Natural Suppository for Strep B Vaginal Bacteria

Q. My gynecologist indicated that I had strep B (vaginal bacteria). She didn't prescribe any antibiotics, as she believes it can leave naturally. Do you have a protocol to suggest or any products which could help me?

A. We do have a suppository that is indicated for strep B. It is called Suppositories #1 by Wise Woman Herbals. It contains herbs that are specific to killing these bacterial infections. Insert one 3-4 inches into the vaginal canal at bedtime with an applicator if you have one or use a clean finger (some women use medical gloves). Unfortunately, these do not come with applicators. You may wish to wear a pantyliner to catch any leakage during sleep.

Optional, yet stated on label: "The morning following application, douche with warm water or WWH herbal Douche."

You might start with the 10 count to see if that does the trick. I would also recommend HMF Intensive Probiotic while taking this. Take one a day with meals. After finishing the 10 days of the suppositories, I would recommend using 1 probiotic as a suppository at bedtime for a few nights to help replenish the good bacteria in the vaginal canal.

As long as you do not have a bad infection, this should do the trick.

Can I take HMF Super Powder for BV during my period or wait until it's over?

Q. Is it safe to take the HMF Super Powder when I have my period, or would it be more effective if I wait until it's over to treat BV?

A. It is completely safe to take HMF Super Powder during your period. I assume you are taking these High Potency capsules orally and not using them as suppositories? Taken orally, the beneficial bacteria will implant in your digestive system and vaginal canal regardless of your monthly cycle.

You may also want to look into the accompanying product CandiGen suppositories, which specifically help repair and heal the vaginal canal.

This product does work optimally when used on non-period days since it’s a suppository and can get flushed out more easily with a heavy menstrual flow.

Is it true that acidopholous inserts will help yeast infection & not BV?

Q. I spoke to my gyn doctor today about the acidopholous vaginal inserts, and he said that it might help with a yeast infection and not BV. Is that true?

A. I understand your confusion about the product names since they imply they are for yeast issues, but I can assure you that they are extremely effective for combating BV. In fact, more women use them for BV than for Candida. If I could get the manufacturer to change the product name, it would solve a lot of confusion, but they decided on these names in order to target a different market. What is most important to look into is the ingredients and not the product name.

I encourage you to read the testimonials since they speak for themselves on the benefits of these products. Please take a look through our patient testimonials and feedback.

Here is a link to the BV page with questions, answers, and more info on our “Complete Program” which includes each step of the program.

Does Yeast Arrest suppository melt by next morning?

Q: After the Yeast Arrest suppository is inserted into the vagina at night, is it supposed to melt by the next morning?

A. It is normal for the suppository to sometimes come out in a clump. It is still effective. Keep using them at night and let us know if you notice a difference over time. Women have noticed that the suppository dissolves differently depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle and the amount of discharge present.

When the ph of the vagina is off, their may not be enough heat to melt the capsule. Try moisteing it in warm water, taking care that the water is not so hot as to melt it before you insert it. If that doesnt work, put the capsule in a glass (6 - 8 oz max) of distilled, room tempature water and make a douche

Was I supposed to follow the entire BV protocol listed on your website?

Q: Can I use parts of your BV program to treat BV or do I have to follow the entire protocol? I used 1 Candaclear suppository each night for 6 nights (I got the package that contained only 6), and the day after my last treatment, the heavy yellow discharge came back. It did seem to work during the treatment (although I had a small amount of white discharge, I thought due to the suppositories), but the odor and heavy yellow discharge was gone. Now the heavy yellow discharge is back. Should I follow the entire BV protocol listed on your website?

A. In order to ensure that you completely treat your BV, I recommend you follow the entire BV protocol listed on the website. This is how hundreds of my clients have been able to remain BV free after years of suffering. There is a specific reason why each product has been included into the program and why each part should be followed. I encourage you to start with the Boric Acid suppositories and Alli-cinn, and then move onto the HLC CandaClear suppositories.

