Bacterial Vaginosis
Natural Remedies

Top Natural Bacterial Vaginosis Remedies

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.
Personal Care Products
Posted by Chelle (Alabama, US) on 11/11/2014
★★★★★

I used to have burning for a week straight after my period and I would also get burning and pain with sex during that week and sometimes after. I treated myself with OTC yeast treatment. Shortly after that I developed BV but it cleared with one course of Flagyl. Next month burning after my periods again. What finally worked for me... Switching to reusable cloth pads. The disposible pads were either causing chemical burns with whatever they are made of or too absorbent drying my vagina out likely messing with my flora and pH. It's now been a year and no burning and itching!


Coconut Oil
Posted by Tulane (San Diego, CA) on 11/01/2014

Hi there, so I've been sufferring for 4 years!! Can you tell me how much oil you used as a moutwash and for how long? How does this cure bv?

Was this all you did?

thanks, tulane


Personal Care Products
Posted by Anna (Houston, Tx) on 10/28/2014 2 posts
★★★★★

I started washing my undies with some Borax, I believe that this killed off the BVD and Yeast that I had suffered from.


Coconut Oil
Posted by Kim (Washington, US) on 10/22/2014
★★★★★

I can completely understand your misery! Another user recommended ingesting virgin coconut oil, but if that sounds icky, try swishing it around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes every morning and then spitting it out. This is called oil pulling and I discovered quite by accident that it must balance either the good and bad bacteria or the pH of the vagina, because I'm cured after dealing with bv for four years! Before I discovered oil pulling, a few other things helped lessen my symptoms:

-avoiding sugar.

-using a mix of Apple cider vinegar and water as a douche and feminine wash.

-a homemade suppository of coconut oil mixed with the contents of an acidophilus capsule.

-daily probiotic supplements.

These things helped but didn't solve the problem. But since I began oil pulling I no longer douche, and I save tons of money because I no longer have to take tons of probiotics every day. What a huge relief! I hope this helps!


Liver and Gallbladder Flush
Posted by Tokyoempress (San Francisco, Ca) on 10/14/2014
★★★★★

Hello ladies,

I have discovered a cure for BV. I suffered from it for 4 months after unprotected sex. It wasn't STD. It was not going anywhere until I did what I suggest here.

BV is fundamentally a problem arising from body's pH imbalances. You need to get your vagina ACIDIC to make it healthy and keep the infection away. (Inserting something acidic like Vitamin C powder or vinegar or yogurt is NOT the permanent solution.)

I tried many remedies suggested here on this site for BV which worked temporarily to be symptom-free. But not cured. It came back shortly after stopping the remedy.

KILLING THE BACTERIA WORKS TEMPORARILY, in most cases. Because, Bacteria is NOT the problem - they are everywhere. Healthy state of the body keeps them harmless or we all will perish from infections instantly. You need to know body has to have proper pH balance and different acidity/alkalinity at different locations. When we lose this natural balance, problem happens.

Also, ADDING good bacteria ALSO WORKS TEMPORARILY in most cases of chronic BV. Why? Again, because the cause is still there. pH imbalance.

Ok, so how we restore the natural pH balance FAST?

One very effective way is to do a series of Liver/ Gallbladder Flush, suggested by Dr. Hulda Clark. There are many websites with detailed instructions on how to perform this.

One IMPORTANT THING I MUST ADD is, absolute necessity to do Parasite Cleanse prior to doing Liver Flush. At least 2 weeks of good parasite cleanse is necessary. If you have a "Zapper" (electric device that kills off all parasites), you can put it over the liver area over night. (Move it if it ever starts to tingle or sting, or it can burn your skin. I normally am ok with over night zapping there without any problem). Also, you can take parasite cleanse herbs like Paratrex sold on the internet. If you don't do this, you won't get nearly as good results when you do the liver flush. Microscopic parasites live inside your liver and everywhere in your body. And they secrete sticky thing that make them stick inside of liver and gallbladder. They will prevent things getting cleansed and flushed out of your liver. After parasite cleanse, when you do the liver flush, you will definitely see stuff (stones and waste materials) coming out of your liver/ gallbladder. Sounds nasty, yes, but you want that out of your body. Then your liver will start to perform more optimally. It detoxifies waste, which is ACID in nature, and the body just KNOWS how to do its job properly - balancing itself out! (My theory for this).

