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.
Folic Acid
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio ) on 10/20/2008
★★★★★
Folic Acid does work!! I was so surprised. Something that costs $4 at the store. I had a SEVERE bacterial infection, that I originally thought was a yeast infection. Extremely itchy, and uncomfortable, and I had the dread fishy odor. I had chunky, snotty green discharge. I honestly didn't think anything would help. I did the hydrogen peroxide douche, the first two days, which helped a lot, and made me feel a bit better, but it dried me out, so I put a bit of castor oil in there, to help combat this uncomfortable dried out feeling. I've had good results using castor oil to heal cuts, and various other things, so I figured it would be excellent.
By the third day, I still felt awful, and still had the odor. I was convinced it didn't work, but I trekked on with it,( I had nothing to lose) and by the 4th day, I could feel myself beginning to heal. I began discharging normally, ( a puss, yellow color)and little by little that burning, itchy, God awful feeling was going away. I'm on my seventh day, and I feel great. It's almost gone, the smell is gone, the discharge is clear, It works!!!
Folic Acid
Posted by Jenna (Los Angeles, CA) on 05/28/2009
Yikes. I think a green discharge is Trich, not BV?
Folic Acid
Posted by Beth (Ashland, Oregon) on 04/10/2010
Most of us don't know exactly what may have caused our BV but I believe for myself that it developed after having more then one sexual partner. The first time I ever experienced the smell was almost 10 years ago. I thought it was him since I had NEVER experienced any problems in the Punnani area before and had only been in serious relationships. Plus it seemed to only smell during sex. We were both baffled! Shortly after that I became pregnant and started taking a prenatal vitamin everyday which contains 800mg Folic Acid. The smell became less frequent. When I went to the Doctor for my first prenatal check up we told her about the smell we've experienced and she said that everythign looks great!! That it sounds like a BV but there are no signs of me having or had one. Okay!? Yay! And it NEVER CAME BACK the whole 8 years I was married. But I never linked its dissapearance to the folic acid until i found THIS SITE! :)
I've been single for 3 years and sexually active having more than 1 partner. The smell started again last year. Again, didn't link the prenatal vitiman aka folic acid tell recently. I've been taking it 800 mg folic acid every day and acidopholice as well and as long as I dont miss a day it's gone. But if i do it seems to creep back subtley.
I KNOW folic acid can CURE it for good! The difference in my life style from when it cured it 8 years ago may be the reason it hasn't yet. I consume alcohol & caffine on a regular basis, which obviously I didn't when I was pregnant or breastfeeding (21 months). And I've had more than one sexual partner which I belive to throw my whole ph balance off.
So for one month I plan to take 1 800mg of folic acid and the 5 acidophilus pills daily. Starting with 2 800 folic acid the first day. Sustain from drinking beer and coffee and increase water.
Folic Acid
Posted by Linda (Tacoma, Washington) on 10/17/2008
★★★★★
I have been suffering from BV for about 5 months, went to Dr he prescribed antibiotics, oral, that did not work than vaginal that did not work back to oral that did not work so now on my 3rd set of vaginal antibiotics. I found this site and am so glad other women are having the same issues and I'am not alone with this terrible BV. Have been taking Folic Acid with the vaginal and this seems to help. I am not sexually active so have not figured out how this keeps coming back. Has anyone got an information if lack of hormones might cause this..I am post menopausal..
Folic Acid
Posted by AR447 (Austin, TEXAS) on 01/09/2009
are you washing your hands and toys before you masturbate?
