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.
BV Might Be Symptom of NGU
Posted by Jules (La, Ca) on 05/17/2018
★★★★★
BV is super embarrassing and overwhelmingly frustrating. For over a year I was going to planned parenthood with BV/yeast infections, they would give me antibiotics, I was fine, then weeks later the symptoms would reoccur. I went about 10 times in a year. It was evident that there was a bigger issue and they told me I needed to see someone else. By some dumb luck miracle a woman online told of her experience with these symptoms and found a Dr who diagnosed her with Nongonococcal Urethritis (NGU)!! She took the prescribed medication and her problems were gone!! So guess what, I went to that same doctor, got tested and that was the problem!!!!!
NGU causes symptoms of BV, yeast infections and UTI's but they will never go away until you (and your partner) are treated!!! I fully believe that 90% of women who have reoccurring BV/yeast actually have NGU and I have no idea why doctors aren't looking for it, primarily in the US. My Dr said many doctors don't believe it is a woman's issue and that only men can be affected which is truly unbelievable. Being symptom free has changed my life and I hope that this information can help someone!! FYI the treatment she gave was a shot of Ceftriaxone and a two week round of 100mg Doxycycline Hyclate antibiotics. NO DAIRY can be consumed during those two weeks and no intercourse. Good luck!!
Alkalize
Posted by Trisha (PA) on 07/29/2023
★★★★★
So I've had BV for a long long time. 16 years. Honestly.
An old bf messed my pH up and it's been a battle ever since.
Years of month after month of antibiotics making my pee brown and not being able to have s3x for days on end and then when having s3x again... it would come back the next day.... I had enough.
I've done almost all of it. Everything helped but nothing got rid of it.
A pharmacist after seeing my script list said I'd be a candidate for boric acid. It helped but always came back.
Found out about biofilms. And started researching. Could get relief, finally, for up to a week at a time with 6% hydrogen peroxide straight up there. I know a lot of places say only use 3% but it's not enough to cut the BS.
6% is good. Burns skin a Lil bit but a Lil water and the burning goes away. I do not feel a burn inside though.
Found out about mycoplasma? or whatever and tried to get tested for that but no one tests for it around me unless I wanna shell out a lot of money..
Ugh. So again with the tears and frustrations....
I went on another google search for hours and stumbled across this... and saying whytf not....
I have been drinking 9.5 ph water for about 2 to 3 months now. I do still get paranoid and clean myself out with 6% after s3x but the pH water keeps it amazing! I check and check and nothing is gross! My normal consistency is back!!!!!!
My period does still throw me off but not as bad or as harsh and a quick 6% clean out works wonders. And I'm back to normal.
Next test will be no 6% after s3x to see just what happens.
This alkaline water is amazing. I'm guessing by changing my pH of my gut, urine etc that it helped. This is amazing and a game changer.
Now if only my microbiome can handle regular spring water eventually because alk water is expensive and sometimes hard to find. Sheesh.
Try it. You won't be disappointed if you give it sometime to work it's magic.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Anaturalway (Atlanta, Ga) on 12/12/2017
★★★★★
I've had bv for years and I've tried every remedy out there, but what helped the most was changing my diet! At first I thought I should be able to eat whatever I want, everybody else can! I was stubborn, but after getting no results with pills and home remedies, I decided to give it a try. I actually went vegan and it helped alot, but I started missing meat! I still eat meat but not as much. I just make sure I get a lot of green vegetables in my diet. I buy the leafy greens that come in the clear container where the refrigerated lettuce and salads are in the grocery store. You can get kale or spinach, or a mix of alot of different greens in one container... I get the mixed greens. I also buy mixed berries from the frozen aisle and what I do is make smoothies with the greens and fruit and drink it every morning! Also, I eat the greens with grapes (I call it grape salad). If you do the smoothie, the salad or both of them EVERYDAY, you will see your symptoms fade! Just try to think about choosing healthier foods and your body will respond.
