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Do you have a Bacterial Vaginosis infection that just won’t go away? In today’s blog post, you’ll discover proven Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies to naturally treat BV at home.
But first, let’s understand what Bacterial Vaginosis/BV is and how you can prevent it.
BV is one of the most common infections that affects every woman between the ages 15 to 44 years at some point in her life.
Whether or not you’re pregnant, this infection can attack anytime. It’s also super painful and uncomfortable.
Before we talk about BV home remedies, it’s important to understand the signs and causes of this infection.
What is Bacterial Vaginosis?
BV is a bacterial infection in your vagina, caused by an imbalance of pH leading to the overgrowth of bacteria.
With the normal pH, the good bacteria in our vagina have a proper ecosystem to help with natural cleansing.
Notice that random discharge? It’s those bacteria at work!
But sometimes, if you use chemicals, eat something bad, or have frequent unprotected sex with many partners, there’s a high risk of pH imbalance.
As a result, these bacteria multiply and turn into the bad guys. This causes Bacterial Vaginosis.
How do you know if you have this infection? Look out for these symptoms of BV:
- Itchiness around and inside the vagina
- Painful peeing
- Stinky and watery vaginal discharge
- Sudden bleeding
- Severe pain after or during sex
While Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies can help relieve these symptoms, antibiotic treatment is the go-to method for treating BV at home.
But keep in mind that if you get it once, this vaginal infection can recur later on as well.
Let’s take a look at some preventative natural remedies for BV infection to stop its recurrence.
Read More: Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
How to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis?
Dr. Suzy Elneil, a urogynaecology consultant at University College Hospital London, says, “Generally, good vaginal health is maintained by making sure you’re in good general health. This includes a healthy diet and exercise.”
So besides living a healthy lifestyle, another way to get rid of BV naturally is by following thorough and proper vaginal hygiene.
Here’s how you can prevent BV infection signs.
- Do not apply any perfumes, creams, soap, or chemicals inside or around your vagina.
- Avoid douching at all costs. Use pure water to wash.
- Change blood-soaked tampons or pads every 8 hours during periods.
- Change your underwear more frequently to ensure proper hygiene.
- Wear cotton underwear as it allows airflow to your lady parts.
- Avoid having frequent sex with several partners.
- Always have protected sex.
- Get yearly PAP smears and pelvic exams to ensure you’re not at risk of vaginal infections.
- Avoid eating foods that could further trigger BV (listed below).
- Stop smoking as it can worsen the infection chances.
What to Do If You Have Bacterial Vaginosis?
If you suspect having Bacterial Vaginosis, visit your doctor for medical advice.
And that’s before you try any natural home remedies for BV!
After conducting some tests, they’ll prescribe you antibiotics or derma-friendly vaginal gels to ease the signs of BV.
Besides, many proven Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies are also helpful in reducing the pain and discomfort temporarily.
But take caution.
Some natural treatments for BV cure at home are not that effective.
So if you’re looking for natural ways to treat BV and make it go away for good, make sure you only follow safe methods for curing BV.
Read More: 9 Best Pregnancy Yeast Infection Treatments
What Are The Best Bacterial Vaginosis Home Remedies?
If you’re tired of relying only on antibiotics, are in severe pain, or the Bacterial Vaginosis infection keeps on recurring, as the last resort you could try holistic healing techniques for naturally treating BV at home.
So here are the top 11 safest remedies for BV you should start with.
1. Take a warm relaxing bath for stress relief.
One of the best BV natural treatments at home begins with managing your stress.
Regardless of pregnancy, consistent stress can raise your risk of getting Bacterial Vaginosis.
Studies show that women who’re stressed have more recurrences of this infection than others.
A study in the Journal of Women’s Health confirms that women living in high-stress environments were more likely to develop BV infection than those who were relaxed.
And what’s the perfect way to kill stress? By taking a warm relaxing bath, of course!
And I mean warm, not hot. Hot baths will do you more harm than good.
Steaming baths have shown adverse effects on vaginal flora. Hot water kills the good bacteria that act as the first line of defense against vaginal problems.
In other words, instead of naturally treating BV, you’d be killing the army that protects you against vaginal infections.
I’d also advise not to use bubble soaps or bath bombs. They can cause chemical imbalances and lead to bacterial overgrowth.
Simply fill up your tub with lukewarm water and light up some aromatic candles to create a soothing ambiance!
Read More: Yeast Infection During Pregnancy: Is it Risky for You and Your Baby?
2. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated.
One of the many awesome home remedies for bacterial vaginosis at home is staying hydrated.
According to research, your vaginal skin should stay moist to allow adequate growth of the good bacteria.
Keeping this in mind, drinking enough water is one of the most effective Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies that you can try.
Water boosts your immune system and enhances the healing process. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses daily to prevent vaginal dryness and ensure proper pH balance inside the vaginal region.
3. Take nutritional supplements to treat Bacterial Vaginosis naturally.
Do vitamin supplements actually work as a solid home remedy for BV treatment at home?