Folic Acid
Posted by Betty (Ny) on 08/24/2011
I wrote here before, Im at my wits end, this BV is the devil for sure, I just hate it!!! I smell like fish, I had this 7 years now and Im so depressed, I tried everything here, I was gonna do the boric acid but Im afraid and the pharmacies do not have it, I tierd yogurt, keifer, femdohilos etc... Now I want to try folic acid. I want to cry, this is messing up my life, I know ppl can smell me, I just want to stay home!!! I never was like this, 8 years ago some ass gave me herpes and I think it was the antibiotics and douching that messed me up, damn as a woman I always took pride on smelling good, now im a walking fish, Im currently in college and I know my fellow students talk behind my back, I do not know what to do any more, No more doctors for me, they know NOTHING!!! Why is there no cure for this? I mean really, I have a good diet, nothing esle is wrong with me. PLEASE help me!! Im going to buy folic acid now. I wish you guys luck, were in this together!!
Folic Acid
Posted by Krystal (Oceanside, CA) on 10/12/2008
I just got on here last night to see if there was anything I could do. I have for the past month had some itching problems "down there" and at first assumed it was a vaginal yeast infection. I took two packages of yeast infection over the counter remedies like the cream or the suppositories and it did absolutely nothing! I then looked online and found that many times yeast infections are diagnosed wrong and are usually bv. So, although I have not been diagnosed with it yet, I started taking vitamins (like I should have but never do) and the vitamins I should be taking have Folic Acid in them...I took it knowing I needed to go to the store the next day and just buy Folic Acid. I took the vitamin (which has I think 200 mg Folic Acid) just to see. I usually am awake all night long itching and last night I was itch free for most of the night. I am itching today, but I went and bought Folic Acid and I just took my first 400 mg pill. I plan on starting with taking 2 more today. I really hope this works to restore whatever is out of whack. My husband comes home from his 6 month deployment and I CANNOT have this problem. I really hope this works.
Folic Acid
Posted by Jkl (Chicago, Il) on 07/11/2011
I found my cure! I was taking 800mcg of folic acid everyday which somewhat gave me the relief I need but I noticed after my period the smell would come back, so before I tried the folic acid my doctor told me to douche with 1tbs spoon of hibiclens (not over the counter) and a liter of warm water for 6 weeks. So now what I do is I douche right after my period once with hibiclens and continue taking my pills, it's been 4 months and I have not smelt anything and I do not have any weird watery discharge like before, I feel so free because of this so if you try this and it works for you too write back and let others know!
Folic Acid
Posted by Lisa (Pusan, South Korea) on 09/14/2008
★★★★★
Folic acid works! And this web site is a life saver, especially for women with BV. What happened? I had a new partner, had this terrible BV ooze and was put on an IV drip by my Ob-gyn!!!!OMG.Given a HUGE dose of metronaizole, and couldn't take it because my stomach can't handle it. Fever. Vulva-dynia, crabs, smells from hell.
Bladder infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria. Irratic bites and itches. sprayed the whole house with flea bombs. Douched like mad with all sorts. Hid from friends and relatives.
Out of work for 6 months, spent entire savings on 50 doctors visits. Pretended not to be going to doctor, but that was my twice weekly destination.Obsessed with my recovery. Got another job, terrified of BV returning, asked a question on Yahoo answers and some dear angel showed me your website!!!! Left work early, ran to the pharmacy, bought a big bottle of folic acid, ran home and took 800mg at night and 800mg in the morning, ooze subsided for several days and no smell from hell. Honestly this website has saved my life. I was feeling quite desparate in a mental health day sort of way. IT GAVE ME HOPE WHEN THERE WAS NO HOPE.
When I read account after account of women who had been desparate and said folic acid works, my depression lifted - I had hope.
Thank you again and again. I hope something really good happens to you today and everyday because you deserve it.
Gratitude forever(to the webmaster/mistress of this website).
P.S. I had also taken flagyl while taking folic acid and 3rd generation antibiotics at the same time due to desperation.
Folic Acid
Posted by Audrey (New York Ny, Ny) on 03/21/2010
Wow, I am going to the health food store first chance I get. I suffer from one embarrassing incident after another in dealing with BV. I understand it is stronger in women who are peri-menopausal or menopausal. It's played havoc with my psyche and I grown extremely self-conscious. I believe it is the root cause behind so many interviews that lead no where. Yes, it's THAT bad. I normally wash my underwear by hand every night. Someone suggest using Borax to kill fungus and odor.
