Acidophilus for BV

Acidophilus

Posted by Liz (Athens, Georgia) on 05/07/2009

So I've been reading about natural cures for BV, such as aciophilus. I decided I'd try to take two tablets of the acidophilis orally and insert one vaginally. I did it once last night and once this morning. The tablets I've been taking have two billion live bacteria per two caplets. It's (lactobacillus acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, bifidobacterium bifidum, L. salivarius, and S. thermophilus). Toward the middle of the day, I noticed that I have a bright yellow discharge. Do you know what may be causing this sudden change in the color of my discharge? Please help. It's freaking me out.

Thanks,
Liz

Acidophilus

Posted by Anonymous (Somewhere, USA) on 01/01/2009

This worked for me:

I applied raw unfiltered ACV with cotton ball a couple times a day for a few days. Then I applied coconut oil topically a couple times a day for a few days. Itch went away.

For discharge due to BV, borax in gel capsule inserted vaginally every night for a few nights takes care of it. Two weeks is probably best. Underlying reason is, I believe, weak immune system, so try to work on general health improvement.

Hope this helps.

Acidophilus

Posted by Phyllis (Singapore) on 01/03/2009

I was suffering the same fate a few years back and relize it first started after many round of antibiotics. The itch normally comes 1 week before my period and will drag on until the 2nd day of manustrating. I have tried antibiotic, anti fungal insertion, probiotic orally but all the above did not help. What finally worked was garlic pills. After 1 month of garlic pills ( 2-3 pills daily), the itch was less prior to my period. I continued for another few months and the itch finally left. I've also tried inserting tempons soaked in yogurt (containing good bacteria) and it has also helped.

Acidophilus

Posted by Tracers39 (Indiana, Usa) on 07/31/2011

Like many of you, I too suffer from Chronic BV. I have gone to the same Gyno for years now and have tested negative for STD's. I do have a thyroid issue and an auto immune dissorder called Graves. I have often wondered if the two could be related in some strange way, though my Gyno assures me that isn't possible.

I don't really think they know one way or the other because not enough research has been done to find out the root cause, and definately not enough open minds who are willing to accept that however improbable, once all the other possibilities have been exhausted, must be the truth.

I've always believed that if you get to the root of the issue the symptoms will vanish, if the root is fixable. This brings me here.

Since I've delt with this for a year now, I've gone through the same obstical course with ani-biotics, gels, douches, yogurt, and several brands of Pro-biotic. It always comes back. The smell changes now and then but it's still BV.

I had recently gotten over a nasty cold which had me on 3 different anti-biotics for a full month. It pretty much took care of the BV for longer than anything else had. During that time I was eating Probiotics like candy and it seemed to reallly keep the BV away for a full month after I stopped taking the antibiotics....... But it still came back. However, this time it seems less sevear as it was before.

I've upped my dose and will try inserting a tablet direclty into my vagina and will add Folic acid to everything else. I've also started taking the BV capsules again, the kind with Borax in them. If this doesn't work I'm going to try adding a good Pre-biotic in combination with everything else. It seems silly to inundate your system with the good bacteria you need and then not give them the support they need to flourish. I've been told by my Gyno that it wouldn't do much good to add the pre-biotic, but then again they can't get rid of my BV either.

We shall see.

Acidophilus

Posted by Confusedintexas (Sherman, Tx) on 09/25/2011

Hey, guys back again.

Much hasn't changed except that I've bounced from yeast back to BV again, yaaaay! I recently ordered Candida Cleanse from Valeris Saxion and I think it's helping, it has Pau d'Arco and is 100% natural, which is how I like it! I'm still struggeling and am beginning to get very depressed and scared I will never have a normal vag.

I tried intercourse last night, bad decision, and had intense burning and stabbing pains. I woke up really irritated and sticky this morning so I tried soaking in baking soda and apple cider vinegar, it worked miracles!

I've stopped douching all together, since I don't want to upset the balance anymore than it already is and have ran out of all my supplements and probiotics so I must restock up on more. Only thing that has really changed is the consistency of discharge once again, so I don't really know if what I'm trying is working.

I thought it was because I was discharge free for a good two months and then I was hit the whammy again.

I'm going to start trying to insert the acidophillus since I haven't tried that yet and have just been taking things orally trying to get my digestive tract under control (I think I've got IBS).

I read on here something about Oak Galls and have recently read up on it. I'm thinking about giving it a shot since I've already tried everything else.

Best luck to all of you and I hope this will end SOON, cause I feel like giving up,

ConfusedinTexas

Acidophilus

Posted by Michelle (Marysville Ca) on 11/29/2015

I know that your post is way back in 2013 but to answer your question, you can get a liquid acidophilus at Walgreens and Raley's. It's not gross, you just drink a little bit, like maybe as much as you would a liquid cough medicine .

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 Christina (Dallas) on 09/01/2013

The probiotic that the previous poster is talking about starts with the word FEMD... It is made especially for females. I don't think we are allowed to mention brand names. It is refrigerated and available to buy at health food stores. This is the best one for bacterial vaginosis, Anytime I have bacterial vaginosis I take this and folic acid together twice a day until it clears up. Probably for about a week.

Acidophilus

Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 02/09/2014

Hello RS from CA...

You say you're on a mission to tell the world about Boric acid. Boric is certainly multi purpose for killing bacteria.

I like it when folks are working to help others. Question for you: The bacteria keeps coming back and the Boric acid in capsules works topically to rid the problem in the immediate.

