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
Posted by Terri (Boone, NC) on 01/15/2009
★★★★★
Wow I went out yesterday and bought hydrogen peroxide 3% mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with H2o and it worked as far as the odor! I then soaked a tampon with orgainc plain yogurt and pressed organic garlic and inserted for an hour. This morning I smell a bit of garlic but I am going to do another douche with the peroxide now. How long do I continue to douche? Will this effect my bladder and UT at all because I have been prone to bladder infections in the past this is why I have been on probiotics for 2 years straight everyday. Also does my sex partner need to do anything to prevent re infection? I was going to have him rinse with the solution before sex.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 01/17/2009 490 posts
Hi Terri,
In answer to your question, it is highly unlikely one can have unprotected sexual intercourse without sharing any infection one partner might have. Therefore if only one partner is treated for that infection, the treated partner is going to keep getting reinfected by the untreated partner.
My suggestion is to make sure that both you and your partner are using the same remedy at the same time, because what is effective for you should also be effective for him. After proper treatment for both partners (and both apparently have no infection after treatment), if you keep getting reinfected, I would definitely be inquiring how many sexual partners my partner has. There are too many health destroying sexually transmitted diseases out there to risk playing house with a promiscuous partner. Even that nastiest of the old ones (AIDS now has that title) LGV or lymphogranuloma venerum moved inland from the seaports back in the l980's. I saw my first case of it in Tennessee in l980 in the Appalachian mountain area and the 2nd case less than 6 months later in border area of Central/West Tennessee area.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Brenda (Creve Couer, MO) on 01/04/2009
I found this link on a comment posted on this website. I copied and pasted the article here. Hope this helps you guys, it sure helped me.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14676737
Minerva Ginecol. 2003 Dec;55(6):483-92.
Utilisation of hydrogen peroxide in the treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginosis.[Article in English, Italian]
Cardone A, Zarcone R, Borrelli A, Di Cunzolo A, Russo A, Tartaglia E.
1st Obstetric and Gynecologic Clinic, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
AIM: The authors have evaluated the real efficacy of using hydrogen peroxide for previously treated recurrent bacterial vaginosis that is resistant to other forms of treatment. METHODS: The study included 58 women aged between 18 and 42 years old. Vaginal irrigations with 30 ml of hydrogen peroxide (3%) were prescribed in the evening for a week. The follow-up was carried out 3 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: The results clearly show that the use of hydrogen peroxide in vagina can eliminate the main symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, and in particular the malodorous leucoxanthorrhea in 89% of cases at 3 months after the end of treatment, a result that is comparable to that obtained using metronidazole or clindamycin as a vaginal cream. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide facilitates the restoration of normal vaginal bacterial flora (represented by H202-producing lactobacillus) in 100% of cases and normal acid pH (pH<4.5) in 98% of cases; it also fosters the disappearance of clue cells from vaginal smears and anaerobic pathogenic flora from vaginal secretions in 100% of cases. The amine test became negative in 97.8% of cases. All results underwent statistical analysis and were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Hydrogen peroxide represents a valid alternative to conventional treatments for recurrent bacterial vaginosis, and associates the absence of collateral effects with low costs, excellent tolerability and real therapeutic efficacy.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Grosbois (Gainesville, Florida) on 12/28/2008
★★★★★
I was searching the internet earlier and came accross the use of hydrogene peroxide for bv. I mixed equal amount of the above and water then squirted the liquid into my vagina laying down in the shower for a couple of min.one hour later I checked with a mirror and the discharge was totally GONE . This is just after one time before bed . I am going to do this for at least 4 days 2 make sure that it works because there is a slight fishy odor still.tomorrow I will buy folic acid because at this point I am desperate. we can always camouflage a discharge but certainly not a fishy smell so I really hope all this works.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Rachel (Montclair, NJ) on 12/21/2008
★★★★★
This summer I was the unlucky host of a bacterial vaginosis episode. I wasn't sure if it was a yeast infection or bacterial since my symptoms were applicable to both (I had discharge that was initially clumpy and then more like runny egg white that would occur every month after my period and subside shortly before my next cycle. Also had slight itch but nothing unbearable.) I went to my gyneo (a midwife) and had a culture taken. BV was the diagnosis and I was given a prescription for clindesse (one application treatment of vaginal cream.) The first horror was the price I paid for the clindesse at the pharmacy. $70 out of my pocket WITH INSURANCE! Second horror, the itch from hell that I experienced as a side effect of the clindesse. The itch started about 3 days after using the clindesse and did not let up for one week straight. I tried everything to get the itch to stop but nothing really helped. I was miserable, angry and desperate to get rid of the itch that was not only external (outer labia) but internal as well. This was truly the itch you cannot scratch!! I had to wait until my body expelled all of the clindesse before I finally got some real relief from the itch (clindesse is a waxy, creamy substance that is inserted vaginally, kind of like a chap stick.)
