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.
Alkalize
Posted by Claire (Washington, Dc) on 09/20/2010
★★★★☆
I SUFFERED! From BV symptoms for years!!!! - Super smelly white discharge, itchy-nes, dryness... It was never ending. Several doctors gave me several different answers to what it was. I've heard BV, Vaginosis, Trich, stress induced infection, etc. Well, I tried all of the remedies. Antibiotics, yogurt dipped tampons, acidophilus, douching, etc. The most effective was the acidophilus. But even that didn't work everyday. While reading these posts, I ran acriss a woman who said she changed her diet, started exercising and started drinking teas. I thought "That is way too much" but I found that she was almost spot on.
On my last trip to the doctor (after taking acidophilus for a while), tests revealed that I didnt have BV. But the symptoms remained so I was stumped. After more research on the internet, I stumbled across info on balancing the pH balance of acid and alkaline in the body. Too much acid in the body is a disease state called "Acidosis". Acidosis creates a lot of problems in the body including weak immune system, excess mucus, cold hands and feet, irritability and FUNGAL INFECTIONS. This (so far) has turned out to be the culprit! This also explains why some women find apple cider vinegar douches to be a cure... because ACV is highly alkaline, and reduces acid. So, I made a few tweaks in my diet. Water, OJ and an occasional coffee were my only beverages. So I have completely replaced the extremely acidic OJ with green juice.
You can determine if this might be your problem by taking a litmus test. Health food stores or vitamin shops have litmus strips. Put your saliva on it and it displays your body's pH balance. I took one a few days after discovering this info on Acidosis and found that I had the 2nd highest acidity level! Since changing to an alkaline diet all the symptoms have disappeared except 1. The discharge is still present but not as much and its odorless! I don't even have to wear panty liners everyday nor change them twice a day. Eating salad or drinking green juice is a small price to pay for eliminating this horrible condition!!
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Wonder (Denver, Co) on 09/09/2010
I don't understand why doctors don't tell you the truth about problems with your ph levels. All you have to do is drink 2 liters of lemon water (1 lemon a liter) a day and your ph levels will go back to where they are supposed to be. If you do have an infection douche with peroxide and water, and drink your lemon water and you will no longer have any problems.
Olive Leaf Extract
Posted by Relievednow (Rocky Mount, Nc) on 08/27/2010
★★★★★
So I have tried everything that you guys have suggested and they worked great temporally. But I started reading about olive leaf extract and olive oil and WOW I AM CURED. Its been 7 days and counting. No burning or irritation. So what I did was took a tbl sp of the extract then I douched with straight 3% Hydrogen Peroxide on the toilet, then I took extra virgin olive oil in a regular dropper and placed it in my vajay jay. Got a towel and let it soak out all night covering every part down there. I still take a tbl sp of the extract everyday and all is well... Good luck I know how u feel.. Let me know if this works for u!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kris (Milford, Ct) on 08/20/2010
★☆☆☆☆
Bacterial Vaginosis is ruining my life!