There is always a chance that following just parts of the program can be successful, but in your case, it didn’t seem to work. This is partly because it is important to kill off the bad organisms plus replenish the good ones, as well as boost the immune system. By just using HLC Candaclear, you were mostly replenishing the good strains, but not aggressively killing off the bad strains in the vagina and your gastrointestinal tract (GI). Your GI does transmit organisms into the vagina via normal migration between openings. So it is important to have good GI health since it affects vaginal health.

Is there a permanent cure for BV or will it always reoccur?

Q: Does Bacterial Vaginosis have a permanent cure or is it something that is reoccurring for good?

A. We are still trying to perfect our natural protocol for BV which supports and strengthens the body, but we have received great feedback from several women who are on the forum and have been struggling with severe BV for years.

I believe one of the keys to successful long term treatment is to continue replenishing the beneficial bacteria in the vaginal flora and GI, as well as to have a healthy diet and lifestyle to keep the immune system strong. The quality of your probiotics is incredibly important. Many brands have been tested and found to have literally no viable strains or the wrong strains which do not implant in the vaginal canal. Unless you were using Human Micro Flora (HMF) from Genestra or Pharmax HLC brand (which have been extensively researched over the last 10 years and have 5 published clinical trials), you may have been wasting your time.

Taking the right probiotic can make all the difference in the world. Genestra's HMF probiotics are human source flora isolated from the vaginal cells of a human. My clients have seen great results using HLC strains (when other probiotics failed) since they implanted and colonized significantly better than the standard dairy or animal probiotic. The human microflora recognizes its own kind.

Products we suggest...

My yeast infection is gone so how long should I continue the lozenges?

Q: For how long should I use the lozenges; I just found out I no longer have a vaginal yeast infection. I just stopped using the Yeast Arrest. Should I remain on a Candida diet?

A. You can discontinue the Boric Acid if you no longer have a vaginal yeast infection. However, we would recommend that you use it again right after your period as a maintenance program for the next 3 months. You can keep using the lozenges until your symptoms clear up and again after your period.

I would advise you to limit your sugar and dairy intake in order to limit the reoccurrence of the infection.

I would suggest that you use the HLC High Potency Probiotic Powder by Pharmax as a maintenance program.

How do I clear up "Hairy Tongue"? It feels fine, just looks awful.

Q: How do I Clear up a "Hairy Tongue"? I am looking for suggestions as to how to clear up a hairy tongue. This is not thrush or candidiasis. The very fine hairs on my tongue have grown beyond what is normal. It changes on an almost daily basis. Sometimes my tongue looks normal to me.Other times, it is completely white from the elongation of those tiny hairs. There is no pain, itching, burning, etc. It feels fine, but looks awful at times...

A. Your "hairy tongue" is a common symptom of dysbiosis in your intestines. Your tongue is an extension of your gastrointestinal system, and its color and hairy white appearance means there is an overgrowth of one or more microbe and lack of balance with friendly bacteria. This is common after taking Flagyl since antibiotics kill off the good organisms which are responsible for keeping overgrowth of pathogenic ones at bay.

Pharmax LLC has done studies on patients taking antibiotics. I have attached some to this email. They show that there is an elevation of pathogens in the GI during antibiotic use. It can 6-12 months to re-establish the good flora and sometimes longer unless probiotics (beneficial bacteria) are taken to speed up the process.

I recommend you follow the below three-pronged approach with supplements from Pharmax. Pharmax private labels products for Genestra so they are the same high quality human strain probiotics you have read about on the Bacterial Vaginosis support group.

Kill, purify, and restore. First you need to gently kill off microbes or pathogens in your GI with Alli-Cinn. At the same time, you need to cleanse out the toxin from your intestines with Intestinal Purifier. And most importantly, you need replenish the beneficial bacteria which will keep balance in your intestines and vaginal canal with HLC Intensive caps and then HLC Synbiotic Intensive sachets.

All three parts are important to get the desired results and prevent re-occurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis (and your hairy tongue). You must restore the health of your intestines and vaginal canal to be symptom free.

