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.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by Forty-Something (Washington, PA) on 05/27/2009
★★★★★
After 15 years of recurrent -BV, I think the Hydrogen Peroxide douche, Acidopholis, folic acid combo has really worked.
I did the following:
equal parts H2O2/water- two mornings in a row
Took Acidopholis (500mill) morning and night for 7 days
Took Folic acid every morning
Inserted Acidopholis every evening for 7 nights
I am happy with my results.
For those people questioning how and why they get it and if they get it from someone...I've concluded that it's not given to me...rather my body responding to sperm presence. I never had this issue until I tried to get pregnant and after my tubal ligation when I could have sex without a condom. My suggestion...get out the condoms.
One warning...I had 2 preemie babies...and BV is know to be associated with this. So...for those of you struggling with BV and trying to get pregnant, keep this in mind.
Love this site.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by SoMuchBetter (NY, NY) on 05/14/2009
★★★★★
i found this site earlier this week when i was hit for the 2nd month in a row with bv. last month when i got it i went to the dr. and they put me on oral antibiotics. these hurt my tummy and tasted terrible. last month was the first time i ever got bv an i assumed it was from my boyfriend who is intact. after taking the meds prescribed bv was gone and i was happy. the next month i get it again even tho my b/f and i have been super careful about germies. totally makes sense tho. i mean, i'm not a dr. but from this website and just knowing my own body i can figure out what i think happened:
antibiotics killed all the bact. bad and good.
this is my method:
2 pills acidophilus, 1 day 1 night
v rinse: 1/2 peroxide 1/2 water
i couldnt douche because i lacked the proper tools but i did wash myself with this mixture last night and i have been smelling good ever since. going to do it every other day for a week just to make sure. it didnt hurt or sting or anything. i would suggest it to any women suffering from this terrible and embarassing infection.
i also take 2 acidophilus pills a day, one at morning and 1 evening to build up the good bact.
i started these pills a few days before the v rinse, hoping it would be enough. i saw some improvement but the rinse really helped.
hope that helps :)
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by Girl Bear (Auckland, New Zealand) on 05/10/2009
★★★★★
I have been avoiding having sex with my husband since 17 March because it smelt fishy down there. The doctor treated me for thrush with a 6 day course of Clotrimzaole cream. But the fishy smell remained. Not much discharge but awful smell. Last night my husband wanted sex. I could smell myself and did not enjoy it. Also, I had no sensation and could not feel anything in my vagina. My husband said afterwards I smelt different. I cried myself to the internet. At 4am I found your website. This morning I rushed to the chemist. Purchased folic acid and an acidophilus probiotic which contains 12.5 billion lactobacillus acidophilus and 12.5 billion bifidobacterium lactis and 67 mg colostrum powder. Got home and took two 0.8mg of folic acid and one acidophilus capsule which has 25 billion good bacteria per capsule. Drank it with cranberry juice. Inserted one acidophilus capsule in my vagina. Four hours later took another acidophilus capsule orally and inserted another vaginally.
Then a couple of hours later put two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide (3%) in two cups of water and rinsed my vagina with it. Repeated the rinse two hours later again. At the same time I inserted my finger into my vagina and after withdrawing it I had a sniff.
Incredibly I have no more discharge and the fishy smell is disappating. Note I did not douche because I was nervous about sticking bleach inside me.
Before I go to sleep tonight I will do another rinse and insert the contents of the capsule inside. I am going to mix the contents of the capsule with some KY jelly and insert it with an applicator. Hopefully, I will be rid of this forever.
