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.
79 User Reviews
Posted by Mo (Anderson, In) on 10/17/2018
★★★★☆
I never knew I had BV, until maybe 2 years ago, when my doctor called and told me my pap showed it. I got mines from sex. Even though I've only slept with one person, somehow we don't mix (this is what I call it). I noticed a scent (not quite fishy), but not pleasant. I also just didn't feel right down there, so for a few years, I would always drink cranberry juice mixed with vinegar after sex. This helped for the most part. I also would use bv gel applicators. These work too, but it's only a temporary fix. I soon started doing research and thought maybe I had BV (didn't know for sure until that dr visit) and treated it as such. When my doctor confirmed this, I got a prescription and it did go away, but soon that feeling returned and I did not want to be on a continuous cycle of antibiotics. After researching more, I started taking acidophilus. I only buy the ones with over 1 Billion active cultures. I now take these tablets at least once a day. I also double up on them after too much sex. I'm usually fine unless I slip up and stop for a few days. This has been a savior and I will continue to take them. I no longer have to keep cranberry juice and vinegar around which would take way longer to clear symptoms (acidophilus only takes about a day or 2). Hope this helps someone.
Acidophilus
Posted by Anon (New Jersey) on 12/03/2015
★★★★★
BV: I douche with acidophilus. I took 5 capsules and poured into douche and I have been doing it for 2 days and omg what results!! I try inserting it directly into vagina but it never worked but the douching with it worked like a charm. I googled and there is a study in it!! Just google douche acidophilus bv and it will pop up. the study did it for 6 days so I'm gonna do it the next 4 days. this is the ONLY thing that has worked for me. I'VE tried tea oil, vit insert vaginally, acv, and 2 prescription meds....nothing worked but this. I feel great!!! I also continue to take vit e, c, 400 of folic acid, multi vit, zinc and magnesium calcium (all in one pill), and 1 acidophilus pill orally. I don't know if I have to continue with the vit but I've been doing it for a while.
Acidophilus
Posted by Cassandra (Oxford, Ms) on 07/19/2015
★★★★★
I have used acidophilus tablets after clearing BV infection with 7 days of hydrogen peroxide douches. Used acidophilus every other day for 2 weeks by crushing it and putting it as far in vagina as I could. Now just doing twice weekly. No symptoms since I started it.
Replied by lauren
(TN - Tennessee)
06/04/2022
Acidophilus
Posted by Diamond (Ma.) on 01/13/2015
★★★★★
I have done so many re-searches I almost gave up, my Dr. kept telling me I had a yeast infection, another Dr.told me different etc. I was constantly and continuously given anitbiotics until for some reason they stopped working and/or it reversed the cause, I came very close to having a heart attack because of over use of antibiotics. I have recently found I have a fungal virus, I have been treating my problem with pro-biotics then moved onto Siggi's 100% acidophilus and inserted it into my vagina with a small syringe (with-out needle) I feel great already. One of my younger sisters died from brain cancer/mold, my older brother (Toxins) mold died & two of my nephews died from cancer/mold, my aunt in her mid-eighties turned black like charcoal/mold. She too died. My older brother died in his fifties from a heart attack/mold. This is what doctors will not tell us.
Acidophilus
Posted by Qwerty7586 (United Kingdom) on 11/23/2013
I've sufferred from BV for about 5 years now but only started looking into treatments just recently. I'm 19 and I am not sexually active (never had sex) but got bv from irritation from soaps/shower jels. Drs wont help me as they pretend like there's nothing wrong with me so I'm trying to fix this myself. I've bought acidophilus tablets for digestive health but it says "take 1 tablet a day". I don't think it's working much as I've been taking them for a week now. Is it because I'm taking them orally? Should I put them in vaginally? Or do you need special tablets for the vagina? I dont really want to stick anything up there as I can barely fit anything in! I'm also taking multivitamins and tried the apple cider vinegar bath. I dont even know if the apple cider worked as I cant really smell the odour myself most of the time! Only other people can. Please could someone answer my questions as I am feeling a little lost at the moment. Should I try the hydrogen peroxide douche too? I'm a little scared to try douches!
Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
11/23/2013
Replied by Rsw
(Uniontown, Oh)
11/23/2013
Replied by
Jill (Nc)
11/25/2013
86 posts
Replied by Sindee
(Santa Cruz, Ca)
12/15/2013
Replied by Reb
(Wichita, Ks)
12/31/2013
Replied by Nicole
(Iowa, US)
01/16/2015
★★★★★
Replied by Michelle
(Marysville Ca)
11/29/2015
Acidophilus
Posted by Healthyh (Austin, Texas, Usa) on 07/09/2013
I am so happy to have found this website. I have felt like such an outcast for so long because of my BV. It's not something you typically talk about to your friends and honestly who wants to openly admit that they have issues with smelling... Down there? and I mean I have been struggling with this issue for years. It's destroyed my confidence and has really done a number on me psyche lol. Anyways today I am starting the Acidophilus treatment. I bought one that has 14 billion cultures and I inserted 3 today and will do 2 tomorrow and 1 the following day. I also am taking echinacea/goldenseal orally. So hopefully this will have some effect and I'll be able to return here with positive results. Thanks everyone for all the helpful comments I wouldn't know where to start otherwise.
Acidophilus
Posted by Caligirl (Bakersfield, Ca, Usa) on 05/16/2013
★★★★★
Acidophilus for BV: Hello all... I have suffered from bv since I was very young. I believe I had it from the first time I had my period. (Now in my mid 30's) I did not know that I had it until a few years ago but I had tried discussing the odor with doctors and they would just say they did not notice it and I was probably self conscious about it. I finally read about it online and then had to insist on getting tested and of course I had it. The meds do not work for me and it just comes right back often within days. I have tried all kinds of cures from vitamins, diets, pro-biotics, folic acid, yogurt, inserting yogurt, soaking in peroxide, etc etc. I did not try douching though because I am afraid it would make it worse. I pretty much just learned to live with it and showered multiple times per day to get rid of the odor or wore pads if that wasn't possible. Recently, the symptoms had started getting worse with not only the odor but itching and burning. I went to our local health food store and began telling a lady who my family knows there about it and she suggested pro-biotics. I told her I had already tried a few different kinds and she encouraged me not to give up on them because they all have different strains and dosages. I asked her which she would recommend and she gave me a couple. One was a probiotic formula for women which I decided to go ahead and try it (sort of reluctantly because I already spend too much money on trying to solve this). I could tell a difference in the itching and burning within a couple days and the odor has consistantly gotten better. I have been on them for about a month now and I cannot believe the difference. It was kind of amazing to me because I have tried alot of probiotics and not cheap ones either! I wanted to pass this on for all of you who have suffered with this and hopefully it can help some of you too :)
Replied by Maria
(Miami, Fl)
07/11/2013
Replied by Christina
(Dallas)
09/01/2013
Replied by Caligirl
(California)
09/02/2013
Replied by Brendam
(Denver, Co)
02/07/2014
Replied by Nanowriter
(Hotspot, Texas)
02/07/2014
Replied by Rs
(Ca)
02/08/2014
Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
02/09/2014
Replied by Caligirl
(Bakersfield, Ca)
03/11/2014
Replied by Bee
(New York)
03/11/2014
Replied by Caligirl
(Bakersfield, Ca)
03/19/2014
Replied by Linda
(Florida)
02/24/2015
Replied by T
(Pa)
11/14/2015
★★★★★
Replied by A96
(London)
12/28/2016
Acidophilus
Posted by Beehive (London, England) on 04/09/2013
I hope this post will help some women. I never ever suffered with bv ever in my life. I didnt even know such a thing existed. I met a new man, we got intimate and suddenly I had this disgusting odour. The strange thing was that regardless of whether he used a condom or not I still got the infection. Note that when he used a condom the infection would take longer to develop. When a condom was not used the infection would develop the following day. A smelly discharge and an extremely dry vagina. Eventually I cleared the infection and was able to keep it away.
After having sex, the very next day I would insert 5 acidophilus capsules in my vagina as far as they would go. I did not poke holes in the capsules. The uncomfortable dry feeling would disappear within a few minutes. The day after I would insert 3 capsules. The third day after I would insert one capsule. I also started eating a lot of live full fat greek yogurt during the rest of the time. My vagina actually started smelling good enough to eat ;) One thing I did notice about my boyfriend's semen was that it was extremely thick and sticky and did not "leak" out of my body. It seemed to stay in my body and start rotting in there. Anyway, I split up with him and met someone new. I was a little afraid that I might suffer in the same way with my new man. His semen was not overly thick and sticky and leaked out of my body after we had sex. I did not get bv again. I was so relieved that the cause of the bv did not lie with me. Anyway, my old boyfriend got married and I think his wife is getting the same problem as I was when I was with him. She has accused him of cheating on her and they are now separated after only being married 8 months. My old boyfriend is a body builder and drinks alot of those protein drinks but does not drink water or eat fruit and vegetables. So the problem definitely lies with him. Note that I did get the infection even when we used a condom. I have put this down to the fact that the sex was rougher when a condom was used so I may have been getting injured internally which meant an infection could take hold. To summarise, eat plenty of LIVE yogurt. Insert about 5 acidophilus capsules as soon as possible after having sex. This means that the good bacteria will not allow the bad bacteria to take hold. Also note that the good bacteria keeping the vagina fresh by producing hydrogen peroxide so there is no need for you to douche with hydrogen peroxide.
