Bacterial Vaginosis
Health Benefits

Vitamin C for BV: Effective Natural Remedy

| Modified on Oct 14, 2024
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Vitamin c

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition many women face, and finding effective, natural remedies can be a game-changer. Vitamin C, a widely accessible and simple supplement, stands out as a potent solution for treating BV. Available in various forms at pharmacies, grocery stores, and online, Vitamin C not only strengthens the immune system to fight infections but also serves as a convenient home remedy for bacterial vaginosis.

Using Vitamin C for BV: Intravaginal and Oral Methods

Vitamin C can be administered in two ways to combat BV: intravaginally and orally.

Intravaginal Use of Vitamin C for BV

A popular method for intravaginal application involves 500 mg tablets of Vitamin C with rosehips. Inserting one tablet into the vagina at bedtime can offer overnight relief. This treatment might need to be repeated for several nights and, once the issue is under control, once weekly to prevent relapse. If you find this method irritating, consider switching to oral Vitamin C. For skin irritation, coconut oil, with its antibacterial properties, can provide soothing relief.

Oral Vitamin C for Bacterial Vaginosis

When taking Vitamin C orally for BV, sodium ascorbate is an excellent choice. This can be purchased as a powder to mix with water, or you can make your own by combining ascorbic acid and sodium bicarbonate.

How to Make Sodium Ascorbate:

  1. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of ascorbic acid powder with 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda.
  2. Combine in a small cup and add 2-4 ounces of water. Use a larger cup to prevent overflow from the reaction.

Dosage:

The above mixture yields a little over 1 gram of Vitamin C. Start with this dose twice daily, gradually increasing frequency and amount as tolerated. Monitor your body's response; loose stools indicate you've reached your maximum tolerance. Reduce the dose slightly to find the optimal amount for your body.

Sodium ascorbate is less acidic than ascorbic acid, making it a preferable choice for BV, which is often linked to pH imbalances. By taking supplements that help your body maintain proper alkalinity, you can effectively combat BV.

Have you tried Vitamin C for bacterial vaginosis? We'd love to hear about your experiences and how Vitamin C supplements have helped. Share your stories with us, and continue reading to see how others have benefited from this natural remedy!

Related Links:

Acidophilus for BV
Folic Acid and Acidophilus Treatment for BV
Folic Acid Cure for BV
Home Remedies for BV-H2O2, Folic Acid, Acidophilus
Hydrogen Peroxide for Bacterial Vaginosis
Top Natural Bacterial Vaginosis Remedies


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.

26 User Reviews

5 star (23) 
  88%
1 star (2) 
  8%
(1) 
  4%

Posted by Cora (Biloxi) on 11/11/2019
★★★★★

To my fellow sisters suffering with BV -- In 2015 I went to the doctor for a sinus infection and was prescriped an antibiotic for penicillin that BLEW OUT my vaginal Flora. I began itching and burning TERRIBLELY . I was suffering and went to the doctor she gave me more antibotic the (Metzone sorry) for spelling its the one they typically prescribe. IT cleared up for one week but never cleared up after a week came back with a vengeance. Decided NOT to take any more drugs , the drugs make it WORST . The Suffering was so bad I had to stay home and would burn at work where I tried to put cold compacts. I found this site in may of 2015. I tried coconut oil , the lactic acid, tree tea oil, folic acid, the ALL probiotic pill 1billion probiotic up to , 50 billion probiotics for 49.00$ , kombucha, from health food store , i even tried to contract an overseas company for some BV help nothing worked EXCEPT the Vitamin C . One lady said use vitamin C , insert 250 mg. That worked . It helped but didn't send the BV away . still burned and itched. So I decided to work on my diet ,(like some said ) got rid of wheat(in including bread and pasta with wheat I eat brown gluten free pasta and bread with no yeast - and you can make it for pizza and sandwich bread just look up yeast free and wheat free breads and they are GOOD and better for you) , cut back on my sugar and got rid of products with yeast. (love chip put found out some chips have yeast extract for flavor-just so NO) because yeast can mess up vaginal flora and irate the BV) And add a good yoguart. I started with SIGGIs's but found expense and irritated by vagina( I just noticed after i ate one my vagina would feel irritated, but u can try it ,try all yogarts everyone is different ) , so tried Chobani and it worked. No irritation

SO HERES THE HARD PART.

