Top Natural Bacterial Vaginosis Remedies

1. Vitamin D (2000 IU/day). Recent research show a direct correlation between Vit D deficiency and increased risk for BV. Vitamin D also promotes the regeneration of squamous epithelials that consists the mucousal lining of the vagina.

2. Femina Flora (1 capsule/night for 10 nights). This is a vaginal probiotic capsule with 10Billion CFU's of Lactobacilli species including Lactobacillus Rhamnosus which has shown ability to adhere to and colonize the vaginal walls. It also contains lactose (to feed the Lactobacilli) and Vitamin C (to assist in lowering the vaginal pH).

3. Oral probiotics. I suggest using FemDophilus or Ultimate Flora Vaginal Support. FemDophilus contains Lactobacillus Reuteri and Rhamnosus while Ultimate Flora contains Rhamnosus and other Lactobacilli species. Both aforementioned species are excellent in adhering to and thriving in the vaginal environment.

Note: These remedies don't have to be permanent. For example, if you live near the equator 15-20 mins in the sun without suscreen will provide you with 10, 000 IU of Vitamin D. Otherwise, you can supplement with 1000 IU once you're symptoms alleviate. Also, you can wean yourself off or lower your probiotics dosage after your symptoms are gone -- you can take 1 capsule every other day, then 2 capsules/week, then 1cap/week.

Good luck! ;)

I have been battling "BV" for a few years now. In the beginning I would say that I was ignorant about the infection itself. I went to the doctors not knowing what this terrrible odor could be. I began getting BV after I became sexually active. I am not proned to getting yeast infections and do not know what it feels like to have one, but for some strange reason my body is inclined to getting Bacterial Vaginosis.

I have done extensive research on this bacterial infection and I have tryed every cure in the book, well almost. Very clean people can get BV, and I'm assuming that of course people with poor hygiene can get it as well. After being treated with anti-biotics, I came to the realization that the root of this problem was deeper than I thought. The anti-biotics would only cure me for about 7 months and then I'd be back to the clinic for more. Pity. I got depresed and I've even cryed a few times but I wouldn't give up on a natural cure.

Unfortunately, BV will most-likely continue to come back because I took anti-biotics for this infection at least 5 times. I think that the bacteria develop an immunity to the anti-biotics or a sort of resistance. My theory is that if we continue to cure our infections using natural remedies, not only will we kill the BV, but we'll also make our bodies stronger keeping BV away for longer periods of time and then eventually getting rid of this disgusting infection for good. Also, we must try to keep BV away on our own. My BV comes when I am on my menstrual cycle (sometimes) and when I have sex (if I don't use a condom). Both sperm and blood create alkaline envirornments. This is very harmful for our vaginas because our vaginas are meant to stay acidic. An Acidic envirornment is what kills harmful bacteria in the vagina. My tips for keeping the vagina acidic and aiding the vagina in keeping out alkaline fluids are:

1. After sex, (if not using a condom) sit on the toilet and allow all sperm to flow out
   
2. Shower after sex being cautious not get soap into the vagina
   
3. Using a soap that is either acidic (cranberry or lemon) (can purchase at whole foods) or that is non scented
   
4. Keeping non scented wipes to use while on menstrual cycle for frequent wiping
   
5. Changing pads or tampons regularly (every 3 1/2 to 4 hours)
   
6. Purchasing a syringe to rinse out the vagina
   

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!

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.

I tried the Hydrogen Peroxide douches, this worked but only temporarily. The next thing are the boric acid capsules inserted twice a week vaginally. The boric acid worked a bit longer. But as soon as I stopped inserting them vaginally, the vaginosis returned.

Here is the only thing that worked for me... MY CURE. I am a very studious person, love to research in the library. Doctors always told me my labwork came back normal. You will not believe how simple it turned out to be. I increased the amount of Vitamin D. I added Vitamin D3 to the regular multivitamin that I take daily. I went to WholeFoods Supermarket and purchased VITAMIN D3 (IT MUST BE D3). I take 2000 IU of Vitamin D3. And I also still take the multivitamin. LADIES THIS WORKED for me. We american's dont get enough sunshine cause we drive everywhere and wear sunblock, etc. Also I have always worked fulltime in a desk job. NO SUNLIGHT. EVER. Only get sun during the minutes I drive. Also I've stopped drinking milk due to intolerance, so I don't get vitamin D from milk either.

I researched at a medical library, the effects of being low on sunshine (or vitamin D)....and BV (vaginosis) is a side-effect of not getting enough vitamin D !!!! The medical article said that women with this BV (fishy odor) condition should be taking at least 2000 IU per day.

Warning is you should not take over 5000 IU. THE GOOD NEWS is, I've been BV free ever since. No odor, not even after sexual relations, NO ODOR at all. One thing is to take it religiously along with a multivitamin and a probiotic. And wait at least one month to see results. Also I stopped douching anymore. But this did it for me! Try it it's worth a try! I was desperate and Ifinally found this CURE for me personally after having this awful BV for almost one year and a half....have a happy holiday! Spread this solution to other ladies suffering unnecessarily.