FYI I am allergic to metronizadole. Last year I got bacterial vaginosis and was prescribed it orally. After taking it for just over a week I came down with hives, my eyes started to swell to slits, my tongue went numb and my arms went tingly. I ended up in a hospital emergency ward. When I suspected I had bacterial vaginosis again I despaired. Thank God for this website.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by Klen (Huntsville, Alabama) on 05/05/2009
★★★★★
I too suffered from b/v. I ran across this site about 1 week ago and thank God. I hated that gross smell and that awful discharge. I tried everything under the sun and nothing worked. I have been using the 1/2 water and 1/2 peroxide douche and it seems to be working. Also I bought some acidolphilus pills (1 billion) and some multivitamins for the folic acid. I take 2 acidolphilus pills and one multivitamen a day. Things are looking better already. Thanks everybody for sharing!!
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by Happy (Salisbury, NC) on 04/21/2009
★★★★★
I would like to say thank you thank you!! This is a blessing to me. I have had BV for 12 years. Started in 10th grade. I just moved in with my dad, who I have only met a few times before. He is the best, but I just could not talk to him about this. How could I ? BV is one of the most embarrassing things. I would pray, wish on a falling star, and pray...."please make this smell/discharge go away" I have done every thing under the sun to stop my suffering. It aways came back. I have cried time after time and just said "OK this is how it's going to be"......NOT!! THANK YOU IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 WEEKS.....NO SMELL NO DISCHARGE!! I found this site, and could not believe what I was reading. I did not know that lots of women suffer from this {BV}. I CAN'T PUT IN TO WORDS HOW FEEL, I NOW HAVE TEARS OF JOY! I feel like I can do anything now.I did the H20,Folic acid,and Acidophilus. I used 2tbs- half of this was H20 and the other was water- I did this 2 times, once the first night and again the next day. Then I took my folic acid and my acidophilus and put one inside. It works! Thanks.. i love this site.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by Miss Scotland (Scotland) on 04/15/2009
★★★★★
I am so grateful for the posts left on this site. Ive been bothered with bv for about 10 months on and off. Starting when ever it wants if i am having sex or not! Ive been having pain deep inside during sex and so my dr sent me for an ultrasound and everything was fine. Thank god, but ive had countless swabs also and everytime you guessed it bv and everytime i was prescribed antibiotic cream. The cream didnt clear up the infection properly. So ive been searching the web and found this site seems the most sympathetic and real. So since ive found this site off i went to holland and barrett. I started off trying the folic acid x2 and acidophilus (refrigirated kind) x2 twice a day. This seemed to keep things at bay for about a week and a half. I had sex during this time and was fine and then a week later exactly its back but that could be because my period is due in 7 days time (another reason that seems to cause it to start). So since its back i tried the hydrogen peroxide 3% solution and its only 1.25!! I was extremely nervous putting this inside my vagina, it is bleach after all but diluted. But the bv was so bad! And so many of you wonderful ladies have sworn by it i thought just do it. Instantly and i mean instanly the smell had gone. Gone gone gone. I did it twice that day using 1/4 Hydrogen Peroxide 3/4 Water. I thought that was a safe dose for the first time. I cant believe it. The next day my v was as fresh as a spring morning! I have done this for a four days now and also kept up the folic acid and acidophilus. FIngers crossed this carries on working! THANKS again and again to everyone who has posted their experiences. Drs just dont understand! You SHOULDNT have to live with BV! We want beautifal vaginas not bad vaginas!
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by S (Queens, New York, USA) on 04/11/2009
★★★★★
After YEARS of panty liners, feminine washes, douches, wipes, powders, creams, lotions and perfumes -- not to mention the utter humiliation, embarrassment, depression and odor caused by BV -- Hydrogen Peroxide/Water + Acidophilus seemed toooooo simple of a solution, but it works!
The h2o2 kills all the bacteria (the "good" and "bad" ones), and the Acidophilus replenishes the "good" bacteria. I've read some posts where the Acidophilus is added directly into the douche mixture. I am not sure that is a good idea as the h2o2 will probably kill the acidophilus.