Lifestyle Changes
Posted by Melissa (Raleigh, Nc) on 10/09/2017
★★★★★
I think to keep BV from completely coming back there needs to be a whole lifestyle change. Everyone just focuses on killing the bacteria which is absolutely necessary but the infection is the symptom of something larger. Everything plays a part in how our bodies function. Diet, physical exercises, emotional balance and our immune system all play a part. While trying to eradicate the infections I think we need to watch what we put in our bodies. How many chemicals are you consuming, what type of meat are you eating, how many carbs and sugar are you ingesting, what are you drinking, are you consuming organic veggies or ones covered in pesticides? Emotional balance is a tough one since we are all so depressed and devastated from the infection but this is a big one. Meditation, visualization of a healthy whole you, yoga, Qi Gong are all very balancing practices. Yoga will check off two boxes as it's physical and emotionally balancing. Positive thinking (again, hard to do when you feel awful but necessary) and positive affirmation go a long way. Loving your body. Thanking it and cherishing it and being kind to it and understanding is so important. It's so easy to be angry with it since we feel like it is the enemy when things like this happy. Here is how Louise Hay explains Vaginitis:
Really take care of your body on every level. Don't just drink ACV for a day or so and stop because it didn't fix it. Continue. It's healthy for you. Don't just take Folic Acid for a week and stop because it didn't work. Your body needs it. Continue. Build the immune system. Take probiotics because your body needs it. There are cheap ways...fermented veggies, kefir and homemade yogurt are all less expensive ways to get lots of probiotics into your system. we live in a world of info and youtube is a great reference to learn how to make all these things. Youtube is also a great reference for self healing mediation and to watch videos on emotionally healing the self.
Dr's don't have all the answers. They know the body technically and are told by the drug companies what to give their patients. Not that they don't care but they have very limited knowledge. We've become a very "band-aid" society where we fail to find the root cause and just mask it with medication. This goes for most ailments.
I think we need a full body, mind and soul attitude to heal ANYTHING. It takes time and practice and is a huge commitment and a big lifestyle change. To me it's totally worth it.
Garlic
Posted by Gina (Nebraska) on 03/29/2017
★★★★★
For BV, wrap a whole peeled clove of garlic in gauze, insert at bedtime, and remove in the morning. Depending on how bad my case is one night will usually do the trick. If it's bad I will put a slit in the garlic and repeat for several days til better.
Alkalize
Posted by TG (WI) on 05/19/2021
Do you mix the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar together and spray it right on the area and dry it afterwards? Is this something you do every single day several times a day? Has the itchiness completely gone away? Can you use white vinegar instead? Thanks for the information on this!! I am done using antibiotics, I was on 3 different ones and nothing worked. I started changing my diet, no sugar, and taking baths with 3% peroxide, and baking soda, this has really helped!! I'm also looking into doing this remedy with the ACV and lemon juice.. thanks again!! God Bless!!
Alkalize
Posted by Drece (Tennessee) on 01/06/2018
I'm glad you've had such a great experience with the baking soda. I will try it this way, I tried using baking soda twice before and I didn't use any measurements. I'm sure it was way too much baking soda and not enough of water. But the first day I didn't see any difference. I did it a second day in a row; wowww! It worked as a laxative for me!! When I found that baking soda could remove toxins from the body I really went over board but I will definitely give it another shot with your measurements. Thank you!
Aloe in Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
Posted by JHelema (Georgia ) on 04/29/2021
★★★★★
I was told this exact thing by a holistic practitioner a few years ago and I know it works 100% for BV!!
Supplements
Posted by Drea (South Carolina, US) on 07/22/2014
★★★★★
I suffered from BV for many years and nothing worked until I tried this and the BV is completely gone for good. No joke ladies. This is what worked for me: I take vitamin B6 daily and inserted 1 Prebiotic vaginally for one night. Prebiotic feed the good bacteria and all I used was one capsule which I ordered from Amazon. Try it ladies it cured me with no douching and my sex life with my husband is now wonderful! No more embarrassing odor or discharge. Praise God Almighty!
Personal Care Products
Posted by Sophia (Kentucky, US) on 06/03/2014
★★★★★
I am a 32-year-old woman dealing with bv for about a year, even since I needed a 3-week course of antibiotics. I finally realized I had a problem that wasn't going to go away on its own. I didn't want to ruin my entire body's flora in the process of healing this, so I decided to go the natural route. First, I used hydrogen peroxide douches, which worked only temporarily--at first. I think I left them in too long and irritated my vagina! Then I started to take folic acid (800 mg) and a vaginal probiotic with about 10 strains of bacteria in it each day. Still no change. I tried a garlic bulb, and that made it worse. It had been 2 weeks since my initial efforts.
