Bacterial Vaginosis

Q: susun,

i am writing because i have gotten bv 5 times in the past 2 years.

the first time i got it i wasn't taking very good care of myself [eating lots of sugar and drinking alcohol]. i tried treating it with a bentonite clay douche- 6 T clay in a pint of luke warm H2O. douche with the H2O after the clay has settled. once daily for 5 days- and echinacea tincture- one dropperful 3 times a day for 3 weeks- followed by goldenseal tincture- one dropperful 3 times a day for one week. take a week break from the tinctures and repeat the cycle 2 more times.

the bv went away, but a month and a half into taking the tinctures it came back [like i said, i ate too much sugar and not enough nourishing foods]. i ended up taking an oral antibiotic to get rid of it.

and up until the past fall i didn't get it again. when i got it in september i didn't know it was bv because i had different symptoms [only a foul odor] and i had it checked out by a homepathic practitioner and she thought the smell was caused by something else. and it wasn't until i'd had it for 3 months did i go to a gynecologist and find out it was bv. because i had it for so long it scared me into taking the antibiotic vaginal gel [metronidazole] the gynecologist gave me.

2 months after that i got it again. and used the rest of the metronidazole.

i hate the capitalist system that has made it so hard for me to treat myself wholistically all the time. and avoid antibiotics as much as possible.

so in saying all of that. this is where i'm at now. i don't use scented laundry detergent and dry my clothes in high heat. i wear only cotton underwear [when i wear it]. i eat almost no sugar. i eat a balanced, vegan diet- whole grains, lots of veggies, fruits and beans. i drink alcohol rarely. i take a probiotic [acidophilus] supplement daily. i eat fermented foods. i wipe from front to back. i use a natural, unscented soap. i boil my keeper before i use it. i haven't even been stressed out lately. i feel like i'm doing everything i possibly can to prevent any diseases.

and just this morning while cleaning my yoni i find that it smells like bv. since i stayed at a friends house and didn't have access to my herds and such, i stuck a clove of garlic covered in olive oil up by my cervix. i've taken one dose of echinacea so far and have the clay and H2O settling in a jar.

i've decided to try the clay douche and echinacea and goldenseal for real this time [no sugar and alcohol and coffee to hinder my healing]. but i wanted to consult you and see what you think could be up. it seems like my yoni hates me.

please let me know if you think i should try something else.

thanx, n.

 

A: Hello N., thank you for writing. I have heard women struggle with diagnoses of BV over the years. Not having suffered it that I know of, I do may not have the personal experience.

Often the women's relationships with "down there" are one of battle and hate. In your case I hear you feel your yoni hates you. These are strong emotions to feel with such an intimate part of our body.

Any suggestions I have may not be from personal experience, so take them as you will. I say may not since I have never officially had this diagnosis, and some with bv suggest that if I am all better I never really had it. I have suffered infections of sorts - discharge, itchiness and most recently smell. In all cases I found it took me looking at many angles.

One was my relationship with this part of my body and how I view its expression. This can not be overlooked. It sounds you have done this and care deeply for your well being.

Another, you have also done, was disposing of nylons and even rarely wearing underwear at all. Cotton clothing and not tight. I like to breathe. Another one that puzzles me still is that I notice a smell sometimes only when I wash. I have concluded it is a reaction of the soap with my tissues or fluids. I have myself chosen to wash less with soap other than around the outside of the area and have consequently been healthier feeling and smelling. I also noticed the smell correlating with how diligent I was about washing after intimate relations.

I think it is a beautiful vibrant ecosystem down there and many things can effect it. It is highly adaptable for a time, but can get thrown off. With love and care I believe it has the ability to readjust itself.

You may also enjoy reading this from Susun Weed on the topic:

The big antibacterial herb is echinacea. I use the tincture of the fresh root of E. purpurea or tincture of the dried or fresh root of E. augustifolia

A dose is one drop for every two pounds you weigh. (150 pounds = 75 drops) A dropperful is about 25 drops.

The dose can be taken 4-6 times a day for 10-14 days. In addition, I would do a sitz bath in water with apple cider vinegar in it once a day during the treatment.

Another useful antibacterial herb is yarrow. The tincture is used and a dose is about 25 drops 3-4 times a day. You could brew a quart of yarrow infusion and do a sitz bath in that, too.

 

Blessings,
Karen Joy

wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Comments

[emily]

hi im only a 14 year old girl that has been suffering fom this terrible infection i feel umcomfortable everywhere i go its so hard for me i feel depressed all the time. i have tried everything there is nothing had worked for me i have been to the doctors more than 5 times if you have any advice on how to naturally get rid of this please let me know. thanks.

[KarenJoy]

Hello, what is the every thing you have tired that has not worked - how much of each how often for how long?

Karen Joy

[emily]

ive tried the underwear thats 100% free, special wipes, over the counter medication, and many visits to the doctor. right now i am trying to bathe in apple cider vinagar and taking gralic pills it helps but my infection is still here. my own mother doesnt believe me that i have this problem she thinks its all in my head which is really frusturating all those things i listed have not worked i was reading somethings from girls online before and they said try tree oil and a vinagar bath? i couldn't find oil so im not sure what works and what doesnt. or i read pages from girls and then you get to the bottom and have to buy a book that tells you how to get rid of this infection the books are over $50 i dont have the money so i cant buy it. thank you for contacting me back

emily.

