Fishy smell down there

You notice a strong fishy smell from your vagina. It may be worse after sex, or right after your period. You may also see thin grey or white discharge.

This smell often comes from a shift in vaginal bacteria. Your vagina is home to many tiny germs. When the mix of them changes, the smell can change too.

Doctors call this bacterial vaginosis, or BV for short. Soap, douching, a new partner, and periods can all set it off. It is very common, and it is not a sign that you are unclean.

When to see someone

See a doctor or nurse if you have belly pain or a fever. Go too if it hurts to pee, or if you see sores or green discharge. Tell them if you are pregnant, or if the smell keeps coming back.

Below is a list of home and folk remedies people have tried for this. Each one has a grade that shows how much good proof there is. A low grade means we know very little, so ask your doctor first.

Bacterial Vaginosis: natural remedies and the evidence behind them

8 options · 1 graded A · 1 graded B · 6 traditional or ungraded

Where are you at with your BV right now?

I've had it before and want to keep it from coming back

Probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri)
Supported by controlled trials· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade A · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Flagship BV probiotic strains, meta-analysis support
Why this matches
If your aim is to stop BV from coming back, these are the probiotic strains the BV research centers on — studied specifically for restoring vaginal flora and lowering the odds of recurrence.
Why try it
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 help repopulate the vaginal microbiome with protective bacteria that keep the environment acidic, crowding out the organisms behind BV. In pooled trial data they improved cure rates and reduced recurrences, with the strongest effect alongside standard antibiotic treatment.
Dose or use
Follow product labeling; depending on the product these strains are taken orally or used vaginally. Consult a practitioner.
Time to results
Typically 4–8 weeks
Key study
Meta-analysis (2024, PMID 38802199): pooling 35 randomized controlled trials (3,751 women), probiotics significantly raised BV cure rates and reduced recurrence, with the greatest benefit as an adjunct to antibiotics. Lactobacillus GR-1/RC-14 are among the best-studied urogenital strains in this evidence base.
Caution
Generally well tolerated; consult a practitioner if you're immunocompromised or pregnant.
Women's Probiotic (vaginal strains)
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
OTC vaginal-strain probiotic for upkeep
Why this matches
For keeping BV from returning, an over-the-counter vaginal-strain probiotic is the kind of product you can pick up to help maintain healthy lactobacilli between episodes.
Why try it
Vaginal-strain probiotics aim to support the beneficial lactobacilli that keep the vaginal environment acidic and resistant to BV. This is a general, supportive maintenance option.
Dose or use
Follow product labeling. Consult a practitioner if you're unsure which product suits you.
Time to results
Varies; often used continuously for upkeep
Key study
This is a general over-the-counter product entry with no specific formulation or trial data in our library, so no efficacy claim or citation is made. Consider it a supportive maintenance option.
Caution
Formulations vary widely — check ingredients and use as directed; consult a practitioner if immunocompromised or pregnant.

I've got a flare right now and want to clear it up

Curcumin
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Double-blind RCT vs. standard antibiotic
Why this matches
If you want to tackle a current episode, curcumin is one of the better-studied natural options for BV — a double-blind trial compared a seven-day course head-to-head with metronidazole, the usual antibiotic, in women with confirmed BV.
Why try it
Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and a long traditional use. In a randomized double-blind trial of 100 non-pregnant women with BV, a seven-day course of curcumin was comparable to metronidazole on the standard diagnostic measures and eased symptoms with fewer side effects. It is still a single trial, so treat it as a promising option to discuss with your provider rather than a guaranteed fix.
Dose or use
The trial used curcumin every 12 hours for seven days. Follow product labeling and ask a practitioner which curcumin product and dose are right for you.
Time to results
Typically 2–4 weeks
Key study
RCT (2025, PMID 40032905): a double-blind randomized trial of 100 non-pregnant women with BV found a seven-day course of curcumin comparable to metronidazole on Amsel's criteria, with an 82% complete-improvement rate versus 42% and fewer adverse effects. Evidence is from a single trial and warrants confirmation.
Caution
Consult your practitioner if pregnant or on blood-thinning medications, and use a product suited to the route you choose. Curcumin is not a substitute for medical evaluation of persistent or recurrent symptoms.
Boric acid suppository
Not yet assessed· We have not reviewed the literature for this one (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised)Recognised traditional use
Standard intravaginal self-care for BV
Why this matches
When you're trying to clear a current flare, boric acid vaginal suppositories are one of the most established self-care options — they're often the go-to for episodes that keep returning or don't fully settle.
Why try it
Inserted into the vagina, boric acid helps restore an acidic pH and disrupts the bacteria behind BV, which can ease the odor and discharge of a flare.
Dose or use
Use a suppository formulated for vaginal use, per product labeling — never take by mouth. Check with a practitioner, especially for recurring episodes.
Time to results
Typically within 1–2 weeks
Key study
Boric acid vaginal suppositories are a widely used, clinically recognized self-care option for BV, particularly recurrent or antibiotic-refractory cases. No specific trial is cited here; confirm suitability with your provider.
Caution
For vaginal use only — boric acid is toxic if swallowed. Do not use if pregnant or trying to conceive, or on broken or irritated tissue.