I have been suffering from BV for about one year. I went to the doctor and was prescribed antibiotics, that didn't work, then was prescribed the 5 day cream, that worked, but once I had sex with my boyfriend it came right back. Can men carry this and we are passing it back and forth? At this point, I have been to the doctor so many times, and been on so many creams and it still haunts me. I am so embarrassed by this, my sex life is not the same, I don't even want my boyfriend to touch me because I am horrified! I can smell it so I worry everyone around is wondering what that awful fishy smell is. I don't even want to stand up after sitting at my desk all day if someone is near me because the odor is out of control. I need help. I have tried the peroxide and water solution, I think it made it worse, I have douched, I have tried so many things, and nothing. I can't live like this anymore. I need this to go away and fast. I just bought Femenol, which I found online. I have only been taking it for 3 days, and nothing yet, but I am going to stick it out and finish the bottle to see if that helps. I need some more suggestions and something that will really do the job! Can anyone help?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by J (Charlotte, Nc, United States) on 08/10/2010
★★★★☆
Hi everyone! I hope all of you are feeling better if you are currently suffering and great if you have found your solution. I have a history of BV in various forms (I have formed my own belief that they are all intertwined) - these include Trich, Vaginosis, Vaginitis, and Yeast. I feel there are just different names b/c of different symptoms and viral and bacterial characteristics. Plus, most docs will not admit that they do not know very much about any of them. I never had a Yeast infection until about 2 years ago. I have had 2 since that one. The 2nd one was violent and involved severe cramps (most docs will tell you that Yeast will not cause cramping - BS! Think about what Candida does to the gut), followed by a 3 day bout w/ extreme pain and one day of hemorrhaging following a failed PAP (the practitioner stated that my cervix was tilted). I took Diflucan and rested and it resolved. I have done gel and pill of Metro for BV before. I have not done those recently, thank goodness. The last Yeast brought on a case of BV. I used regular drugstore 3% hydrogen peroxide on a tampon for about 3 days. I found this remedy here. Worked like a charm! Then here we are about a month later, and I smelled that damn smell again. My partner and I are very sexually active, and we use toys. We are always very clean with them before and after. She knows about my issues (please note - I began suffering from BV when I was very active w/ men. However, there are also cases of BV in virgins-maybe points to diet and environment). So, I tried the tampon thing again. It worked, but then I became extremely irritated and decided to douche. I bought food grade hydrogen peroxide for the douche (please read directions and use caution as it is different than 3%. The 3% usually contains stabilizers which can be irritating and make it less effective. Got that info here! ) I use a child's medicine syringe and douche about half of it then use the rest on the outer parts. I do this morning, midday, night, and after sex (yes, I know you should abstain. I jumped the gun - pun?- when I thought I was better). Apple cider vinegar and baking soda in the bath provides brief comfort. I have not been consistent about ingesting it yet. We also went to Trader Joe's and are completely revamping our diet and health habits. This was not that hard as I went vegetarian 2 years ago (fell off the wagon and intend to go back soon) and know what to look for and where to find it. We are both taking their super charged Women's Multi and Goldenseal w/ Echinacea. I am taking their Acidophilus (2 billion active cultures), St Johns Wort (depression), Vitamin C, B12, and Aloe Vera juice. I have been double dosing on all of these for the past 4 days and will level off to the regular doses over the next 3. There is an odd odor at random times of day, but it is better, and I have been craving sugar and starch - which is not normal for me. So, we are eating the better forms of it that we bought and I am trying to drink lots of water with lemon and lime. I alternate between die-off symptoms and a sort of energy buzz. The BV is definitely being relieved. I am interested in the Estriol. I keep reading good things about it; I am not sure if I am premenopausal or not. I have Fibromyalgia, so sometimes menopausal type symptoms will manifest from that. If you know anything about Fibro, you know it is utterly unpredictable in its symptoms and bouts. Would an Estriol cream or oil help me, premenopausal or not? I do suffer minor itching and sometimes severe irritation when I have BV. When I am not infected, occasionally dryness is an issue. Sorry for the rant; wanted to share what seems to be working for me and get any feedback or stories. Also, simply being newly conscientious about our diet and habits is a great thing regardless!
