Hello. For two years now I've been suffering from bacterial vaginosis. I seriously wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. All throughout high school I've worried myself sick wondering if others could smell me. My symptoms consist of the awful fishy smell, and thick white discharge.
The doctors have put me on antibiotics so many times that they don't even work anymore. and It ALWAYS come back within a week. They even put me on metronidazole gel for 4 months and instead of getting better it got worse!
As for home remedies I've tried, the main two were douching 50/50 with hydrogen peroxide and water. I did this twice a week and it kept the smell away, however after a few months it kept coming back quicker and my stomach started hurting everytime I douched so I stopped. I've also tried Femdophilus and various combinations of vitamins and minerals, all of which have done nothing. The next was boric acid capsules. I've been using them for the past six months and I can't go 5 days after using one without it coming back. I need to stop now because long term use can potentially cause kidney problems. I'm very scared now because I have exhausted all my options.
I'm only 16 and I can't even think about going back
to school in a couple weeks smelling like a fish. My mom doesn't even believe me anymore when I tell her. I've also failed every BV test they've given me at the doctors, so they don't believe me anymore either. I've spent the past two years crying and depressed.
PLEASE if anyone can help me, please do. I'm going to start inserting vitamin c tablets tonight to try that out. Has it worked for anyone? Please help, I can't live like this anymore.
Why don't you try rephresh it puts a lining on your inside which lasts for 72 hoursits a small pill that you insert using an applicator this is the only thing that has worked for me, I used two of them over 6 days and no bv for a few weeks now. I have also cut out sweets and coke and now eat fruit, veg and salad. I know its tough I haven't told anyone I have it which makes it worse. Sit down with your mum and tell her how upset you are. Try to get the rephresh I promise it will get rid of the smell which will restore your confidence.
Hi Elsie yes try green tea sweetened with raw honey. Drink this about 3 times a day. This has cured me. Use use green tea leaves soak then in hot water filter out the leaves then let cool for a bit and add a tablespoon of raw honey.
Within a couple of days it was gone and I keep drinking it and it has not returned.
Hope it works for you x
Elise of you're having sex at all stop. This will also help. And if you don't stop insist that he wears a condom. I've found that most of my bv's have come from semen and it seems to never go away. I feel horrible that you're experiencing this at such a young age. I know how self conscious I am about it as an adult so I really feel for you. Grey a little pack of baby wipes to carry with you and panty liners. This will help at school.
The Vit C inserted helped me. Also, take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar by mouth every day. I also tried a few drops of tea tree oil in warm water as a douche. It really helped the odor. Good luck.
P. S. You know there is a normal vaginal odor that is quite unique, right? Are you sure yours is BV? Sometimes, in addition to the unique vaginal odor, there can be a BO smell, also. You seem so young. Make sure you have clean hands before inserting a tampon or before you touch yourself there, like scratching an itch. And of course wipe front to back. Avoid perfumey soaps. If you kill the bacteria with peroxide or antibiotics, you need to add back the good bacteria, so eat yogurt. Good luck!
Elise, I completely feel your pain. I've been going through this for over three years - it's awful. I can relate to what you said about doctors not "believing" you, it angered me so much that they not only couldn't help me but told me stuff like this can be normal - it's not! I spent forever going through this cycle, going to doctors, having them tell me I'm fine, so I went to a "specialist" here on the east coast. Although he unfortunately has not been able to cure this for me he did do one good thing - gave me a different diagnosis. He said I have vulvovaginal candidiasis, not bv, and that those symptoms are very similar. The fluconazole he has given me helps, but just like usual it comes back. But it has helped me get my mindset away from the eternal bv struggle, realizing that my problem may be something else, and treating it that way. Right now I take Azo over the counter tablets for yeast with coconut oil capsules and it helps with my symptoms. Diet won't cure you but it definitely helps to eat less sugar and carbs. I am also going to a gynecologist in Arizona in the spring, dr fowler, who claims he's an expert in this area and can do what no other doctors can - we'll see. All I'm saying is maybe change your perspective on what you actually are dealing with, try the yeast products and coconut oil, I know it's hard but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Don't give up 
Does your doctor think there is an issue?....do you have discharge or just the odor? The smell can change as you age....it just seems maybe it is something else if all the BV tests are coming back negative.
I'm sure. It's defintely disgusting fishy and not normal. I also get a really bad burning sensation. Thanks, I just bought some apple cider vinegar tonight and I'm going to try drinking it and maybe do a douche along with the vitamin c. Has the vitamin c and vinegar completed eliminated your problem?
Thanks. I'm still a virgin and at this point I will probably be forever.
I'm going to try to cut our soda and bad stuff to see if it helps. Thank you!
Hope you don't think I am doubting you....I have had BV for over a year and a half...I can't imagine being your age and having to deal with this....it is so frustrating....I have gone the antibotics route...with no luck....a vicious cycle...have you tried any probiotics monistat just came out with one....I take one of those and two of the vh essentials brand plus cranberry probiotics..every morning along with tons of prayers 😊 and I drink 4 to 8 oz of kefir 3 times a week this is the first month that I have had a normal period...no horrible odor...and no smelly discharge ...it's been about only about about 14 days but I am truly thankful for any improvements....fingers crossed that it stays away and that this could help you..
Poor thing, I'm praying this will all get better for you and and every other woman dealing with this issue. It's definetly a nightmare. I'm so thankful my partner is understanding.
I have been free of this for about a month now. Halleluja!
Thank you so much! It makes me feel better knowing I'm not alone.
Thank you, and yes I'm absolutely sure. And generally each time I had a test taken I was on a treatment of my own which I was scared to tell my doctor about (douching and boric). I should've and it was stupid but oh well. I'm thinking about calling a new doctor on Monday. I've tried VH essentials tablets and they didn't do anything. Tried femdophilus and no luck. I want to try Pro B but it's quite a bit of money and it will probably come back after anyways. Thank you so much, you don't understand how grateful I am. I'll try to check in.
Did inserting 500mg of vitamin c make you super dry? I did last night and my vagina is extremely dry. Also midday I got a terrible burning sensation down there which I'm pretty sure was caused by the vitamin c. Does this sound normal? I'm going to insert another tonight. I'm also going to start drinking and possibly douching with Apple cider vinegar tomorrow. Hope to hear back!
The vitamin C does burn. But it caused me to have a large amount of discharge, not dryness. The discharge was clumpy. Thin with thicker bits. And it had that typical BV smell. Yech...