I'm not the type of person who usually writes on forums but I really wanted to share my BV story.
I got BV very randomly, I'm still not sure what caused it. I had one partner (boyfriend of 4 years), never douched, showered twice a day and always cleaned up after sex. One day I noticed a fishy smell with excess discharged and like most women, I was too embarrassed to explain this issue to my doctor.
Initially I went to my doctor to get tested for STDs (foolishly, still didn't tell my MD about the odor) All tests came back negative.
A couple weeks later I went back to my doctor to be tested for a UTI. I was prescribed antibiotics but my doctor called after the culture came back, and the UA was negative.
I then went on to treat myself for a yeast infection. I had never had one, but read online that they often have an odor. I noticed that after my Monostat treatments the odor would usually go away for a day or so but the odor ALWAYS returned during or after intercourse.
After reading about BV, I knew that's what it had to be. Still too embarrassed to tell my doctor, I went to Target and bought the RepHresh vagional gel (it was $20+ for 4 treatments). If I administered the gel prior to intercourse, the odor would go and stay away but would always return the next day. This treatment was way too expensive to only last one night.
I then attempted antiseptic soap, which burned and I read that it could actually make the BV worse.
I then switched to Summers Eve products. I used the spray and their wet wipes after each time I went to the bathroom (poop or pee), I used their douches weekly (big no no but I was desperate), and their pH balancing body wash. But still, none of it helped.
Finally, I decided to read about supplements to treat BV when I came across an article about vitamin C with rose hips being inserted vaginally to be treat BV. I thought "why not, what do I have to lose?!" I went to Rite Aid and bought the Vitamin C with Rose Hip combo for about $4 and inserted 2 tablets vaginally twice a day for a week. The odor went away the morning after my first dose and it has stayed away since my last day of the treatment.
I have had no problems since then. It is such a huge relief.
I read so many posts saying that the vitamin c and rose hips stung/burned. IT DIDNT CAUSE ANY DISCOMFORT. I've read that the vitamin c (without rose hip) also works well to but DO NOT buy any chewable tabs. They have sugar and artificial flavor which will A) burn like hell and B) cause worse problems as yeast and bacteria feed off sugar.
Side note: my BV did not burn or itch. Odor was my only symptom. I believe that itching would have to be BV mixed with a yeast infection. Not once did it cause any physical discomfort.