I DO encourage anyone suffering from this to do as much research as they can, but if you are not good at research or do not have the time, I think this post will be helpful to you.

First,my story/symptoms- i am 40 and have had yeast infections from time to time during my adulthood. Have always treated them with OTC treatment that has worked well for me. A few weeks ago I felt that unmistakable itch that has always, for me, signaled a yeast infection. I tried the usual OTC. Didn't work...hmmmmmmmm. tried it again, didn't work again. That's when I realized I'm dealing with something else this time. Begin with the research and reading- I'm 99.9% sure I have BV. Looked at the "official" info websites on the subject. They give great info on the causes but all treatment suggestions send you to your Dr, where they promptly give you a pelvic and a dose of antibiotics. After reading hundreds of posts from ladies that followed that course-went to Dr, got antibiotics, got temporary relief and BV keeps coming back; I decided to try and treat myself from the get-go. If you make that choice also, please do it carefully. I am NOT one of those folks who doesn't believe in going to the Dr. But after all I've read, it is my strong opinion that the general medical community has really dropped the ball on this problem. All they seem to do is throw antibiotics at you; which at best gives you temporary relief only to have BV return. At worst, temp relief of BV, but a lovely yeast infection in it's place.
OK, Off the soapbox and on with the info....

First I'm going to talk about the WHY. If you've been to other sites you may know this already, so skip it. If not read on.

The vagina is an interesting little ecosystem. Basically you have "good" bacteria that live there and keep everything happy. The environment of the vagina needs to be acidic (3.5-4.5) Just a little primer on the PH scale...0-14, 0 is extreme acidic, 14 is extreme alkaline. If your PH gets off and moves toward the higher end, your Good bacteria die and bad bacteria take over-thus BV. Or a yeast infection. Either one lives at the more alkaline. The acidity/good bacteria is a circle. The good bacteria help keep the acid right and the acid keeps the good bacteria alive. If you need more info on whether you have a bacterial infection or a yeast infection, that is pretty easy to find here and all over the web. My info is designed for gals that pretty much know they have BV.

OK...what now??? Another gal put the treatment process very succinctly and I'm basically repeating her thoughts.

1. Kill bad bacteria
2. Make environment in vagina more acidic.
3. Re-introduce good bacteria.
4. Find out what is causing yours and prevent. This is a mystery, I think there may be more to BV than what we currently know. There are Soooooo many ways your ph can become unbalanced and cause this. Educate yourself as much as possible and try to figure out your why.

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

1.Hydrogen Peroxide
2.Folic Acid
3.Tea Tree Oil
4.Apple Cider Vinegar
5.Probiotics

1.Peroxide-Good all around cleasing agent. The bad bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they thrive in the absence of oxygen. The good bacteria are aerobic, the opposite. Peroxide floods the vagina with an environment that the bad stuff hates.
2.Folic Acid-I don't know why or really if this actually works, but a LOT of women swear by it and it can't hurt you-so why not.If anyone has more info on why Folic acid works please let me know.
3.Tea Tree Oil- This is a great natural TOPICAL antibiotic. There are others also, but Tea Tree is easy to come by and inexpensive and goes a long way.
4.Apple Cider Vinegar-This is a natural, inexpensive acid. Some gals insist on getting the kind with the "mother". You can find this at natural food stores.
5.Probiotics- I cannot (because this would be unbearibly long) go into all the details of the various strains of bacteria that should be living in your vagina. There is soooo much info out there to read on this(and I suggest you do)So I'm going to be VERY basic. Lactobacillus Acidolphis is one of the strains you need and can be easliy bought and administered.

OK, now for actual treatment. Other tools you will need other than the ones listed above are-
1. A small syringe. Get the type that has a bulb on the end. Designed for giving children medicine. Looks like a large eye dropper or a tiny turkey baster. Found mine at Wallgreens.
2. Tampons- get the kind that have different sizes. You will use the small tampon in the large applicator.

How to use these tools for treatment:
Take 800 mg of Folic Acid in the morning and 400mg at night.

You can rinse with the Peroxide first or anytime the discharge is bad. I found no problem with using it full strength. You can dilute if it bothers you. Draw it up into the syringe, insert as you would a tampon and squeeze it out while the syringe is inside. You can repeat this a couple of times.

Tea Tree Oil. This is where you use the tampons. Take out a small one and a large one, remove both tampons from their applicators. Throw out the small applicator and the large tampon. The reason you are doing this is(duh) a tampon swells when it is wet, so you have to get it saturated with oil THEN insert. Use the syringe to draw up some of the oil. saturate the small tampon with the oil. place the tampon in the large applicator and insert. leave in for up to 3 hrs. This is the A-Bomb for the bad bacteria! Take out and wait a few hours before the vinegar.

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

Acidophilus. This one has the most latitude. Probiotics come in capsules, tablets, "liquid", and in various foods. Most strains cannot migrate from your digestive tract to your vagina. Sooooo, the best way to adminiser these babies is to put them right where they need to be. i found that the capsules didn't disolve in the vagina as they would in the stomach, so I found an Acidophilus that is in a kind of liquid form. It actually looks like a runny yogurt. This is an easy method to get the little guys where they need to be. Use the syringe and insert a couple of teaspoons inside.