Please try the Parasite Cleanse and Liver Flush to cure BV for good.

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lisa (BC, Canada) on 09/27/2014

After reading most of the great posts, I have come to the conclusion that BV is a symptom of a systemic imbalance in the body. I was diagnosed with BV two years ago. I did not do anything about it, because I was asymptomatic. About half a year ago, I began experiencing discomfort while making love. Then the itching around my vagina began. Then the nasty smell. Several months ago, I began waking up because of the itching. It was at its worse just before my period began. I decided to do something about it a month ago. I did not go to my doctor, because I really do not want to use antibiotics. I waited with posting to see what would happen after my period had come and gone and I am happy to report that the smell and itching is gone. I'm so happy! So here is my approach:

Hygiene:

I bought all new, cotton underwear. I do not wipe after urinating, but blot my area dry. I do not use soap around my vagina anymore. I clean with water and if I feel that I need extra cleaning, I spray my vaginal area with watered down lemon juice from a spray-bottle. I finish my warm shower with a cold shower, for increased blood flow.

Diet:

I cut out most sugar and most wheat (yes, I was eating a lot of this; with the 'spit' test, I tested mid-range for candida). I do not eat too many fruits. No juices. I drink copious amounts of fermented milk kefir and home-made coconut kefir. And I eat more fermented foods to blast my body with pro-biotics. I drink several cups of water with lemon juice. I take 2 spoons of the best quality coconut oil per day. No eating after dinner. I don't drink alcohol.

Supplements - I do not take a regimented approach but it includes:

One or two cups of water with some raw apple cider vinegar. Some liquid chlorophyll diluted with water.

1/2 tsp pure psyllium husks in one cup water in the evening to help flush out my intestines.

1 1mg folic acid per day.

1 probiotic for women per day.

1 -2 tsp good quality fermented cod liver/butter oil per day for Vit. D, which I think is crucial.

1/2 tsp of bentonite clay in 1 cup of water (I let it sit for several hrs. before drinking) at night before bed to help flush out toxins. 3 days on 3 days off.

I also used Goldenseal tincture for seven days.


Coconut Oil
Posted by Jane (Texas, US) on 08/30/2014

My problems with BV started several years ago when I was having unprotected sex with a particular partner. I'd never had any problems with it before. I think with age my vagina became more alkaline. Sperm is alkaline and the vagina is acidic so when the alkaline is introduced it can mess up the acidity of your vagina and cause the foul odor. Even though I haven't been having sex, I still have chronic BV. My vagina has never been the same. Ugh.

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kayla (California, US) on 08/07/2014
★★★★★

I have suffered from BV for about 5 years now. When I first started showing symptoms I went to the gyn who put me on antibiotics ( with horrible side effects) and had no therapeutic effect on me so I just put up with it ( Sprays, douches, etc.. horrible I know) . As the smell got worse I was horribly embarrassed I would smell my BV right out of the shower. I felt uncomfortable in my sex life... I felt so dirty when I knew I was clean.

So I tried again to get rid of my BV this time I took one weeks worth of flagyl (oral) and tried to change my diet by eating healthy. I had great results... Oh my goodness the smell is gone!!!!!! ...But then 2 days before I got my period (3 weeks had passed) I noticed a slight fishy odor ..by the time my period had ended the smell had fully came back (If not worse).

I felt hopeless I couldn't deal with this smell anymore. I started to look for home remedies : yogurt inserted into vagina , acidophilus via vaginally and oral ( If inserted at night smell would go away but would come back at the end of the day), working out ( sweat definitely aggravates it lol) and nothing worked!! I went to my gyn again who gave me 2 weeks worth of flagyl this time when it ended I added :

Yakult nonfat probiotic(Took once a day; usually found in the dairy department at a local store),

Greek yogurt once a day

Odorless garlic 1000 mg once a day

Cranberry caplets 300 mg once a day

Probiotic Acidophilus caplets 1 Billion Active Cultures ( by mouth and once a week vaginally if needed)

Thank GOD it has worked!!!! I think starting antibiotics to rid the bacteria and then starting a home remedy definitely helped a lot! I wanted to share this information with others because I have done research after research to find a way out of this misery. I HAVE BEEN BV FREE FOR 5 MONTHS!!!