For the last 3 evenings, I have douched with 50/50 h2o2 3% h2o. Following that, I inserted a Acidophilus capsule directly into my V. In the morning, I took 2 capsules of Acidophilus + 2 tablets of Folic Acid. I feel clean, fresh and dry. The smell seems to have gone, as well!!!!!
Now that I've had some time to do some "daily dose" research, I will have go back to the drug store. I read someplace that 1- 2 billion CFU (Colony Forming Unit) is considered a good daily dose, except all the labels read "at the time of encapsulation". Naturally, live organisms die over time, so the refrigerated dark glass bottled versions probably help prolong the shelf life. (In my rush 3 nights ago, I had purchased a Acidophilus with Pectin 10 mg - supplying 100 million live organisms, which seems too little compared to the 1 - 2 billion CFU.)
And, most vitamin labels suggest Folic Acid 400 mcg is 100% of the daily dose. I've been taking 2x 800 mcg. Can taking more than the daily dose be harmful for the kidneys?
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by Finally relieved (Houston , Texas) on 04/08/2009
★★★★★
Hey Ladies!!! I have to say that I was very leary of the idea of puttung hydrogen peroxide in my special places but I was at the end of my rope. With no insurance and very little money, I had no choice but to figure something out on my own. I tried the 1/2&1/2 douche and I took 1600mg of folic acid and 800 mg of Acidophilus (not refridgerated kind) and today is the next day and for the first time in years it is the middle of the work day and I STILL SMELL CLEAN!!! I feel like my old self again... There is hope out there you can get all of the stuff for under 20 dollars and you wil have relief!!! I just wanted to let you know that after 16 hours I already fell better than weeks of antiboitics and creams. Good Luck to you all there is still hope!!!
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by Shana (Brooklyn, New York) on 04/07/2009
★★★★★
At age 15 I lost my virginity to a boy (didn't use protection). The day after that some malodorous and profuse discharge came out of my vagina. The discharge smelt like rotten garbage..so disgusting! I could smell it through my clothes(imaging going through High School with this problem). Went to the doc and he told me that i had trichomonasis. After this, BV has been attcking me every few months since then...today im 25 and has still been experiencing BV's vicious attacks. Up until 2 wks ago my doctor was still prescribing flagyl which is so disgusting. Flagyl worked for me until i had my period or until i had sex...so what was the point? I found this website and was very skeptical about the natural alternative. My BF kept asking for sex but if i can't stomach that disgusting fishy odor how could he? I got fed up and together we drove to the nearest CVS picked up folic acid, acidophilus, and hydrogen peroxide.
Step1: cleaned vagina with distilled water
step 2: mix 1/4 cup peroxide and some water
step 3: squirt solution up the vagina with a syringe(this can be found in pharmacy also)
step4: place 1 acidophilus tablet in vagina (as far as possible)
step 5: take 1 folic acid pill
Immediately the smell and discharge was gone. Im still in shock. 1 day after and I keep smelling for an odor, but there is none..i seriously feel like crying because i'm so happy. I feel like telling the whole world.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by SATISFIED (PHILLY, PA) on 03/22/2009
★★★★★
what i used is a douche with h202 hydrogen peroxide, acidophilus, folic acid, and warm water. I have a fresh clean smell coming from my body for the first time in 3 years. I will take the pills every day as per you ladies suggestions. I thank the Lord for bringing me to this site and for all of your testimonies. and i just did it about 5 hours ago!