Apparently the bacteria is still floating around in the system and finds its way back to the problem area. One might consider using colloidal silver (at least two tablespoons daily) on empty stomach for a month or so to see if the CS can knock out the bacteria system wide?

I am on a mission to tell the world about the benefits of CS (and am totally open to any other anti bacterial/viral/ fungal that is helpful along the same lines). I am also very fond of the herb Echinacea. That herb in liquid form used for a few weeks (five drops in glass of water three times daily) would also help knock out a bacterial infection system wide.

Acidophilus

Posted by Caligirl (Bakersfield, Ca) on 03/11/2014

I have sort of stumbled across something else that has really helped me. I have noticed if I try to lower the dose on probiotics the symptoms begin to return and taking that many is expensive so thought I would share! I began drinking a half lemon in warm water when I first wake up (for other health reasons) and noticed the odor is once again gone. I lowered my dose down to a normal intake of probiotic and as long as I am drinking the lemon water daily there is no problems! All I do is a half lemon in warm water (prob about 8ou) and sometimes I add a little honey for taste then wait a half hour or so before I have coffee or food. This is so inexpensive and is really easy to do even if you are traveling or something you can get a warm mug of water and a side of lemons anywhere!

Acidophilus

Posted by T (Pa) on 11/14/2015
★★★★★

Yes, you are giving it back to each other. Have him take the Acidophilus as well. I have experienced this issue also.

Acidophilus

Posted by Garlicme (Toronto, On, Can) on 06/25/2012

Hello Ladies, This is the first time I'm posting here. I have gotten so much amazing information on many things from this site and I thank all of you so much for sharing.

I have been, for the first time, confronted with BV. I had no idea it could be like this. Nonetheless, I am a natural healer, and energy healer, I have done lots of research on this and have tried a few things. What I determined was this post below that I copied from somewhere else makes a lot of sense. You might have seen it elsewhere.

The few things I would add, mostly relating to number 4 on the list below, the actual cause of our BV, is it is important that our immune systems be functioning well. It could be that the reason we are not completely cured YET is because we need to boost our immune system.

Yes, diet does play a huge role in this, in boosting our immune systems. So no sugar, coffee, alcohol, eat lots of greens, fresh fruit, veggies and whole food, stop wheat and dairy for a while to see if it might be an allergy, then reintroduce slowly one at a time once you are better. Consider doing a cleanse. Give your body the time and rest it needs to recuperate.

I have endometriosis, so this was tricky for me, and I didn't put 2 and 2 together until after I went through the gamut of remedies and they didn't provide lasting results. I got a bladder infection, and yeast (from the antibiotics, no doubt) at the same time as the BV so couldn't tell what was what. I was so bloated! Everything was swollen down there and I felt the urge to urinate all the time, not to mention the other weird feelings and smell down there.

So, when I first started seeing lasting results was when I took measures to boost my immune system. The probiotics weren't doing it, the vinegar and yogurt gave temporary relief only, but these remedies which treat the symptoms of BV DO work. It's our immune system that either can or cannot support us once all is back to normal, I. E. : we've rebalanced our vaginal flora. So, the recurring BV is our body's way of telling us we need to address something else in our body, and, most likely, in our life.

So, to re-energize my immune system I took a vegan whole food health optimizer, a powder I mixed with water. Find out what will work for you, multi-vitamins, greens, herbs like Goldenseal, iron, B-complex--all good. There is so much out there. Inform yourselves, and go with what resonates with you and your own unique body ways.

I started taking shiitaki maitake mushroom capsules which I've taken in the past to stimulate my immune system. It works for me. I also take coconut oil, 1 to 2 tbs per day. My energy is coming back up.

I inserted garlic vaginally at night before bed for five nights. I probably could have gone longer for it to work fully on the BV, but stopped when I thought I would go for further tests and, just in case, I didn't want the garlic to interfere with the test results (I don't know if it will). In the end, I decided not to go for tests just yet, thinking "healer, heal thyself first, " and with a couple of days off the garlic, I noticed the yeast infection was gone.

So, the white, thick discharge (yeast) vanished within two days, but a hint of the BV odour was still present. I also ate lots of fresh garlic.

Healing, I had forgotten in my temporarily discouraged state when I felt the symptoms still hovering, works like a wave. Up and down for a while, then it slowly starts to straighten out, waves of feeling better last longer, and waves of symptoms tell us whether to continue or modify or stop our treatments. When my body talks to me, I listen.

It is important to stay positive and trust your own healing process. Meditate, or do yoga, dance, or participate in physical activity that pleases you. Be kind to yourself. Look in the mirror and tell yourself with all the love and compassion you can muster that you love yourself--no matter what! Do that everyday. You are not your symptoms. You are healing.

If you are so discouraged, as I know many are, please get some help, see a therapist or natural healer for support. The path to healing can be long, but can be made so much more enlightening with the right people by our side.

Good luck sisters! Thank you and many blessings of health, wealth and happiness to you.

I also want to thank the author of this post excerpt I pasted below for all her research and sharing. My comments are included in square brackets.

****

1. Kill bad bacteria

2. Make environment in vagina more acidic.

3. Re-introduce good bacteria.

4. Find out what is causing yours and prevent. This is a mystery, I think there may be more to BV than what we currently know. There are Soooooo many ways your ph can become unbalanced and cause this. Educate yourself as much as possible and try to figure out your why. [I found it was my immune system that needed a boost.]

