October 7, 2009
Overlooked options for bacterial vaginosis natural treatments
Bacterial vaginosis natural treatments are often overlooked as most women opt for the conventional and easy treatment regimens of oral and topical antibiotics. However, a main drawback of antibiotic treatment is that the antibiotics do not know which ones are the good bacteria. It kills not only the bad bacteria that causes BV but also the good bacteria in the vaginal area and the gut, making the woman more susceptible for a recurrence.
Simple treatments for BV can be done in the privacy and comfort of the home. Something as simple as a lifestyle change can not only treat the disease but also prevent it from recurring. Eliminating the risk factors will also increase the likelihood of success in treating BV.
BV infections develop when bad bacteria is introduced to the vagina, develops in a conducive environment and overwhelms the naturally occurring good bacteria. Prevention is still the best bacterial vaginosis natural treatment. Simple hygiene practices are useful in preventing BV. After using the toilet, it is best to wipe from front to back so as to not introduce more unwanted bacteria into the vaginal area. Keeping the vaginal area dry can also deprive the bacteria of the moisture it needs to proliferate. Wearing loose, cotton underwear also promotes air circulation and prevents moisture build-up.
A strong immune system can also protect against the disease. A balanced diet, adequate exercise and sleep are essential in maintaining a healthy immune system. Cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking should also be avoided. The main advantage of this is that it not only protects against BV but a wide range of diseases as well.
The kitchen is also a goldmine of overlooked BV treatments. Here you can find useful herbs and ingredients that can be used in treating BV. This includes natural antioxidants and antimicrobials like garlic, tea tree oil, aromatic essential oils and vinegar to name a few. This can be mixed in water and used as feminine wash.
Natural treatments are generally safe. However, it is recommended to see a doctor even if you are using bacterial vaginosis natural treatments.
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Having bacterial vaginosis can be an embarrassing experience. Most women find it embarrassing to discuss the disease even with their gynecologist. It is fortunate to note that bacterial vaginosis cures can be done without the needs for a doctor’s prescription.
The wardrobe is one of the places to start looking for a cure. Throw away synthetic underwear and replace these with underwear made of cotton. Bacteria thrive in a warm and moist environment and the vagina is a perfect place for bad bacteria to reproduce. Try wearing boxers and loose undergarments when going to sleep. Do not wear thongs, too. The constant rubbing of the cloth inadvertently transfer bacteria from the anus to the vagina.
The next place to look for bacterial vaginosis cures is the kitchen.
A typical person’s diet consists of starchy and fatty foods. Bacteria thrive on foods like these and should be avoided. On the other hand, eat more fruits and vegetables as this helps strengthen a person’s immune system. Eating yogurt, which contains lactobacillus, can also help. Acidophilus supplements and multivitamins can also be taken. Herbal remedies can also be used. Among the more common ones are tea tree oil and aromatic essential oils. Tea tree oil can be added to the bath water while essential oils can be applied to the outer lining of the vagina.
Visit the bathroom next. Throw away your fancy douches and heavily perfumed soaps. It is better to wash with plain water or water mixed with vinegar. The perfumes just mask the odor and do nothing else. Adding vinegar to the water and using it when washing can remove the odor and helps the vagina maintain its acidic environment. An alkaline environment is conducive to bacterial growth. Also, wipe from the front to the back after using the toilet so as not to transfer bacteria from the anus.
While these treatments are safe and simple, it is recommended to consult a doctor before trying any of these bacterial vaginosis cures.
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Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection among women of reproductive age, even more common than yeast infection or candidiasis. Because of the preponderance of this age group, bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy are often seen simultaneously in a woman.
The vagina is home to a wide host of bacteria – both good and bad. Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the bad bacteria are overwhelmingly more than the good bacteria. This may happen when the woman is immunocompromised, exposed to factors or lifestyle that increase the number of bad bacteria in the vagina. Among the factors associated with BV are having sex with multiple partners, unhealthy diet, wiping from back to front and cigarette smoking to name a few.
While bacterial vaginosis commonly resolves by itself and is nothing more than a nuisance to some women, bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy can be a difficult combination. BV is associated with amniotic fluid infection, premature delivery, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, endometritis and miscarriage.
The most common symptoms of BV are the discharge and foul smell. Sometimes itching and pain when urinating can also be felt. It is difficult to determine if the discharge is caused by BV. A laboratory analysis and clinical impression is often required before a definitive diagnosis is made. Treatment is usually through the use of antibiotics such as metronidazole and clindamycin.
A simple lifestyle and behavior change can be used as natural treatments for bacterial vaginosis. Use of cotton underwear to promote air circulation, drinking green tea and other beverages with antioxidants can also strengthen the immune system. Increasing intake of fruits and vegetables while cutting down on sugar-rich foods can help improve your system and at the same time deprive the bacteria of the sugar it needs to multiply. Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy are a common combination. It is best to eliminate risk factors and improve your immune system to prevent BV infection.
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Bacterial vaginosis infection is a disease caused by the chemical and biological imbalance in the naturally occurring bacteria. This should not be confused with yeast infection though there are symptoms common to both conditions. Bacterial vaginosis is a simple yet awkward condition as most women are embarrassed to discuss this with their gynecologist.