I will try the dosage that seems to commonly work on this site and get back. There is one small problem, I don't have a very good sense of smell and I will only be able to measure its success as to whether or not there is a discharge.
Many, many thanks and God bless one and all.
Folic Acid
Posted by Julia (Miami, Florida) on 09/01/2008
I have been suffering from BV for several years now. I had multiple sex partners and did not use a condom each time. Now I think I am paying the consequences with regular BV infections. My boyfriend of 2 and half years now, has had to see me suffer from this. I am so embarrassed that he has a girlfriend that has a smelly papaya and it makes me feel dirty. I went to several doctors telling them I had a really bad odor and none of them knew what is was. I finally found a doctor that prescribed me the metro medicine and it went away. But ofcourse like all of you have experienced, it came back. Now it has come back again for the 5 billionth time and I currently do not have health insurance and cannot afford to pay a visit to the doctor. I called my Gyno's office to see if someone could recommend something and they told me to take Monistat 7. I bought the cream and started the first night, I then went online because I wasn't sure that this medicine would help me. From what I read Folic Acid is the best remedy for everyone and I went and bought some today before I went to work. I took 2 400 mg tablets and I don't want to get my hopes up so I don't really want to check just yet if it is going away. The monistat cream has been coming out all day so I can't really tell yet. I really don't understand creams, why put them in if they are just going to be coming out all day? I hope this remedy works and is the answer to my embarrassment. I haven't had sex with my partner in 2 weeks now because it's too stinky down there. I am eating fage greek yogurt as Im typing this. I never have talked to my friends or family about this because I think it's to nasty of a problem. Even though it's a horrible thing, I am happy at the same time that I have found other women that can advise me on how to get rid of this problem. THANK YOU ALL! If this works, will I have to take Folic Acid forever?
Folic Acid
Posted by Tonya (Montgomery, Alabama) on 08/25/2009
You put the cream up in you right before bed time. This helps keep it in longer.
Folic Acid
Posted by Twistedsunshsine (Manila, Ph) on 02/25/2014
Hi! I'm 20 years old from Manila. I have this BV for couple of months now. I'm sexually active and I don't know what to do, still searching for a relief. I have read all your posts/comments, I've listed it all.
BV kills me psychologically and physically. It feels so embarrassing when my boyfriend and I are doing the deed. The day before yesterday, I took Metronidazole tab (500mg), I bought it over the counter without the doctor's prescription. And I told to myself that would be the first and last that I will ever take that harsh medicine after I read a lot of testimonials. I feel so desperate to took the smell away!
Tonight, I will buy folic acids. Thanks guys, that sounds great. Btw, last night I inserted a clove of garlic to my vajayjay. Coz it is well known for its antimicrobial properties. I wanna cure this in the most natural way. I also read about mustard oil. I'm also interested to that. I don't wanna douche, feels crap.
Will post again if there's any changes. I want to feel free. :(
Folic Acid
Posted by Deva (Arcata, CA) on 08/19/2008
★★★★★
I have been suffering most of my adult life with the embarrassing smell and the uncomfortable feeling of bacterial vaginosis. I once had a miscarriage that a midwife told me could have been caused by BV. I have tried literally everything: acidopholus, boric acid suppositories, various essential oils in my vaginal, homeopathic cures, Chinese medicine, garlic suppositories--ad infinitum. I even tried the guaranteed natural cures that you buy online and ended up getting my money refunded. But Hallelujah! I found your site and tried 800 milligrams of folic acid twice a day and the next morning my vagina was close to normal and this continues 3 days into taking it. I am so excited and want to share this with every doctor, midwife, and woman I know. Does anybody know why it works? Should men also take the remedy? (Please post these questions to the site) I decided to give some to my boyfriend in case he was a carrier as well. I have noticed over the years that men with foreskins intact can carry this bacterial inbalance as well. My life is going to be sooo much better!!!
