[caramel504]

Like many of you, I also suffered from chronic BV for about two years. It was one of the most difficult and embarrassing things I have ever had to deal with, simply because I did not understand it and I did not know how to fix it. I tried everything my doctor (at that time) suggested: switching laundry detergents, switching body washes, not wearing thongs, using RepHresh before and after my period, numerous metronidazole prescriptions, etc. You name it, I tried it. Finally, beyond frustrated, I switched doctors. During my first visit, my doctor took blood as part of my checkup. When the results came back, she said I had a Vitamin D deficiency and that I needed to be taking 2,000 IU of Vitamin D each day. I started taking a Vitamin (One a Day Women's) which has 1,000 IU of Vitamin D, and I also started supplementing with 1,000 IU of Sundown Naturals Vitamin D. I have taken the vitamins for a little over two weeks now, and have noticed that the odor and discharge has completely vanished. Not knowing at the time that Vitamin D was the cure, I happened to Google Vitamin D deficiency and if it related to BV, and came across this thread. I just wanted to share my experience in hopes that it will help someone else as well. I think we found a cure, ladies!

[Shelby A.]

I've been reading these boards for a long time (over 3 years now) and just now joined so I could post. I, too, suffered from bacterial vaginosis. I was embarrassed by vaginal odor and had a horrible discharge. I was also prone to yeast infections, too. I started taking Destinol (over-the-counter) and all of those symptoms I was plague with caused by bacterial vaginosis went away. No more fishy-smelling odor, grayish discharge, irritation or itching. I feel more confident now when I am intimate with my husband and I can wear all kinds of sexy lingerie without any worry! This product even made my breath smell sweeter after just two weeks from taking it. I tried all types of remedies - antibiotics and creams, which gave me yeast infections to douches and a few other things...but Destinol has worked for me for over a year and half. I didn't once think of the Vitamin D deficiency, though. Next time I make a visit to my doctor's office, I will request blood-work. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I read it faithfully each week.

[IrishGirl7]

I am 20 years old and I have had BV for about five months now. My doctor prescribed Flagyl and after I took it, the BV came back just a few days later. I've been reading everyones advice on here and I'm going to try them, hoping they will work. I was wondering if anyone knows, is it okay to wear tampons while you have BV? I know wearing tampons when you have an infection can make it worse, but since some people can't get rid of BV, is it still bad to wear a tampon?

[dafalilu]

i have been a chronic BV sufferer for over 6 years. Most recently it came back and without a rest i had it for 1 year. I was disgusted with myself and felt like my GYN was not listening. It wasnt until i met with a new NP that things took a turn. I had been given an unlimited prescription to metro gel because my GYN is a and was prepared to allow me to jelly my vagina for the rest of my days instead of researching a different option (sorry, still kind of bitter lol) My symptoms would disappear for a couple days and return. It was explained to me like this: the pH of your vagina is and SHOULD BE around a 4 (more acidic than the rest of your body, which is a 7) and this is mainly due to the flora of your vagina, especially lactobacillus, that maintains this pH level. During sex, the pH is disrupted mainly because semen has a pH of around 7, which on a sensitive vagina can provide an opportunity for bacteria such as gardnerella (main culprit of BV) and Candida (yeast) to grow out of control and take over. If you can decrease the pH and continue increasing the levels of Lactobacillus which will then MAINTAIN the pH level of your vagina - you'll be back on track in no time! Here was my regimen, hope it helps!
*Remember i had already killed the excess gardnerella due to the repeated metro gel application by this point. if that is not your case, you may need to start with a round of metro gel.
-I took two doses of Diflucan. Due to the excessive metro gel i had created an environment for the Candida to grow out of control (they arent affected by metro gel), so 1st things 1st - KILL THE YEAST.
-She prescribed boric acid suppositories (i had to get these from a compound pharmacy) for 2 full weeks, inserted vaginally at night. Then use the suppositories 2-3 times per week for the next 3 months. might seem like a long time but WELL worth it.
-I immediately increased my dose to 2 capsules of Femdophilus (this stuff is AWESOME) had to get this at a vitamin store, although pretty inexpensive online purchase too.
-refrain from sexual intercourse for the 2 weeks. I have not personally had sex since that time but am nervous that at this early stage, it might restart the symptoms, so i would plan to use the suppository the night after sex - just in case.
-i switched to using the Diva cup(that i bleach for 30minutes after every mensus) instead of tampons. It might not be something your willing to do, but at the very least switch to unscented EVERYTHING (soap, tampons, etc)
-instead of using panty liners, just switch your underwear. the plastic in the pantyliner is just allowing more moisture and heat to build up with isnt helping the cause.

im so excited to hear about your findings on vitamin D, i will definitely look into it - dont want to chance that his wil come back! good luck to you all!