After the bout with the clindesse and following my next period I had more persistent discharge that was like thick egg whites. I was very frustrated at this point. I read nearly all of the posts on earthclinic about cures for BV and decided to try douching with straight 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. I did this for 3 days in a row and the discharge stopped. I have had two periods since using the peroxide douche and have not had any abnormal discharge. I consider myself to be free of BV!!! If any of the symptoms come back, I will certainly use the peroxide douche again.
I did not experience any irritation with the peroxide, only relief.
Thank you to all the women who have posted their experiences with BV and the remedies that they have used. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be suffering.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Pahlee (Phila, Pa) on 09/14/2009
I am glad the solution worked for you, but how much of the straight h202 did you use? I am doing this now, and have been since the 11th of september, I still have the discharge, but not as bad, The smell is practically gone, HELP
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Tonya (Montgomery, Alabama) on 09/15/2009
Palee, this might not be the cure for you. try using 800 mcg of folic acid, and start taking vitimin pills one a day. I was told by my Dr. that folic acid do kill the bacteria but taking it alone will take longer to kill the bacteria, so I had her to call me in some flagyl to kill the bacteria quicker. This has worked for me so far. And I tell you this is the longest I've been BV free so it must work so far it's been one month.But remember take your pills every day to keep you folic acid level up in your body that why we have this problem, lack of these in our body.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Shan (Orlando, Florida) on 01/13/2011
Does the hydrogen peroxide just get rid of the odor or the discharge as well?
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Melanie (Toronto, ON, CA) on 12/20/2008
★★★★★
i had a baby 6 months ago, and after that i guess that changed my vaginal flora. i didn't even know what all the discharge was until maybe 2 months ago. there was no itching, just the discharge and a fishy smell (most of the time it was pretty faint) i thought all of it was related to postpartum. anyway i was sick of wearing liners every day!! i researched it, and found out it was BV. i've never had bv in my life!! i decided to cure it naturally before going to my dr, and that's when i found earthclinic!! first i tried garlic pills to no avail. then, i tried acidophilus (2 billion) for a couple of weeks with the yogurt tampons. still did not work. then i tried the hydrogen peroxide solution douche(1/2 water, 1/2 h202). it only provided temporary relief... like a few hours. i decided to take the folic acid as well (1000mcg once perday). i didn't see any change, and was hugely disappointed since these remedies have worked for so many ppl. i was on and off the acidophilus and folic acid, but i maintained the h202 regime (douche every 1.5 days). well, it has PAID OFF!!! 2.5 weeks after i tried the douche and pills it WORKED!!! i don't need to wear a liner and i am smell free (for the past 3 days)!!! i improved very gradual at first, but then all of a sudden all the discharge disappeared!! JUST STICK WITH the H202!! it really works! THANKS Earthclinic!!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 12/21/2008 490 posts
Question for all those with persistent bacterial vaginosis complaints:
Have any of you read up on SSKI and tried Dr. Wright's (Tahoma Clinic) recommendation of SSKI douches? That would probably be my first trial if I had the problem. A few days of SSKI would be much quicker than battling it for weeks, months & years. I also think if I had the problem I would make sure that any sexual partner I had used the same treatment at the same time I did to keep from being reinfected all the time. In most STD's, unless both partners are treated at the same time, the treated one just keeps getting it back from the untreated one, and I suspect that this is true whether the infection is gonorhea, syphilis, trichimonas, yeast (candida albicans), BV, LGV. AIDS, or others.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Kat (Daytona Beach, Fl) on 12/05/2008
★★★★★
The hydrogen peroxide douche worked for me! A bit of burning at first, but then it bubbled. I felt better after about 15 minutes.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Maleasha (Baltimore, MD) on 11/24/2008
