and decided to give it a shot. I decided to attack it from a couple angles this time. I got some Wild Oil of Oregano Oreganol. You can find it at Whole Foods or Amazon. Amazon is cheaper. Get the regular strength NOT the super strength. Not all oregano oils are the same so research them well, there needs to be a high level of carvacrol.
I started taking it at 6 drops a day 3x a day in water. AND I created suppositories using organic coconut oil, 4 drops Oreganol and 4 drops DoTerra tea tree oil. To make the suppositories I took a 1/2 tbsp measuring spoon and solid coconut oil. Filled the spoon and made a little well in the center with my finger. I put the 8 drops in the well and covered it with more solid coconut oil, wrapped it in plastic wrap (or put in a sandwich baggie) and put it into the freezer for 20-30 minutes. Inserted it in the morning and at night. You must wear a pad when you do this. During the day you can change it to a panty liner once you're sure all the stuff has leaked out. You will smell like oregano oil but not so much that people with notice, just when you go to the bathroom you can smell it.
I did this for 4 wks just to be on the safe side. I definitely felt better after the first 2 wks but I didn't want to risk it coming back. I did it from one period straight through to the next one. This time when I period hit my symptoms didn't get worse. That was encouraging.
I went to the Dr again yesterday and he said my swab looked completely normal. I am a little irritated on the outside and he prescribed a cream to help with that. Not sure if that is from the oregano oil or just from 3 months of BV. Either way I was so relieved it was gone I almost cried.
2 months ago I also started oil pulling again so I am not sure how much that helped. If you don't know what that is you should research it. It's an ancient healing practice, keeps your gums super healthy (even if you don't floss) and helps to remove toxins, bacteria, yeast and all bad stuff from your body without removing the good stuff.
Oregano Oil
★★★★★
Oregano Oil
★★★★★
I took a teaspoon of olive oil in a medicine dosage cup and mixed 4 drops of oil of oregano in it and drank it every day for two weeks. I also took half a teaspoon of olive oil in a small syringe, no needle attached, and mixed 4 drops of oil of oregano and put it inside my vagina at night and tried to keep it in there for as long as I could. It burned a lot on the first day for almost 5 to 10 minutes but then it wasn't that bad from the second day. I used it for 6 days in a row and used some yogurt on the 7th day at the bedtime. I slept with a thin pad on so the oil wouldn't go to other areas and burn me there. I repeated the same on the second week. At the beginning of the third week I got my periods. I didn't drink or put the oil inside me during my periods. Also, this time I used pads instead of tampons. It's been 3 days since my periods ended and I didn't see any BV symptoms, otherwise I used to start smelling the fishy odor towards the 4th or the 5th day of my periods.
Another thing I did is I completely abstained from having sex during the treatment. Yesterday I had sex with my hubby the first time in over three weeks and I still feel okay. I think his semen is way too alkaline to mess up my pH level. I think I will go back to drinking the oil but not put anything inside me anymore unless I see the symptoms again. Please feel free to ask any questions you have. I understand what a nuisance this disease is and how it affects us physically and emotionally.
Good luck!