Replied by Sunny
(Ca)
11/09/2013
Replied by Caligirl
(Bakersfield)
12/08/2013
Replied by Samara
(India)
05/02/2017
Acidophilus
Posted by Jessica (Houston, Tx) on 05/16/2012
hey guys. Im glad I found this post... This is probably the best site ive seen about bv. I recently started having this problem because im on the depo shot, so I wont get pregnant, so my bf doesnt pull out... I didnt know I could get bv because of that. It makes sense, because that is not very sanitary.. So now im suffering from bv every once in a while. I usualy have it for a few days, then it goes away from a month, then it come back. Today I bought a $10 acidiphilis & liquid b12 that the guy there recommended. Hopefully this works.. But I also bought 3% peroxide.. But im not sure how to use it.. :( do I just mix it with 1/2 water& rinse down there? or do I have to use a syringe?
Acidophilus
Posted by Stephanie (Dallas, Tx) on 04/19/2012
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all the information.... I've been struggling with BV for years now and is tried of going to the doctor once or twice a month for the same medication. After reading through multiple stories I'm going to try using Folic Acid and Acidophilus. I wasn't sure what to purchase so I purchase two bottles of Acidophilus one in the capsules and one in the caplets. I want to try to insert acidophilus but not sure if I should insert the capsules or caplets. Would someone let me know the difference or does it matter. For now I'm just going to orally take the folic acid and acidophilus pills. Thanks again ladies.
Acidophilus
Posted by Bridget (Montevallo, Al) on 02/28/2012
Hi ladies! I've been dealing with BV for almost ten months now, and I'm really ready to get rid of it. I've been taking garlic pills and acidophilus pills twice a day after meals, but I really would like to try the "acidophilus paste" that some of you have recommended. I've tried it twice, but I think I might be using too much water, because it doesn't look anything like a paste. I mash up the pill in a bowl, add water, mix it, and do my best to get the mixture into one of those vaginal-insert things that often come with antibiotics (after it's been thoroughly washed with soap and warm water). Is there a more efficient way of doing this? Should I be buying distilled water just for this purpose?
I also have tried tea tree oil after reading some of the replies on this website, and it truly only caused me to have a horrible burning sensation. How do you ladies use the tea tree oil? Maybe I didn't dilute it enough. I would appreciate some more details on either of these methods!
Replied by Marina
(Grants Pass, Oregon)
03/02/2012
Replied by Cecilia
(Dallas, United States)
03/28/2012
Replied by Zerbo's Health
(Livonia, Mi)
04/04/2012
Replied by Sherri
(Brooklyn, Ny)
04/06/2012
Replied by Marina
(Grants Pass, Or)
04/07/2012
Replied by Marina
(Grants Pass, Or)
04/07/2012
Replied by Sherri
(Brooklyn, Ny)
04/09/2012
Replied by Margaret
(Cooktown, Queensland, Australia)
04/20/2012
Replied by Trina
(Charlotte, Nc)
05/02/2012
Replied by Nikki1983
(Birmingham, Al)
05/17/2012
Replied by Lakeha
(Birmingham, Alabama)
07/12/2012
Replied by Confusedintexas
(Sherman, Tx)
08/28/2012
Replied by Sherri
(New York, Ny)
11/21/2012
Replied by Dyann
(Dallas, Tx)
11/22/2012
Replied by Sherri
(Ny)
11/27/2012
Replied by Dyann
(Dallad, Tx)
11/29/2012
Replied by Sweet Tee
(Laurel, Maryland)
01/03/2013
Replied by Healthyh
(Austin, Texas, Usa)
07/09/2013
Replied by Mama To Many
(Middle, Tennessee, Usa)
07/10/2013
Replied by Yuma
(Calgary, Ab, Canada)
11/30/2013
Replied by Shan
(British Columbia, CA)
12/17/2014
Acidophilus
Posted by Gin (Bristol, Connecticut) on 01/23/2012
★★★★★
My doctor told me to open a acidophilus capsule, mix it with water to make a bit of a paste, and insert it. I have to do this after sex because that's when I get issues. So far it has worked wonders. I've been doing it for about a month or so and have no adverse effects. Only problem is that the powder in the capsule DOESN'T mix with water so I mix it the best I can, and use a small plastic tongue depresser type thing and insert it that way.