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by Stacy (Bronx, New York) on 03/20/2009
★★★★★
I am so thankful I found this site. I have been suffering with BV for about 1 year and it has been awful. I have spent hours searching the web for anything that could help, then I found this site with helpful info. I just came from my GYN and there are no signs of BV. I never would have been able to accomplish this without reading many many of these entries. I wasn't as strict as I should have been but this basically what I did. I started my day by taking 2 folic acid and 2 acidophilus. Then when I got home on Monday, Wednesday and Friday I would douche with 50/50 peroxide and water and sometimes open a acidolphilus capsule and add that to the douche. Then when I went to bed I would take 2 more folic acid and 2 more acidolphilus. I would also open a acidophilus capsule and pour that directly into the vagina. On Tuesday and Thursday I didn't douche. I began to just take the 1 of the folic acid and the acidophilus in the morning and the night. That is the basic regimen. After do this for about 3 weeks I just mixed and matched the procedure as I saw fit. If I thought I smelled anything I would immediately douche and the smell was gone. Yes, this is a lot to do but it is better then the horrible creams the doctor was prescribing. All they do is hide it for a short time. What makes me most happy is that I just came from the GYN told her everything I have been doing and I asked her to test me for BV. I am happy to report that she says everything seems to be normal. No yeast infection and no BV. I am so very grateful that I found this site and I am thankful to all of the women who have shared their stories. I don't know if I will ever get BV again, but if I do, I know what to do immediately. Everyone please keep sharing your stories and I will give updates of my status.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by J (Toronto, Ontario) on 02/05/2009
★★★★★
Update from 12/10/2008:
When I first wrote back in December, I had tried borax, H202 and acidophilus (both internally and externally). Shortly after, I began taking folic acid which was present in a tablet marketed for "stress relief", which had different B vitamins as well. I felt I had to update because I think the status should be changed from "better but not cured" to "cured".
Ladies, when I was initially struggling with the smell and irritation, I wanted something that would give me relief IMMEDIATELY. The H202 certainly provided that, but it was only temporary. I was in no rush to run to the pharmacy to get folic acid because I had assumed that it was more of a preventative measure, and wouldn't have any immediate impact on my symptoms. I was wrong. When I took those multivitamins with folic acid in them (3-4 tablet = 1mg of folic acid in each), I swear my severe irritation dissipated significantly within 1-2 hours. The H202 had helped the odor and the next day, the folic acid seemed to prevent the smell and abnormal discharge from returning. I went out and bought a bottle of just folic acid -1mg tabs, and continued to take them with acidophilus for about a week or 2. I would take 2-3mg of folic acid and about 3-4 acidophilus capsules which were said to contain the following:
4 billion active cells at time of manufacture of the following:
lactobacillus rhamnosus - 80% 3.2billion
lactobacillus acidophilus-10% .04billion
Bifidobacterium longum- 5% .02billion
Bifidobacterium bifidum- 5% .02billion
Shortly after I started taking these supplements routinely, I had my period and afterward my symptoms were gone entirely. I have been symptom free and feeling great for over a month. I know some girls ask if they have to keep taking the supplements after the symptoms go away, and from my experience, I have not been taking them everyday or even regularly and my symptoms have not returned. I do try to take them whenever I remember because I believe they are great for your vaginal health, but personally I did not find that I was forced to continue taking them forever.
Other things to note are that I have not had intercourse in a while after getting better, this could be part of the reason for not relapsing yet as this was one of the most aggravating factors for me.
I also continued to have some issues with bouts of painful and urgent urination that was sometimes cloudy after my BV felt better. I cannot be certain, but I believe what wiped out this problem entirely for me was when I started to drink 2TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar with 2TBSP Molasses and 1TSP of Cayenne pepper combined together in hot water (in a very large mug) and drank like a tea. I don't know if the actual amounts are that important, my reasoning for those measurements were that it tasted the best to me that way. I have been drinking this every other day or so now, because the taste sort of grew on me. I drank it with a straw most of the time to avoid teeth sensitivities. I wanted to try taking these supplements after what I read on this site about how they are good for your overall health. I wasn't intentionally trying to help my bladder issues but I strongly believe it did. I also seemed to have a shorter period with a reduction in the severity of cramps (these were becoming problematic due to my copper IUD). I believe this is because of the iron and magnesium in the molasses. I was not using blackstrap molasses btw, it was the Crosby brand of "fancy" molasses that is common here in Canada. I will keep an eye out for the blackstrap stuff.