You can read more details on each product I recommend through the below links.
Alli-Cin by Pharmax (plant antimicrobial- garlic and cinnamon): Take 1 with each meal (3 per day) for 1 month and then reduce to 2 per day.
Intestinal Purifier by Pharmax (fiber and intestinal cleansing nutrients:cTake 1 scoop per day mixed in liquid (i.e. 1-2 hours after dinner, with breakfast)
HLC Intensive by Pharmax: Take 1 capsule twice daily after breakfast and dinner for 10 days.
HLC Synbiotic sachets: Take 1/2 sachet twice daily after meals for 7-14 days.

After this 17 day probiotic treatment, you make move on to a maintenance product HLC High Potency capsules, or keep taking HLC Intensive 1 capsule per day.

You may also want to consider using HLC Candaclear vaginal probiotic suppositories for your Bacterial Vaginosis. These have been tremendously helpful to women with Bacterial Vaginosis. You can read more about Candaclear here.

Here is the link for the BV protocol page with lifestyle and dietary suggestions at the bottom.

I am allergic to sulfur, do any BV protocol products contain it?

Q: I am highly allergic to sulfur. Can you tell me if any of the products in your BV protocol have a sulfur base?

A. Are you allergic to regular garlic? The components inside Alli-cin are just the active constituents of the garlic clove, but not “free elemental sulfur” which is what most people are allergic to when they have Sulfur allergies. So, assuming you are fine when you eat garlic, you will not be allergic to Alli-cinn’s garlic component since it contains nothing additional besides the extracts of the active constituents inside garlic plus cinnamon bark oil.

Can I return to my normal diet after a negative vaginal culture?

Q: I had a vaginal culture done for yeast about 3 weeks ago that came back negative. Is it ok for me to return to my normal diet, which includes gluten, casein and some sugar?

A. Yeast is a very delicate health problem to deal with. Even if your report came back negative for yeast cultures, you should try to stick to a sugar and dairy free diet for at least another 3 months. You read more information about Candida diet here.
Also, for maintenance, you should keep on taking the probiotics such as the High Potency Powder by Pharmax.
People with a weaker immune system are prone to recurrent yeast infection, therefore I would recommend that you supplement your diet with Immunitone Plus by Designs For Health (Dosage: 3 capsules daily between meals).

I have a re-occuring yeast infection, what do you recommend?

Q: I have a re-occuring yeast infection, what do you recommend?

A. 1) Yeast/Candida is in your system and not just in your vaginal canal. You must pay very close attention to your diet and eliminate the foods or drinks which are feeding the yeast. See our complete nutritional program for anti-Candida diet as well as supplements.

2) Use HLC CandiClear suppositories after using Yeast Arrest Boric Acid for 2 weeks. These CandaClear are made with human strain probiotics derived a healthy human vaginal cells, thus your body will recognized it and it will adhere quite well to re-establish balance. It is very different from any other probiotic.
HLC Candaclear by Pharmax: I recommend you use one a day for a week, and then keep then once or twice a week for maintenance.

3) Take oral probiotics such as HLC High Potency during Boric Acid treatment and in general to help rebalance the good flora which is missing in your system.
HLC High Potency powder: ½ teaspoon twice a day for 3 months, and then just a couple times a week for maintenance.

4) Take an antifungal daily such as Alli-Cinn (freeze dried garlic plus cinnamon oil) to kill off yeast in your GI which is what can keep vaginal yeast infections coming back. Take 2 twice daily with meals during treatment, and 1 per day for maintenance. This supplement is very powerful and quite good for you in general. Keep it on hand. My clients who have had lifelong problems with yeast infections say this product works exceptionally well for them. If you find out you have more severe yeast issues in your GI after stool testing, you can use Colon Guard instead of Alli-Cinn. Colong Guard is a bit more powerful, but not for long term use.

5) Strengthen your Immune system with a healthy lifestyle, stress reduction, exercise, and eating nourishing foods

Although initially, it may seem like you need to take a lot of supplements, you’ll only need a couple of them for maintenance after you’ve strengthened and rebalanced your system. The goal is to strengthen your body so it can keep yeast in check. If you are prone to these infections, you’ll most likely always need to be on a maintenance protocol of HLC High Potency probiotics, and Alli-Cinn.

