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.
Hydrogen Peroxide Variations
Posted by Tani (East Hartford, Connecticut) on 03/01/2009
★★★★★
I am totally happy to find this site, I've had BV for 2 years and was at the end of my rope with Metro Gel and Flagyl. I was beginning to think I was immune to these drugs because they never worked for me. I was sick of being in the doctor's office 3 times a month and decided to do my own research. After reading everyone's post and what worked for them, I began my own experiment that totally worked for me. For 7 days I douched with half water and half 30cc peroxide every night with a douche bottle (which burned a little)and inserted plain Organic yogurt from Country Farm. I thought it was important to use that type of yogurt as it had the lactobacillus which we need to put back directly in the vagina to help kill the bad bacteria causing BV. Its been 6 weeks and I am BV free.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Kay (Sunny, CA) on 02/06/2009
★★★★★
I tried not eating any yeast made foods, no pasta, breads, etc and tried folic acid, b12, acv but nothing worked. The doctors I went to visually thought I had BV or an STD but the test results were always negative. I googled and found that coffee can cause BV, yeast infection, migraines, balance problems and dizziness, I had all those issues. I quit drinking coffee including decaf and caffeine products. No more BV! voila!
Personal Care Products
Posted by Erin (Staten Island, New York) on 01/07/2009
★★★★★
Hibiclens is a soap used in hospitals.
I too thought that I had Bacterial Vaginosis. I had a yellow discharge with no odor, having to change underwear frequently. I went to doctor after doctor and finally discovered I actually had VAGINAL STREP B. It is very similar to BV and is a natural bacteria found in our bodies but can overgrow. I my case, the use of flagyl, diflucan and clindesse in excess to try to cure severe vaginal itching left me with no itching, but this strep and yellow discharge. This is something that often plagues pregnant women and can be dangerous to a baby. But I'm not pregnant and since it's not itchy or anything besides an ugly yellow discharge, the gyno really didn't want to treat it! Penicillen was tried and failed, yellow yellow yellow! Grr!
So after tons of reading I discovered Hibiclens. It is a soap found next to Iodine in CVS or any pharmacy. It is used in Europe as a douche to end Strep B in the place of Penicillen and I suspect it could work for BV too, since these are both bacteria. You simply add one part Hibiclens and 20 parts water. I just got a Summers Eve douche bottle and emptied it, added an inch of Hibiclens and the rest water. I douched, it felt extremely clean and so far one douche and I seem normal. I also shower with it and dilute it to clean down there a bit after regular soap every morning. This is used in Europe exclusively and has helped bacteria lessen for many so I've read. Seems to be working for me, I'll keep you posted Worth a try for BV sufferers!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Di (Brooklyn , NY) on 12/16/2008
★★★★★
Hello ladies, ive been suffering from BV for some time myself. The reason for this bacteria occurrence is the pH imbalance in your vagina. I've noticed that a lot of you are recommending the hydrogen peroxide, it is a good way to get rid of the bacteria but dont over use it. It still is an acid and eventually could cause other complications because it strips away you vaginal walls. For starters what you all should do is try to change you diet. SUGAR IS A BIG NO!! sugar will prevent Lactobacillus species from growing. You should also try to eat more grain and less refined flour foods like white bread and pasta. If you have whole foods in your area or a Russian store you can get kefir, it is cultured milk and a natural probiotic. Try to incorporate kefir into your daily diet. Acidophilus will cure the infection but its up to you to keep it from coming back. Your diet is the key to keeping the pH balance in order. it took me about 2 months with just cutting out sugars and drinking cultured milk to get rid of the infection. I didnt use acidophilus or douches, just kept what i eat under control. Maybe itll help you too.
Goldenseal
Posted by MJB (Boise, ID) on 12/15/2008
★★★★★
I tried everything. Peroxide douch, vitamens the whole works. Im 23 and have BV for about 2 years it was driving me nuts. I read some stuff about goldenseal and BV. I tried a wash and that worked for a few days, the smell came back. Finally I tried a douche with 1 capsule of goldenseal and water. It seems to have done the trick. No fishyness or itch in over a week which is one of the longest stretches I have gone on.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Chevy (Bx, NY) on 12/14/2008
sorry you have been having all of these problems, however let me tell you and everyone else what works. listen up girls. what u have to do is first think about how often you move your bowels. this should be everyday at least twice, if not u need more fiber. the problem is or could be a candida inflammation or problems with digestion. what i did was got a colonic for one, maybe you dont have to, maybe it helped me im not sure. but i decided to write back becuz i see no one came back to these sites with any info saying things actually work for sure. all this to say, get natures way primodophilus l. reuteri from the health food store, it works like a charm. i have been taking it for a month and after the first week of taking them, i have never felt better. every now and a again i pop 2 folic acids and im good, actually im great.i take one in the morning and one at night. i have been having sex and i havent had a problem. im almost scared to stop taking them. trust me it has been working. ive tried every thing else and had no results as long as this., the smell is gone, the discharge is very minimal. i thank God everyday because this was really effecting my life, to the point that everytime i use the toilet, i was smelling the tissues i used to wipe with. in all seriousness get this stuff. i tried the h2o wash, the acidophilus, the garlic, the tea tree oil, oh gosh everything. you just have to find the right probiotic for you, and i think this one has the one that actually transfers to your intestines into the vaginal tract.holla if u need me girls. bye
Garlic
Posted by Mary (Houston, Texas, United States) on 02/18/2009
I was wondering, how do you take Garlic Orally? do you eat it alone or put in food?