★★★★★
Peroxide worked for my BV odor. I came across this website after researching for many months on natural cures for BV. I knew I had it for about a month and went to the doc to get some relief. Surprisingly, they told me my test came back fine and that I was probably just having normal irritation. I couldn't believe it even after I told them of the foul odor that comes back a little while after showering. So on the hunt for my own cure I found you guys. I haven't had a chance to pick up the folic acid yet, but I wanted to try the peroxide out of curiousity. I mixed 1/4 cup of water with an equal amount of perioxde and then used a baby medicine dropper(was all I had) as a mini douche. As soon as I did it the first time it started to foam up which made me know infection was present. Well after I finished it all I waited. I instantly felt more fresh and 1hr, 2hrs, 3hrs later I was still fresh and no discharge. I couldn't believe it!!! It seemed to reappear later the next day slightly, but I think it was because I hadn't started the folic acid yet. Had slight burning feeling with the first douche but after a few seconds it wore off and I was fine. But ladies, yes...this stuff really works! thank you!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by CJ (Northville, MI) on 11/22/2008
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Ok...I have the same story as most of you (recurrent BV that meds only help temporarily) blah blah blah. Anyway, I found this website and the Hydrogen peroxide douche and it a miracle. Completely took all symptoms away immedietly. I was so relieved.
But then, just like with everything else, the BV would come back. Usually after a few weeks. I would then use the douche again (always for 7 days) and it would go away again. Ive been doing this for a few months. I noticed that a lot of times the BV seems to come back after my period. I then use the douche and its gone again for a few weeks. Now, however, the douche doesnt seem to be working as well. It will take away the smell but not the discharge and only for maybe a day. I am not through the 7 days yet so we'll see...
I recently started drinking a tbsp of apple cider vinegar because I heard it balances out your ph levels (among other things) and am wondering if that could be part of the problem???? Does anyone have any idea? I'm so desperate now that I started using a douche of maybe 75% hydrogen peroxide and 25% water. Hopeing that will help...
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Tess (Palm Beach, FL) on 11/22/2008
CJ, I really think any external remedies for BV are temporary fixes. We all need to work internally too with a healthy alkaline diet and supplements. I think some of us have gotten out of whack with our dietary choices myself included. It would be great if those of us with BV also tell EC what they've been eating. Perhaps we can find a BV culprit (example: dietary products with artificial sweeteners). Something has to be causing this terrible epidemic!!!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lana (Liberty County, TX) on 11/23/2008
★★★★★
Hi All - I've found that instead of using soap on my vaginal area, my normal hair conditioner (I buy the cheapo house brand in the gallon jug...) works wonders. It gently clears the area, and I haven't had a problem since.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Carole (Ajax, ON) on 12/28/2008
Just wanted to comment on replenishing your natural bacteria into your body. Ladies after douching with the hydrogen peroxide go and buy "BIO K" in the health section of your grocery store. It is a yogurt which carries over 50 billion bacteria. I take half of the bottle daily and believe me it works for many things. It is very good for your bowels and builds your immune system. This also helps re establish your bacteria count that we need for the vagina.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lisa (Boise, Id) on 11/22/2008
Im confused in my research of this STD it is said not to Douch!
http://www.cdc.gov/STD/BV/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm
"BV is not completely understood by scientists, and the best ways to prevent it are unknown. However, it is known that BV is associated with having a new sex partner or having multiple sex partners.
The following basic prevention steps can help reduce the risk of upsetting the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and developing BV:
Be abstinent.
Limit the number of sex partners.
Do not douche.
Use all of the medicine prescribed for treatment of BV, even if the signs and symptoms go away."
