How to Cure Bacteria Vaginosis (BV)

BV is a vaginal infection caused by bacteria due to a chemical imbalance in the vagina.

The CDC estimates that some 21 million (29%) of women aged 14 to 49 years in the U.S. have BV.

Symptoms of BV

Most women found to have BV (84%) reported no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they include:

• Excessive gray, white or yellow vaginal discharge with a fishy smell, which may be worse after sex
• Burning, painful urination
• Itching around outside of the vagina

If you suspect you have BV, you should have it treated. Leaving untreated, BV can make you susceptible to STDs, pelvic inflammatory disease (infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes), infertility, and ectopic pregnancy (life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube which can rupture).

Note that BV is commonly treated with antibiotics. The downside is that taking antibiotics can lead to vaginal yeast infection.

10 Best Home Remedies for BV

Because bacteria vaginosis is caused by the overgrowth of “bad bacteria” in the vagina, the cure for BV focuses on restoring the normal balance between the “good” and the “bad” bacteria.

The home remedies for BV are similar to those for yeast infection.

A note of caution though, the symptoms of BV can be quite similar to those of Trichomoniasis (Trich), a sexually transmitted disease.

This being the case, you should make sure what you have is indeed BV before trying the following remedies.

1. Try over-the-counter Vaginal Probiotic Suppository

While searching for good over-the-counter external applications for BV, I didn’t find many, unlike those for yeast infections. However, I did come across FloraFemme’s Vaginal Probiotic Suppository, which has received good reviews from ladies who suffer from BV.

2. Take an oatmeal bath

Natural colloidal oatmeal has long been known to be an effective and healthy way to help relieve itching.

Add some colloidal oatmeal powder to a warm bath and soak for about 10-20 minutes. It’s very soothing, and helps to provide some relief for itchy, irritated tissues, naturally.

3. Do a healing douche

As mentioned in my previous post, routine douching can cause yeast and other vaginal infections such as BV. It’s generally not a good idea. If you have a BV, however, you can try the following home douche remedies as exceptions to the rule.

Douche with Apple Cider

A mild apple cider vinegar douche can help restore the vagina’s normal pH (which is about 4.5). Add 1.5 cups of apple cider vinegar into a bathtub filled with lukewarm water and soak in it for about 20 minutes. Do this once a day for the first 3 days of the infection.

After 3 days, mix 1.5 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and use it as a vaginal douche twice a day for up to 5 days.

You can also start drinking a glass of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar once a day. This not only helps prevent BV, but also has many other health benefits, such as improving skin condition and boosting metabolism.

Douche with yogurt

Douching with yogurt that contains live lactobacillus or acidophilus bacteria may also help restore the loss of “good bacteria” during infection or as a result of antibiotic use.

Douche with rosemary tea

Alternatively, you can make a tea of rosemary, drink it, use it as a douche, or apply externally with pads that have been soaked in it.

Douche with tea tree oil

Tea tree oil can be used as a highly effective douche treatment against yeast and other vaginal infections such as BV, thanks to its antiseptic and antifungal properties.

Combine 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol. Mix the solution, which should appear milky white. And store the solution in a dropper bottle.

Add 10 drops of the solution to a pint of water. Use this douche once a day for a week to rinse the vagina.

4. Eat live-culture yogurt

A study found that women who ate 8 ounces of yogurt every day were less likely to develop vaginal infections than those who didn’t.

If you already have a vaginal infection such as BV, yogurt can help replenish the “good bacteria” and restore the normal pH in the vagina.

You can eat it or apply it directly onto the vaginal surface for 10 to 15 minutes each day until the symptoms subside.

Alternatively, you can take a lactobacillus supplement, which supports a healthy yeast balance in the body. It does so by replenishing flora (healthy bacteria) to the intestines. As result, it also supports digestion and intestinal function.

5. Check out Boic Acid Power

Boric acid powder is another popular remedy for yeast infections and BV. Some women have found it working pretty well. 

Boric acid powder is a chemical substance with mild antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral properties. In addition to treating vaginal infections, it’s often used for skin conditions such as acne and as eyewash.

Consult your doctor to see if boic acid power is right for you.

6. Eat a clove of garlic

Garlic has strong antifungal and antiyeast properties. It’s particularly good at inhibiting the growth of “bad bacteria.”

So try to eat a clove of raw garlic a day. I like to mince it and use it to make a yummy guacamole at home. It’s addictive!

7. Take probiotics

Probiotics are a popular natural remedy for yeast infections and BV.

These microbial organisms, “good bacteria,” are naturally present in the digestive tract and vagina. They help suppress the growth of “bad bacteria,”

Jarrow Formulas Fem Dophilus conntains two patented and clinically proven probiotic strains, Lactobacillus GR-1 and Lactobacillus RC-14, which helps maintain or restore a healthy vaginal flora.

A Cycle Harmony member recommended Bee Panacea, a nourishing, detoxifying, anti-aging mixture of raw bee products, botanical herbs, super-foods and probiotics. I like that it contains all the most important nutrients in one spoonful – and it seems really yummy too!

8. Boost your immune system

Our body has a natural, resilient tendency to come back to a state of health and balance. By strengthening our immune system, we activate our body’s innate abilities to fight off harmful bacteria and restore its natural balance and harmony.

You can strengthen your immune system by creating healthier lifestyles, practicing positive thinking, and by taking supplements for extra immune support.

Echinacea and goldenseal are also excellent herbs to support the immune system, and are commonly used in treating yeast infection, BV and other vaginal infections.

9. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet

“Bad bacteria” grow in warm, humid, and damp environments. Processed foods, foods high in sugar and fat create such an environment for them to flourish, and cause inflammations in the body – one of the leading contributors of heart disease, menstrual problems, allergies, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.

Start eating an anti-inflammatory diet. Check out Jessica K. Black’s The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book.

10. Join a support group

Creating a lifestyle change is not easy, especially when doing it on your own. It’s much easier when you are among likeminded people who share similar concerns and goals – and who understand, listen and support you.

Join our Cycle Harmony community – a wonderful group of women from all around the world who are committed to taking charge of their menstrual health, and live vibrantly!

Note that some of remedies mentioned above are not suitable for pregnant women and may interact with certain medications. So if you’re pregnant, or have any underlying health issues, you should consult your doctor before trying those remedies.

Image source