Folic Acid
Posted by Jasmin (Watauga, Tx) on 08/12/2009
do you think my husband should still take the folic acid if I make him wear a condom?
Folic Acid
Posted by Connie (Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA) on 08/15/2009
Probably there is no need to have your husband take the folic acid. According to one Website about sexually transmitted diseases:
"There is no condition equivalent to bacterial vaginosis in men. Bacterial vaginosis can occur in monogamous relationships, and it can occur even when the woman's partners always use condoms.
So, it seems that a sexual partner doesn't "give" a woman bacterial vaginosis, but it occurs as a result of sexual contact."
Folic Acid
Posted by Ann (Clearwater, Michigan) on 08/15/2008
★★★★★
This site is AWESOME. I have suffered with BV for several years. To many to count. I was so tired of having the fishy smell and the discharge that comes along with having BV. I tried the Folic Acid remedy and it DOES WORK... I take 2 tabs bid of 400 and then 2 tabs bid at qs. Layman terms 2 400 mcg in the morning and 2 in the evening 1600 mcg in all. This has been a GOD sent remedy. There is nothing worse then looking good but smelling foul. For some odd reason, know one seems to know why some women get this condition. I am not over weight and I am physically fit, yet I too suffer from this annoying condition. Ladies, you owe it to yurself to try this remedy. I can attest to the results. However if you stop treatment the symptons will come back. It is best to stay on this regiment daily to prevent a relapse. Good Luck.
EC: Lately we have been receiving at least 3 emails a day about bacterial vaginosis. It appears to be a big problem!
Folic Acid
Posted by Kyra (Springfield, Massachusetts) on 10/04/2008
I was diagnosed with BV a couple months ago and have tried everything I can think of. I was feeling the symptoms long before I changed to a new partner but after that incident I started getting the discharge so I don't know if he had anything to do with it. I am going to go buy the Folic acid today and start using it. Wish me luck!!! and thank you all for the brilliant remedies, I only hope that taking the pills will be sufficient enough as creams, gels, douches are a pain in the butt...
Folic Acid
Posted by Jude (Fresno, Ca) on 04/23/2012
I just found this site and the cure. I have been diagnosed with BV numerous times over 12 years. I have taken 2 different kinds of medications and the gel; drs blamed my heavy periods so they put me on depoprevera; then they found a polyp so I had minor outpatient surgery. I had BV again within 2 weeks. I cant wait to go tomorrow to get the folic acid, trying the peroxide douche and the acidophilus. At my last drs appointment I was told they have tried everything they know and I should bathe everyday. I was so hurt and embarrassed; I will post again to let you all know if this remedy works. Wish me luck!
Folic Acid
Posted by Marie (Boulder, Colorado ) on 08/09/2008
★★★★★
I use folic acid for my bacterial vaginosis. I tried acidophilus and yogurt but nothing works as strongly and quickly as the folic acid. As long as I take it every day (1600 mcg/day), the BV is non existent. I will tell you this though. I experimented a couple of times by not taking it for a day and it comes back within 24 hours. I wanted to thank this website for having this information as I had originally found this cure here on earth clinic. I am an alternative health practitioner and will certainly recommend this site to others.
Folic Acid
Posted by Kathy (Brooklyn, NY) on 03/10/2009
Though Folic Acid seems to really help members of this site, I am wondering if it's really a true "Cure" if the symptoms come back if you miss a dose. Is it possible that it is masking a symptom rather than curing the infection?
Has anyone found folic acid to be a long term cure (no infection or symptoms for over three months)? Thanks for your insight. I've been suffering from BV for 9 months...
Folic Acid
Posted by Angela (Plymouth, MI, USA) on 03/20/2009
if you have BV, it may continue to come back after you have sex again because it can often be contagious. meaning, your partner will continue to give it right back to you until he/she is cured. they can have the infection even if they do not show symptoms.