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Misty (Indiana) on 07/29/2014

Store-bought probiotic products are better than nothing, but have you tried making your own? The store-bought stuff does not have the same probiotic content, is not as fresh, contains additives, is less eco-friendly, and is less cost-effective. Homemade kefir and yogurt is pretty easy, so I see no reason not to make your own! You can also try your hand at making cheese and other fermented products.

If you can get your hands on raw milk, that makes it even better, but even homemade kefir or yogurt from pasteurized milk is still better than the store-bought stuff. Making kefir requires only milk and a one-time purchase of kefir grains for around $10. You can even make your own strawberry flavor by blending strawberries and honey into the finished product!

Homemade yogurt is also very easy and preferable to the store-bought stuff. You can use a few tablespoons of store-bought yogurt as a cheap starter or buy some starter and save a few tablespoons of yogurt as a starter for next time. A yogurt-maker does all the heating and cooling for you, but is not necessary if you're on a budget.

I encourage you to look up instructions online because I assure you it's very simple!


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Pvianna18 (Ftl, Fl) on 07/29/2014
★★★★☆

I'm writing this to share the info I've found. I'm 28, with one child, and I've suffered with BV on and off for years now. Let me tell what helps aside from metro gel which is costly, requires a script, and docs visit each time.

  • Drink LOTS OF WATER
  • drink water with tons of lemon in it-- it makes your body more alkaline which helps you get back to normal
  • drink cranberry juice
  • drink Kefir I buy strawberry flavor from Publix
  • drink danactive probiotic EVERY DAY; they are yummy so no biggy
  • take acidophillus pills
  • take a daily vitamin
  • take vitamin C
  • EAT HEALTHY, STAY AWAY FROM SODA, SUGARS ECT., eat veggies, try to cut carbs
  • ALWAYS WASH AND PEE AFTER SEX
  • HAVE YOUR PARTNER START EATING BETTER TOO, LIKE HAVING ONE DANACTIVE SHOT IN THE MORNING. He will become less acidic.
  • I also clean my vagina out with hydrogen peroxide which gets rid of smell and infection temporarily. Really hydrogen peroxide gets rid of ALL bacteria, but we still need the good bacteria in there so the trick, is to clean yourself out and then start eating and drinking right to get the good bacteria back in there. BV is basically a side effect of a weak immunity. If you don't take care of your body properly, it doesn't stand a chance against infections. BV is no fun, and staying healthy isnt always easy. If you are looking for an immediate cure, you're just not going to find one. Hydrogen peroxide is the closest thing to that but it's temporary. For me, I try to get my body in order the healthy way first, if it doesn't work, last case scenario I'll go to the doc for metro gel.

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!


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jas (Memphis Tn) on 07/13/2014

Hi dial soap is not good for everyone. Dial soap gave me my very first yeast infection when I was 17 and it was bad! And it causes bv. I can only use dove beauty bar. So u are doing good to stop with the dial


Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Koko (Chicago, US) on 07/08/2014
★★★★☆

My bv was the worst during and after my period. Not anymore though, I use a Diva Cup and have found that before reinserting it, coating it inside and out with (diluted) tea tree oil has greatly reduced the symptoms during that time of the month. I cleanse daily in the shower, using cold water instead of warm, which otherwise has been the most effective remedy for me. Paired with tea tree oil during my period, my chronic and sometimes intense symptoms have been mostly under control for several months now. Not cured, but still figuring that out.


Cold Showers
Posted by Koko (Chicago, US) on 07/08/2014
★★★★★

I've had chronic and sometimes intense bv for a few years. Looking over different remedies here, I thought cold water cleansing sounded easy enough. Although it's not completely eliminated, this has had longer lasting results than any of the many things I've tried. No soap, just a quick and thorough rinse with a detachable shower head. Start warm to adjust and then gradually turn the water as cold as you can stand it. It gets tolerable fairly quick. I do it at night before bed usually and then sleep nude without underwear.