My skin was raw before I used your Vag Pack, and I find it burns, is this normal?

Q: I started using the Vag Pack and it burns. Is that normal? My skin was somewhat irritated and “raw” before I started on them.

A. Due to your raw, irritated, and swollen labia, the suppository has caused you some burning. I recommend you begin using both Vitamin A Suppository plus Vitamin E suppository ideally at night before bed for at least 3 days in order to first heal and repair your vaginal tissue before you begin killing off the pathogens and re-implanting the good strains of bacteria.

Use both at ideally at night before bed for at least 3 days in order to first heal and repair your vaginal tissue before you begin killing off the pathogens and re-implanting the good strains of bacteria. Once the skin around your labia becomes healed a bit better, you can begin the BV treatment and you shouldn’t experience the burnings any more.

Also, you may want to use our Califlora Calendula Gel topically in order to prevent any possible burning from the Boric Acid suppositories since it will protect the skin from exposure to the suppository as it is “leaking” out over the day.

Can CandaClear & Boric Acid be used simultaneously & does it heal inflammations?

Q: If I use the boric acid and follow with the CandaClear—where would the Suppositories #1 fit into the treatment plan? Can they be used the same time (i.e., the same days) as the boric acid or the probiotics? Is the Suppositories #1 designed to heal inflammed tissue and does it have anti-bacterial or anti-fungal properties as well?

A. The best time to use the Suppositories #1 is at night on the same day as the Boric Acid. You can use the Boric Acid in the a.m and then the Suppositories #1 at night. You can also switch the order if you wish, but I believe the Boric Acid capsules stays in better during the day since it doesn’t melt as rapidly when you are standing up.Yes, the Suppositories #1 is designed to heal inflamed tissues and has herbs with antibacterial action.

Is it safe to take the Pharmax LLC high potency acidophilus when I have my period?

Q: Is it safe to take the Pharmax LLC high potency acidophilus when I have my period?

A. It is completely safe to take High Potency capsules during your period. I assume you are taking these High Potency capsules orally and not using them as suppositories? Taken orally, the beneficial bacteria will implant in your digestive system and vaginal canal regardless of your monthly cycle.
You may also want to look into the accompanying product HLC CandaClear suppositories, which specifically help repair and heal the vaginal canal.

HLC CandaClear
This product does work optimally when used on non-period days since it’s a suppository and can get flushed out more easily with a heavy menstrual flow.

Let us know if you have any questions, and be sure to review our complete nutritional program on BV.

Are vaginal suppositories still effective during menstrual flow?

Q: Is it true that I should insert vaginal suppositories when I'm not menstruating because otherwise, the blood would just saturate the product and cause it not to be as effective?

A. The Yeast Arrest Boric Acid suppositories and the CandaClear suppositories can and should be used during your menses since the pH of the vagina becomes more alkaline during your period from the blood, and BV seems to flourish in an alkaline vagina allowing symptoms to return. Thus, it seems very important to balnace the pH of the vagina. Although the suppository does not stay in as well or as long during menstruation, it definitely does help.
One of my clients with severe and reoccurring yeast infections uses it during her periods and says it has helped her tremendously. She usually gets a yeast infection right after her period, but the times she has used boric acid during menstruation she has prevented them.

How can I treat BV as I am now 14 weeks pregnant?

Q: I'm currently 14 weeks pregnant. What products can I use to eliminate Bacterial Vaginosis? Is it possible for me to make my own suppositories/cream to put in the vagina?

A. The HLC Candaclear suppository contains a special strain of acidophilus not found in other probiotics, and these strains are known to thrive in a healthy vagina and gastrointestinal tract. These strains are also found in the HLC Intensive capsules. The HLC Candaclear suppositories are completely safe during pregnancy (including the Allium and rose oil). There is no preservative used in the suppository and it contains only a water soluble base.
The only instruction change during pregnancy is to possibly use your finger instead of the applicator to insert the suppository. Be sure to clean your hands thoroughly. The most potent probiotic available is the HLC Intensive by Pharmax. You could make your own suppository using this capsule, or you could use the capsule as a suppository. The gelatin capsule will melt with your body heat overnight.

