How Long Does BV Take To Clear Without Treatment Naturally?

I remember the first time I heard about bacterial vaginosis (BV) — honestly, I thought it was just another term for a yeast infection. It wasn’t until I started noticing a strange odor and some grayish discharge (without any itching or pain) that I realized something was off. Like many women, I wanted to avoid running to the doctor for every little thing, and I wondered: can BV just go away on its own? And more importantly, how long does BV take to clear without treatment? Let’s talk about it — casually, realistically, and backed by good information.

Understanding What BV Really Is

BV happens when the balance of bacteria in your vagina gets disrupted. Normally, good bacteria (mainly Lactobacillus) dominate and help maintain a slightly acidic environment. But when that balance shifts — due to sex, douching, hormonal changes, or even stress — bad bacteria can overgrow. That’s when BV shows up, usually with a fishy odor, a watery gray discharge, and sometimes mild irritation.

Not Everyone Has Symptoms

Interestingly, not every woman with BV has symptoms. That’s probably why some don’t even realize they have it until a routine check-up. But even if you feel fine, untreated BV can still mess with your vaginal health long-term, especially if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive.

So… How Long Can BV Last Without Treatment?

This is where it gets a bit tricky. BV doesn’t come with an expiration date. Some cases might clear on their own in a couple of weeks — especially if your body naturally restores the bacterial balance. But for others (like me), it can linger for weeks or even months. In my case, I waited about three weeks before realizing it wasn’t improving — and honestly, that wait made it worse.

• Some women report spontaneous resolution in 7–10 days.
• Others may have persistent symptoms beyond a month.
• Recurrent episodes are very common if BV isn’t properly addressed.

Clinical research agrees: about 30% of BV cases may resolve without treatment, especially in asymptomatic women. But here’s the catch — recurrence is super common.

Why Waiting It Out Might Backfire

Leaving BV untreated increases the risk of complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), post-surgical infections, and even preterm labor if you’re pregnant. If you’re sexually active, there’s also the increased susceptibility to STIs, including HIV. One study from CDC pointed out how untreated BV can double the risk of acquiring other infections.

What Affects How Long BV Lasts?

Not all BV cases are created equal. A lot of different factors influence how long it sticks around if left untreated:

1. Your Immune System: A healthy immune response may help restore vaginal balance faster.
2. Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations from periods, pregnancy, or birth control can disrupt vaginal flora.
3. Sexual Activity: Semen is alkaline, which throws off pH levels. If you’re sexually active, BV might linger or keep coming back. Learn more about how sex contributes to BV.
4. Hygiene Habits: Douching or using scented soaps can worsen the condition — more on that here.
5. Diet: Believe it or not, what you eat affects your vaginal microbiome. High sugar? Bad news. Explore how sugar impacts BV.

Should You Ever Just Wait It Out?

If you’re experiencing symptoms, especially odor and discharge, it’s generally not a great idea to wait. BV may seem minor, but chronic or recurring BV can seriously mess with your quality of life. I thought avoiding antibiotics would help prevent “pill fatigue,” but I ended up with worse symptoms and had to treat it anyway.

That said, curing BV with treatment is usually quick — often just a 5 to 7-day course of antibiotics. And while natural remedies like probiotics and apple cider vinegar are gaining popularity, they work better as prevention or alongside medication rather than solo solutions.

When It’s Absolutely Time to See a Doctor

• Symptoms lasting more than 7–10 days
• Severe or worsening discharge and odor
• Pain, itching, or burning — which might indicate a different infection
• If you’re pregnant or planning to conceive

There’s a handy self-check guide here if you’re unsure whether it’s time for a professional diagnosis.

Don’t Ignore the Bigger Picture

Even if BV seems like a minor inconvenience, ignoring it for too long can lead to bigger health problems. I once let it slide because I didn’t feel “sick enough” to go to the doctor — but ended up with a nasty bout of inflammation that made everything worse. The point is, it’s not just about the discharge — it’s about your overall reproductive health.

Curious about long-term impacts? This deep dive on recurring BV is super helpful. And if you’re new to this topic, I recommend checking out our complete guide on what causes BV for a broader understanding.