The tools I have found that seem to work the best for the most people are these: (I will tell you how to use each) You can find all of this at a health food store.

1.Hydrogen Peroxide [I did not try this]

2.Folic Acid

3.Tea Tree Oil

4.Apple Cider Vinegar

5.Probiotics

1.Peroxide-Good all around cleasing agent. The bad bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they thrive in the absence of oxygen. The good bacteria are aerobic, the opposite. Peroxide floods the vagina with an environment that the bad stuff hates.

2.Folic Acid-I don't know why or really if this actually works, but a LOT of women swear by it and it can't hurt you-so why not. If anyone has more info on why Folic acid works please let me know.

3.Tea Tree Oil- This is a great natural TOPICAL antibiotic. There are others also, but Tea Tree is easy to come by and inexpensive and goes a long way.

4.Apple Cider Vinegar-This is a natural, inexpensive acid. Some gals insist on getting the kind with the "mother". You can find this at natural food stores.

5.Probiotics- I cannot (because this would be unbearibly long) go into all the details of the various strains of bacteria that should be living in your vagina. There is soooo much info out there to read on this(and I suggest you do)So I'm going to be VERY basic. Lactobacillus Acidolphis is one of the strains you need and can be easliy bought and administered.
OK, now for actual treatment. Other tools you will need other than the ones listed above are-

1. A small syringe. Get the type that has a bulb on the end. Designed for giving children medicine. Looks like a large eye dropper or a tiny turkey baster. Found mine at Wallgreens.

2. Tampons- get the kind that have different sizes. You will use the small tampon in the large applicator.

How to use these tools for treatment: Take 800 mg of Folic Acid in the morning and 400mg at night.
You can rinse with the Peroxide first or anytime the discharge is bad. I found no problem with using it full strength. You can dilute if it bothers you. Draw it up into the syringe, insert as you would a tampon and squeeze it out while the syringe is inside. You can repeat this a couple of times. [Folic acid did not seem to work for me].

Tea Tree Oil. This is where you use the tampons. Take out a small one and a large one, remove both tampons from their applicators. Throw out the small applicator and the large tampon. The reason you are doing this is(duh) a tampon swells when it is wet, so you have to get it saturated with oil THEN insert. Use the syringe to draw up some of the oil. Saturate the small tampon with the oil. Place the tampon in the large applicator and insert. Leave in for up to 3 hrs. This is the A-Bomb for the bad bacteria! Take out and wait a few hours before the vinegar. [I, instead, dripped a few drops of sweet almond oil onto the tip of the tampon, then about 5 drops of tea tree oil, inserted tampon and left in for 2hr45mins. Also gently rubbed same mixture around the outside.]

Vinegar. I found that the vinegar will burn if you do not dilute heavily. Find a level that is comfortable for you. You can either use your diluted mixture to rinse inside as you did with the peroxide or can saturate a tampon as you did with the oil. This will bring your Ph over to the acid side and make it a nice place for the good stuff to grow.

Acidophilus. This one has the most latitude. Probiotics come in capsules, tablets, "liquid", and in various foods. Most strains cannot migrate from your digestive tract to your vagina. Sooooo, the best way to adminiser these babies is to put them right where they need to be. I found that the capsules didn't disolve in the vagina as they would in the stomach, so I found an Acidophilus that is in a kind of liquid form. It actually looks like a runny yogurt. This is an easy method to get the little guys where they need to be. Use the syringe and insert a couple of teaspoons inside. I found it best to use the Peroxide, Oil, and Vinegar during the day and the acidophilus in the evening before bed. That way it's not so messy (put on a pair of COTTON undies) also allows the whole night for them to multiply. As for taking probiotics orally, certianly can't hurt and may help a lot. So take them orally in conjuction with vaginally.

I had results from this treatment plan in one day. I hope to get some feedback with others experiences. Sorry this was so long, but I hope it helps. This is such an awful problem and there aren't that many real answers out there.

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.

Acidophilus

Posted by Amy (Deltona, Fl) on 10/11/2011

Try fem-dophilus. The acidophilus will not work. Buy fem-dophilus, and insert one every night for 3 nights, and take two by mouth every day for 1 month. After day 2 or 3 it will be gone for good. Promise! Good luck. This stuff is a miracle in a bottle.

Acidophilus

Posted by Francie (Corvallis, Oregon) on 10/30/2011

I had BV for years- pretty much all the time. Then I started drinking this seaweed drink. Within a couple of months the BV went away, never to return! That was 5 years ago. The thinking is that the seaweeds have nutrients that get your body into balance again, your immune systems responds by getting stronger and ailments like bv go away naturally. It can take a little while but if you stay with it, it will work! Also my psoriasis that I had for 20 years went away (after 4 months), chronic sinusitis ended among other great things. The stuff really worked!

Acidophilus

Posted by Southernbelle (Atlanta, Ga) on 11/12/2011

typos:

*I'm requiring STD tests from all my partners from here on out. STD *TESTS.

*(plus the amount of yeast infection medicine)

Oh, and a couple more good suggestions:

- semen is one of the main causes of BV (so your partner could be giving it to you). I think that both men and women are what they eat in terms of the acidity of his semen and the taste/smell of her secretions. So if he wants to ejaculate in you he needs to change his diet and eat healthy as well

- I think a good test of the acidity of your partner's semen is to take a vaginal PH screening test (goes up to 7) of your vag before he cums in you and after (b4 and after sex). If there's a change, then he either has to stop (if you arent trying to get pregnant) or he needs to figure out how to make his semen less acidic.

