I once got this, and freaked out because I thought it was an STD. Apparently, it’s not – it’s more like an allergic reaction to something or someone with whom one was recently intimate, and it just means you need to balance out the over-reaction of your flora and fauna. All the same, it’s pretty horrifying when your honeypot smells wrong and there’s an unnatural discharge, so before you storm into that restaurant to give that cute waiter you shagged last week a sock in the jaw, chill out and read below a simple thing that I tried out based on some internet research. I did go to a gynecologist about it, but like most doctors, their default answer was antibiotics, which I am not a fan of. Whichever way you go, diagnosis is the first critical step in addressing the problem (a la Scientific Method, as well as Socrates) so one should go get diagnosed by a professional and tested for other STD’s before you go playing around down there.
What is it?
From Wikipedia:
Click to view photo of BV infection (While I think it’s important to publish actual, phenomenological photos of the experience, I don’t want to gross anyone out with graphic imagery without warning)
More info: Bacterial Vaginosis At A Glance from MedicineNet
My Solution
What I found ultimately worked was based primarily on the following article:
E. G. Papanikolaou1, G. Tsanadis1, N. Dalkalitsis1 and D. Lolis1
(1) Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, GR-45110, Ioannina, Greece. drvagpapanikolaou@yahoo.gr, GR
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial infection of the vagina and should not be considered an exclusively sexually transmitted disease. We describe the case of a 17-year-old female virgin adolescent with recurrent malodorous vaginal discharge for 6 months. Before referral to us she had been treated unsuccessfully with conservative treatment options. Our investigation revealed Gardnerella vaginalis as the responsible factor for the vaginal infection. Because metronidazole treatment had failed as monotherapy, a new method was applied. Repeated vaginal washings with 3% H2O2, 15% NaCl and 10% providone iodine were initiated. At the end of each washing, vaginal walls were thoroughly cleaned up with a small gauze. After 10 days of treatment the odor and the vaginal discharge had ceased and 12 months later no relapse had occurred. It seems to be reasonable to use this kind of treatment in recurrent BV.
Received: January 3, 2001 · Revision accepted: April 23, 2002
E. G. Papanikolaou (corresponding author)
Later on, I went back to the gynecologist to check things out and he said everything look good, I was a little dry, but expressed concern about my remedy – his opinion was that hydrogen peroxide was very extreme. He said this was probably the reason I seemed dry. Next time I go in for my annual pap I plan to ask about it (I moved since then and see a great local RPA for ob/gyn related stuff), and will update this with her opinion on the matter – so keep that in mind if you want to try this. Despite this, I did find that it worked, and I didn’t have to take antibiotics, and I have not seen a relapse since (I’m writing this about 2 years after the fact). I also stopped seeing the guy I was seeing when it cropped up – more for other reasons, but I believe Nature sometimes has a quirky way of signaling us when we don’t see the obvious.
This was a great post. Thank you! I’m a steady believer, and more recently a steady practitioner, of sharing the wealth of knowledge when I attain it… especially important is knowledge of women, from women to women. Thanks again 🙂
T.
Hi, I have been looking for something like this for a while. So, just in case I’m not getting this wrong…did you make 2 different suppositories? Use one in the morning and one at night. And should I forget all about the peroxide?
I think the peroxide is the most critical part actually — the abstract I reprinted above seems to indicate that the peroxide *alone* is enough (depending on the severity of the case) – though it might make you feel a little dry, and the suppositories will help with that. The other reason I did the suppositories is to replace some of the good bacteria (acidophilis) which also gets washed away.
When using the suppositories, do make a douche with that as well..
Hi All,
This sounds promising..Such an interesting topic, and I have been battling symptoms on and off for quite some time. Any opinion on douching with wheatgrass and/or Apple cider vinegar, or taking a bath with either one or both?
Is there anyone that has used this method your describing above, that I can talk to?
did the article explain how to prepare the solution using
3% h202
15% NaCL
10% providone iodine
i looked up the chemicals
peroxide
salt solution or saline solution
and basically first aid antiseptic solution
i would like apply the treatment with the three but am not sure how this is done
how much of each and is this mixed with water or used alone
thank you
Sorry for the delayed response. Unfortunately, it’s been a few years since I wrote this and back then I wasn’t as detailed about record-keeping my self-experiments as I am now:/, but as I recall, I started with a bottle of your typical 3% h2o2 solution you get in the store (16oz), and then simply added a spoonful of salt and 5-10 drops of iodine into a bottle with which to douche. Suffice to say — this is not exactly what is stated in the medical abstract, so I apologize for the discrepancy and will correct it.