[avery1989]

In the past few months I had my first experience with BV and wound up battling recurrent BV and UTIs. Every time I thought things were getting back to normal, I would notice that fishy odor again. I found that the antibiotics were a temporary fix. After reading many many many sites like this one I began taking a very good expensive acidophilus daily I also take the RepHresh pro B daily, and for the UTIs a cranberry supplement. This made the smell less potent but it didn't completely "cure" me. Soo 12 days ago I decided if the probiotics were helping orally I would take it right to the source. A lot of women commented that their probiotic capsules weren't disolving when inserted. Instead I moistened a tampon (with applicator-push tampon inside applicator slightly wet with a bit of water) and broke the capsules and poured the probiotics on it then inserted it. I left this in for about an hour two days in a row. I used one capsule of the acidophilus and one of the RepHresh both days. It has now been ten days since I last did this and I haven't noticed even the slightest of smell and I feel much better. I continue to take the probiotics orally each day. I even took it to the test by having sex without a condom with my boyfriend and still no fishy odor! So this really seemed to work for me..*knock on wood* Hope this helps you!

[aussiechick80]

Hi All,

I've suffered from BV for the last 6 years. It has made my life a living nightmare . An odour so foul and so strong, that showering twice a day didn't fix. Dark yellow stains on my underwear, and thick white discharge. I took matters into my own hands just over a week ago, got online and started researching natual remedies.

I came across garlic.

I took a single garlic clove, peeled it, cut the ends off, put a few shallow knife cuts (to let the garlic juice out and make it a strong dose), inserted it into my vagina and went to bed.

The next morning, I took the clove out and went about my day as normal. I smelt a bit garlicy, but figured that it was a small price to pay, I noticed a cloudy discharge that got clearer as the day progressed, that evening, after a shower, there was no discharge. I woke up 24 hours after taking the clove out, to clean undewear and zero smell.

First time in six years.

Basically - Garlic kills yeast - which is why its so effective.

I've also made some other changes.

I'm trying to drink 2L of water a day.
I've cut out sugar
I've cut down on caffeine
I've cut down on my carbohydrates.

Will keep you posted as to how I go

[mommym]

I too have chronic BV. I have had it sonce 2006. I have tried the oral metro. I now use Nidagel. It is a temporary fix only. I am so tired of this. I am only 28. If anyone knows of anything that has a longer term fix rate for this, please let me know!

[viola]

Take a good female probiotic like Phemdophilus, or Renew Life Vaginal support, or womens support, 30 billion, or 50 billion.

[mzsj]

Hi all,
What do you do if you go on vacation and are taking the refrigerated Jarrow Femdophilus? I can't bring it with me, and I'm not sure if I should just buy the Rephresh ProB because it looks like it's the same formula, but doesn't need to be refrigerated.

Also, there are some websites that say you can cure BV in 3 days, but I don't know if it's worth paying for or something I don't already know. Has anyone bought them and would you recommend them?

[cbb1010]

addressing the roots of BV

Hi ladies, I've been reading this forum for the past 3 months now (ever since I had my first BV episode).

I've recently had a second one within 3 mos -- which makes me think that this may be chronic. During my first episode I was prescribed with flagystatin (antibacterial and fungicide) and it cleared up the symptoms for two months. However, I've just had my period 2 weeks ago and the distinct odour has been evident right after my period ended.

I've done some extensive research and realized that the causes of BV is multi-faceted and must be addressed at its roots for long-term success. Here are the things that I've tried so far that DID work to alleviate my symptoms without pharmacological means.

1. Daily oral probiotics (preferably the refrigerated kind, e.g. Ultimate Flora for Vaginal Support)

2. Vaginal application of Femina Flora (specifically designed for vaginal use; it also contains lactose to feed the lactobacilli). It is available in health foods stores (e.g. Nutrition House in Canada) or online. It contains Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, which has consistently shown ability to attach and colonize vaginal and cervical tissue in several scholarly and peer-reviewed studies.

3. Vitamin D -- 2000 IU/day. Recent peer-reviewed studies have shown that Vit D is essential for the regeneration of squamous-epithelial cells that line our vagina and ectocervix. Also, the prevalence of BV is significantly higher among women with lower serum concentrations of Vit D than those with normal-high Vit D levels.

Note: Douching is extremely dangerous. The pressure could potentially push the pathogens further up in the reproductive tract and may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.