Ive been inserting Vitamin C for 4 years now not the whole 250mg but about I/4 , after two month for the 250 mg in 2015. after two months my vagina was irritated so I cut the amount down to 1/4. I just break the hard table with my teeth and break into fourths and insert the fourths I did that for a year 4 day on 3 days off to rest the vagina but after the 2 day of my 3 days off the vitamin c I began to feel the burning so I said lets do different .so , I decided to cut back to half of the 1/4 , its small , but it cuts ALL the ODOR and keeps the burning and itching AWAY. so every other day put this in insert with finger and eat a yogart on EVERY DAY. For Me ,One Chobini one half of 1/4 of a 250mg Vitamin C tablet. (every other day is ok since the residue is still in the vagina from the last one so every other day is good but NOT EVERY DAY) Well been doing it for 4 years went to the GYN in September and the BV is GONE. i feel it would have been gone sooner it i ate the yogart (WITH THE VITAMIN C INSERT), because it grows the flora back. I was just inserting the Vitamin C , so killing the BAD , but not putting back the GOOD for 3 years. I have heard so many heartbreaking Stories of women suffering with this terrible BULLSHIT, BV i said when i get FREE I am gonna come back and HELP SOME ONE ESLE IF I CAN .My heart broke for sisters saying they had to leave their jobs because people where talking about them because of the smell and some developing PTSD from this ASSHOLE BV. I heart goes out to those then when i was diagnoised and TODAY. F#%% BV and power to all THOSE SUFFERING we will WIN. DON'T give up , it took me 4 years of trial and lots of error. So i read a story from another sister about the Vitamin C that help me get free and some relief and its my Prayer that this helps another.


Vitamin C
Posted by Cee (Canada) on 01/28/2019
★★★★★

I took Vit C & Garlic in gel caps. orally at night time before bed. First night Vit C (4X 500mg) with Garlic tablet (2x 500mg): Got rid of the smell the next day! Lighter discharge too. I lowered the dosage the 2nd night to 1000mg of vit c but took 1000mg of garlic still. Vit C can cause of side effects so pls be careful & do your research about dosing yourself w/o a doctor's orders. Drink plenty of water! I ate yogurt, oats and oranges, blueberries and apples as a substitute to my sweets cravings. Your Vagina ph needs to be restored so read about it a lot for more understanding and knowledge about the food that can help you restore your ph! Do not douche. I suffered from BV for more than a year but douching with hydrogen peroxide is just a temporary fix.


Vitamin C
Posted by Lauren (Destin, Fl) on 12/29/2017
★★★★★

I have suffered from BV on and off for a very long time. I have always had to take antibiotics to get rid of it but it always comes back!! I did some research about natural remedies..I tried tea tree oil dipped in tampon...terrible. Burns and just doesnt work. Next I tried taking folic acid, probiotics, and b12 for two weeks and nothing.

My last try was inserting Vitamin C with rosehips vaginally for 5 days straight (overnight) by day 1 the nasty smell was GONE. Finally relief. It has been 2 weeks after the 5 day regiment and I am completely BV free. Give this a try ladies I hope I never have to deal with BV ever again!! I will add that I am still continuing to take folic acid, probiotocs, and b12 daily (orally) just to cover the basis and help bad bacteria stay away. Hope this helps even one person!! I know how awful BV is. Especially when its reoccurent.


Vitamin C
Posted by Shane (Ontario) on 12/06/2017
★★★★★

I personally use vitamin C capsules. I did try prevegyne and it did nothing. My BV has gotten worse since I had an IUD put in in September. It was really bad for this past week, a lot more discharge than usual (I normally just get the annoying smell). I decided to up the dosage and put in 2 1000 mg capsules two nights ago, and put in a tampon to keep them up high. I did it again last night. So far, a lot less discharge and no smell.