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 06/29/2010
★★★★★
Tea tree oil works for BV. The douche however, (with 5 to 15 drops) did not work for me, made things worse. Douching upsets the vaginal flora TOO MUCH
Here's what I do: 4-5 drops tea tree oil in an empty 00 gel cap, and then fill to rim with Castor oil. Stick it in as deep as it will go. I usually only have to do this overnight
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jennifer (Evansville, In) on 06/11/2010
★☆☆☆☆
I have had BV for about 3-4 years now. Tried every conventional medicine there is out there: Flagyl, Metrogel, Clindimycyn..it all makes it worse. Then my doc told me to make a home made douche with 1/3 cup of water..1/3 cup hydrogen peroxide and 5 drops of tea tree oil..an hour later break up 2 pills of acidphilus with 10 cc of water and insert into vag. Next night insert an odorless gel cap of garlic. Then on a daily basis take folic acid, one multi vitamin, vitamin c, vitamin b12 and a probiotic daily. I have been doing this for about a week now and the smell AND the itching and burning is still there. Plus I have horrible heartburn. Friends recommend me go on a no sugar, no carb diet..I use to get yeast infections really bad but now its only BV. I am so miserable and my doctor wants to test me now to vulvodynia..I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO?! Please help..
Goldenseal
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 06/07/2010
★★★★★
Drinking Goldenseal tea works!! That along wth taking massive amounts of vitamin supplements,plain yogurt,acidophilus, and oregano oil capsules twice a day, along with goldenseal tea, 2 cups a day. GUYS, no joke, I got the worse case of BV, e v e r....this went on NONSTOP for 3 months, Im talking, not sleeping at night, cuz of the persistant itching, burning agony, and swollen tissues, (it felt like a bowling ball up in there) it was AWFUL> I have ALWAYS struggled with yeast and vaginal infections, but this was hidious.(I havnt had sex in 3 months either, it was THAT BAD.
Heres what I did: I didnt really douche, because IT NEVER WORKS for me, it always makes things worse. I tried the hydrogen peroxide douche, and altho it did take away the odor, it came after a couple days, and it seemed to make things MORE irritated and infected. I did try coconut oil and castor oil inserted inside the vagina, overnight, and it did kinda help, but not really. I started really seeing results with the supplements, oregano oil and goldenseal tea. (be warned Goldenseal tea tastes like DIRT) very bitter, but it works!!Tried GPE, didnt really work.
In the morning after eating some raison bread, I would take my supplements and acidophilus and yogurt. Then after about 3-4 hours, would do the oregano oil with the tea. Then 3-4 hours later, I would do the tea and oregano oil again. The at bedtime, ALWAYS 2 hours after the tea and oregano, I would take folic acid, vitamin E and acidophilus again. Check my earlier post under supplements to see amounts of what I took. Good luck ladies.
Povidone Iodine
Posted by Barrelmaniac (Summersville, West Virginia, Usa) on 05/21/2010
★★★★☆
Betadine for BV
Ladies,
I have suffered with this for years. Unfortunately I have never really been cured. The longest I have went is probably 6 months with no symptoms. I started a forum on a health board regarding peroxide for treatment 4 or 5 years ago that had 100's of posts to my surprise. That's when I discovered I wasn't alone.
If your BV is mild, don't do anything! Take your supplements and wait until after a period and see what happens. The more you mess around with changing the flora in your vagina the more you are going to get things totally out of whack. I learned the hard way. Peroxide worked for me, temporarily but always came back with a vengeance. The more you do, the worse it comes back. You are killing all the bacteria in your vagina and some things allow the good bacteria to bounce back quickly while keeping the bad at bay.
If you must treat it, add some Betadine to good distilled water (pH 7, city water with chlorine has a very high pH) douche with betadine for 7 days, You can even use the swabs to clean the vaginal walls. Do this in the morning because it takes 120 minutes for the flora to begin to bounce back. Lactobacillus first! At night use a good quality yogurt and a syringe and then insert a tampon to hold it in. Continue yogurt treatment for a few days. Take a good quality probiotic daily.
Also Vinegar seems to allow the Lactobacillus to survive douching while killing the bad bacteria. If your BV isn't too bad try the vinegar and the yogurt treatment, watch what you eat and try to boost your immune system. Wait it out, it takes time.
Herbs
Posted by Anis (Kk, Malaysia) on 05/19/2010
★★★★★
Try to google oak galls.
