Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis aka bacterial viginitis is a vaginal infection that produces abnormal vaginal discharge. It is the most common reproductive tract infection in women of child bearing age.  In fact it is twice as common as vaginal yeast infection.

BV is not sexually transmitted. Therefore it is not considered an STD, but having BV can increase your chance of getting STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

You cannot get viginitis from toilet seats, bed sheets and swimming pools.

Bacterial vaginosis rarely affects women who have never had sex.  

What Triggers BV

A healthy vagina has just the right amount of yeast and natural good bacteria complementing each other.

The good bacteria (hydrogen peroxide producing lactobacilli) help to maintain the best acidic environment in the internal vaginal anatomy. It inhibits the growth of harmful or anaerobic bacteria.

When this acidity level is unbalance, the “bad bacteria "starts to multiply”. When the population of the “bad bacteria” outnumbers the good ones you get BV or bacterial viginitis.

This normal balance of bacteria can be offset by:-

  • Vaginal douching
  • IUD (intrauterine device) as birth control
  • Antibiotics
  • Hysterectomy or D & C (dilation and curettage)
  • Women who are pregnant
  • Women with a new sexual partner or multiple sexual partners

Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms

  1. Abnormal grey, frothy vaginal discharge
  2. Pain, itching and burning outside the vulva
  3. Unpleasant odor – fishy smell especially after sex and menses

Natural Treatments

Rather than taking antibiotics, it is better to treat bacterial viginitis with home and herbal remedies.

Antibiotics treat the symptoms and not the cause of BV. Medication kills the “bad bacteria” that are present. But it fails to reverse the primary cause of the infection, which is to restore the “good bacteria.”

Probiotics rich foods, herbal supplements and home-based washes not only cure but get to the root of the problem.

The following holistic methods solve the root cause of the problem. When you treat the cause, recurrence is rare.

Probiotics

Probiotics are the friendly bacteria (Lactobacilli) that guard against harmful micro-organisms in the vagina. But antibiotics, spermicides, birth control pills and improper vaginal hygiene can disrupt this harmonious environment.

You can maintain good level of Lactobacilli in your body by eating probiotic rich foods. Include kefir, yogurt, artichokes, tomatoes, bananas and sourdough bread in your diet.

And you can wash the vulva with this Probiotic Mousse too. It helps the growth of good bacteria as well as keeping your vagina clean, protected and pH  balanced. 

Probiotic Mousse

This is a  gentle and mild soap-free cleanser with Probiotic that helps to protect the delicate vaginal area. It contains herbal extracts of Kacip Fatimah, Sirih, Manjakani and Bisabolol that works synergistically to gently deodorize and soothe the vulva without irritation.

  • Probiotics help control the growth of harmful bacteria and maintain the optimum pH level in the vagina.
  • Kacip Fatimah, Oakgall/Manjakani and Sirih have antifungal properties and helps to tone vaginal muscles.
  • Bisabolol acts as anti-irritant, providing moisture and suppleness to the vagina
Probiotic Mousse

Herbal Supplements and Do It Yourself Washes

Garlic –Include lots of garlic in your diet as it contains Allicin which is a powerful antibiotic. But unlike antibiotics, allicin only kills the bad bacteria. Your good bacteria is not disturbed.

Tea Tree Oil - You can cleanse the vagina with tea tree oil to relief the itching and burning sensation. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with enough water to soak a wash cloth. Then use it to dab the vagina for 5-10 minutes.

Apple Cider Vinegar - Drink a glass of water mixed with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar daily. Vinegar provides an acidic environment for good bacteria to thrive.

Or you can add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to your bath tub. Soaking in the warm bath for twenty minutes will relief the discomforts of bacterial vaginosis. 

You can also dipped a tampon in plain yogurt and insert it into the vagina. After 15minutes take out the tampon and rinse the vagina with warm water. This treatment helps to  increase the populace of the “good bacteria” (lactobacilli)

Cranberry- Cranberry detoxifies and strengthens the body’s immune system. It can prevent vaginal infections and UTI (urinary tract infection). You can supplement with cranberry tablet or drink cranberry juice.

Seek Medical Treatment

Other than being unpleasant and uncomfortable, BV is not dangerous. But, if symptoms do not resolve on its own within a week or two, see a doctor. It could be STDs such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea.

DO NOT home treat BV if you are pregnant as Bacterial vaginosis can cause child birth complications. There is also a higher chance of a premature baby.

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