Well, you don’t have to take my word for it!
Get it straight from Dr. Neha Singh Rathod, who works at ICLINIQ.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medical Research in 2013 discovered that women who regularly take 250 mg of Vitamin C supplements have half the risk of BV recurrence.
In 2015, another study in the Indian Journal of Medical Research found a link between Vitamin D deficiency and a higher risk of Bacterial Vaginosis in women.
Most supplements contain essential nutrients that strengthen your immune system to fight off bad bacterial growth.
In short, taking natural supplements is among the perfect Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies.
Here are some popular & safe herbal supplements & multivitamins for BV treatment:
- Garlic supplements (Try this one)
- Vitamin C supplements (Try this one)
- Echinacea capsules (Try this one)
- Cranberry supplements (Try this one)
- Probiotics (Try this one)
- Prebiotics (Try this one)
4. Go old school and apply hydrogen peroxide.
Using hydrogen peroxide is perhaps among the most common home remedies for BV.
But is it safe and effective?
Scientists concluded in a 2015 study published in the Journal of the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases, that hydrogen peroxide present in the vagina can reduce the growth of harmful bacteria — even in women who have BV!
Hydrogen peroxide douching is one of the best Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies to create a balanced vaginal flora.
However, a word of caution: if you use this technique for a long time, hydrogen peroxide also starts killing good bacteria. This can adversely affect your vaginal health and lead to more severe infections.
5. Start drinking apple cider vinegar for BV.
Vinegar has long been used as a disinfectant. Many of you will have this in your homes, especially on your dining tables, as it has amazing benefits for our wellbeing.
Drinking apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies for a natural cure.
Many women who drink apple cider vinegar have shown a remarkable reduction in BV recurrence.
It’s also safe to add apple cider vinegar to your bathwater. Research shows this home remedy for BV can effectively kill off bacteria for good!
However, what’s NOT SAFE is vaginal douching with vinegar. This will definitely hurt the Lady V flora.
Instead, you might want to dilute it first.
I came across research that claimed 5% apple cider vinegar in water shows good results to treat BV with home remedies.
6. Eat healthy foods that naturally treat BV.
One of the most amazing home remedies for BV is focusing on what you eat.
Be careful about what you eat as it can have a direct effect on triggering bacteria that causes this vaginal infection.
If you’re looking for instant Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies, add these nutritious foods to your BV diet:
- Yogurt can be your best friend when it comes to inflammatory problems. It contains probiotics which are the “good bacteria,” useful for naturally treating Bacterial Vaginosis at home. But don’t insert it directly into the vagina!
- Leafy green veggies are also effective Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies. Add more green veggies such as cabbage, kale, spinach, and lettuce to your diet.
- Lentils and bananas have also shown holistic healing effects for vaginal infections.
On the other hand, these are some foods that can cause BV recurrence:
- Fried foods
- Sugars
- Onions
- Refined food products
- Cheese
So don’t eat these foods when you have BV or are getting treated for it. If you often experience vaginal infections, avoid consuming them frequently.
7. Make the most of some useful essential oils.
Essential oils are known for their incredibly soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
So it comes as no surprise that essential oils are also useful Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies to treat BV symptoms at home.
Following is a list of some of the safest essential oils you can use for massaging your Lady V to alleviate symptoms of BV that won’t go away easily:
- Clove oil
- Rose oil
- Lavender oil
- Tea tree oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Oregano oil
- Garlic tincture
- Eucalyptus oil
- Neem oil
All these oils have shown beneficial effects in fighting off bacteria that are hard to treat despite using antibiotics.
So if you have a recurring vaginal infection problem, you might want to try these natural remedies for curing BV at home.
But I’d strongly suggest discussing the usage with a doctor or a credible naturopath first.
We don’t want to make things worse!
8. Apply Aloe Vera plant gel to sanitize the down south.
Applying aloe vera BV gels or using diluted aloe vera sanitizers has also shown incredibly soothing and analgesic effects for bacterial infections.
Many women’s go-to home remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis include the use of aloe vera plant gel.
Aloe vera contains high numbers of antimicrobial and antiseptic components useful for treating BV at home by fighting off bad bacterial overgrowth.
However, do consult a doctor first before trying out aloe vera gel for BV.
Now the big question is: how to use aloe vera for BV?
According to experts, simply apply the aloe vera gel around the vagina and massage lightly. It will instantly cool down the inflammation.
It’s important to note that if you have a latex allergy, you may want to avoid using aloe vera for bv treatment as it contains latex.
9. Give activated charcoal tampons a try.
Activated charcoal tampons are also an amazing invention to treat BV at home. I recently came across this technique and decided to share it with you guys.
Have you ever thought of using activated charcoal tampons for Bacterial Vaginosis?
A 2012 study showed that women who used activated charcoal tampons showed incredible benefits in alleviating the symptoms of BV as compared to those who didn’t.
That’s because activated charcoal helps reduce the acidic pH in the vagina and promotes healing of BV.