"Oak galls" (manjakani in the Malay language) come from oak trees indigenous to Asia Minor and Persia. They are produced when the leaves of the oak tree (scientifically known as Quercus infectoria) are penetrated by stinging wasps. The spontaneous chemical reaction caused by the penetration stimulates the leaves to produce a roundish hard ball called an oak gall.
Rich in tannins, vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, tannic and gallic acids, fibre, protein and carbohydrates, oak galls possess a unique kind of astringency which acts to restore health, tone and vigor in the vagina. Well-known since ancient times, Arabs, Persians, Indians, Chinese and Malays have traditionally used oak galls after childbirth, and to treat vaginal discharge and related infections.
Multivitamin, Probiotics
Posted by London (Sandusky, Oh) on 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.
Supplements
Posted by Katiec (Brevard, Nc) on 04/28/2010
★★★★★
I had given up on trying to treat my BV. I tried several of the remedies on this board, including acidophilus, but nothing worked more than a day or so. I started taking some supplements for a variety of other ailments, then I realized the BV disappeared. It has been gone for weeks! Here is what I have been taking: Fish Oil caps 2x/day, Super B complex 1x/day, and Vit. D3 1x/day. I don't know which one of those things worked, but something definitely did!
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 04/16/2010
Hi Cici, Good for you for continuing in a holistic manner! I am certain you can bring your body back to a balanced state through diet. You can make your own kefir (I make young coconut water kefir) which helps to re-populate your body with the good bacteria that keeps our body healthy. Wishing you the best on your journey, Lisa
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Cici (Orlando, Fl) on 04/15/2010
Thanks Jennifer and Lisa for your replies. Yes i've really been struggling with this since October 2009. I know i've done something right because of losing two symptoms itching and burning. I guess I need to find the right combo of things for my body. I realize all of our bodies are different and react differently to certain things. I also realize when doing things naturally it's not always a quick fix. I've been patient this long so i might as well keep going. I will check out the bodyecology.com site you posted. Have you all heard of any homeopathic remedies that help. I've been doing more research and read up on Sepia, Pulsatilla, Sulfur, and Kali. I am thinking of adding these to try. Thanks again. We must continue to support each other in this fight.
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Jennifer (Atlanta, Ga) on 04/12/2010
Cici....that's a bummer on the no carb thing. I've been smell and discharge free for over a week now and the only thing I've changed is what I eat....only meat, cheese, and green veggies. I was hoping that this would work for others like it has for me. I'll let you all know if I'm still BV free in a month or so.
I love all the posts and everyone helping eachother.
Thanks!
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 04/12/2010
Hi Cici, Actually, you were on the right track! And the progress is that you are no longer burning and itching but there is still more progress to be had to rid yourself of the BV and going to the dr. will not help unless it is a naturopath who will help through diet. The dr. will most likely give you antibiotics or some other allopathic medication which may cover up the syptoms(MAYBE)but in the end will only exacerbate the problem. The "nasty, icky discharge" is most likely some of the die-off of the candida and yes, this is not a fun place to be but the candida must die in order to restore harmony in your vagina and most likely throughout your whole body. As women, our bodies have an especially delicate balance because of our female organs so candida becomes quite apparent in us as opposed to men. This is both a blessing and a curse because it brings the problem to our awareness pretty quickly and gets our attention whereas, a man with candida can go very far until it is extreme and harming many of his organs.
Do not go back to sugar and carbs- you were on the right track! If you go to bodyecology.com you will find a protocol and answers to BV there. Just do a search when you're there and Donna Gates will give a very good explanation in an article she has written. Don't give up!
Sincerely, Lisa
Hydrogen Peroxide, Probiotics
Posted by Nikki (Milwaukee, Wi) on 04/12/2010
★★★★☆
WOW!!! I'm so glad I came across this site! I'm a married (faithfully) 30yr old that has been suffering from BV for at least a year. At first I didn't know what was wrong w/me. My main symptom was pain and burning during and after intercourse. Doc diagnosed me with bacterial vaginosis after a pap smear. She game me the pill, I think called metronidazole (or close to that) and an antifungal cream. I guess it helped slightly relieve symptoms for a week or so but not much relief. I didn't go back to the doc, it was embarrassing and I didn't want to take the pills again. they made me feel sick and didn't work anyways.