- Use acidophilus from the health food stores (not just the grocery, unless it has an amazing health food section). Some people said they've paid up to $40 for the top of the line acidophilus...

- acidophilus caplets, the pressed kind

- Reuteri/Primadophilus by Nature's Way- Multi strain 5billion CFU (stored in refrigerator section/ask attendant)

AND MY UPDATE:

Don't want to jump the gun, but my smell is gone :-) (btw: it wasn't a loud fishy smell, just an "off" smell that I could smell when opening my legs, and minorly through my jeans/leggings, oh and there was no itching or burning, etc)

Before going to the store last night I put in a rephresh, went to the store got the stuff from my list, and came home, finished my lasagna and garlic bread and juice (I know thats sorta a naughty meal to eat if you have BV, but I was hungry, lol), and fell asleep on the couch.

This morning the smell was still there. So I started my "treatments".

Most of the vitamins say take with a meal, so for breakfast I had 2 tangerines, a few spinach leaves, cup of grapes, and a banana...

First, I had a small glass of 100% cranberry juice (unsweetened), I ate a tangerine, 3/4 the banana, and a few grapes, then drank the small bottle of lifeway bio kefir (immunity pomegranant/blueberry flavor), ate a few more grapes, then took 1 folic acid (800mg), acidphilus (2 billion active cultures), and 1 one a day vitacraves gummies adult multivitamins, then I finished the banana, ate about 8 spinach leaves, and finished the grapes, and other tangerine-- all washed down with a bottle of water.

Minutes later (maybe 15 or so) I could feel some tingling in my vagina. I didn't even have that symptom with the BV, so I got worried. Checked myself about an hour or so later, and the smell was gone. :) I could smell my usual sweet/sugary secretions-- which happens when you eat alot of fruits (especially if you eat citrus like tangerines and clementines).

I don't know what in particular did it or helped, but for now I'm just going to keep this up, and hopefully it's gone for good. I'll check my pH with a screening test, and update everyone later.

btw, I think the lifeway Bio Kefir (cultured milk) really helped. It's mini probiotic drink that has 2x more live active cultures than regular kefir, 20 billion to be exact.)

Acidophilus

Posted by Godanswersprayers (Richmond, Va) on 11/16/2011

Hello, I too was battling with BV... For five years straight the only time I did not have it was when I was pregnant with my son and that's because I didn't get my cycle. Like clock work every month right after my cycle I would get it. It's the worst feeling emotionally and physically, so I totally understand what you and others are going through. Month after month at the Dr office getting medicine and with insurance it can still be expensive.

So the first thing I did was prayed to God for him to take this away for good, I had been praying for years but this time I asked my mother to pray for me a strong woman of God and second I bought a probiotic from a whole food store called fem dophilus by jarrows. I take it once a day sometime 1 capsule and other days 2 but no more than 2. For the first time in five years after my period I didnt get BV!!!!! Amazing. I even went to the dr just to make sure and it was no sign of it. All I could do was thank God for healing me.

So my advice to all women who are in desperate need of a cure would be first to pray and ask God to heal your body and believe he can do it... Because he can and will and second get this probiotic.... Its $25.99. Also the month before I started the probiotic I had BV so I got treated for it and took the diflucan pill with the antibiotics because we all know that you will get a yeast infection with antibiotics and then I went and bought the probiotic so I started taking all the medication at once along with the probiotic. This way you are killing the bad that bacteria that is causing the BV and replacing it was good bacteria that is in the probiotic capsules.

Now I have to be honest I give credit to the probiotic but I know its God that is working through this capsule because we can take as many vitamins, eat spinach, cut out sweets, whatever it may be to cure this but if God doesn't work through whatever it is that you are taking then it will not cure you. It's God that work his healing through the medicine that your taking. I know this to be a fact God has healed me more than once. So pray over yourself and if you have someone that can pray for you that you believe is a woman or man of God then get them to pray for you as well and have faith that God has healed you. And for whatever reason it doesnt go away right DO NOT doubt God continue to believe everyday that you are healed in Jesus name and one day you will be. Walk by faith and not by sight!

Acidophilus

Posted by Courtney (Tampa, Florida) on 11/20/2011

I've been suffering with BV for years now (longer than five). I tried the hydrogen peroxide thing. Ok. I believe it worked. First off, I emptied a douche bottle and then rinsed it out with purified water. After I put half H202 and water inside and douched for five minutes (held it inside). The smell became faint. I did it again (no smell). Yesterday I had an obnoxious smell (putrid) and it's gone. I'm not going to swear by it but it has worked so far. And girls, my BV is triggered by semen so I'm wondering if I douched with purified water after sex if it would work. I'll let everyone know. I know it would be a pain in the neck to douch (purified water) after sex each time ya do it but it beats smelling bad so..... I'll say that hydrogen peroxide has worked (so far).

Acidophilus

Posted by Amara (Nyc, Usa) on 11/26/2011

@Cate from Auckland, New Zealand- Dear Cate, I have a daughter, 20 y old, who started to battle BV and she is also not sexually active. Sexually active or not, I believe you would do yourself a favor and do tell your mom, moms are there to help and guide and why would you be suffering alone? Gynecological issues are just like, lets say- tonsils issues, anyone can have them, so please do not to be embarrassed by problems you can't control and you didnt cause.