I want to try the remedy but am very scared.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Kate (Brooklyn, Ny) on 08/24/2009
Lisa, I think when you see "Do not douche" on health websites like the one you cited, they are referring to the perfumed douches that are sold for cosmetic reasons. Those are definitely not good for the vaginal chemistry. But on this website people are using "douching" to describe the technique, which, as long as you are using the hydrogen peroxide solution, isn't harmful.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Smn (Birmingham, Al) on 10/23/2009
Right, douching in and of itself is not harmful. What is harmful is what you douche with. Those commercial douches with perfumes and all that artificial stuff is what upsets your vaginal flora. Douching with hydrogen peroxide has really done wonders for me and a lot of other women.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Tigerlilie711 (Orlando, Fl) on 05/19/2010
First off Lisa, BV is not by any means an STD. It is not something your partner 'gives' to you. the bacteria that cause the infection already exist in your vagina. However, there is a delicate balance of 'good' bacteria to this 'bad' bacteria. Sometimes semen can cause your pH to be a bit off, which provides a great environment for the bad bacteria to flourish. If the hydrogen peroxide doesn't work for you, team it up with some vitamin D3, folic acid, and acidophilus. The D3 is linked to bacterial imbalance, the folic acid will work to kill off some of the bad bacteria, and the acidophilus is the same type of 'good' bacteria that already exist in your vagina.
You may need to play around with the amounts until you find what ratio is right for you. I use the tampon in peroxide, and take two, 1000IU D3's, one acidophilus, and 1000mg of folic acid daily. I find that when I forget to take them, my symptoms come back. I would suggest the peroxide douche, with only the 3%. If it causes discomfort (other than the bubbling, which is a good thing) switch to 3 parts peroxide to 1 part water, then to half and so on. I try to keep the solution in for at least 20 minutes, although I fell asleep laying down waiting for an hour once. Do it for at least a week, maybe twice a day if it is convenient. If the symptoms appear to be gone before then, still continue to use the hydrogen for the rest of the week. Keep taking the vitamins even after this week. I take them every day as I do not want a recurrence, besides it clears my skin, gives me more energy, and oddly enough improves my mood. If you have more questions, you can email me at, [email protected].
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Shelia (New York, New York) on 11/20/2008
★★★★★
ive been dealing with this foul smelling odor for about three months nver really knowing what it was. i went to the store a purchased cream to cure yeast infections, this didnt work, i purchased one of those home testers and found out i had something a little bit more than a yeast infection, BV. i was devasted and really didnt want to take antibiotics because i will get a yeast infection and that will be one more thing to deal with. I got on line an tried to find the most sensible home remedy. PEROXIDE> i decided to try it and ladies it really worked thus far. Yea there was a slight burning,itching sensation after wich completely stopped. i used a douch bottle filled half with peroxide and other half with warm water. held it inside for about 20-30 seconds and gave a real push. this morning, nothing, no smell, no discharge, nothing I am very pleased to say you too should try it. good luck.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Kim (Sacramento, CA) on 10/29/2008
I, like many others, am grateful to have found this website. I've been suffering with an odor that is the worst smell I have ever smelt... (I don't like fish mainly because of the smell) I was prescribed antibiotics for this and of course it went away, but it came back so I was convinced that it was my IUD that had been inserted 3 years prior, so I had that removed and the odor still didn't go away. The obgyn told me that it wasn't the IUD, but never told me what it was. My doctor told me to eat yogurt, go figure. I like yogurt, but not that much. So now I've learned from many women like myself what this is BV. I thought something awful was wrong inside of me. So now I'll get to the point.... Today I went out and bought the HP and did the half and half mixture and douched. So now the wait. I hope this works for me as it has worked for many others. Thanks a million Earth Clinic and the women that were kind enough to share their remedies.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Cured (Niceville, Fl) on 12/03/2009
That is very rare for a dr. to give you a home remedy like that. I did not know until today what was going on with me. All I knew was when symptoms started to occur I would eat yogurt. And NO, I do not like yogurt. Within a day to a few days my problem would be gone till next time. One small container was all I would have a day. I do plan to try HP or even both at the same time. From what I have read, it seems catching it early is key. Maybe for the more complex cases taking days or weeks to cure, the yogurt with the HP douch will help to reduce your recovery time.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Ms. Anderson (St Loui, MO) on 10/28/2008
★★★★★
Hydrogen Peroxide for Bacterial Vaginosis
Like many of you I've battled with BV for a long time. I don't need to tell you what an embarrassing condition this is. I had to carry perfume with me to the bathroom at work to try to cover up the odor. I've tried antibiotics but it always seems to come back. So last night I decided to search online for a natural cure and came across this website. I was so excited about the feedback I decide to try the Hydrogen Peroxide right away. Ladies I woke up this morning feeling like a new woman and completely free of any odor. This was the best advice I have ever received! Thanks Ladies
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by TG (RP, NJ) on 10/20/2008
how do you do this hydrogen peroxide douche? u just take the squirting bottle and fill it up with HP and water and just stick it up there.. shoot the solution and then it leaks back out? im confused. which way works better? the tampon soaked in HP or douching it?