3 days ago I tried the hydrogen peroxide mixed with distilled H20 (1/2 and 1/2 mix) and douched (never done that before!) and IMMEDIATELY the smell was gone and my vagina felt like it did years ago! I was thrilled! I went to the store and bought probiotics took one orally and upon others recommendations put one in my vagina at bedtime. I used the pearl capsules. The next morning I woke up burning and itching like I had a major yeast infection. I douched with the peroxide mix and felt better. I took another probiotic that day orally, NO MORE in the crotch! I think that did me in for the yeast infection.I also used a dose of monistat the 2nd night to fight any yeast infection that may have been brewing down there. So I'm on day 4 of taking probiotic once a day orally and douching maybe once a day with the peroxide mix. I have to say I think this is working!!!! I'm so happy I have my normal happy good smelling crotch back! It was so embarrassing before. I always worried about the smell and the pain during sex. My husband and I had sex on day 3 and I had 0 pain!!! I made him wash himself downthere very good before sex.
I'm really hoping this continues to work for me, I'm so scared to get BV back. It's nasty, embarrassing and just plain miserable.I'm going to try to continue taking the acidophilus pill (probiotic) daily, and only douche when I feel BV coming on.
PLEASE...if your having the same problems give the hydrogen peroxide mixed with distilled water a try! I couldn't believe the IMMEDIATE relief I had. On a side note, don't be afraid that the hydrogen peroxide is bad for you. It occurs naturally in the vagina and we get yeast and bacterial infections when levels are too low. The point of the acidophilus pills (probiotics) is to increase these good bacteria that produce hydrogen peroxide.
Goldenseal
Posted by M (Nyc, Usa) on 04/12/2010
Update!
So after trying goldenseal for 2 nights, everything was back to normal. Then about a week later, I got my period. After it was done, I noticed that the consistency of my natural discharge was thickening and something was not right. The smell was extremely faint but present so I decided to try goldenseal again to prevent a full blown reoccurrence. I've read that menstruation, like semen, can cause BV because it changes the PH in your vagina. Sooo, going to try goldenseal again now that period is over. I was so very pleased with the results the 1st time around and feeling hopeful about this time too. I just might have to insert goldenseal after each period, which i'm OK with since it cleared up the smell and discharge.
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Cici (Orlando, Fl) on 04/11/2010
★☆☆☆☆
Well when I first thought this was a yeast infection, I tried all the eliminating carbs, sugars, anything that could feed bacteria and was eating more veggies and lean protein meats. I know this is BV now and I did that for a whole month. Now yes this did help me get rid of the crazy itching and burning, but til this day i still have nasty icky discharge and swelling in the vaginal area. I've tried several herbs garlic, grapefruit seed extract, echinacea/goldenseal, olive leaf extract, probiotic acidophilus, more vitamin supplements. And i still have discharge. I have now starting eating regular again incorporated carbs and sugars but i eat them more moderately and i still dont have the itching and burning. So I don't know what is the problem, but i'm going back to the doctor soon anyway. I can't take this anymore.
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Jennifer (Atlanta, Ga) on 04/08/2010
★★★★★
OK...this is crazy! I have been battling with BV for at least 6 months. I have tried absolutely everything that I've read from this site (and then some). Nothing seemed to completely work...only for a day or so. I was sick of taking things and shoving stuff up there! I had about given up, until I had an unexpected discovery. This is so weird and I'm curious to see if this has worked for anyone else out there. Last Sunday (so 5 days ago) my husband and I decided to hit the NO CARB diet hard...in trying to get swim suit ready. I kid you not, the next day, that horrible spell was almost absolutely GONE! I thought....no way! So it's been 5 days and NO itching, NO smell, NO discharge...i cannot believe it! And I feel like a new person. I really want to know if anyone else has experienced relief this way. Apparently, the SUGARs were doing my body wrong and giving the Bacteria a feeding frenzy. Now my body can fight back on it's own....no pills, no douche, no nothing!!
