Whenever you have been diagnosed with a medical condition it goes without saying that the choice of treatment is always left up to you. Some people choose to use prescription pharmaceuticals when treating a condition like bacterial vaginosis (BV) while others seek a more natural homeopathic remedy which is known to promote fewer side effects. However, the first step is always getting a diagnosis prior to trying any remedies whatsoever.
BV is a condition that is caused by an inordinate amount of unhealthy bacteria in the vaginal tract and there are, indeed, natural remedies that have proven to be effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the usual pharmaceutical treatment is with drugs such as metronidazole or clindamycin. Unfortunately, some women find that those types of antibiotic medications only exacerbate the situation making the discharge and smell worse than they were to begin with!
Natural treatments would begin with abstinence since BV is spread through sexual intercourse. If you are sexually active it is advised that you abstain while being treated. Also, it is imperative that you refrain from douching, especially with commercially prepared solutions. A distilled water douche with natural white vinegar is thought to be beneficial once during treatment because it restores acidity to the vaginal tract which promotes recolonization of good (friendly) flora.
Also beneficial would be to supplement with probiotics and to eat yogurt 2 to 3 times daily as this will also restore friendly flora. Some women apply plain yogurt to the vagina while others use a clove of garlic, believe it or not! Garlic has extremely potent antibacterial properties which will help eliminate the odor while killing off harmful bacteria. Although you should get an accurate diagnosis from a medical professional to ascertain what the problem is, none of the above mentioned natural remedies have been known to promote any harmful side effects and will help to reduce or eliminate foul odors.