Thanks again to everyone who wrote here and the admins for having such a helpful site. I wish the best health for all of you.
EC: YEA reflected on your most recent post and BETTER BUT NOT CURED removed...
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by Melisia (R, NC) on 01/18/2009
★★★★★
As most of you have stated, I was eternally grateful to have found this website. I switched birth control methods earlier this year and found my body in a pattern of recurring BV. After 2 visits to my doctor and 3 rounds of antibiotics, I decided that was enough and I was going to rid myself of this problem. I first started with the Acidophilus(refrigerated kind) and Folic Acid pills 2x a day. I also washed with the 1/2 and 1/2 Apple Cider Vinegar and Water combo. This provided some relief, but still experienced some discharge and itching. I then began using the 1/2 hydrogen peroxide (3%) douche before bedtime and this was a mircle. Instant relief. However, I did still experience some itching over the next few days. I increased by Acidophilus and Folic Acid intake to 3 pills a day and I did the Hydrogen Peroxide douche every other evening. I also have not been using any soap to wash my vaginal area, only the 1/2 and 1/2 mix of ACV and water or just plain water. Wow, what a difference this home remedy has made in my life. I can't wait for my visit to the doctor for my annual appointment so I can tell him about this remedy. Of course, it probably won't be shared with other patients, but I'm telling everyone I know.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by B (Smiths, Bermuda) on 01/16/2009
★★★★★
I had been diagnosed with a mild case of BV back in Late October and because I knew nothing about it I told the doctor that I will wait it out because I do not like taking medicines. Well it just kept getting worse and worse. The most embarrassing would be when I was having sex, I could smell it strong and it was so embarrassing. So I had just had enough and looked up cures online and found this site. I was sceptable about trying the HYDROGEN PEROXIDE DOUCHE, FOLIC ACID, ACIDOPHILUS and I basically came home everyday and read peoples comments and stories. Then I decided that I would try it. And guess what.... It seems to be working.
Here is what I have been doing. I take 2 folic acid tablets and one acidophilus tablet in the morning. Then when I get home from work I take 2 more folic acid tablets and one acidophilus. The when i get my bath I douche with a 1/2 Hydrogen Peroxide 1/2 water solution and after that i get a bath and put 1 acidophilus tablet as far as I can get it in the vagina. I have waited for a week and done this religiously and it is working. No more smell and no more discharge. Today makes it a week since I started and I have decided that I will only take 2 folic acid tablets and 1 acidophilus in the morning and douche less often because it seems like thing are back to normal but I just want to make sure.
I just want to say thanks to all the people who post here because all of the stories gave me the confidence in the method to finally go out and get the products and try them myself. I feel so much better now. I hope my story helps someone out there who is spectial about trying it. Trust me you will be glad you did when you see the results.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Posted by H (Bixby, Oklahoma) on 01/14/2009
★★★★★
So far so good as a treatment after the antibiotic cream. I was on Clindesse about a month ago and since going off Clindesse, I have used a hydrogen peroxide/ distilled water wash with a few drops of tea tree oil each time I shower.
I noticed when I douched with the mixture I had an extra discharge that I did not find pleasant. Just after finishing Clindesse, I inserted two to three acidopholous caplets vaginally for three nights in a row. I think this kept a yeast infection at bay although I did have some sensitivity/redness when doing both the hydrogen peroxide and vaginal acidopholous caplets.
I continue to take acidopholous caplets and folic acid daily, in addition to Vitamin E & B-complex.
Also helping immensely with the odor: an occasional apple-cider vinegar/distilled water douche. I've done that a day after sex as well as after my period. It helps keep the odor away quite well. I just bought a Summer's Eve douche that I refill with half organic apple-cider vinegar/distilled water.
Thank you so much Earth Clinic for all of the advice on a problem that can be pretty embarrassing! Now I know the steps to take to prevent BV!