I have no idea why switching from warm to cold water has helped but results don't lie. Maybe warm and cold water has different pH? I know warmer water has more sediment in it so maybe cold is just..cleaner? Idk but it helps a lot and is really easy and free!


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Elly (Chicago, US) on 07/07/2014
★★★★★

I've suffered from BV on and off for about 20 years. Here are a few natural tips to help cure this ANNOYING disease! A least this is working for me! I call it a disease because literally it can take over your physical and emotional health for weeks on end. It also takes a toll on your finances from running to doctor to doctor. My life would consist of finding ways to get rid of this awful infection, while still going to work everyday and trying to not have a sour look on my face because of being so uncomfortable.

Anyway, there's hope and a silver lining here because I get to share this with you.. over the past 3 days, I've seen great improvement with doing the following: 1. Limit sugar and carbs! Its tough, but the sugar feeds the infection. 2. In the morning before breakfast, take 2 women's RAW probiotic 3. AFTER breakfast, take a combo pill of golden seal and enchinacea. Then, take a garlic pill (got these at whole foods). 4. Carry multiple light panty liners with you. Change every 1-2 hours, it makes sure you are dry down there. 5. Drink lots of water. 6. Walk 30 min per day. 7. Wear cotton underwear and no tight clothes. This is working for me so far, and hope it helps you too!!!


Multiple Remedies
Posted by keeping.it.real (San Diego) on 07/07/2014

Hi all!

I'm back, as promised, with a semi-cure. I recently started taking Femdophilus probiotics, and it has helped immensely! It's not like other probiotics as it contains the strain Reuteri. If you get a probiotic other than Femdophilus, I recommend finding one with the reuteri strain. I take 2 in the AM and 2 in the PM. It works wonders. There is no smell, discharge, nothing. I am confident again, and have no embarrassment getting intimate with my bf. I would say that this is a cure, but every month, I am re-infected by my menstrual cycle. So it's really just something that helps keep the symptoms at bay. I have determined that my cycle is the main cause of the BV, though. Intimacy with my boyfriend can't be the problem, because I'm fine until my period hits. Then it's back to square one. At this point, I'm so exhausted with trying to battle this, that I've decided I'm fine just taking the probiotics each day, along with my folic acid, vitamin d and iron supplements. I try eating a lot of garlic, and drinking more water. Cutting back on sugar and carbs also helps, along with the HP flush, (if you need an absolutely IMMEDIATE solution). I also take epsom salt/tea tree oil baths occasionally, just because it's nice, and also just so happens to help with the BV nonsense. So there you have it...this is my cure...for now. I'll report back if I find anything else. :)


Lemons
Posted by Fifi (Ontario, Canada) on 06/30/2014
★★★★★

My bv problem got out of control again. So decided to drink as much lemon and water as possible. I believe I have BV because my body is very acidic and I'm in need of more alkaline foods(google it). So far I'm far less itchy. Try more alkaline foods and stop eating acidic foods


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marigold (Usa) on 06/17/2014

The peroxide was too strong, you probably burned your tissues. The strongest you should use is diluted 3%. You'll need to do some healing before you try anything again.

Also, do not use apple cider vinegar - only white vinegar, also very diluted or you'll have more tissue damage. The apple cider vinegar has natural yeasts/bacteria which can add to the problem instead of helping. Good luck!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Miss (Pa, US) on 06/16/2014

The same thing happened to me! I kept reading about douching with Hydrogen Peroxide. It really helped with the scent but a week later it all came back 1,000 times worse! Douche again....it just happened over and over. I really diluted it a lot. The douches were maybe 20% Hydrogen peroxide. I would get so itchy and burn it was unbearable! To be honest, the Hydrogen Peroxide made it worse. Everyone is different. I take daily vitamins, I tried Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut Oil, and acidophilus (twice daily) and so far they have helped with the symptoms but not cure. My diet is 80% fruits and veges. I eat little meat and exercise 5 days a week. I am a very healthy person. But this time, the natural cure route has not worked. I think I'm going to have to suck it up and use the antibiotic.