Mom has a yeast infection from a course of antibiotics, what can you suggest?

Q: My mother's just completing heavy duty antibiotic therapy for a resistant sinus/lung infection and she developed a vaginal yeast infection. I see you have a couple of candida products, what would you recommend as being the best for her (she's in her early 70's and had a hysterectomy years ago).

A. I'd suggest she take HLC Intensive—1 cap three times a day, after a meal, for 10-20 days. Next she should continue probiotic therapy with HLC High Potency probiotics—1/2 tsp twice daily after meals—to ensure the good flora gets back into balance and no remission occurs. Antibiotics are known for weakening the immune system, so be sure to take your probiotics for at least 3-6 months after antibiotics.

Also, Oil of Oregano is a powerful natural antibiotic which helps the respiratory fight infection and strengthens the immune system: Oregacyn, by American Herb and Spice. Take 5 drops 3 times daily.

Should I take Alli-Cinn as a combatant or as a preventive for BV?

Q: I have purchased Pharmax brand Alli-Cinn and am not sure if I should take this daily or as a combatant for BV. Is it a to be used as a preventive or as a cure?

A. Alli-Cinn is used daily both actively to treat BV as well as preventively to limit excess yeast growth. Many clients use it initially to treat BV or GI issues or yeast, in tandem with HLC Probiotics and then later as needed, during times when they feel a weakened immune system, when they feel symptoms of yeast coming on, or after eating foods containing sugars (or alcohol). It can even be used after eating sushi to kill off parasites.
If you have not yet looked into our complete protocol for BV, you can read more at complete protocol

Does Alli-Cinn by Pharmax work well for BV?

Q: Does Alli-Cinn by Pharmax work on vaginal infections? I'm not sure if I have a yeast infection or a bacterial infection. I started out with a flora infection with antibiotics. I am taking HLC High potency probiotics by Pharmax and have taken them for a month, as well as the anti-yeast diet.

A. Alli-Cinn is very effective against both bacteria and yeast as it is a broad acting anti-microbial and anti-fungal due to its extra activated garlic and powerful Cinnamaldehyde. It has helped thousands of women with a combination of yeast and bacterial issues.

Alli-Cinn by Pharmax: Take 1 capsule twice daily with meals.
Complete your protocol by taking:
PaleoFiber by DFH to aid in removing bacteria/yeast from your gut.
Yeast Arrest Boric Acid Suppositories—this is Boric Acid which kills all yeast and bacteria in your vagina.Use these 1-2 daily with a pantyliner for approx. 5-10 days.
HLC CandiClear Suppositories: This is healthy bacteria for your vagina which will protect against future problems. Following Boric Acid Yeast Arrest, use these, once or twice daily—with pantyliner—for at least 3-6 days, more if able.

Also continue to take HLC Probiotics and follow your anti-yeast diet.

Can you suggest a proper breakfast when on the yeast elimination program?

Q: Can you suggest a safe breakfast since I'm on the yeast elimination program?In the past I ate a pastry sandwich w/ coffee.I know I can't do that now. I want to eliminate dairy from my diet so I can't eat yogurt and granola.

A. Here is one of my favorite candida safe breakfast called an "egg bake". Simply sauté unlimited veggies—broccoli, asparagus, red pepper, onion, garlic, zucchini, etc. Then add it and about 12 mixed organic eggs to a glass baking tray and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 or until firm. Then cut into 4 or 5 pieces, and refrigerate for a quick easy breakfast on the go. Can serve with salsa, avocado, organic ham, salmon, etc.
If you have further meal planning needs, I can put together a complete weekly program. Consider purchasing a block of time here.

I've had BV for years and RXs don't help. Suggestion for ridding myself of BV?

Q: What products do you recommend to eliminate chronic BV? I’ve had BV for years and nothing seems to help including the various doctor’s prescriptions. It always keeps coming back! Will your products help me get rid of it for good? How do they work?