Acidophilus

Posted by Jazmine Carter (Va Beach, Va) on 12/06/2011

Has any one used the vh essentials and I was just wondering being that it is a vaginal insert; am I able to use during my period? Being that I started the dosages 2 days ago and just started my period today????? I would greatly appreciate the advice... I don't want to block something up there that needs to come out.. Or it might slide out (the pill) I d k... Help/ kuz I don't want to waste a 28$ product... Again. thankz ladies you all seem to have helped me out prior to this ...

Acidophilus

Posted by Finally_happy (Milwaukee, Wi) on 06/13/2011
★★★★★

After years of frustating BV infections using flagyl only to reoccur. I'm finally symptom free and I must share: I started a daily regime of taking acidophilus and vitamin E daily. For 7 days I douched with 1/4 hydrogen peroxide and 1/4 water, after douching treatment for 3 days inserted 2 acidophilus pills in the vagina. I still smelled a slight odor. So I douched for 2 days with hydrogen peroxide/water. Try it what do you have to lose and this treatment is not expensive.

Acidophilus

Posted by Kerri (Virginia Beach, Va ) on 05/14/2011
★★★★★

I'm so happy I found this website. About a month ago I started taking 2 pills of folic acid and 2 acidophilus (orally) before or during lunch and dinner every day and within 3 days everything was gone! Using peroxide vaginally did work for me... But only for 24hrs... And doing that everyday didnt seem safe. Plus: these vitamins are way cheaper than OTC remedies (pushing $15-30 a month for temporary healing). A bottle of each costed $11 supplying 2 months. Also, these vitamins are good for your overall health while the temporary OTC vaginal specific medications only help the infection. So for everyone suffering like I was: just give it a shot! It works against the infection and for your overall health

Acidophilus

Posted by Special01 (Indianapolis, In, Usa) on 02/17/2011

What brand of acidophilius are women finding most effective. I was using Nutrition Now PB8 with Twin Labs brand folic acid and the problem was 90% better. I switched to a different brand of folic acid just because the store did not have the twin labs brand and the problem got a little worst. When I ran out of the Nutrition Now acidophilius brand I switched to a Nature's Way on the advise of the healthfood store worker. That was like not taking anything at all. I went from have no discharge at all, just moisture in the vajiji walls to having to change my panty liner twice a day. I am going back to the Nutrition Now PB8 brand. But I wondered if anyone has had success with the Lee Swanson brand???

Acidophilus

Posted by Nyclivin (New York, Ny) on 12/07/2010

Boric acid powder is the only cure for my yeast infections, and it completely eliminates the symptoms of BV as well. However, it doesn't seem to cure my BV. A pill filled with boric acid powder inserted twice daily into the vagina will cure my yeast infections after 2 weeks (thank god - because the over-the-counter stuff no longer works for me - in fact, it makes my vagina burn like crazy). I'm using the boric acid now for my recurring BV infection, but I'm in search of a cure... Been through the antibiotics 3 times now. My obgyn told me that my partner has to be treated. So we did that, but then my BV came back on its own even before my partner and I had sex. I've used Femdophilus before, and at first it seemed to work (orally), but after recurring BV infections it no longer works orally. My next move is going to be inserting Femdophilus vaginally. Wish me luck!!! And try the boric acid. It is a miracle powder!

Acidophilus

Posted by Kararn (Dallas, Tx, Usa) on 02/12/2010
★★★★★

Re: Bacterial Vaginosis

I've been reading a lot on this site about Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. Acidophilus) and its success in treating bacterial vaginosis (BV). For those who are having trouble getting it to work, here's some info that might help. There was a clinical study performed using four different strains of lactobacilli. L. acidophilus, apparently, may be helpful, but is not necessarily the best one to use. They found that L. rheuteri and L. rhamnosus are the most effective. BV can be caused by an imbalance in the pH which leads to a decrease in lactobacilli (good stuff) and/or an increase in Gardnerella (bad stuff). Antibiotics don't work well against Gardnerella because it exists in a biofilm - a community of organisms (bacteria in this case)that encapsulate themselves protecting them from the antibiotics. So the antibiotics never really get rid of the Gardnerella or restore lactobacilli and your BV returns. Gardnerella, lactobacilli, and pH are linked, so if your pH goes up for whatever reason, lactobacilli go down and let the Gardnerella take over OR the Gardnerella colonize and kill off the lactobacilli. Chicken or the egg. Anyway, of the four lactobacilli tested, L. rheuteri reduced the biofilms most effectively and the L. rhamnosus displaced the biofilms most effectively. So basically, one kills and the other crowds out. So if you're having success with L. acidophilus, great! - it's good for you regardless. If not, or you want to try something different...find a probiotic that contains significant numbers of L. rheuteri and L. rhamnosus. There's at least one particular brand that has this, carried at health food stores, in the refrigerated section. It's in a brown, glass bottle to protect it from heat and light.

For myself, I use 2 capsules of this probiotic orally in the morning w/ Vit. B12 400mg and Folic Acid 800mcg. Then at night I take Vit. B12 400mg and Folic Acid 400mcg orally and 1 probiotic capsule vaginally. Wetting the capsule first seems to help give it a kickstart dissolving. I also drink one low-sugar probiotic drink a day, found in the yogurt section of the store and take Vit. C and a multivitamin daily. This has really seemed to help. I do the hydrogen peroxide flush right after my period. Hopefully, this helps someone else. Also FYI I'm an RN and have suffered from BV aka "the life ruiner" since my teens and am just now finally getting it under control. Cheers and good luck!