Glyco-Thymoline
Posted by Valerie (Houston, Tx) on 06/07/2014
★★★★★

This cure has worked for me for over 15 years ... until this time. This is an Edgar Cayce cure. I use a Glyco-Thymoline soaked tampon at night and then also during the day. The longest it ever took to clear up was a week. But this time it wasn't working which sent me on-line to find other remedies. I had no idea so many suffer with this. After trying a couple of different methods, like tea tree and H2O, it still wasn't working. So, I did more research and started taking the probiotics that are recommended. In my research, I thought maybe it wasn't clearing up because my body was too acidic. Bingo!! -- this seemed to be the issue that was delaying my progress. I looked up foods that are highly alkaline and very acidic and found the culprit -- Apple Cider Vinegar, which I had been taking every morning. I stopped that, started having Lemon water in the morning and filling up with all kinds of good fruits & veggies that are very alkaline. I do highly recommend Glyco-Thymoline but if it's not working for you, check your diet. :)


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 Dani (Norfolk, Va.) on 05/31/2014
★★★★★

After searching the internet I decided that whole organic garlic cloves was the answer for BV and boy was I right! Of course I discovered the cure right in the middle of a raging yeast infection so I took drastic measures....insertion! I took a clove of organic garlic (the fresher the better you want it to be firm not rubbery) cut it in half and inserted it vaginally . Within minutes I noticed a strong garlic taste in my mouth but expected that from what I had read. Within hours I was noticing relief, the itching wasn't nearly as bad...but it did burn a little. Then when I went pee, I noticed a lot of white stuff floating in the water, like the yeast was draining out of me. I did this for two days and was completely cured...for a few months.

This cycle went on for about a year until it dawned on me that I wasn't being proactive! I started taking organic garlic capsules every day an have been yeast free for years now :) I have a friend that says she doesn't think the garlic capsules work so she just eats a clove or two every day and it works for her too! Hope this helps someone.

EC: Inserting a whole clove with no nicks or cuts will make it less likely to burn, but will still yield the same result.

Apple Cider Vinegar Variations
Posted by Tiff (Ontario, Canada) on 05/27/2014
★★★★★

I have been getting BV after repeatedly for the last year. I did try douching but it didn't keep the BV away for long. But I did mix lemon and Apple cider vinegar together in a spray bottle and spray my lower region every time I use the washroom (and before I go to bed). I have cured myself (Thank you Jesus). I don't smell or itch after my period or after sex.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Godschild (Southern, Ca) on 05/19/2014
★★★★★

I have been an avid reader of EC for years, and have tried many of the cures suggested for various ailments. I have been battling Bacterial Vaginosis for two yrs., tried almost all natural remedies that I could find out about, some worked some didn't and the ones that did only lasted for a couple of days, then right back to the old drawing board...I was at my wits end with this smelly, frustrating and embarrassing ailment..so a few days ago before taking my shower I decided that I was going to use straight white vinegar inside the vagina, but not douching but soaking a washcloth in the vinegar and ringing the vinegar in the vagina from the back..it burned like heck, but I guess that is from the irritation that goes along with having BV.... it has been 5 days and NO scent nor discharge. I even had a couple of glasses of wine last night and today still no discharge nor smell at all! Normally if I have a drink it would have a bad effect on the BV and I would discharge more than normal, but not this time....White Vinegar has always been used for Centuries as cures, and as we women know, it is used in most store bought douches, but it doesn't always receive credit for ailments of the vagina. I just wanted to share my relief story, and hopefully it will help someone else out there...and if for some reason my bv comes back I will most definitely applying the same treatment as before....also up your water intake to at least 64oz per day and if over 140lbs drink enough ounces of water to equal half of your body weight, water is very important in this fight against BV. Make sure you are well hydrated everyday, I think that dehydration has alot to do with this and so many other ailments. I drink tons of water per day, I eat a piece of garlic everyday or night, I use an antibacterial soap to bathe, and I take probiotics also...but it wasn't until I inserted the white vinegar directly, that any great results are being achieved....I will post again in a couple of weeks with an update...God Bless.


Yogurt
Posted by Bee (Los Angeles, Ca) on 05/10/2014

i just would like to point out.... DO NOT put vanilla yogurt in your vagina. use PLAIN YOGURT. yeast feeds off the sugar in yogurt and can possibly make you situation worse.



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