However, research is still ongoing to determine if it’s one of the best home remedies for BV yet.
But seems like worth a shot, doesn’t it?
10. Make use of Boric Acid capsules for BV treatment.
Using Boric Acid for Bacterial Vaginosis is among the most well-known natural BV home remedies.
This remedy is not only inexpensive but also shows no side effects so far, making it a must-try technique!
If nothing else works, insert these capsules in your vagina for up to two weeks. A study concludes that it can be an effective way to treat BV infection at home without relying only on meds.
Boric Acid capsules are easily available over-the-counter. Never take Boric Acid orally as it’s super toxic. Make sure you keep it out of children’s reach.
11. Drink herbal teas to prevent BV recurrence.
Another amazing way to get rid of a BV infection that won’t go away is by drinking herbal teas to kill Bacterial Vaginosis agents.
You could try soothing herbal teas like Chamomile or Tracheal tea to alleviate the signs of Bacterial Vaginosis. Both are remarkable home remedies for treating BV at home.
I won’t recommend inserting the teabags in the vagina as it seems super unsafe. The best option is to drink these herbal teas weekly to cure BV fast.
Bottomline
I hope you learned lots of new safe Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies in today’s post.
Have you ever tried any of these natural home remedies for BV? Do you have any other useful techniques to prevent BV from recurring?
Share with me in the comments below. 🙂
References:
- https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/southbayobgyn/news-blog/Hydration
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6629391/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4525405/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2567125/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2186495012000144
5 comments
So the article says to “use” essential oils. “Use” in what way? I am very, very sensitive to scented soaps and I cannot use it on my private parts. In fact I have gotten to the point I will not use any soap directly on my V at all. I cannot even wear scented deodorant. The result is a terrible odor coming from my armpits that is far worse than if I just didn’t use any deodorant at all. I am so, so, so, so, so tired of having to keep my legs closed if I am sitting close to someone so they don’t detect the smell. I don’t have sex. I haven’t had sex in over four years. So it is not about STDs for me. Say “use” aloe, “use essential oils” with no description of what “use” means in this context is NOT HELPFUL. And I don’t have med insurance. I cannot afford to go to the doctor. I don’t believe much in antibiotics. I need EXPLICIT instructions and I am SURE I am not alone with this.
AND IT IS HIGHLY LIKLEY I will never find this page again. So unless I am emailed directly, all of your educated knowledge means nothing to me and I still need help.
Hello DH,
So sorry to hear about your struggle with BV. I can’t even begin to imagine your frustration. When it comes to any gel (Such as aloe) or “using” essential oils, it means applying it directly on the mentioned place – either by itself or combined with a carrier oil for dilution. However, considering your sensitivity to scented products, it’s best to stay away from them.
Don’t lose hope though – you still have so many useful options. Apple cider vinegar is easily available at every home. You don’t even have to apply it directly, just add a few drops in water and drink it up. This remedy is also recommended for armpit odor (which again, is caused by bacterial growth).
I’ve also suggested looking into charcoal tampons – they have shown some great results for women dealing with BV. You can find them easily on Amazon. If you want to avoid antibiotics, perhaps you could go for supplements? They don’t cost a lot and are packed with essential nutrients that kill BV germs. If nothing else, make sure you avoid eating foods that aggravate the infection. Give it some time to heal on its own, and start eating foods that prevent bacterial regrowth. Avoid wearing tight undergarments or jeans, they can worsen the odor. Your Lady V needs room to breathe – this is crucial.
Follow these tips and I’m sure you’ll certainly see improvement in a few weeks! Hope this helps. 🙂
Fragrance is far different than natural, high quality essential oils. The majority of over the counter products contain fragrances, which are synthetic and very, very bad for us, unless otherwise stated as natural fragrances. That’s even questionable. I had issues with any products, until I started using soap from a very high quality and popular brand. It doesn’t cause any issue and neither do essential oils. The ones you buy through Amazon, Walmart, target, drug stores, etc., are junk though and usually are fake or so diluted and horrible quality also, so look for the only one that you can see the full process, from planting to distillation.
I swear by the hydrogen peroxide method. A bottle at the dollar store is good. Warm water and that. Half and half in a clear squirt bottle u put haircolor in from sally beauty supply shake it together, insert it and squeeze it all in. I usually do this in the tub w not too much full water in the tub. Two min later again fill up the bottle (rinse out the other concoction before filling it w cool water and again squeeze that in to flush out the other. Sit on the toilet for a bit after because it will run out after here and there and after I ALWAYS feel way better. BV is the absolute worst it always makes me feel so gross and like dh says I am constantly worried that someone else can smell it. YUCK.
Hello where to buy the activated charcoal tampons … have searched Amazon bit I do not see anything that has charcoal activated tampons… can you send a link ??? Or know how to make our own…. how much activated charcoal is safe to use for tampon ?? Would love to try.
. Also would taking the activated charcoal orally also help with taking out the bv ?? Am using the boric suppositories …