Vinegar can be drying and harsh on the skin, so it is advisable to try this treatment just once a day. You can also drink small amounts of apple cider vinegar to help maintain the proper pH for your vagina. If you feel any stinging or burning around your labia from the vinegar, drain the bath immediately and rinse your lower body with clean, warm water. Do not insert vinegar directly into your vagina.
If possible, use a hand-held shower head to rinse off the yogurt. Otherwise, wash your vagina with warm water using whatever method you normally use to wash it. Repeat topical application or the tampon treatment as necessary when you feel symptoms including pain or itching. Yogurt may cause itching or burning around your vagina. If this occurs, stop the treatment. Rinse off the yogurt. Do not leave yogurt-soaked tampons in overnight.
Peel a clove of garlic and make a small cut anywhere on the clove with a knife. Wrap the clove in a single layer of sterile gauze. Tie the gauze closed with a piece of undyed string or unflavored dental floss, leaving enough length to comfortably remove the garlic afterward. Insert the garlic into the vagina, just past the cervix, and leave it there for 30 minutes to an hour.
Fat content of the yogurt does not matter. Just avoid using flavored yogurt, as the added sugar can be bad for vaginal health. This may be done in addition to or instead of using yogurt topically. Eating yogurt is not a quick fix. Yogurt works best when taken along with prescribed antibiotics from your doctor. Many women report yogurt taking several days and even over a week to work. Keep eating yogurt after you get better. Yogurt can help prevent you from getting BV again.
If you do not care for the taste of fenugreek, you can instead take a daily fenugreek supplement. These are available at most pharmacies and health food stores.
The discharge caused by BV is typically thin, watery, and white or grey. Discharge caused by a yeast infection is a thick, chunky, white or light yellow. The pH of the vagina becomes more alkaline with BV. Yeast infections do not impact vaginal pH. BV may cause the skin of the vulva to become pink or red, sometimes with white marks. Both BV and yeast infections may cause pain during urination or intercourse.
Having multiple sexual partners Having a new sexual partner Regular douching
If symptoms do not stop or get worse, you may need a prescription for antibiotics to treat your BV. The doctor may also prescribe you a pessary to be inserted into your vagina and a cream to help with the itching. See a doctor immediately if you are pregnant and notice a discharge or pain that may be associated with BV. If you experience pain strong enough to prevent you from your daily functions, seek immediate medical help.