Replied by Nellybop
(Orlando, Fl)
01/30/2012
Replied by Mel
(Piscataway, New Jersey)
01/31/2012
Replied by Mandy
(Ny)
02/01/2012
Replied by Happy_az_now
(Perth, Wa, Australia)
02/20/2012
Replied by Shay
(Phenix City, Al)
02/27/2012
Replied by Sherri
(Brooklyn, Ny)
02/27/2012
Replied by Shay
(Phenix City, Al)
02/28/2012
Replied by Jb9397
(Hagerstown, Md, Usa)
02/28/2012
Replied by Frustrated
(San Francisco, Ca)
02/29/2012
Replied by Sheri
(Ny, Brooklyn)
03/02/2012
Replied by Shay
(Phenix City, Alabama)
03/07/2012
Replied by Sherri
(Brooklyn, Ny)
03/07/2012
Replied by Garlicme
(Toronto, On, Can)
06/25/2012
Replied by Mariah
(Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States)
08/19/2012
Replied by Lissa
(Savannah, Ga)
03/23/2013
Replied by Soreone2
(San Diego, Ca, Usa)
04/04/2013
Replied by Cynde
(Garland, Tx)
05/30/2013
Acidophilus
Posted by Nicole (Sewell, Nj) on 11/22/2011
Hi,
I have been dealing with BV for years and have read all of the remedies on this site. I've already tried the yogurt and it didn't work so I am going to try the acidophilus pills inserted in the vagina. My local health store only carries capsule form and I was wondering if this was safe to insert in the vagina. Also, if anyone has done this, I would love to hear if it worked for you. Thanks!
Replied by Bvfree
(Walterboro, Sc)
11/24/2011
Replied by Esthar
(London, Uk)
11/30/2011
Replied by Momat27
(Union City, Ga)
12/02/2011
Replied by Momat27
(Union City, Ga)
12/02/2011
Replied by Rose
(Tupelo, Ms/usa)
01/11/2012
Replied by Sheri
(Ny, My)
01/16/2012
Replied by Pregnant And Frusterated
(Ny)
01/21/2012
Replied by Star
(Portland, Or)
01/21/2012
Replied by Soraya
(Oakland, Ca)
02/07/2012
Replied by Showlove
(Fairborn, Oh, U.s.a)
04/05/2012
Replied by Linda
(Hilo, Hawaii)
04/07/2012
Replied by Kvee
(Los Angeles, Ca/USA)
07/29/2012
Replied by Silver Star
(Palo Alto, Ca)
10/03/2012
Replied by Paris
(St. Petersburg, Florida)
02/20/2013
Acidophilus
Posted by Mary (Oconomowoc, Wi, Usa) on 11/22/2011
★★★★★
Thank you ladies and Earth Clinic. I'm 40, and had my first symptoms of BV 2 1/2 months ago after a round of antibiotic and a new partner. I have had NO SYMPTOMS at all since I combined a multivitamin that is FORMULATED for women (400 mcg of Folic Acid) and 50 Billion acidophilus. The KEY is not to get regular, or even refrigerated acidophilus because your body will digest it in the stomach and very little gets to the place it needs to repopulate the flora. I tried regular stuff at first and it helped but did not cure. Buy the delayed release acidophilus which sold at health stores for vaginal health. This acidophilus gets digested in the intestines and WILL repopulate the good flora. Thanks to all that posted, and good luck to everyone. No one should have to have this problem ongoing.
Replied by Stefduzhair
(Las Vegas, Nevada)
04/10/2012
Acidophilus
Posted by Yay For This Site (Oconomowoc, Wi) on 10/17/2011
★★★★★
Wow so grateful to have this site and thanks to all of the wonderful contributors. I am 40 and just got my first experience with BV about a month ago. Thought it was a yeast infection but the symptoms weren't right and treating for that only gave me a bladder infection. I tried the Hydrogen Peroxide on a tampon with NO improvement whatsoever, so decided to try this. I took 800 mcg of Folic Acid morning and night for the first 3 days and a FloraJen (20 million) (on an empty stomach) and then I only took one 800 mcg Folic Acid and one FloraJen per day after that. I got my girlie days after I started, so I don't know exactly how long it took, however after one week at the maximum, I have NO MORE SYMPTOMS at all. Yay!! Thanks everyone, hope you all find yourselves happy and healthy.