Here is a primer on mixing solutions, if you are interested in replicating the formula of the abstract more precisely:
http://users.humboldt.edu/mswilson/440_html/dilution.htm
Hi I’m just wondering if you ended up trying this heidi?? I’ve had bv before and have a abnormal discharge for about 4 or more years 🙁 I tried so many antibiotics and nothing cleared it up …. I am just scared to douche because you hear that its not good to do.
Hello, to lee above, I had BV and went to my dr. he recommended antibiotics, and douching with a medical douche. I don’t like taking antibiotics so i took to the internet. I asked him the same question as I had heard douching was bad, and he said it was actually helpful as long as you don’t do it to often, and with the wrong things. He had a patient for example that was douching after sex everytime, and it caused her to have problems. I am going to try the above for my BV, and let you know how it goes.
i’m looking for natural solutions and find this article very irresponsible, there must be a better solution and i’m sure I will find it but this is ridiculous i’m sure it worked on some crazy extreme level as if you bleached yourself and i’m sure that solved your little bv problem hopefully it doesnt damage you in the process, if your going to traumatize your poor vagina like that you should have just taken the antibiotics prob a stoner moment I get it, but next time i’m guessing if you just put a little clove of garlic in the opening of your vagina and took a epson salt bath after you would be fine this other crazy method is way too extreme dont do it ladies. cover your vaginas and run from this idea, yikes…and that tea tree oil and peroxide must felt horrifying.
I have struggled with BV and recurrent vaginal yeast infections for quite a while now. I did a lot of research and tried the Boric acid treatment. I couldn’t find the empty capsules to make my own vaginal suppositories so I made a douche and it worked wonders. However, this method was inconvenient to say the least. I found myself leaking hours later…SO embarrassing! Recently I came across a phenomenal product that makes using this homeopathic method so convenient and affordable and it works GREAT!! I noticed an improvement in symptoms after the first dose. The product is pH-D and can be purchased at http://www.ph-defense.com. They have researched the correct amount of Boric acid used in clinical studies have made a product based on the published literature. They are convenient, easy to use vaginal suppositories that take the guess work out of measuring your own Boric acid and can be purchased online and sent discreetly to your home. LOVE this product!!
I haven’t tried this method but I have struggled with BV and recurrent vaginal yeast infections for quite a while now. I did a ton of research, including on the CDC website and tried the Boric acid treatment. I couldn’t find the empty capsules to make my own vaginal suppositories so I made a douche and it worked wonders. However, this method was inconvenient to say the least. I found myself leaking hours later…SO embarrassing! Recently I came across a phenomenal product that makes using this homeopathic method so easy. I noticed an improvement in symptoms after the first dose. The product is pH-D vaginal suppositories. It has truly changed my life!!
I used h2o2 mixed 50/50 with distilled h2o in a douche 1-2x daily or every other day as needed to correct unbalances as they occasionally have arisen over the years. Works great. I’ve found that for me it seems to be related to my husband’s semen. I try to avoid contact, but occasionally if I don’t, a BV flare up will occur. I think having lupus and being on immunosuppressive drugs adds to it.
A note on fresh garlic, undiluted tea tree, and straight 3% h2o2….they all can (and for me do) burn and dry. I add a few drops of tea tree oil to a panty liner and that has been Ok. I read that garlic cloves should be wrapped in gauze which makes sense, but I have not personally tried it.
I’m so glad I learned the peroxide methods. Beats the heck out of antibiotics and the tummy troubles and yeast infection that goes with them.
Douche only once with hydrogen peroxide from your local store use 200ml .. Buy fresh milk kefir grains.. Make your kefir .. Insert 20ml morning and night for 7 days consecutive. Drink one shot day and night. Purchase Eco bloom chicory extract ( pre biotic ) take one teaspoon daily. Illiminate sugar most important at least for a little while. Take a good multivitamin 2x daily until bottle is finished then maintain one daily. Eat lots of cooked veggies daily not over cooked. Drink lots of water. Continue to eat healthy . Continue milk kefir on and off forever.
Only cure right here
Good luck