Finally... I did one final douche with the peroxide, this time diluted to 1.5% strength, and let it go back out right away. I also bought 8 pairs of brand new underwear, and have been wearing those exclusively. Continuing folic and probiotics, I never douched again, but everything smells great, no weird discharge, and no burning or irritation! SO HAPPY!
I share this with emphasis on the new underwear since I haven't really seen that up on the site yet. Here's why I think it's important: I accidentally poured a little peroxide on my panties once. They were fresh out of the laundry, yet the spot where my discharge goes--and ONLY that spot--bubbled up furiously. In other words, my washing machine can't get rid of all the bacteria residue! I wash on cold with natural soap, as many of you undoubtedly do as well. The disappearance of bv happened right after I started wearing the new underwear. I'm not saying you need to buy new underwear--just washing it REALLY HARD might be enough--but consider testing you undies by pouring some peroxide on the crotch to see what you think. I look forward to responses to see in anyone else agrees.
Garlic
Posted by Anonymous (Bklyn, Ny) on 06/22/2016
Caution:
To those using garlic be careful. I inserted a whole clove in my vagina and it got stuck between my cervix and vagina wall. I have a low cervix. It worked wonders but I really had a hard time getting it out. I was going crazy thinking how I would explain to the er that a garlic clove was stuck in my vagina lol
Sea Salt Baths
Posted by Ska89 (Kingston, Jamaica) on 02/10/2014
★★★★★
I too have suffered from this for 2 years, At one point had just given up because I couldnt afford to go to the doctors so regularly. However the last time I went to the doctor I got a 2 week break from the bv but then only to get a yeast infection note that my partner was also treated as well. After getting the yeast infection my period came and so did the bv, I was determined to find a home remedy, I tried inserting the acidophilus pills vaginally and I also took them orally, it did reduce the odor a bit but it was still there. I came across a video online of a young lady that cured herself and its been three years since she had any signs of the bv. She made a mixture of seven cups of warm water to one cup of pure sea salt and sat in it for ten minutes, change the water and sit another ten minutes, both morning and night for five days. I followed these directions exactly and on the third day the odor and discharge were completely gone!!!!!!! I continued for the remainder of days its been 2 weeks and so far so good, I'm expecting my period soon and that will the real test to see if it is completely cured but even if it isn't and I have to sit in salt water a couple days after every period I think its a small price to pay.
Garlic
Posted by Cherybark (Los Angeles, Ca) on 12/18/2013
Quick update.... My infection was worse than expected... I was told to leave the Garlic in for a total of 7 - 8 hours then the yogurt for 7 days.. Last night was my second night of yogurt and I woke up with no smell. FINALLY. I'm continuing the supplements and the vitamin d. I will continue to update.
Cold Showers
Posted by Gokhals (Ca, Usa) on 12/02/2013 34 posts
★★★★★
It's a near miracle, but cold showers have cured what nothing else did for me for over two years. My bacterial vaginosis is gone! Incredible.
I start hot and turn the water cold gradually. The final 30 seconds is stingingly cold. Its addictive, energizing and for a warm water wimp like me, a big departure in habit. The fact I have stuck with the program, is testament to the wonderful and unexpected results I have obtained from this.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Ikatcure (Hamden, Ct, Uas) on 05/08/2011
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with bv 3 years ago and since then I have taken multiple oral and topical antibiotics, all while abstaining from sex, eliminating sugar and refined carbs and taking probiotics and folic acid but my symptoms always returned.
I tried all of the regimines listed on EC for bacterial vaginosis but they all only worked temporarily.
Finally I decided to try oregano oil. I bought it at the health food store. It's also available online. There is an essential oil which should not be used. I used the kind that is blended with olive oil and fit for consumption. I took it orally (3 drops 4 times daily for 14 days) and applied it vaginally (1 drop 2 times a day for 7 days then 1 drop once a day for 7 days). I know that generally it is unadviseable to use this oil vaginally but it was the only thing that worked for me and it was uncomfortable for about 5 minutes a day but completely worth it. It's been 3 weeks now and none of my symptoms have returned. I apply 1 drop internally after sex and take 2 drops daily by mouth. I don't know if it's necessary to continue this treatment but I think I will for the time being just to make sure it's gone for good.
I also inserted a tampon with plain organic yogurt 4 hours after my second oregano oil application and left it for 2 hours daily. (I tried this with the other treatments too so I know this in and of its self wasn't the cure)
This condition has been terrible to try and deal with. Between visits to the DR, prescriptions and various treatments I spent over a thousand dollars trying to treat this without any success. I hope that sharing this remedy will help someone else out there who is still looking for help.