I will continue this for two weeks to ensure it is gone. It's a very cheap and easy cure compared to prevegyne (which didn't work) and doesn't have the side effects of flagyl (which doctors here don't like prescribing).

I had really bad cramping and some bleeding yesterday but I think it's just the IUD being the pain that it is....I've had pain since I had it put in. Today I don't have pain, which is good.


Vitamin C
Posted by Hattie (Uk) on 10/26/2017
★★★★★

Hi Ladies,

I really do feel for you all who are suffering with BV. I can honestly say I had never even heard of it before I did the classic thing and googled the symptoms and self-diagnosed -- correctly for once this time!

I finally went to the doctors after a few weeks of over washing myself (paranoid I had somehow developed a hygiene problem suddenly) and informed them of my symptoms - all the classic (and highly unpleasant and embarrassing to admit) odor etc.
They did a number of tests, various candida tests for Thrush and BV along with routine sexual health tests as I had a new partner and after patiently waiting for a week to receive what I thought would be pretty inevitable results, I was in fact informed I have Thrush.

If any of you have had thrush, I am sure you all know that it is known not to have the odor that is so iconic with BV so highly disappointed but slightly hopeful, I trudged off to the pharmacy to collect my treatment. A small pill, some cream and 48 hours later, I was exactly the same. No change. Still unbearably dealing with the smell and discomfort.

Needless to say, I lost all confidence and with a new partner, I was feeling pretty low as sex was far from pleasant but seemed to be the only way I could gauge if the smell was better or worse after each treatment I tried.

After numerous conversations with my doctors who were adamant that my BV test came back clear, I took matters into my own hands.

I did my research and after reading some very sad stories about women who had been dealing this for over 10 years, I thought the future looked pretty bleak for me being aged 24 and in what I thought was in the prime of my sexual health.

I tried everything over the counter but refused to take the standard antibiotics they prescribe after reading that they only seemed to be a short term fix and had horrific side-effects. I was still at a loss and dare I say quite out of pocket as these things aren't cheap!!

I read some articles about vitamin C tablets with Rose Hip and I thought I would give it a go. I have to say, I was dubious to say the least and also a little hesitant but I inserted one of the Vitamin tablets and after 1 day alone, my symptoms had drastically improved - I can honestly say it was like a miracle!

Be aware that there will be a little leakage of some strangely orangey/yellow gunk but don't let this alarm you, it's just the Vit C working it's magic.

After a couple of days of using this I used raw organic coconut oil to soothe the area and pushed a little up into the vagina - it has fantastic antiseptic and antifungal properties and also has a subtle and pleasant smell. Note: I popped a little of this on/in just before intimacy as it's soothing and lubricating and good for both of you!

Hey presto, I am completely back to normal and couldn't be happier after just a couple of days of treatment. A few weeks down the line now and I am brimming with body confidence again after being so paranoid and uncomfortable before.

I don't usually write posts - and this is a lengthy one! - but if I can be of any help to even just one woman then that's great.

Try the natural method ladies, it worked for me!! Good luck Xx


Vitamin C
Posted by Susan (Oceanside, Ca ) on 05/19/2017
★★★★★

I feel like I have to add my input after dealing with my second round of BV I started reading about Vit C and FINALLY the odor is gone. When I first got BV I took the antibiotics from the doc. Everything seemed normal until 3 days later it came back. So, I did my own research and used 500 mg of Vit C with rosehips. I did the recommended 6 days. The first couple days nothing really changed. I had gross discharge (the Vit C mixing with my discharge) so I didn't want to continue but I did. I had a little bit of spotting on day 3, day 4 I got a big GUSH of fluid (which I believe is my vagina cleaning itself) Then day 5 everything was normal. Day 6 time for sexy time!!! Hopefully it doesn't come back but I think we all react differently. This helped me and hopefully it will help other dealing with BV because it really does consume your everyday life. My doctor thinks my pH was thrown off by using Summers Eves wash down there, so I'd steer clear of trying soaps. Just water and sometimes I'd wash with a drop of Tea Tree oil.