A. Please visit the Bacterial Vaginosis section of our website with complete details on our BV protocol, products, instructions, FAQs, and testimonials.

In summary, the most important step shown to permanently eliminate BV is strengthening your immune system—both systemic and vaginal. At the same time, the pathogenic strains need to be killed off and beneficial bacteria re-implanted.

This protocol should be followed for at least 1 month depending on the severity of your symptoms, and then a monthly protocol should be followed for 4 more months. Finally a couple basic maintenance supplements should be used indefinitely and as needed to prevent remission. You should be on the following during the first month:

1) An oral HLC probiotic (human strain which implants significantly better than any other probiotic):HLC Probiotics by Pharmax (take 2 times per day after meals indefinitely)

2) Boric Acid (Yeast Arrest) suppositories to be used for 5-14 days initially, and then as needed for maintenance 4 days a month during your menstrual cycle for 4 consecutive months. Studies show that women with vaginitis and/or chronic yeast can successfully prevent re-occurrence by using Boric Acid suppositories when used during their period for 4 days and for 4 consecutive months. If you have irritated, swollen, burning, itching, or broken vaginal skin, you must first use soothing Vitamin A and Vitamin E suppositories for 3 or more nights until it is healed before using Boric Acid or Vag-Pack suppositories which could cause burning or discomfort if used on broken skin. These soothing vitamins will allow the vaginal skin to heal rapidly before you kill off pathogens or re-implant the good bacteria.

3) An oral antiseptic: This will keep the yeast and pathogens at bay since they weaken your immune system as well as migrate from your GI to your vagina causing local imbalance and weakness. Alli-cinn by Pharmax(take 1 twice daily with a meal for first month, and then 1 per day indefinitely)

4) A vaginal probiotic suppository: HLC Candaclear suppositories by Pharmax (one at night for 6-12 days, and then as needed when flair ups are likely to occur such as after sex or during/after your period.)

5) (Optional but highly recommended): An immune system support supplement to keep your systemic immune system strong keeping your BV in remission and minimizing any yeast or pathogens.Immunitone by DFH (take 2 per day between meals).

Nutrition:
It cannot be overemphasized how the health of the entire body affects the internal ecosystem of the vagina. The pH of the vagina, the microflora that lives there, the hormonal cycles, and the immune tissue in the vagina are all influenced by our general health and our dietary habits which determine how susceptible we are for overgrowth of the unfriendly organisms that cause Vaginitis and yeast. A healthy diet and lifestyle assures our immune system.

1) Avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol.
2) Eat plenty of whole foods including fiber rich foods such as salads, green vegetables, and colorful natural foods (red cabbage, kale, broccoli, berries, etc).
3) Eat unsweetened natural yogurt containing acidophilus.
4) Eat healthy protein such as fish, organic (or hormone free) chicken, turkey, and lean meat.
5) Exercise three or more times per week to stimulate the immune system and optimal health.

When are the Yeast Arrest Boric Acid and CandaClear suppositories suppose to be used?

Q: When are the Yeast Arrest Boric Acid and CandaClear suppositories suppose to be used?

A. The Yeast Arrest Boric Acid and CandaClear suppositories are to be used on different days (alternating or a few consecutive days of each). i.e. 4+ days of Boric Acid, then 4+ days CandaClear suppositories. This is because the Boric Acid can kill off some of the good bacteria along with the bad ones and the yeast.

It is recommended that the oral probiotics are taken all the time.

Can I still have sex with my husband when on the BV suppositories?

Q: When on the suppositories and all of this other medication can I still have sex with my husband?

A. Yes, it is safe to have sex during use of HLC CandaClear and/or Boric Acid suppositories. Yet it would be better not to have sex since it would speed up your healing time. Semen and intercourse itself will change the pH of your vagina and this in turn aggravates BV symptoms.

Will HLC Probiotics make my BV odor "worse" before getting better?

Q: Can the HLC Intensive probiotics make my discharge, yeast, BV symptoms, odor "worse" before they get better?