I love this new discovery....anyone else out there tried this. You should try it if nothing else has worked...I could tell something good was happening the very next day!
Good luck and I wish you all the BEST!
Goldenseal
Posted by M (Nyc, Usa) on 03/27/2010
★★★★☆
I tried the peroxide douche a couple of times and have been taking folic acid & acidophilus daily (I forget sometimes tho). It improved my BV but not cured. i still had a slight odor and odd discharge, although so much better than before. anyway, I was fed up and decided to pay the $16 my health food store charges for goldenseal.
i inserted one capsule at night, using a pantyliner the next day. Just in case, I did the same the night after. I'm on day 3 and the odor is completely gone. The jury is still out on discharge because I am still leaking the golden seal. The goldenseal leakage is slight, nowhere near as bad as BV discharge. I will definitely update a week from now. Thank you once again Earth Clinic!!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sara (Miami, Fl) on 03/25/2010
For yeast or BV - try the following herbs 1) Oregon Grape root 2) Usnea 3) Neem.
virgin organic Coconut oil.
Greek yogurt or plain yogurt.
A good digestive enzyme will too.
Honey
Posted by 4theluvofhoney (Orlando, Florida) on 03/21/2010
★★★★★
First of all, thank you to all the women who have shared their stories about BV. I've been dealing with BV now for 3 years. At first I thought I had hygeine issues and I was actually disgusted with myself! I used to douche every day. When I was diagnosed with BV about 1 year ago, I was given metronidozol, and ended up with a horrible yeast infection. I prefer to do things in a more holistic way, so I tried the acidophilis orally every day for a week. I also tried the hydrogen peroxide douche twice during that time. I did experience some relief. A couple days ago, though, I came across an article that mentioned using diluted honey with distilled water as a douche to treat vaginal yeast infections. I tried that 3 days ago, and again last night. I am so fresh and no discharge, no odor. I have found my treatment of choice for my BV. I used about 3tbsp in a standard size douche bottle, and filled the rest of the bottle with warm distilled water. Shake shake shake, insert, squeeze! The honey I purchased is 100% pure, uncooked, unfiltered. No oozing, no stickiness, or seepage after the douche either. Look up the benefits of honey for more info.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Corinna (London, England) on 02/21/2010
★★★★★
Here is an easy and fast remedy for bacterial vaginosis, which is relatively harmless but very smelly 'down there'. Simply put some virgin coconut oil in and around the vagina. The smell will be gone within hours but keep it going for a few days to make sure the infection is gone.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Hillary (If Town, Idaho) on 02/15/2010
hello to other women with bv. i am 32 yrs old and i am a chronic bv. sufferer. i read this site and all the remedies others have suggested. i would like to add that the lady at the health food store told me to take colloidal silver instead of b-12. it comes in a small bottle with a dropper. you take one teaspoon full under the tongue once per day for maintenance. it was also suggested from another healthfood professional that colloidal silver is safe to douche with since peroxide seemed a little scary to me. i fill the dropper, lie on my back in the tub, insert, and let sit for 1-3 minutes. along with the garlic and acidopholis plus a ton of water the stench is gone. im not seeing any discharge either. what a great feeling. you can get silver in any healthfood store. the only other ingredient it has is pure water. whether the bv is gone or not i plan to maintain this regimin.
