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 Anna (New york City, New York) on 12/01/2007
★★★★★
Thanks to everyone for the info on Bacterial Vaginosis, especially the effectiveness of Folic Acid. Before I found this site I had several months of metrogel vaginal cream, two series of prescriptions of the metrogel pills,(flagyl), clindamycin cream and as you all testify it just kept coming back. I researched the web and found out a lot about BV, in particular that Doctors do not know why the anarobic (bacteria that use no oxygen} overpopulate the vaginal canal and the good bacteria, which are oxygen loving, get moved out. Attacking gardnerella which is what the metrogel and flagyl do, might work but is usually temporary. Gardnerella is normally found in the vagina, but why does it get out of control? The conclusion of the best is that there is a synergistic or interdependent relationship among several of the anarobic bacteria. Clindemycin is a broader spectrum antibiotic and if metrogel and the pill, generic flagyl, do not work then Clindemycin should be tried. BV is dangerous because it can travel as a real infection to the ovaries and elsewhere, even into the lumbar region. Though it is caused by "overpopulation" of one bacteria naturally occuring, this definition may be a little too soothing. Waking up one morning with a sudden sever backache on the same time my first prescription for the oral flagyl pill was ready freaked me out because my research had come up with cases of "disc space infection" in the lumbar spine due to BV....So ladies don't relax on this issue. The discharge was greyish and fishy..not a yeast infection for sure. No itchiness. Swabs showed overpopulation of Garderella. Problem was the six months of repeated use of the metrogel cream cleared the vaginal canal and most of all the discharge, but the smell was bad...something was wrong. I believe the problem moved up into the uterus...at the end of each period the grey smelly discharge would manifest. This happened even after using the flagyl pill. As others said it came back. I went to another doctor. He used clindamycin along with ESTRACE vaginal cream once a week. When I asked why, he said, " Local Estrogen helps restore normal flora to the vagina." It worked. But he wants me to stay on the estrace for 2 more months. The key is restore the balance of flora. By the way the first thing this dr. did do was give me the acidopholus in the form of capsules (Culturelle) to use vaginally. But that did not work. After I read this site I started taking Folic Acid 800mg for two weeks and now take 400 every day. I eat yogurt, but probably should take the acidophilus also. Anyway here is my experience and I hope it helps. I plan to tell the Dr at the next visit about the folic acid. I don't know if I am out of the woods yet Thanks to all
Folic Acid
Posted by Carol (Atlanta, GA) on 11/15/2008
OMG, I am having the same problem with my back. I didn't suspect it could be bv causing my back pain. I am happy I read your post. I wish these doctors would take this more seriously, and find out how to really prevent this from reoccuring. I have a pain in the middle of back. Not the lower back but just below the middle. It started last year and now it just comes and goes. I found a regemin that works for me using acidophollis (4million tab) and yogurt. I also had to stop smoking and started a whole body cleansing (detox) program with teas and colon cleansing. I also heard that chlorophyll works for deodorizing odors and charchoal tablets could remove toxins. Haven't tried them but hey if this doesn't work I'll have to. Got to keep my job, can't keep this problem from effecting my life. You know what I mean.
Folic Acid
Posted by Venessa (Honolulu, Hawaii) on 11/08/2007
★★★★★
Folic acid really works! I've been fighting Bv for the last 9 months, been to the doctors but ntg really work. I came upon this website and went to buy Folic acid and consumed it instantly. My Bv is gone after 2 hours!!! I can't believe it...i keep going into the bathroom and check if i'm really dry from time to time! It's really gone!!! If women know folic acid is the cure, then things won't be so complicated. It's cheap and you can get at any pharmacies w/o precription! take 3 pills a day and it really works!
Folic Acid
Posted by Jayne (Sheffield, England) on 10/20/2007
★★★★★
After reading this site I thought I would try Folic Acid to cure me from BV. I have had this problem twice before and didn't want to go to the doctors again. I took 3x400 Folic acid and noticed within 2 days that the smell had nearly gone. I now take 2x400 every day and no longer have a problem.
Folic Acid
Posted by nicole (syracuse, ny) on 10/07/2007
★★★★★
I HAVE HAD A LIGHT FOUL ODOR AND SNOTTY LIKE DISCHARGE FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I WENT LAST NIGHT AND BOUGHT THE FOLIC ACID AND WITHIN 1HR THE SYMPTOMS WERE COMPLETLY GONE!!!!
Folic Acid
Posted by Sara (MOLINE, IL) on 06/20/2007
★★★★★
I had been fighting bacterial vaginosis for almost a year when I came accross your website. I had tried flagl (metronidazole) pills, boric acid, clindamycin, and metronidazole gel. The gel seems to be the only thing that works. Even though the gel clears me up I seem to eventually get syptoms again. I also had my partner treated. Then I read on your website about the folic acid (3 pills once a day) and the apple cidar vinegar. This has helped tremendously!!! I have yet to try the plain yogurt but it is in my fridge just in case. I also use the metronidazole gel twice a week as a preventative medicine. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!
Folic Acid
Posted by Melissa (Woodstock, IL) on 05/08/2007
★★★★★
i too thought i was having reoccuring yeast infections. till i got to the third day of yeast treatment and had no change . looked up yeast inf cures and found this site and realized i was wron it was my bv. i was excited to hear that i'm not the only one. i tried the folic acid. 3 @ 400 mic) and within 30 min the burning and itching was gone... thank god!!! i have a pap secduled hopefuly the bv will be gone . i plan to take 1 folic acid pill a day from now on... thanks ladies. ill let you know what the dr says.
Folic Acid
Posted by May (Bellingham, Washington) on 10/12/2008
★☆☆☆☆
So I came across this site regarding home remedies for BV. And I bought Acidophilus (10 mg-100million active lactobacillus acidophilus) and folic acid (400 mcg). The first day I took 1 folic acid in the morning and at night. I also took 1 acidophilius in the morning and at night..and it didn't work. The next morning is was still there..so I thought maybe I should increase my dose? So I started taking 2 of each morning, afternoon, and at night..and i even inserted a capsule of acidophillus..and now the discharge is worse than before. It's still the white discharge and the odor is still there. Nothing seems to be helping..How long does it take for this work? Some girls have said overnight?? Am I taking the wrong dose?PLEASE HELP ME..I'm tired of going to the doctors and paying for meds and insurance when I'm gonna have it all over again..Someone..help me..
Folic Acid
Posted by Ki Ki (Atl, Ga) on 04/29/2009
My gyno said that if your sexual partner is uncircumcised, have him clean his penis always before you have sex.
Folic Acid
Posted by Froggy (Pueblo, Colorado) on 09/14/2009
The best and quickest cure I have found for BV is the douche of 1:1 hydrogen peroxide and distilled water...works instantly for the smell and lessens if not stops the discharge. Continue taking the folic acid (I do 400 mcg twice daily and the acidophilus too).