[KarenJoy]

Emily, thank you for sharing more details. Yes it must be more difficult when your parent does not trust your words in this. You need to know what is true for you. Even if in someone's head it is real, meaning what you are experiencing is very real regardless of the origin.

Know that this is a sacred part of your body. I wish I had a good book to recommend that would help you know this. You can get most any book at the library to borrow for free. Even if they don't have the book they can usually find it through interlibrary loan. LIbraries are wonderful!

I go back to starting simple.

First explore how you relate to this part of who you are.

Second be kind to it - no harsh wipes or drugs or invasive tests or tight clothing. Wear loose clothing and either no underwear or all cotton underwear, whatever allows you to feel comfortable and get air. When washing only use water. If you wish soap only use this around the outside, only a little, not every day. And use a gentle natural soap, like goat's milk or glycerin or castille.

Third nourish this vital living part of you with yogurt. Get whole milk yogurt with no sweeteners or flavors, containing live cultures. Eat it, even in little bits, through the day, and please do put it on the area that is irritated. Sit on a towel with this for 5-10 minutes, then wipe off. If you are uncomfortable you can rinse off more with water, but no soap. It will help you.

Try all these for a week solid, then reassess. I believe it would benefit you to continue the first two indefinitely and the last for 3 weeks then as needed, if ever needed. Though the internal use of yogurt benefits you continually.

If you wish to try this, let us know how you are doing.

I can't speak for your mom, but I am sure she loves you tremendously. There are many reasons parents distrust their kids sometimes, and unfortunately this is a part of the body that in this culture many are uncomfortable acknowledging. I am not saying it is in your head and not truly something physically happening, but even if it were it is real. To my mind there is no separation between mind and body, so in our head is the same as in our ... anything else.

with care,
Karen Joy

[emily]

hi alright so i have boughten more 100% underwear and i feel more comfortable so thats good and i have tried yogurt but it had flavor so thanks for telling me the other kind. sometimes i feel like if i keep my mind of this smell then it feels like its not there but i am mostly always thinking about which isnt to good but ill definetly look for books and everything and i mean like perfume i only use lotions that dont really have a strong smell just a fresh smell so sometimes that makes me feel good. i just want my life back i was always so happy and everything you know? thanks for all the advice!!

emily

[emily]

hey ok so i dont have bv i found the doctor doesnt kow what it is? there is no infection it just smells down there but the vinegar in bath helps but what should i do if there is no infection??

emily

[SJ nodell]

hey all,
ok so ive been dealing for almost two months with increasing pain, vaginal bleeding (im on the every 3 month birth control) vaginal discharge, pain that feels like yeast but tested negative, and pain after urination (buring after i pee, tested negative for uti) and painful full feeling and sharp pain after urination and bowl movement. i was being treated for BV beacause after a month thats the only thing that came back positive but im still in a ton of pain and its destroying my relationships with friends and family and myself. im scared that this is more than BV and that no one has been able to figure out whats wrong. if anyone has any ideas or wants to try to help me please please do so im scared and feeling so incredibly alone...
thanks..
btw im 19 and sexually active with my boyfriend of three months no we dont use protection but i tested negative for all stds and im alergic to laytex which is why im on the best BC i can find...

[G]

The best way to treat BV is with pro biotics. The brand probiotic supplement that has worked well for me is Fem-dophilis. Many women use probiotics to treat vaginal infections, but it's important to use ones with strains that are specific to the vaginal area. Many probiotics are intended for gastrointestinal health. Combined with folic acid supplements, it keeps BV at bay. When it comes to treating symptoms, try wetting a tampon with a dilluted tea tree oil solution and wearing it overnigt (or even during the day to de-odorize). The antiseptic will kill a lot of the ordor causing bacteria, but it won't cure it. Only restoring your healthy bacteria will. Antibiotics will temporarily kill the bad (bv) bacteria but also the good, so the infection will come back. Good luck!

[G]

SJ Nodell, have you asked your doctor about pelvic inflammatory disease? It is also a bacterial infection but if it isn't treated it can damage your fallopian tubes permenantly and cause infertility. A lot of doctors don't immediately diagnose it. You may have to have an ultrasound.

[KL]

Stick a piece of garlic up your vagina and eat tonnes of plain yogurt. Also soak a tampon in yoghurt and insert as well (not at the same time as the garlic). Works like a charm! Also don't eat sugar, take baths in calendula and chamomile and yarrow (some salts too). Eat tonnes of probiotics and drink cranberry juice. Eat red things (raspberries, beets etc), to help stimulate your root chakra.
Drink lots of water, take Vitamin C's, ginsing, echinacia and all that lovely stuff.

[priscilla]

SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR!!! STOP ALL OF IT!!! I've dealt with BV for years an years...and cutting sugar out of my diet works! Not even fruit, cause your doesnt know the difference in sugars.