Note! Do not use this cure if you are using condoms as your main mode of contreception - the oil may break down the latex.
Best wishes for good health to all the ladies out there who are suffering with this condition.
Yogurt
Posted by Junie (Atlanta, Ga) on 07/29/2012
★★★★★
I use a turkey baster and insert about half way full of plain yogurt before going to bed at night. I do not soak it in a tampon I put the yogurt directly inside, put on ugly underwear and a sanitary napkin and go to bed for 8 hours. Then I take 1 probiotic pill a day, sometimes two and by the end of the week, it is cleared.
Baking Soda Douche
Posted by Pure (New York, Ny) on 12/04/2010
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
So like many women I have also been suffering from BV! I tried lots of remedies and all but the medicine seem to work. The hydrogen peroxide was working well but as soon as I would miss a session all symptoms would return. So I went to my local natural food mart and received some of the best info ever. The man strongly recommended that I douche every other day with 1liter of distilled water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. In addition to this I was to drink twice a day- 8oz of distilled water, with a 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, 1tablespoon of lemon juice and a little honey.
From my experience this is the remedy that has worked best for me. I stuck with it for 2 months and then started to slow down because I was healed. The health food clerk did tell me consistency was most important but I should stop when my body felt normal. So here I am about 6months later and I feel like it's back slightly because I can't where my tights and feel comfortable but it's much more manageable. I started just douching every other day 2wks ago and back to feeling great. Please give this remedy a try I believe this is the most effective as well as least damaging to my body. All the best. Keep us posted if you try this remedy.
Lemons
Posted by Anonymous (Sandusky, Ohio) on 09/21/2010
★★★★★
After countless remedies that all do seem to help, I think I finally stumbled onto something that cured my BV for good. Lemon juice. One whole medium sized lemon squeezed in a large bottle of water drank all day everyday for 7 days, will cure BV. Whenever I feel it comin on, I do it, until symptoms are gone. Ive done coconut oil, oregano oil, every kind of vitamin, yogurt, capsules in the vag, boric acid, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar and peroxide douches, ALL OF IT. Vitamin C, is the most important thing. And alot of it.
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!
Prescription Medications
Posted by Chrissy (LA) on 11/12/2006
★★★★★
i have BV and i have been suffering with this for almost five years and i have tried everything their is to tried garlic, vinegar, and yogurt. i went to the doctor and he gave me flagyl 500mg for seven days and on the six day it finally started to work so i went back and got it for seven more days and now i feel great. But while taking these tablets, do not take a bath take a shower and use dove soap. i got three more days on the meds but the smell is gone and i am happy to share this to the world.
Garlic
Posted by Norma (NYC) on 01/14/2024
You need a complex, full body approach. Explore high dose vitamin C IVs.
But first, what your inflammation markers are? Is your body fighting the bacteria? No local application of anything would help unless you know what is it exactly that you have. A bacteria culture is a test to confirm whether you have a bacterial infection. The test can also identify what type of bacteria caused the infection. Request the culture test.
Believe or not you might want to review what you are eating and exclude sugar and gluten (for starters) . But if I were you I would complete the NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques) course, following it to the T. You might get surprised if BV disappears after the treatment.
Sulfur Soap
Posted by Maryanne (New York) on 08/10/2022
★★★★★
Sulfur soap is the best remedy to get rid of bad odor in your private parts. I have been using it for over a year now and have not had a problem since. The odor went away immediately. Sulfur soap is a bit more expensive than regular soap but it works wonders. You wouldn't have to spent hundreds of dollars on pills or other remedies that probably won't work. I saw an online interview with Dr. Sebi who spoke about this, I tried it and it works.
Folate vs Folic Acid
Posted by wse34685 (Seattle, WA) on 01/13/2022
★★★★★
I think it's important to clarify the difference between folate and folic acid. As in my case, I have the MTHFR gene, which makes it more difficult for the body to clear BV, trich, and certain STDs. People with the MTHFR gene need to be really careful to NOT take folic acid, only folate. Alot of times doctors won't test for MTHFR when you have a persistent case of BV. Folic acid is the synthesized version of folate, and people who have the MTHFR gene have a difficult time properly using folic acid.