A. Yes, symptoms can become worse before becoming better. This is known as "die-off" and is what it sounds like. In other words, the bad bacteria are being killed by good bacteria- like a war of good versus evil. In order to vie for survival, bad bacteria will secrete toxins which can cause some worsened symptoms. Also, the probiotics are re-implanting in your gut. In some cases, bacteria will move into your vagina for a "new" place to survive. I believe this is what is happening in your case.

The best thing to do is to continue your regimen (assuming symptoms are not intolerable), restrict sugar as much as humanly possible, consider several probiotic suppositories—Yeast Arrest and CandaClear, and rest, eat lots of healthy green veggies and organic meats, healthy fats, and drink supportive teas such as green, chamomile, Pau d' arco, etc. non-chlorinated water.

You may also benefit from a plant antimicrobial to assist in killing the bad bacteria. It acts like a regular antibiotic, without killing your good bacteria.

Alli-cinn, by Pharmax is our most popular and effective antimicrobial, made with the active ingredient in garlic and cinnamon bark oil—both potent anti-bacterials.

Is it safe to have vaginal intercourse while using Yeast Arrest suppositories?

Q: Is it safe to have vaginal intercourse while using Yeast Arrest suppositories?

A. We don't recommend having intercourse while using Yeast Arrest. It interferes with treatment and could cause irritation to either or both partners. Also, there is no testing on whether yeast arrest breaks down condoms.

Is sex OK during the BV protocol program?

Q: Can I have sex while using the BV protocol treatment? Also, is it important to use any particular kind of fragrance free soap?

A. Ideally you would refrain from sex for a little while during treatment. Both the friction and the various fluids and chemicals such as KY and semen can all interfere with balancing pH, reducing inflammation, and implanting new good bacteria. However, whether you have intercourse is a personal decision. At very least, I recommend you use a condom and reduce chemical exposure by you and your partner using fragrance and chemical free soap like Calendula Soap by Weleda

What effect will Probiotics have on BV, & on a UTI becoming a Kidney infection?

Q: I have Leaky Gut Syndrome, Candida, a UTI which is becoming a kidney infection, which I've manage to contain with PB8 probiotics but never cured. What do you recommend?

A. I'm sorry you are having difficulty clearing up candida and a UTI! I am sure we can help you since we have helped many others. I would first like to include a link from our website for you to review: Candida. This link has some helpful information. PB8, though it is a good probiotic, may not adhere as well to the intestinal walls as the HLC Probiotics we carry. I will include a recommendation below for you.

As for the UTI, I would recommend getting started with these products right away to get it resolved (product links included). To prevent stomach upset, I would recommend taking these with some food:

• UT Synergy - 3 caps, 4 times daily, for 4 days, then take one capsule two times daily.
• Alli-Cinn - 2 caps, 3 times daily with meals, for 4 days, then take one capsule two times daily.
• Olive Leaf Extract- 2 caps, 3 times daily, for 4 days, then take 1 capsule per day.

****If you have a significantly elevated temperature (>102° F), flank pain, and/or severe burning or urination develop, or if infection persists past several days, a full medical evaluation should be performed and antibiotic therapy considered.

After 4 days of treatment with these products, I recommend adding this probiotic:

• HLC Intensive - 1 cap, 3 times a day with meals for two weeks, then you can drop to 2 caps, 2 times a day for two weeks, then 1 cap a day for a month. After that time, we can see about a lower dose probiotic, but with candida, you may need to stay on this for a while.

Avoid stress and extra obligations, avoid all sugars. You can replace sugar with Xylitol or Stevia. Drink plenty of water mixed with unsweetened cranberry juice (add xylitol or stevia for sweetness). Avoid refined carbs, including cereals and pastas. Focus your proteins on salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, chicken and lean meat, try to eat a protein at every meal. Use olive oil, almonds, hazelnuts, and avocados for their good fats. Snack on veggies and small amounts of nuts, olives and avocado.

After the UTI is under control, we'll get you going on a program to get rid of the candida. If you prefer a customized nutritional consultation, we do have those available