Hydrogen Peroxide Variations
Posted by Pam (Central Florida) on 08/25/2008
★★★★★
I've been dealing with BV for almost a year. I found that using 3% HP Douche (no water) and holding it in my vagina for 2 - 3 minutes works really well (just squeeze then release when you are ready to let it drain out).
Also--a baking soda paste applied to the outside worked like a miracle for the burning and irritation. I simply dab some on when I first get into the shower and then wash it off when I'm ready to get out.
Alkalize
Posted by Susan (Chicago, IL) on 08/11/2008
★★★★★
I suffered from BV for many, many years. Remedies, I tried them all. The only thing that has really worked for me (long term) is getting my ph in the right zone. I know it almost sounds too simple, but I can tell right away when I've missed a few doses of my Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda combo, because the smell comes back. I don't drink an alkalizing drink every day (I try to take a day or two off each week). But, if I go longer than the small break of a few days, the smell and discharge come back slowly. Not saying it will work for every woman, but you might want to give it a try. I don't think healthy flora can exist in an acid environment.
Yogurt
Posted by Shell (Savannah,, GA) on 06/10/2008
★★★★★
Hi I understand all too well the discomfort and embrassement of BV. I to am a victim of this terrible problem. I am now a 32 year old BV free woman. This didn't happen over night. I first had my battle with BV at the age of 18.I just recently discovered the powerful powers of YOGURT! I was so fed up with BV doctor trip after doctor trip. It would go away for a week or two then I would be sitting at work of somewhere and get a whiff of some funk coming on! Me and two of my friends refer to it boy saying " I feel a WOOP coming on. At least one of us always keep a readily supply of meds that we could borrow from each other. Anywho, I'm talking too much. I inserted a tube of yogurt every night just before bedtime for 30 nights.( I did'nt have a boyfriend at the time) After doing this for 30 days I have been completely cured of BV for 1 year now. The yogurt that I used was Activia. Try this I have passed it on to many of my friends and everyone says that this works. You have nothing to lose but smelliness!
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Ladyk (Illinois) on 06/30/2016
Eliminate all sugars, both natural and processed. It feeds BV.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lauren (Ohio) on 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.
Apple Cider Vinegar Variations
Posted by Elizabeth (Staten Island, NY) on 07/09/2007
★★★★★
I just tried the remedy of using plain yogurt and ACV. I've been suffering with a very pungent, sharp odor which is intense just before my menses start but I did not want to be forced to take the western medicine approach. Last night I mixed 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt and just ONE CAPFUL of raw, organic ACV and using a turkey baster, inserted the mixture before bed and wore a pad while I slept. Today the smell is gone. I will continue this approach over the next week and incorporate the Yogurt/ACV mixture into my regiment of continued health maintenance. Thank you Earthclinic!!!
Yogurt
Posted by I Did It (Saint Cloud, Mn) on 05/17/2011
★★★★★
I love earth clinic!! I read about a lot of people doing many things at one time but all I did was the yogurt soaked tampon 3 times for 2 days and it is gone!! Woo Hoo! It's been 2 months and that nasty smell has NOT come back. If it ever does I won't hesitate to do it again.
Garlic
Posted by Nic (OS, Ms) on 01/13/2024
I'm back, I've been meaning to come back and update. It seemed to have work.. but it doesn't. Back to the drawing board
Garlic
Posted by Lisa (FL) on 01/14/2024
Have you tried boric acid capsules? In my desperation for relief, I had my husband get the bottle out of the garage (yes, cockroach poison, don't take internally) and filled the caps and inserted one vaginally each night. I had some sort of infection and/or candida, maybe both, but it was miserable. I had gone to the doc and gotten a prescription which was a vaginal antibiotic gel; did nothing but give me severe diarrhea. It has been years, but I think I took it for a week.
I would also take raw garlic, oregano oil, and/or colloidal silver to help your body rid the infection.