Vitamin C
Posted by Homeremedythatworks (Mo) on 12/24/2016
★★★★★

Being a holiday weekend- no dr offices open :/ Just got off my period which tends to throw my body off every few mths... so I was desperate amd came online to look up any home remedy!!!! I read alot of reviews on the Vitamin C w Rosehip insertion vagionally- sooo I went to the locals pharmacy and they had these pills (not chewables because they contain sugar or sweetners- NOT a bright idea) sooo got the 1000mg (I read review for both and either is completely ok and I was desperate lol) sooo I got them and inserted.... 5 hrs later- already signs of relief!!!!!! I'm estatic that not only does this mean I don't have to have my embarassing vag appointments but its a quick easy fix....its all about our Ph balance ...I hope this helps someone because I'm completely tossed through a hoop on this!!! Instead of the pills we will get from our drs :/


Vitamin C
Posted by Jiriji (Australia) on 08/09/2015
★★★★★

I tried the Vitamin C cure last week. I inserted one 1000mcg vit c pill into my vagina and kept it in place overnight with a tampon sprayed with olive oil.

It worked fantastically well! Instant cure and no more unpleasant odour!

I have decided to do this once a week as a preventative measure. The only change I have made is to wear underwear with a pantyliner because the dissolving pill can cause orange staining the next day.

I can't believe this works so well and am ecstatic with the result. I feel clean again!


Vitamin C
Posted by A.D. (Sacramento, Ca) on 07/05/2015

WARNING!

I just want to talk about the vitamin c with rose hips. I've tried it and omg there has been the odor coming from my private that just wont stop it smells like a diaper uggh ive went through two packs of panty liners in three days its so embarrassing and im just stuck in the house cause once I start walking around the smell begans. Just be careful and do more research. I've dealt with bv for about 6 yrs and I'm about ready to put a bomb lol up there and call it a day I hate this and I won't have sex with my husband he's very understanding. But its not fair. Tread lightly ladies.

Replied by Lucy
(Co)
07/28/2016

I read somewhere that vit c for people with active BV infection will aggravate it..maybe something to look into...from own experience-I had mild urinary infection so I thought I should take high dose of vit c..omg...never again..I had to take uti antibiotic to get rid of it..was like a fuel for a fire.

Replied by Specialk
(Philadelphia)
03/07/2017
★★★★★

I read - Treatment Left untreated BV goes away on it's own 30% of the time. There are prescription products which are antibiotic based (oral pills or vaginal creams) which restore bacterial balance. Or you can use BUFFERED or Ester vitamin C 500-1000mg (regular Vit. C will BURN) inserted vaginally one at night for 1-5 nights (experiment, sometimes if it is mild one night will treat.) You will get a watery discharge each day following treatment, so wear a pad.


Vitamin C
Posted by Kiera (Port Arthur, Texas) on 06/19/2015
★★★★★

So the first time I ever got bv was my freshman year in college; 4 years ago and it was so painful I could barely walk, and it smelled horribly. I was given antibiotics by the school's clinic which cleared it up in 2 days. Unfortunately its been reoccurring very frequently and ive tried everything from prescription creams to Apple cidar vinegar. My ph levels are always unbalanced whether I have sex with the same partner over and over or not. Luckily, every occurrence since then has been mild with just a mild order that worsens during sex and discharge ive been able to mask me doing the day but its definitely noticeable during sex. I was getting so frustrated but yesterday I read a blog of someone who tried vitamin c with rosehip pills and inserted them inside of her vag and theyd seemed to work and pretty quickly so today I sought out these pills but was unable to find the pills which included rosehip from any local store so I just tried the vitamin c pills alone 1000 mg. They worked!!! At first my vag was a bit irritable but probably because the mg count was a bit high I recommend starting with 250-500mg to avoid the 2-3 hour irritation. However, 13 hrs later, the order is gone and I haven't had foul discharge all day. Normally I can stick my finger up there and would get white discharge on my finger and a collectible amount underneath my fingernail but nope, nada! Im so glad ive finally found something that works because reoccurring bv surely knows how to make you miserable, loose confidence, and run up your clinical bills and visits. Lol

Replied by Kimberly Jot
(Durham Nc)
07/27/2015

So were you able to tolerate the discomfort of the pill far as it being a big dosage did it burn or what?