General Feedback
Posted by Shandy (Limerick, Ireland) on 02/16/2010
★★★★★
I started having problems a few years ago. Went to the dr. got precribed the medicine, it healed, but then was back within 2 months. I have 4 teen daughters so we're a very 'in touch with our feminine side' household. Everyone knows how to wash, wipe etc. This was my first experience with an STD since I was a teen. I am also married so there's no multiple partners. On my second trip to the drs. where I was almost in tears I was so frustrated about being back in his office so soon he took the time to explain a bit more. He told me in medical circles BV is often known as the 'clean freaks disease' (!) He asked me a bit about my bathing habits. I shower every day and at that time was washing that area with shower gel. I was also ice-skating alot and taking long baths with bath oils afterwards to ease the sore muscles. Basically he explained some women's vagina's ph level is very sensitive - and almost anything can throw it off, which then opens it up to the bacteria to invade - in my case it was probably perfumed shower gel and bath oils, but also sanitary products etct! I dropped the washing my privates with perfumed stuff and only use water and sometimes 'simple' or sensitive soap with no perfume. A private midwife friend suggested using a tampon dipped in live bio yogurt, which I now do after periods, and for a few hours after sex as a preventitive - and so far it's worked.
General Feedback
Posted by Kim (New York, Ny) on 12/24/2009
★★★★★
I wrote a post on BV sometime last year. The acidophilous and folic acid worked temporarily, but then sometimes it had no effect at all, esp after sexual intercourse or after my period. Then, I really changed a lot of habits and so far so good.
Bottom line: REALLY had to change my lifestyle.
No alcohol, very little sugar in my diet (including sweet fruits), fresh organic foods, quit smoking, reduced coffee, wear less tight-fitting pants, keep lower body warm, switched to CLOTH sanitary pads, take acidophilous and folic acid every day.
Also! NO birth control pills or antibiotics!
I think this whole thing has a lot to do with contemporary lifestyle. Most of our foods are very processed unless you're extra conscious to make an effort to eat organic foods, and I heard from a guy who works at a cracker company that the additives they use in order to keep the food looking like new is very dangerous. For instance, they might use on ingredient to prevent decay, and something else to give it a certain flavor; okay separately, but toxic if taken together. They don't take this into consideration. I think it's called "chemical coctail effect," and it will cause an imbalance to your natural hormone level; even impotence or prenatal deformity.
Second, I was ill about 9 years ago and the hospital gave me a lot of antibiotics. This completely killed my immune system. This is important b/c the acidophilous is a PRObiotic, which is a natural substance that helps boost your body's own immune system, whereas antibiotics will lower your body's immune system and kill the external virus through the medication's strength. If you've taken a lot of cold medicines, allergy meds, acne creams/meds etc, your natural immune system will likely be very weak! Therefore, don't look for a quick fix. It will only take you a step back from all the hard work you put into the acidophilous and folic acid.
Also, birth control pills will cause BV, too.
Another thing, I saw this documentary that sanitary pads and esp tampons, panty liners etc are very toxic. The cotton is bleached. Second, they use a lot of chemicals to keep the pads or tampons "clean." Artificial fragrances, chemicals to absorb more liquid etc. The thinner the pad, the more toxic it is b/c the chemicals are more condensed on a smaller surface. They tested the amount of toxins that emit from the pads. At first, before menstral blood seeped into the pad was ok, but more and more toxins were emitted as time lapsed. These toxins go into your vag, pores and harm the uterus and ovaries. Also, this is a big reason why we get that rotton smell when we menstrate. It's not really the menstral blood that will cause such a smell, it's because the toxins mix with the blood and cause this, not to mentin cramps. Of course, tampons are worse because it's like you've corked yourself up. The smell, cramps, bloating will be worse than when using pads. I changed to organic cloth sanitary pads. They feel amazing! No sticking to skin, no scraping, cramps are almost nonexistent, smell is gone.
I've been away from my bf for a month and a half and the BV is gone. Don't know if it's b/c I'm taking better care of my diet or if it's b/c I'm not having sex. Maybe both. I will update again after I see my bf again.