I found it best to use the Peroxide, Oil, and Vinegar during the day and the acidophilus in the evening before bed. That way it's not so messy (put on a pair of COTTON undies) also allows the whole night for them to multiply.
As for taking probiotics orally, certianly can't hurt and may help a lot. So take them orally in conjuction with vaginally.

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

With that being said one of the best and quickest cures for Yeast and Bacteria is boric acid. It's important that you use quality boric acid and the correct dosage otherwise you will not get any relief.

Also, another cure all is ACV (diluted) and sea salt. Never ever douche, either use suppositories or tampons soaked in the solution or take a sitz bath (twice a day). ACV does take a little longer to cure but it helps with any itching. I will also add tea tree oil is similar to ACV. None of these cures will work if you do not concentrate on your internal body.

Eating healthy, drinking water, cutting down on alcohol and sweets will make a tremendous difference but also adding vitamins. A vitamin that acts as a hormone that over 60% of the population is lacking is D3 and one of the many symptoms of vitamin D3 deficiency is BV.

Also, it's good to add folic acid and calcium. A good multi-vitamin would be helpful everyday regardless if you have an infection. I guarantee if you start with prevention first you will not experience either infection and if you do it will be minor and will clear up within a week using the above methods. Lastly, be careful what you put into your vagina, you can cause more havoc then the original infection, one being vagina dermatitis similar to eczema from which so many products have stripped, dried and cause an infection of the actual skin.

Since I've been taking the iron consistently (one tablet per day) I haven't had any more issues at all. No more odor, no more panty liners. It's been three months since I have posted here so I just wanted to come back and update everyone. Hope you gals find relief!

This is what I've been doing:

Starting in the morning.. I take one acidophilus probiotic. One folic acid. And I'm also taking a lot of vitamin C to boost my immune system. I also eat plain organic Greek yogurt and cut up some fruit into it to make it taste better. Apples work the best :). I take a shower and wash myself out with 1/4 cup of peroxide and 1/4 warm water. And then, instead of using my regular body wash, I wash my body with 2 tbs of baking soda and warm water to balance my pH. After I'm done I put one acidophilus into my vagina. At night.. I take more vitamin C and one more acidophilus. Wearing cotton undies and loose clothing helps! And that's it!!

I hope this helps someone, because I know how much this stupid infection sucks! My self-confidence is so low now, but I can already tell it's going to get better. I'll try to update on my 5th day. Stay healthy :)

Instead, I did a ACV and warm water sitz bath for 20 minutes- ish. Took shower (I use Dove Soap).

Vaginally inserted a diy suppository that consisted of organic unrefined coconut oil and tea tree oil. I put about 1.5 tsp (?) amount in ice cube tray and froze before hand. Placed a pad into cotton underwear and viola! I'm hoping this works. Will update.

I bought a box of 2 vinegar and water douche bottles (I got the ones with the applicator that you can screw off and replace the top of the bottle with a cap), probiotics Acidophilus (capsules) and hydrogen peroxide. I emptied out one of the pre-filled douche bottles and rinsed it with warm water (I know I said vinegar and water like it mattered but I'd rather rinse out something natural then something that had artificial fragrance in it. And traces of vinegar wouldn't hurt much.)

I added maybe an inch to an inch and a half of hydrogen peroxide to the empty bottle; opened up a capsule of the probiotic Acidophilus and emptied the contents of that in the bottle and added warm water. Let the mixture dissolve before using. I would use it in the shower after I wash up, re-filling the bottle with just plain warm water and douching another 4-5 times.

I did this daily for about 5-7 nights a week and even noticed the signature bad smell was gone the very next morning. By the end of the second day the discharge had lessened and the odor remained gone. I would skip a few days and do it again for another 3-4 days. I re used my douche bottle for about a month before I discarded it. I'd replace the cap on top of the bottle and would clean the applicator with plain warm water and my clean hands, wrap it in a clean paper towel and place it in a clean zip lock gallon bag and sealed it. (I'm a nurse and this is the closest I could come up with as far as a clean technique goes)

I'm still on the quest to find out just why women keep suffering from this. Maybe it's our diet or side effects from my birth control days, I don't know. But I hope this remedy gives helps someone out.

so I went out and bought folic acid 400 mg, vitamin C with rose hips 1000 mg, and some organic ACV..

Thursday I took my normal 3 acidophilus a day, one multi-strain probiotic, three folic acid, one vitamin C pill..I then added 1 tbsp of ACV to my water bottle drank the entire thing and soaked a tampon in half ACV half water and put it in for an hour..

I repeated this for three days..

it is now Saturday there is no smell and to make things even more exciting I had sex with my boyfriend this afternoon and there was no smell just normal..idk if it's the folic acid or all these things combined but it really worked..I'm gunna keep doing the pills everyday along with ACV in my water bottle and try to lay off on the ACV soaked tampon until my period comes back, I will then do the soaked tampon a few days after it ends to make sure things are all in tact down there..keep trying to find what works best for you ladies this bv crap is no joke!