Acidophilus

Posted by T-rox (Flint, Mi) on 10/06/2009
★☆☆☆☆

Ive been trying the folic/acidophilus combo for maybe a week now. At first I started taking 2 400 folic and 1 acidophilus. wasnt changing. so I startd takn 3 folic twice a day & inserting the acidophilus vaginally. Putting the Acidophilus in really made the difference, but the very next day it was back.The acidophilus insert is good except the discharge of the capsule is more gross than the bv discharge ( w/o the funky smell, its just like a **** my pants frm my vagina) I dont wanna keep havin to insert that everyday! Ive tried the peroxide and it really didnt help. None of this seems to wrk. I think Ill try taking 2 acidophilus 3x a day cutting the folic down to just maybe 400 1x day. If anyone has any other advice on how much stuff I should take then pls let me knw! Im gettin desperate & dont wanna go to the Dr.s

Acidophilus

Posted by Joc (New Orleans, La) on 10/21/2009

I have been doing the hydrogen peroxide on a tampon as suggested by another person on this site. I started out putting it in for only five minutes (afraid of what might happen) and then increased my time. At one point i fell asleep with a peroxide tampon in and slept for about 6 hours before taking it out. It seems to be helping and no adverse effects. The odor is gone but one symptom is not and i'm wondering whether anyone else has this symptom. It is somewhat embarrassing, but it seems the bv gives off a gas so that when i sit down to urinate, I expel air from my vagina - slight but noticeable. This has been going on for months prior to the peroxide so i know it is not the peroxide. Also taking the folic acid and B vitamins, apple cider vinegar. I think i bought the wrong kind of acidophilus as i read that one must have the one with bifida reguilarie (sp) and mine doesn't have that so i quit taking it. I have tried the metrogel 3-4 times, the boric acid cure sold in drugstores OTC once. It always helps for a little bit. I am going to keep doing the hydrogen peroxide on a tampon nightly if possible.

Acidophilus

Posted by Sista Ann (Nyc, Ny, USA) on 09/01/2009
★★★★★

I was soo awed to see how many women were going through what it is that i have only been experiencing for the last 2 months now. Thank you all for sharing...when one is going through something as personal as having an odor you feel like you are the only one out there experiencing it...you look at other women other there at the supermarket or in class thinking that they are all just fine...and to think this line of though is coming from a health educator...LOL

The odor that I was having was very mild but I knew that it was not normal...to describe it..it was more like a biology experiment done with bacteria in lab class. Anyhow.. .I was inspired to take a little advice from here and there. I first bought the acidophilus 500 million live cultures 2 per day. Then I bought a twin pack douche ( a generic brand) i just used the bottle i threw out the liquid inside of it. Filled the bottle with distilled bottled water and 2 ml of Goldenseal root. I only douched with that mixture once and i saw an instant difference. Its been 2 days now no smell no nothing. I'm going to keep an eye on it and i'll keep you all posted.

I'm not sure if it is the goldenseal's direct contact or the acidophilus' bacteria. Maybe the combination works.

Acidophilus

Posted by Ms MC (Philadelphia, Pa) on 05/22/2009
★★★★☆

I was looking on the internet for remedies, because I was tired of calling the doc especially when I had no insurance for flagyl. I finally said, I have to find something because even if I get another prescription for that stuff, its coming back! So I ran across this website, and finally decided to try acidophilus. I bought probotic capsules, 10mg, and have been taking 4 pills total, 2 in the am, 2 in the pm, and I've inserted one capsule in my vagina with an applicator(the ones you get when you have a yeast infection, that come in like a Monistat Box) with a teeny tiny bit of Ky jelly. Just to give it something to "stick" too I guess.

The next day, I woke up with this discharge, and no smell. I was shocked. STILL Shocked. I'm trying to not over do it. Its only been 3 days. This will probably be the last capsule I insert for the week. I think I may do one capsule insertion twice a week, and 4 capsules a day( 2 in the am and 2 in the pm) Oh, and I also had a bath with regular vinegar. Just a capful, and sat in it. I'd do that ONCE a week. Douching is bad no matter WHAT it is, your just flushing out good and bad bacteria, and PUSHING it back up. So try to avoid it, if your gonna do it anyways, then do it ONCE a week. Less is better, trust me. I also try and "scoop" out the discharge every time I pee with a finger, or at least see if its something in there. I know its weird but we do have to get the discharge out right? So anyways, I'm doing pretty well, Ive had no odor, and hopefully, it stays that way. I haven't bought any Folic acid as of yet, but I'll be adding that to my regimen soon. Good luck ladies.

Acidophilus

Posted by Sucess in SB (Santa Barbara, California, USA) on 05/06/2009
★★★★★

Acidophilus, B12, and Folic Acid got rid of my Bacterial Vaginosis. I took orally: lactobacillus acidophius 90mg, lactobacillus bibidus 25mg, folic acid 800mcg, vitamin B12, 500mcg. Vaginally inserted qty 4 half caplets acidophius. I did this for one day and the infection was gone.