Replied by Cleangirl
(Pennsylvania)
05/23/2016

My strategy: a dash of crushed garlic in warm water in douche in the morning. Afternoon another douche but with peroxide in water. I go in bathroom and do it. If not home in insert the vitamine c tablet early. Then douche with the peroxide water when I get home. Other wise, in afternoon through night a vitamine c pill crushed inside in vagina. Also take one vitamine c pill by mouth during the day. This is at least 4 days of this. I am also taking folic acid pill again. I am wearing clean panty liners regularly to catch it coming out, also wiping down with baby wipe coated with tea tree essential oil, to kill any on top of vagina. I'm also buying metronidozile at wholesale online in case I don't feel like all this. I'm hypersensitive to smell, got a strong nose and even a faint scent of it I can smell.

When I stopped taking my vitamins it came back.

Back to taking vitamine b12, d, vitamine c, mageniusm, folic acid, and adding a Garlic pill next week.

Ladies before u have sex, while ur man down good with a little bit or apple cyber vinegar and water. No soap. Also do not let him ejaculate in u. Things in his sperm can go u bv. Trust me, I kept track of when I got mine. It was right after unprotected sex with a new partner and during that time I stopped taking vitamines. I never got it with my daughter dad cause he always let me wipe him down and he never did his thing in me. When he finally did, guess what, I got bv. I realized certain allergy to foods in sperm can give u bv. He eats a lot of meat and meat his toxins...etc. yet my x who are no red meat and ate very healthy, u never got bv after with him. He also cleaned his private areas twice a day and with healthy product, all natural soaps...etc.

Please stop taking baths they give it to u to. Stand up wash ur body carefully avoiding soap on vagina.

Watch your vagIna with apple cyder vinegar water.

Apple cyder vinegar and garlic is your best friend.

Replied by Anonyme
(Londres)
01/24/2017

I can't imagine asking that new guy I met if I can wipe his most precious part with apple cider vinegar. I find it quite hilarious actually, I'm sure it's a great idea but may sounds kind of weird to some men.

Replied by Specialk
(Philadelphia)
03/07/2017

You will have to get a vitamin C pill that your vagina can tolerate. I hear reg. vit C will burn. Also, you have to find a way to keep the insert in place. I use Vit C 1000 Mg with Rose Hip orally and Vit c 500 mg for my vagina once a week. Works for me. Before I started, both me and my partner were treated with Metro gel/Flagyl and we didn't have sex until two weeks after completing treatment. So far, so good. you can use BUFFERED or Ester vitamin C 500-1000mg (regular Vit. C will BURN) inserted vaginally one at night for 1-5 nights (experiment, sometimes if it is mild one night will treat.) You will get a watery discharge each day following treatment, so wear a pad.


Vitamin C
Posted by Hellothere (Ny) on 06/06/2015
★★★★★

I've been a BV sufferer for a while but the vitamin c does work! But it will burn horribly if you place it in/near your labia. You must push it all the way up into your vagina! I do it at night and wear a panty liner. I take a tablet and bite it into little pieces like a little bit bigger than sesame seed size and put it in an applicator (it's ok if you don't have one, use your finger) squat down in the shower and open yourself and place it in there. If you feel any burning take it out because it'll feel horrible!


Vitamin C
Posted by Justjes (California) on 03/18/2015
★★★★★

For BV, use Vitamin c with rosehips. Don't get the the chewable one. I got the 500mg and inserted one at night, literally the next day I could tell the difference. Total game changer. Don't overdo it or it could burn a little from the citric acid. Do just one, once a day. Two days and it was gone.


