To get rid of BV smell without antibiotics, you can try lifestyle changes like using plain soap and water, avoiding scented products, and using boric acid or tea tree oil suppositories (with caution), but seeing a doctor is the best and safest approach for treatment, as home remedies lack strong evidence and BV can lead to complications. Probiotics (oral or vaginal) and dietary changes like adding garlic might help, but research is ongoing.
Apple cider vinegar is known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which can help neutralize the bacteria causing a fishy vaginal odor. You can add two cups of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath and soak for about 20 minutes.
BV is treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines that kill infections caused by bacteria. The antibiotic may be oral (taken by mouth) or a cream or gel that you put into your vagina. Treatment with antibiotics for BV is safe for your baby during pregnancy, and it may help reduce your risk for STDs.
Can bacterial vaginosis go away on its own? Some cases of bacterial vaginosis resolve on their own without any medications. However, if you have symptoms, you should seek medical care. Having BV makes you prone to sexually transmitted infections and can affect pregnancy.
No, eating pineapple won't change how your vagina smells or taste. There's no solid scientific evidence that any food could alter your natural scent or flavor in a meaningful way. Your vagina cleans itself and has its own unique scent. That's normal and healthy.
Treatment for a Fishy Vagina Smell Due to a UTI
Drinking plenty of water & unsweetened cranberry juice to flush the bacteria, remembering to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom, and ensuring to wash the intimate areas after sexual intercourse are some excellent preventative methods.
Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis
Antibiotics are the only treatment. Studies of yoghurt lactobacilli probiotic preparations (either taken orally or inserted into the vagina) which are designed to help re-establish the lactobacilli population of the vagina, have not shown consistent results in treating BV.
BV is a relatively mild condition, but, left untreated, it can cause serious reproductive health problems. Untreated BV can increase the chances of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, cause pelvic infection or inflammation, and lead to pregnancy complications, such miscarriage or premature labor.
While bacterial vaginosis may go away on its own, most doctors use antibiotics to treat it. You may have been prescribed pills or vaginal cream. With treatment, bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 5 to 7 days. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.
It sometimes can be confused with a yeast infection or sexually transmitted disease, such as trichomoniasis, but it is not an STD.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance where harmful bacteria in the vagina overgrow, replacing the normal, protective Lactobacillus bacteria, leading to a shift in vaginal pH. Factors like douching, new or multiple sexual partners, using scented soaps, smoking, and even IUDs can disrupt this balance, increasing risk, though it's not considered a classic STI, it's linked to sexual activity.
Two simple point-of-care (POC) tests are now available to improve the detection of BV. An over-the-counter vaginal pH test has been available since 2001. With this test, women who detect an abnormal pH (>4.5) are directed to seek medical care for further diagnosis [21].
Abstract. The vaginal discharge of women with bacterial vaginosis often has a prominent fishy odor. Intensification of this fishy odor by the addition of strong base to the vaginal discharge suggests that it could be due to trimethylamine, the substance responsible for the characteristic odor of spoiling fish.
One of the popular home remedies for recurring BV is hydrogen peroxide. One study suggests that douching with 30 milliliters (ml) of hydrogen peroxide every day for a week eliminated BV symptoms in 89 percent of participants.
This essential oil is renowned for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. When diluted with a carrier oil and applied to the vaginal area, tea tree oil might help reduce the bacterial load and alleviate symptoms of BV. It's crucial to dilute it properly to prevent irritation or allergic reactions.
Self-care and Symptom Relief
It's important to get a well-woman exam at least once a year, since you may not detect it without one. Long term, BV increases the risk of: Contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI) Developing pelvic inflammatory disease, when bacteria spread from the vagina to the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.
While stress in itself cannot 'cause' BV, studies show that prolonged mental stress of any form, be it anxiety leading to BV, depression, and vaginosis, or stress-related BV, can indeed affect the body's immune response, making a woman more susceptible to infections.
MRSA is one of the most common antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Symptoms of MRSA infection often begin as small red bumps on the skin that can progress to deep, painful abscesses or boils, which are pus-filled masses under the skin.
BV is a common infection, especially among pregnant women. The cause of BV is not fully understood; it is not caused by poor hygiene. The women affected by BV may not show any signs or symptoms. Frequent washing (especially with deodorant soap) may result in disrupting the vaginal balance.
Although bacterial vaginosis (BV), is a common and treatable vaginal infection, it cannot be cured in one day. Antibiotics are typically prescribed to treat BV, but there are additional steps you can take to reduce the intensity of symptoms like itching and vaginal discharge, as well as speed up the healing process.
Some drinks that may improve vaginal health include cranberry juice, kefir, drinkable yogurt, coconut water, green tea, orange juice, and mango smoothies. If you have any new or uncomfortable vaginal symptoms, let your healthcare provider know so they can recommend treatment.
Bleach or ammonia: If you notice a slightly chemical smell that smells like cleaning products, this could be a sign that you're dehydrated. Urine contains ammonia and when you're dehydrated those levels can build up, causing a smell when you wipe.
Women who consume diets with higher micronutrient intake of folate, vitamin E and calcium have a reduced risk of severe bacterial vaginosis (Neggers 2007). Women who consume diets high in fiber have less than half the risk of BV than women whose diet is low in fiber (Shivakoti 2020).