Luteal Phase & BV - Tips, Please

[BabyMae09]

BV is bacterial vaginosis - it means I have an imbalance of naturally occurring flora that causes a loss of acidity in my vagina. It can cause short luteal phases, which I have been experiencing. We want to try to get pregnant sometime in the kind of near future, so I'd like to get this cleared up.

I am wondering if anyone else has treated BV naturally - my HCP, who is a CNM, recommended I go to the natural foods store in our town and get some boric acid and make my own suppositories. I couldn't find any, and the person I asked had never heard of such a thing. Anyone ever done this? What about other treatments?

Anyone have any experience/ideas?

[Kindermama]

What about homeopathy? I recommend seeing a classical homeopath instead of trying to treat yourself at this point.

[blissful_maia]

Here's what I would suggest, mama:

Start by "douching" with 50% hydrogen peroxide solution (other half plain water). Not a forceful "traditional" douche with a bulb, but lay in the tub with your pelvis tilted and gently pour it inside your vagina. That will get rid of any odor/discharge and add some acidity.

Then, you want to restore a healthy balance of flora. I would use plain yogurt, and stir in some supplemental acidophilus/probiotics (open a tablet and mix it in). The easiest way to insert this is to use a tampon applicator, fill it up with yogurt, and insert the tampon as usual. That will make sure it stays up there for a while.

In terms of supplements, I would do things to strengthen my immune system such as garlic, Vitamin C, echinacea, goldenseal (stop the goldenseal before conception). One supplement that has been proven to help prevent/treat BV is folic acid, which you may wish to take before/after conception anyway, the recommended dosage is 1200mg per day.

Hope this helps! Sorry you are dealing with this pesky issue. Hope it clears up and you have a lovely healthy pregnancy!

[BabyMae09]

Originally Posted by blissful_maia

Here's what I would suggest, mama:

Start by "douching" with 50% hydrogen peroxide solution (other half plain water). Not a forceful "traditional" douche with a bulb, but lay in the tub with your pelvis tilted and gently pour it inside your vagina. That will get rid of any odor/discharge and add some acidity.

Then, you want to restore a healthy balance of flora. I would use plain yogurt, and stir in some supplemental acidophilus/probiotics (open a tablet and mix it in). The easiest way to insert this is to use a tampon applicator, fill it up with yogurt, and insert the tampon as usual. That will make sure it stays up there for a while.

In terms of supplements, I would do things to strengthen my immune system such as garlic, Vitamin C, echinacea, goldenseal (stop the goldenseal before conception). One supplement that has been proven to help prevent/treat BV is folic acid, which you may wish to take before/after conception anyway, the recommended dosage is 1200mg per day.

Hope this helps! Sorry you are dealing with this pesky issue. Hope it clears up and you have a lovely healthy pregnancy!

Thank you for this post I'm wondering though, about using a tampon for anything, because of the clorine/bleach/etc.

The rest I'll totally try!

[blissful_maia]

You can find unbleached cotton tampons pretty easily these days. The main purpose is the applicator, as a way of getting the yogurt all the way at the top of the vagina. If you can lay down with a pillow under your hips for a while, you could just use it to insert the yogurt and then remove it right away also. I wouldn't do the peroxide unless you were going to repopulate with a healthy mix of flora afterwards.

[BabyMae09]

Originally Posted by blissful_maia

You can find unbleached cotton tampons pretty easily these days. The main purpose is the applicator, as a way of getting the yogurt all the way at the top of the vagina. If you can lay down with a pillow under your hips for a while, you could just use it to insert the yogurt and then remove it right away also. I wouldn't do the peroxide unless you were going to repopulate with a healthy mix of flora afterwards.

I get it now Thanks for your input I really appreciate it!