I'd rather dig into what's leaving me more prone to it

Vitamin D Deficiency
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Low vitamin D is linked to more BV
Why this matches
If you're trying to work out what leaves you prone to BV, vitamin D is worth checking — low levels have repeatedly been associated with BV in observational studies.
Why try it
Vitamin D supports immune and mucosal defenses. If a blood test shows you're low, correcting it may help your body maintain a healthier vaginal environment — though this is an association, not a proven treatment.
Dose or use
Ask your provider to test your 25(OH)D level, then supplement to correct a documented shortfall under their guidance.
Time to results
Typically 4–8 weeks to restore levels
Key study
Observational studies link low serum vitamin D to higher BV prevalence and recurrence. This is a root-cause check, not a treatment claim — ask your provider to test your levels.
Caution
Vitamin D is fat-soluble and can build up — don't take high doses without testing and practitioner guidance.
Iron Deficiency
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Low iron is associated with BV
Why this matches
If BV keeps returning, low iron is a simple, checkable factor — iron deficiency is common in menstruating women and has been associated with BV, especially in pregnancy.
Why try it
Iron supports healthy immune function. Correcting a documented iron shortfall may help your overall resilience, though the BV link is an association rather than a proven cause.
Dose or use
Ask your provider for a ferritin and blood count; supplement only if a shortfall is confirmed, under their guidance.
Time to results
Typically several weeks to rebuild stores
Key study
Iron deficiency has been associated with BV in nutritional-epidemiology and pregnancy cohorts. This is a root-cause check, not a treatment claim — ask your provider to test your levels.
Caution
Don't supplement iron without testing — excess iron can cause digestive upset and is harmful in some conditions.

The odor, itching and discharge are what bother me day to day

Boric acid suppository
Not yet assessed· We have not reviewed the literature for this one (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised)Recognised traditional use
Standard intravaginal self-care for BV
Why this matches
When you're trying to clear a current flare, boric acid vaginal suppositories are one of the most established self-care options — they're often the go-to for episodes that keep returning or don't fully settle.
Why try it
Inserted into the vagina, boric acid helps restore an acidic pH and disrupts the bacteria behind BV, which can ease the odor and discharge of a flare.
Dose or use
Use a suppository formulated for vaginal use, per product labeling — never take by mouth. Check with a practitioner, especially for recurring episodes.
Time to results
Typically within 1–2 weeks
Key study
Boric acid vaginal suppositories are a widely used, clinically recognized self-care option for BV, particularly recurrent or antibiotic-refractory cases. No specific trial is cited here; confirm suitability with your provider.
Caution
For vaginal use only — boric acid is toxic if swallowed. Do not use if pregnant or trying to conceive, or on broken or irritated tissue.
SP6 (Sanyinjiao) - Spleen 6
Not yet assessed· We have not reviewed the literature for this one (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised)Recognised traditional use
TCM point for pelvic and discharge complaints
Why this matches
When day-to-day discomfort, itching and odor are what bother you most, SP6 is the classic Traditional Chinese Medicine point for lower-body and vaginal-discharge complaints, used for gentle at-home comfort.
Why try it
In TCM, SP6 — where the Spleen, Liver and Kidney meridians meet — is pressed to ease lower-abdominal and reproductive discomfort. This is a traditional comfort practice, not a treatment for the infection itself.
Dose or use
Apply firm, comfortable pressure about three finger-widths above the inner ankle bone for 1–2 minutes per side.
Time to results
Immediate, temporary comfort during use
Key study
Traditionally used in TCM for lower-abdominal and vaginal-discharge complaints; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Avoid strong stimulation of SP6 during pregnancy. Acupressure eases discomfort only — see a provider to actually treat BV.
CV4 (Guanyuan) - Conception Vessel 4
Not yet assessed· We have not reviewed the literature for this one (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised)Recognised traditional use
TCM lower-abdomen point for comfort
Why this matches
For everyday pelvic discomfort alongside BV, CV4 is a traditional lower-abdomen point used for uterine and reproductive-area complaints — a gentle self-care pairing with SP6.
Why try it
In TCM, CV4 on the lower abdomen is stimulated to support the reproductive area and ease lower-abdominal discomfort. It's a traditional comfort measure, not a cure for the infection.
Dose or use
Apply gentle, steady pressure about four finger-widths below the navel for 1–2 minutes; stop if uncomfortable.
Time to results
Immediate, temporary comfort during use
Key study
Traditionally used in TCM for lower-abdominal and reproductive complaints; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Avoid stimulating CV4 during pregnancy. This eases discomfort only — see a provider to treat the underlying BV.

Evidence grades describe the strength of published research for Bacterial Vaginosis, not a promise of results. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to your clinician before starting anything, especially alongside prescription medication.