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Tomika (Decatur, Georgia) on 09/03/2008
★★★★☆
I have had BV reoccurrences for several years now, every time I went to the doctor they gave me the same medicine and yes it worked, (ONLY FOR A WHILE) then like always it would reoccur again. I have been so frustrated with going to the doctor with the same issue time and time again. This particular time around, I was like there has to be some type of home remedy I can do. So, I googled and yahooed and googled and THANK GOD I came across this site, I started to read all the comments and stories and praises, at first I was very skeptical and didn't really want to try the Hydrogen Peroxide and water douche. I was like 'there is no way it's that simple', and then I thought 'you can't put Hydrogen Peroxide inside of your vagina', then I was like 'what's the worst that can happen', besides after reading all the successful stories, I thought 'why not'. I went to my local 24 hr Kroger grocery store @ 12 am, yes 12 am, I was beyond tired of dealing with this problem. I purchased Hydrogen Peroxide 3% @ 50 cents a bottle and also some folic acid pills @ $4.50 a bottle. When I got home I mixed half warm water and half Hydrogen Peroxide together and inserted into my vagina while lying on my back. I did this twice and then a third time with just warm water, just to rinse myself. I then took 800 mg of the folic acid, 2 capsules of 400 mg. That was every bit of maybe 40 minutes ago, the Hydrogen Peroxide so far seems to have worked, and I sure hope so. I will keep you guys posted as to my results. I'm more than thankful for this site. Sincerely, extremely grateful and anxious female.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Angela (Baltimore, Maryland) on 09/05/2008
★★★★★
I have been reading the comments from this site for three days before I finally decided to try the Hydrogen Peroxide and Folic Acid. I have been suffering from BV for 10 years on and off, so while waiting for one of my endless gyn appointments next week, I took 800 mcg of Folic Acid and after work I douched with half warm water and the hydrogen Peroxide. After douching, the discharge was non-existent and the itch and irritation cleared up. I didn't have a smell, so that wasn't an issue. I also douched again this morning and this time, I felt a little bit of a burn, but that subsided right away and there is still no discharge or itch. I will update everyone soon. Thanks for the advice everyone.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by TT (Atlanta, GA) on 08/31/2008
★★★★★
flushing with h2o2 and water cured my smelly vjajay! "flushing" (with a applicator from a metrogel)fill the applicator with 1/4 h202 3% and 3/4 water. tilt the applicator a bit as to not lose the mixture.by doing the 'douche' as a "flush" youre able to get the mixture further in the vagina instead of merely the walls as with a traditional douche applicator. i take 800 mcg folic acid twice a day. one prenatal vitamin a day. killed the oodor immediately. sprinkle a little baking soda in your panty. good luck ladies. were all in the fight!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by BB Kelley (San Antonio, Texas) on 10/07/2008
Please stop douching!!! You are messing up your natural (good) bacteria in your vagina. Please see the folic acid and acidophilus cure. I bought and use Culturell (10 billion CFU) probiotics from Walgreens (ask the pharmacist because it is kept refridgerated); its a very good acidophilus (1 tablet orally per day); than I take 2 400mg of folic acid a day. When I tell you it works....it works. I am so pleased with my results that I am singing earthclinc praises to all of my friends. Try it you will not be disappointed. Good Luck, BB