Vitamin C
Posted by Erin (Los Angeles, Ca) on 12/16/2014
★★★★★

I have had recurring BV after certain men. I am certain that it is the pH in their semen that throws me off and caused my pH to rise causing BV. I just read online that inserting a vitamin C with rosehips (500mg) tablet deep up into the vagina would help. I had the slight scent of bv coming on so I did that last night and now it smells perfect! Slight irritation when the vitamin discharge leaked out but in the morning it was nice and moist up there and the fishy smell never even got a chance to develope. there was a slight graininess due to the vitamin dissolving in the vagina but I think this may be a nice, mild preventative method. I will be doing this a few times a week and after I have sex. Good luck ladies!


Vitamin C
Posted by D.m. (Orlando, Fl) on 02/16/2013
★★★★★

After a round of antibiotics in October to treat my strep throat, I came down with BV. I have never had any issues like this before and so it was incredibly frustrating and embarrassing. The gynecologist prescribed me Clindamycin cream which is another antibiotic that you put inside your vagina. If an antibiotic CAUSED this problem, why would I use an antibiotic to treat it?? Also, the side effects were scary. There have been no studies on whether or not it causes cancer or effects fertility either. So I decided against using it. I spent a few days on the computer looking up remedies and cures and found several posts about vitamin C being used as a cure. Canada and European countries have a prescription vitamin C suppository on the market for treatment of BV, but of course you can't get it in America. So what I did was run over to my nearest health foods store and buy empty capsules and a vitamin c powder and I made my own suppositories! I read that you are to use around 250mg at night for 4 to 5 nights. So before bed I would insert one capsule and it would dissolve while I slept. I IMMEDIATELY noticed a difference. No odor, weird color discharge or itch the next morning. I kept it up for the full 5 days and I have been BV free for the past 4 months. I am so happy that I didn't end up being one of the women who struggled with this for years! If it ever comes back, I know just what to do!


Vitamin C
Posted by Reba (Raleigh, NC) on 12/14/2012
★★★★★

Vitamin C is working for me! I have been dealing with BV for over a year and I was starting to lose hope.. I have tried EVERYTHING.. Tea tree oil tampons, tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide tampons, hydrogen peroxide douches (in every dilution imaginable, w/ and w/o tea trea and/or lavender oil), ACV douche, ACV sitz bath, probiotic vag suppositories, coconut oil and tea tree oil vag suppositories, folic acid, vitamin b, vitamin d, homeopathic bv capsules... I'm sure I'm forgetting something.. Anyway, I was pretty much to the point that I wanted to give up and just stop caring. But last night I saw the posts here about using vitamin C vaginally.. And it worked! I have not felt this "fresh, " for this long, in MONTHS. For the past few months my routine has been to douche with 4 oz of hydrogen peroxide, 6 oz of distilled water and tea tree and/or lavender oils (the amount depended on how I was feeling (smelling) that day. Usually that would work for an hour or so, but the smell and discharge would come back throughout the day.

This morning, all I did was insert half of a 500mg tablet of vitamin C (make sure it has no sugar or other fillers, and make sure it is just vitamin C) into my vagina before I left for work. I used a little jojoba oil and a drop of TTO to coat it. There was a lot of discharge for a few hours, and then it subsided, and now I smell like myself again! That was 11 hours ago and there is no trace of that fishy odor or gross discharge! I feel amazing! I'm going to continue with all the vitamins* indefinitely and the vitamin C for two weeks every night before bed, and will report back!

*For those who are interested, here's the details about my current vitamin regimine:
-prenatal vitamin
-super b complex (includes 150mg vitamin c, 400mcg folic acid)
-800mcg folic acid
-a complete probiotic capsule (contains 5 billion active cells)
-a homeopathic BV capsule
-5000 IU's of vitamin D3 (I use the liquid kind that has to be refrigerated)
-I make sure to consume some coconut oil every day (on toast, in a capsule, or used in cooking - yum! ) I don't know if it's helping with the BV specifically, but it's something I recently started doing so I thought it was worth mentioning!
-I try and watch my sugar intake! (not very well lately! Holidays and all! )
-No Soap! I used to use baby shampoo to wash my lady parts, but no more. Now I just use my hand with warm water, or diluted hydrogen peroxide, or ACV if I'm feeling especially "not so fresh."

I hope this helps someone!



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