Folic Acid
Posted by Tonya (Montgomery, Alabama) on 08/27/2009
I ask my Dr. do folic acid kill the bacteria or mask it, she stated it kills it. But for some odd reason our bodies are not producing enough of something to keep this bacteria at bay. So as long as I know I can take 2 folic acid pills a day to smell fresh and clean the hellow pills goodbye funk!!!! Tonya from AL
Folic Acid
Posted by Tgm (Durham, Nc) on 10/22/2012
Question: If you take the Folic Acid everyday and have sex frequently without protection will the BV come back?
Folic Acid
Posted by Suza (Missoula, Montana) on 07/25/2008
★★★★★
I had been fighting off BV for two weeks when I came across this web site. I had been using boric acid suppositories. And when this didn't work, I was put on a course of Flagyl. The burning, pain, itch, and irritable bladder would not subside. I was feeling quite ill all over. I didn't believe Folic Acid could possibly fix the problem, but after being on an antibiotic for 5 days and no relief, I decided what could it hurt? I purchased a small bottle of 400 mg Folic Acid and immediately took 3 tablets. I expected nothing to happen but around 4 - 5 hours later my burning and pain had lessoned noticably. I continued the folic acid the next day and by the 3rd day my symptoms were gone! I still cannot believe it. Ladies, this is worth a try. Take it from someone who has been suffering with BV since 1997. Now I'm wondering if I were simply deficient in this vitamin. Bless you for having this site.
Folic Acid
Posted by Lola (Houston, Texas) on 06/22/2008
★★★★★
After battling with BV for the last year, I finally had it with the antibiotics. I am social person and like to have a cocktail now and then. Flagyll and Clindamycin was killing me sexually, physically, psycologically, socially and mentally. BV made so uncomfortable. So I come to this site because I am sick of the doctor. Also, I get yeast infections after the antibiotics. One morning I wake up with BV, so I go to GNC and buy a bottle of Folic Acid 1000mcg. It was $5. I figured if it didn't work. I only lost a few dollars. The next day, no smell, no irritation, no nothing. So far, a week has passed and still nothing. I am taking one daily and will keep you all informed. I feel great.
Folic Acid
Posted by Depressed (Twins Cities, U.s.a) on 01/20/2012
Bv has been affecting me for over a year now. I dont know what they cause of it was, although I think it was a sex partner b/c thats when I started to notice a bad scent. Bv has been messing with me physically, mentally, & emotional. I hate going places and having everyone stare at me becuase I had a foul smell. It put me in depression where I separate myself from everyone cause I dont want my name tarnished for being smelly all the time. I take showers but to no avail. I been to the doctor three times, and I refuse to go back as everyone knows it's expensive, well just this pass wkd I went to the store and bought I billion acidolphilus pills and 400mcg folic pills.
Btw I tried vaginal insertion of metronidazole as well as the oral pills to no avail) After I took them for a full day ( one of each in the morning, lunch time and before bed/ w. Dinner) I didn't notice a small change where my odor smell had decreased but people could still smell it. I had all natural greek yogurt too, and again to no avail (orally), so today is my second day dealing with these pills and I only took folic acid. I know I'm not giving it enough time for me to be switching regimens already but I'm so desperate its not even funny. That was around morning and I took a nap and woke up and I feel as if it worked a little bit but the smell is still there just not as bad.
Warning TMI is about to take place................. After my nap I woke up and took a swab to my vagina & the discharge was chunky like cottage cheese something I never had ( the cottage cheese looking discharge) is this a good sign?! If you can help please comment/ email me.
Folic Acid
Posted by Hp (Los Angeles) on 02/08/2013
@depressedc from twin cities.. This is a bit late but this happened to me when I had a yeast infection and was using metro gel @ the same time.. I took the yeast infection medication and basically just scooped out the junk for a couple of nights in the shower. It was nasty... But my yeast infection was cured and I didn't have that cottage cheese chunk anymore.. Although I still have BV. FML!