Garlic
Posted by NicNicole (Biloxi, Ms) on 06/26/2024
Came back to say, it worked for a week then it stopped…. The ONLY thing that has been working for me for the last 2 months is ALKALINE WATER. That's it. I don't take probiotics or prebiotics anymore either. Hope this helps.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Twin mom (USA) on 01/26/2019
★★★★★
I literally have been coming to this website for over 10 years because I have been suffering from BV for that long. I've been prescribed antibiotics and have tried all sorts of remedies from this website. I've done extensive research online as well regarding this condition. It's unfortunate that more research isn't done regarding BV because so many women suffer from it. I mean, just look at the amount of “remedies” on this site. It's obvious that more focus needs to be placed on this condition. BV is embarrassing, depressing, and makes women very self conscious. It's just disheartening that a solution/cure hasn't been developed. But I honestly feel that my BV has been cured since eliminating dairy from my diet. After I gave birth, I became very focused on my diet and eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and limiting the amount of meat I eat. It has literally stopped BV in its tracks. Dairy is so bad for you. People should really try to eliminate dairy in their diets and you'll see a big difference.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Twin mom (USA ) on 05/14/2019
★★★★★
As an update. It's been almost a year and I haven't had BV yet all because I eliminated dairy from my diet. All these years of suffering and all I had to do was quit dairy. I've actually eliminated the cow from my diet. I don't eat beef or any of the cows products. I actually still enjoy sugar in my diet and it hasn't affected me at all. Good luck to you all.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Kay (Tampa, Fl) on 12/10/2018
★★☆☆☆
I have had BV off and on for the last year. I read a lot of blogs and most women claim odor or discharge being their irritant. I do not have odor, but I have terrible burning. I tried coconut oil and it worked for a day or two but now I have the burning back. Does anyone else experience the burning?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Normal V. Girl (Warren Ohio) on 09/16/2017
★★★★★
I had a nasty case of bacterial vaginosis, and cured it in a week. I routinely consumed oil of oregano capsules, raw garlic cloves, caprilic acid pills, and acidophilus supplements. I also removed all foods that feed yeast (sugar, carbs, dairy, etc). At morning and night I applied virgin coconut oil inside and outside my vagina, at night I also put garlic inside vagina. No more smelly discharged pain, it's normal now, clear and natural musk smell :)
Dietary Changes
Posted by Alex (Montreal) on 12/06/2017
Sugar feeds the bacteria of the BV. However, if the bacteria is not 100% eliminated, then when you eat sugar, its allows the bacteria to grow and the BV "comes back". But it's important to know that it was not fully gone in the first place if it 'comes back'.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Ashlee (California) on 04/29/2017
★★★★☆
I got BV for the first time when I got into a new relationship, we are very faithful to each other so that doesn't worry me. I noticed it by the fishy smell, the next day I was put onto those nasty pills Flagyl which eliminated the smell after two days, but before even finishing the pills, because I had unprotected sex, the smell came back. I was then put on the gels, metro works temporarily and I use it as a one time thing when I'm really desperate.
I decided to try EVERYTHING; coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, inserting acidophilus, inserting vitamin c, the only thing that got rid of the smell was apple cider vinegar but it hurt too much to have sex because of it and vitamin c worked temporarily. I luckily, knock on wood, am not experiencing severe itching, burning and pain, so maybe my case isn't as severe but if I... tmi... swab my v, there is a fishy odor. I went out and bought all the pills all the vitamins and heres what I am doing.
in the morning
-2 acidophilus pills
-3 vitamin d 1000 iu
-1 folic acid 800 mcg
-1 vitamin c rosehips 500 mg
pm
-1 acidophilus
-3 vitamin d 1000 iu
-1 folic acid 800 mg
-1 vitamin c rosehips 500
Its only been 2 and a half days, im praying, hoping, everything this works. Its hard to tell because most people experienced the relief of itching and burning but I dont have that. I'm hoping this knocks out the smell. I'll let ya know, pray for me!
Essential Oils
Posted by Mags (Cedar Rapids) on 04/22/2017
★★★★★
I have been battling BV for about 6 years. I have tried everything. Out of frustration I decided to use essential oils to try and help. I have many and thought I would start with a few combinations and see if I can get something that works. I took a douche bottle amd added 3 drop 100% grapefruit oil, 3 drops 100% tea tree oil and 3 drops 20% frankincense. I filled the douche with tap water, shook the bottle and then used the product. I have had no signs of BV, no drying, and no itching. I used it directly after sex with my husband, my symptoms are usually much worse after that. But, again, I have no symptoms. I am hoping this works long term and if I can help anyone else who is dealing with this than I am happy.
Probiotics Plus
Posted by Penny (Kingsport, Tn) on 01/06/2017
★★★★★
Eat yogurt that contains probiotics including bifidus regularis 1 daily and drink water with lemon juice about 1 tsp added to 8 oz of water daily, I was better quickly. Try. I kept bacterial vaginosis for 2 years and this worked for me.