Acidophilus

Posted by Penny (Atlanta, Ga) on 05/06/2009

I have read many testamonies and successes about B12, Folic Acid, and acidopholis for the treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis. Can anyone tell me what I should be looking for on the label of these supplements when choosing from the variety of brands and claims I see at my health food store? Is there a reliable website that sells superior products or explains how to choose vitamins and supplements? Your help and opinions are appreciated. Thank you and have a healthy day!

EC: An employee in a good health food store should be able to point you to good brands. Whole Foods, for example, has some very knowledgeable people working for them.

Acidophilus

Posted by Annoyed in NY (New York, NY) on 04/29/2009

Been reading a lot of the comments here and am ready to start trying the methods. have now had BV 3 times. my fiance took antibiotics which my doctor told me would decrease any liklihood of recurrence -- but here i am 2 months later going through it again! Want to be sure i have the amounts of accidophollis right -- do i take enough pills to equal 500mg per day or is it more? also - is that only by mouth and then additional pills inserted vaginally? how many pills get inserted?? i'm a little hesitant about the insertion, but it seems a lot of you have had success. ALSO, do I need to take the folic acid as well? HELP! I am SO frustrated!

Acidophilus

Posted by leilani (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) on 04/28/2009
0 out of 5 stars

Hello I started inserting 1 tablet of Super Acidophilus from GNC into my vagina at night. By morning im getting discharge from the pill and slight bleeding. Is bleeding normal? Can anyone help me!!!!!!!!!

Acidophilus

Posted by MissPriss (Baltimore, MD) on 04/28/2009

I did experience some spotting which concerned me at first but the second day the spotting was gone and so was the infection.. I was and still am amazed. I used the folic acid pills 2 500mg tablets per day and inserted the acidophilus for 3 nights at bedtime just to ensure it was gone! Amazing! I'm telling all my girlfriends.

Acidophilus

Posted by PR (Houston, Texas) on 04/29/2009

Bleeding is not normal as far as I know. I never used a tablet. I have always used the capsule at night and it work great. I would losen the capsule some so the contents would be more avaible. Maybe something in the tablet is a problem or you need to be checked by a doctor as something else might be going on. Good luck hope you get better.

Acidophilus

Posted by Finallycured (Dallas, Texas) on 03/06/2011

I've suffered with this for months, and I'm very active with exercise, working out, etc and it just got worse and worse. The doctor cured it once with oral medication but it came right back.

I over did it on every home remedy one day and it maybe overkill but it was GONE and I felt squeaky clean!! If it returns I'll try it again.

What I did:

Take orally - 2 folic acid pills (800mg total), 2 acidophilus pills (capsules)

Douche - Vinegar douche (1 tsp vinegar/cup water), Hydrogen Peroxide (normal house hold one) 1/3 cup x 2/3 cup water, repeat Vinegar douche. I did this by filling one mixture, douche, next, etc. Not sure what worked but I felt squeaky clean!

I realize its not good to douche much so I stay on 1 pill of acidophilus to prevent repeat episodes.

Acidophilus

Posted by Rhonda In Louisiana (Slidell, La) on 03/28/2011

This is truly a wonderful website. I have been suffering with BV now for at least 2 years. I had the terrible fishy order and discharge. Ive taken the genertic for Flagyl numerous times and BV would come back within a week. The doc put me on Flagyl and Metro gel for a week straight then Metro Gel once a week for 3 months. The Metro Gel was nasty, it left a horrible cottage cheese like discharge. Stopped that all together.

I had a hysterectomy last Sept 2010, the doctor that performed my surgery stated, the BV was recurring because my Ph balance in my vagina was off.

I googled home remedies for BV and came across this site. Ive tried a few things, douching with half water and half peroxide mixture to clean up the play ground. Then tried the plain greek yogart and acidophilus pill mixed together and inserted vaginally. Also, taking acidophilus orally and eating yogart (flavored). It got much better but still didnt feel totally cured.

I read about this other med called Femdophilus. I picked some up at a local Vitamin Shoppe and started taking two per day and inserting one vaginally (removing end cap). I did that for the first 3 days but 4th day I stopped inserting a capsule vaginally. The fishy smell has not come back now for several days. Im keeping my fingers crossed but will continue taking the femdophilus and maybe inserting one capsule once a week for maintenance. I go back for a check-up next month, keeping my fingers crossed the BV is a problem of the past.

Good luck to all you ladies out there suffering, I hope you find the right cure. I wish doctors would tell you about some of the home cures. I will keep yall posted.

Acidophilus

Posted by B. (Reading, Pa) on 03/31/2011

After suffering numerous times a year with BV, and heading to my gyno. For yet another prescription. This time I thought I would check out a different remedy. I must say I was extremely skeptical at first, but after reading many of the posts, I felt I would give it a try. I went to the store and purchased;

Folic Acid 800mcg

Acidophilus 500 million viable cells per capsule

peroxide 3%

douche (emptied it, rinsed out)

I took one Folic Acid and Acidophilus in the morning. In the evening I took one more Acidophilus. Filled douche bottle with half water and half peroxide, used this before bed. Within 2 days I no longer had that fishy odor. I have also had sex a few times, and made my husband "smell" me to make sure I wasn't missing something. This seems to have worked for me.

I do have a question as to how long should I continue this treatment, and if I quit too soon will it (BV) come back? Thanks for any advice given... I love this website!

Acidophilus

Posted by Citygurl (Nyc, Ny Ny Usa) on 04/13/2011
★★★★★

Had the awful experience for the first time in life- the 2-3 pages of possible side effects from the prescription was frightening. Went to the net, tried the overnight tampon soaked in organic plain yogurt w/ active cultures and back to normal!!! Best ever, slightly messy, but well worth it!!