Folic Acid
Posted by Melanie (Kobe, Japan) on 05/14/2008
★★★★★
Thanks for the site - I was so surprised to find so many women suffering from Bacterial Vaginisis. I cannot beileve this is not taken more seriously by health professionals and there is not more awareness in general. I think it's great that this provides much-needed support for women to share their experiences. I have the same story as everyone else here & after discovering this site, started taking 400mg of folic acid twice daily. the smell and discharge have completely disappeared!! It has been a week so far. I just want to show my appreciation and I hope this works for other women!!!
Folic Acid
Posted by butterfly73 (Atlanta, USA) on 12/18/2007
★★★★★
I wanted to thank the women on this site for sharing the information on Folic Acid! My sister and I started using it and I promise 1-2 days later, we are BV free! Praise GOD for the sharing of information! After age 30, Bacterial Vagnosis became a friend of mine. My doctor would tell me that it is common for Black women to get BV. Well, I have changed soaps, made my partners take showers before intercourse and also taken the medicine (Flagyl and Metro-Gel). I was beginning to get tired of taking that medicine. ACIDOPHILUS works but not like FOLIC ACID did! I believe in sharing information in order to help others! Once again, thank you! Butterfly in Georgia!
Folic Acid
Posted by Sunny (NY, NY) on 11/14/2008
For your doctor to tell you BV is common in black women is wrong. It is present in ethnic groups across the board.
Firstly, diet & hygiene plays a MAJOR role in combating any disease. The vagina should be cleansed with a unscented, mild soap..i.e. Dove. After showering thoroughly pat dry vaginal area,...with non-colored toilet paper, blow-dry on cool if x-tra assurance area is thoroughly dry. Towel-drying can harbor bacteria and one can re-infect one's self.
Curtail sweets as BV + yeast thrives off them. Increase vaginal acidity via Vitamin C (500 mg -twice a day )daily as well 800-1000 mgs of folic-acid.
Oil of oregano, and acidophilis probiotics to keep "good bacteria" intestinally/vaginally in check.
Less or no dairy except plain yogurt. Less red-meat, more fish i.e. wild-salmon, snapper, sardines,not shellfish ought to help. More spinach/mustard greens can help. No white flour, white rice, alcohol...
Wearing cotton underwear on a daily basis will help as well.
Excercise, yoga, omega -3 fish-oil pills as a mood enhamcer, stress tamer works well.
Folic Acid
Posted by Toya (Jacksonville, Florida) on 12/17/2007
★★★★★
I had been a BV sufferer f for about a year and I would continue to go to the doctor and would always leave the doctors office with some antibotic (does not work), and again no resolution to my BV. So I had decided to search the web with natural home cures for BV, and I continued to run across the folic acid. So I ran out and brought some folic acid 800mg and would take 2 a day. I promise after the 2nd day I was free of BV. No more smell, or discharge. I also wash with hydrogen peroxide after I have sex with my boyfriend so that it does not interfere with my ph balance messing up. And I continue to take the folic acid (1 tablet daily) just to make sure that nasty infection does not comes back.
Folic Acid
Posted by Zara (leeds, west yorkshire) on 12/09/2007
★★★★★
hi to all my BV friends, i call you friends because i am so happy that i found someone to talk to about our situation. i was also ALLERGIC TO MY X-BF SPERM. i have cried about having bv, because nuffin works 4 me. people could smell me from a mile lol.. so i decided to try FOLIC ACID 400g 3X daily, this works 4 me. so never give up!
Folic Acid
Posted by Anna (USA) on 12/07/2007
★★★★★
Update: I am still clear and the Estrace once a week has been discontinued. By way of clarification I was using the Estrace once a week for 2months and took a week of ORAL Clindemycin at the start of this use of Estrace. The clindemycin vaginal cream did nothing. (see previous post) The Dr. had not heard of using Folic Acid and was very open to the idea and gave me a prescription for a high dose. So far BV free and normal flora are restored to the now lovely environment of the vagina. Thanks to all.