And don’t forget the essentials — here’s our main BV hub and the focused pillar on treatment options you’ll definitely want to bookmark.

What Happens If You Keep Ignoring BV?

If you’ve ever waited too long to deal with BV (guilty!), you probably noticed the symptoms don’t just vanish like magic. In fact, for a lot of us, they linger, evolve, and return. One week it feels manageable, the next it flares up unexpectedly. This is especially true if you’ve had more than one episode — because recurrent BV is very real and very frustrating.

Over time, untreated BV increases your risk of:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Endometritis after childbirth or surgery
• Increased susceptibility to STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea
• Pregnancy complications such as miscarriage risk and preterm labor

Honestly, I thought I could “ride it out” with probiotics and some yogurt. And while I’m not knocking natural methods, they weren’t enough on their own. I ended up treating it medically — and the difference was night and day.

What You Can Do If You Don’t Want Antibiotics

Some women are understandably cautious about taking antibiotics, especially if they’ve dealt with relapses after antibiotics. If that’s you, there are ways to support your body naturally — just don’t expect overnight miracles.

Here’s what helped me maintain balance post-treatment:

• Daily probiotics – both oral and vaginal (read more on probiotic strategies here)
• Apple cider vinegar baths (once a week, max) – as detailed in this ACV guide
• No douching, ever
• Switching to cotton underwear – more breathable and less irritating
• Limiting sugar – sugar fuels bad bacteria (you can read why here)

And here’s a tip I wish I knew sooner: if you’re doing natural remedies, consistency matters. A one-time probiotic won’t reset your microbiome overnight — it’s a long game.

How to Know If BV Is Actually Going Away

BV doesn’t leave you a breakup text when it’s over — so how do you know it’s really gone?

1. The odor fades away. That distinct fishy smell? Should be the first to go.
2. Discharge returns to normal. Clear to whitish and doesn’t smell = green flag.
3. No weird sensations. No more wetness, irritation, or general discomfort down there.

Still unsure? There’s actually a home test you can try to check vaginal pH. I’ve used one before just for peace of mind. Not perfect, but pretty helpful.

When to Treat — Even If You Don’t Want To

Here’s the truth — if your symptoms stick around longer than 7–10 days, it’s time to take action. Whether that’s seeing your doctor, grabbing a prescription, or exploring long-term lifestyle shifts — doing something is better than hoping for a miracle.

And yes, you probably don’t need to treat your partner, unless your doctor says otherwise — though some anecdotal cases suggest it might help in stubborn recurring scenarios.

Signs You’re Past the “Wait and See” Stage:

• Symptoms worsening or spreading
• Recurring BV more than twice in a year
• BV during pregnancy
• You feel emotionally exhausted or embarrassed by symptoms

If any of those sound familiar, check out the full treatment options here. Sometimes the mental burden of BV is just as bad as the physical stuff — and that alone is reason enough to tackle it head-on.

Taking Charge of Your Vaginal Health

At the end of the day, knowing how long BV takes to clear without treatment is only half the story. The real win is understanding your body better, learning the signs, and doing what’s best for you — whether that’s treatment, natural support, or both.

I wish I had someone be honest with me early on: BV doesn’t make you dirty, and it definitely doesn’t make you weak. But letting it go unchecked because of shame or misinformation? That’s the real problem.

Want to go deeper? This prevention guide is packed with practical, everyday strategies that actually work — and if you’re navigating this while pregnant, our dedicated BV-in-pregnancy guide is a must-read.

And don’t forget to check out the full BV main guide for everything from diagnosis to diet changes, and our comprehensive pillar on preventing recurring BV.

Gwenna Aazee

Dr. Gwenna Aazee is a board-certified Internal Medicine Physician with a special focus on hypertension management, chronic disease prevention, and patient education. With years of experience in both clinical practice and medical writing, she’s passionate about turning evidence-based medicine into accessible, actionable advice. Through her work at Healthusias.com, Dr. Aazee empowers readers to take charge of their health with confidence and clarity. Off the clock, she enjoys deep dives into nutrition research, long walks with her rescue pup, and simplifying medical jargon one article at a time.