Acidophilus

Posted by Jessiy (Sumter, Sc) on 04/18/2011

I suffer from BV, every two weeks have to call in a refill of my flagyl but here lately it just doesn't seem like it is getting rid of it completely. At first it just flared up by intercourse but now it's gotten way worse. I can't use soap to wash with because I get an infection, I can't shave unless I'm ready to get BV. I can't take bubble baths anymore, which I used to love, and it's really getting in the way of my sex life between me and my boyfriend. I'm just so glad that I'm not alone. for the longest time I thought something was completely wrong with me.

Acidophilus

Posted by Alexis (Stockton, CA) on 12/18/2008
★☆☆☆☆

Ok ladies, I am very tight there though I am not a virgin. Inserting a tampon literally brought me to the ground, almost fainting after having it in for a brief time, even though it was inserted all the way-- and I'm in my early thrirties. Kind of embarassing. Inserting a tampon to treat BV is out of the question for me. I will try the peroxide/water combo and the folic acid. I'm curious if any of you have learned this from a particular ebook out there that claims to cure your bv forever with household items? Thank you!

Acidophilus

Posted by Wnt to help (St. Louis, MO) on 11/15/2008

I am writing for the women that acidophilus did not work for. I have done hours and hours of research on bacterial vaginosis online. I have found that there are conflicting opinions on what Lactobacillus species is the predominant beneficial species in the vagina. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one species in our jay-jays, but not the only one. There are very many, including: Lactobacillus Jensenii, Gasseri, Crispatus, salivarus, casei, brevis, breve, plantarum, fermentum, delbruekii, rhamnosus, and paracasei. These are not the only ones I'm sure, but all I found in research. If acidophilus didnt work for you, try a probiotic with as many of the above listed Lactobacillus as you can find. The more strains that get in there and do their thing, the better. I am trying PB8 by Nutrition Now. It was about $20 at my local health food store. I take them orally and vaginally. I just finished a round of metrogel, so I will keep you posted if this probiotic keeps it from coming back. If it does, I will take it for the rest of my life just to keep BV from returning. It is very important to find a probiotic that advertises that the lactobacillus in their pill is H2O2 producing bacteria. That is the only kind that will keep the bad bacteria in check. I found this fact after purchasing the PB8, which doesnt advertise that, but does say that the formula they use keeps the bacteria intact when it comes into contact with your stomach acid. Another thing that might help is to take an antacid before taking the probiotic orally. There is a lot of research going on for BV and the use of vaginally inserted lactobacillus. If you live in California, ther is a clinical study for a product called Lactin-V. Go to lactin-v.com and see if you qualify to participate. It is a vaginal gel, i believe, that contains specific strains of lactobacillus that are naturally in our vagina. Hopefully something will come of it. BV is a horrible little devil that needs to be taken care of sooner rather than later. GL girls.

Acidophilus

Posted by Beth (MO) on 11/08/2008
★★★★★

I have been suffering from BV for about a year now. Antibiotics didn't work for me. Having come across this site,I decided to try the Acidophilus,Folic Acid and hydrogen peroxide.After using them for about four months now, they haven't worked either. Discouraged, I decided to go thru this site again and look for something else to try. Someone had suggested trying Bifidobacterium longum and L rhamnosus. I went to GNC to find them, couldn't find them on their own. To make a long story short. GNC's Super Bifido probiotic complex and Super Acidophilus probiotic complex worked for me. After about 5 days the discharge and itching stopped. Just take one of each once a day. Each contain 10 billion cfu per tablet.

I still use folic acid 400mcg x3 and 1 stress b-complex tablet.bHope other ladies will give this a try.

Acidophilus

Posted by Naijona (Palm Beach, Florida) on 11/10/2008

Ok...everyone has been talking about how its working and all and that it cures bacterial vaginosis but if it does? then how come it keeps coming back and you have to keep using the medication. how can you get rid of it completely?

Acidophilus

Posted by Ange (San Diego, CA) on 11/30/2008

How do you make the hydrogen peroxide flush and also the other medications are they taken by mouth or by inserting them down there?

EC: Taken internally, most likely. Hydrogen Peroxide Douche here.

Acidophilus

Posted by Amy (Springfield, MA) on 01/13/2009

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Beth from MO for posting your experience! I was on antibiotics which did nothing, and after several months of suffering through this I found this site and used the H2O2 flush along with taking acidophilus and folic acid but had only minor relief from it. I was about to give up and go back on antibiotics again (even though they didn't work the first time) when I came back to this site and found your post. In desperation, I went to GNC and bought the Super Bifido probiotic complex and Super Acidophilus probiotic complex that you recommended. Along with increasing the folic acid and douching nightly with plain yogurt, my symptoms are almost completely gone!

I do have an additional symptom that I haven't seen mentioned on any of these boards, and I'm wondering if it's from an overgrowth of candida instead of BV. At times I have a really strong gassy odor from my VJ. It's never happened to me before, and only began when I started treatment for BV. At first I thought I had a yeast infection, so I used Monistat 1, and the next day the gas was AWFUL! Ever since then, it happens on and off, usually alternating with the smell from BV. I know that treating an overgrowth of candida can result in bloating and gas from the die-off of the yeast, so I wondered if that was the cause of the gas, rather than BV.