A large number of microorganism are normally present in the vagina. This includes bacteria like Gardnerella, Mobiluncus, Bacteroides and Lactobacillus to name a few. Bacterial vaginosis is triggered when changes in the normal flora occur, like the reduction in the number of good bacteria lactobacillus. This could be due to a change in the pH level of the vagina or the use of antibiotics.
The hallmarks of bacterial vaginosis infections are the abnormal discharge (especially after sex) and the fishy odor. Other symptoms like itching, stomach pains and burning sensation can be felt but some women who have bacterial vaginosis infection do not feel any symptoms at all.
BV is common among sexually active women 15-44 years old but may also affect pre-pubescent girls and menopausal-age women. Though associated with sexual activity, it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Conventional treatment for BV includes the use of antibiotics like metronidazole and clindamycin in oral and vaginal gel form. Oral metronidazole is reportedly the most effective treatment but may cause some side effects. Vaginal gels do not have side effects but may not be as effective and may even cause yeast vaginitis. Some studies show a high rate of recurrence even after completing the treatment regimen. It is still not known why many bacterial vaginosis infections recur. When this happens, a second round of antibiotic treatment is usually prescribed.
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September 28, 2009
Typical Symptoms of Bacterial vaginosis and Causes
Bacterial vaginosis is the most common type of vaginal infection but its causes remain a mystery to researchers. However, it is well established that bacterial vaginosis occurs when the normal balance of bacteria is disrupted. Itching around the vaginal area and foul smelling discharges are the two more common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis but some affected women also feel pain and a burning sensation during urination. However, there are women with BV who do not have any of these symptoms. A laboratory test or clinical examination by a health care provider can confirm the presence of BV.
Bacterial vaginosis is common among sexually active women 15-44 years old especially those with multiple sexual partners. BV is associated with sexual activity but it is not sexually transmitted. Thongs, poor hygiene practices, sugar-rich diets, certain types of clothing and cigarette smoking are among the many risk factors associated with BV.
There are women who feel the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis but do not see a doctor or try any type of treatment. Like any other disease, it is best to see a doctor as complications may arise from BV infections that are left untreated. These include pregnancy complications, a higher susceptibility to HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia and herpes.
BV may recur in the women who’ve had it before. Therefore, it is best to complete treatment and take the full course of antibiotics required even after the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis have disappeared. Three kinds of antibiotics are usually given – metronidazole, clindamycin, and tinidazole. Metronidazole and clindamycin come in both pill and gel forms. Creams and gels generally have fewer side effects but may also be less effective. You should always consult a doctor before taking any medicine. Proper hygiene should be practiced even before symptoms of BV appear.
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Apart from oral antibiotics, there is a natural treatment for bacterial vaginosis that can be done in the confines of the home and can even be incorporated in even a busy woman’s daily activities.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic. Try eating it on its own, adding it to food or taking garlic supplements. Another diet-based approach to treating BV is by eating yoghurt because it contains lactobacillus, which belongs to the same genus as the good bacteria that is present in the vagina. Women with BV have less than the normal number of lactobacillus in their system. Make sure that the yoghurt is not flavored and with no sugar added as this may speed up the proliferation of bad bacteria.
Proper hygiene is probably the easiest treatment for bacterial vaginosis. When you wipe after moving your bowels, do it from front to back to prevent the bacteria from the anus from spreading to your vagina. Avoid using douches but wash your vulva everyday and pat it dry to prevent bacterial growth.
The first thing that comes to a woman’s mind is to spray perfume to mask the odor. This is only a short-term solution and can hardly be considered a treatment. Spraying perfume on the vaginal area will indeed mask the odor but only temporarily and certain compounds in the perfume may even cause irritation.
To eliminate the odor, it is better to mix equal parts of vinegar and water and use this to wash your vaginal area. This removes the odor and since vinegar is acidic, helps attain the optimum pH level of the vagina. An imbalance in the pH level promotes bacterial growth.
These natural treatments for bacterial vaginosis can also be used as preventive measures to prevent BV from setting in.
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Women all over are looking for a bacterial vaginosis treatment that will work. Bacterial vaginosis is a disease characterized by the production of a foul smelling discharge from the vagina. It is caused by the proliferation of bad bacteria in the vagina when the balance in the normal flora is disturbed. Modern and natural treatments are available for bacterial vaginosis. Modern treatment options include the taking of oral antibiotics and application of gels directly to the vagina to kill the bad bacteria. This treatment is convenient and effective but has a serious drawback- the antibiotics also kill the good bacteria, upsetting the normal flora balance further. Natural treatments for bacterial vaginosis can be as effective as and often for much less than their conventional counterparts.
A simple lifestyle change is one of the easiest ways to treat BV. This includes cessation of cigarette smoking, reduced intake of starchy and fatty foods and an increase in the intake of fruits and vegetables. Some researchers think that cigarette smoking makes it more difficult for the vagina to maintain the balance of normal flora. Apart from these simple lifestyle changes improving your overall health, this bacterial vaginosis treatment is cost-free and natural.
It is also common for women affected with BV to try and use underwear with supposedly antimicrobial properties. This is an unnecessary cost and its effectiveness may even be less than expected. It is better to use natural fiber underwear such as cotton as this allows air to circulate, preventing the build-up of bacteria in the vaginal area. Women with BV should also avoid wearing tight-fitting jeans for the same reason. Another simple way to prevent BV is to pat the vaginal area dry after every wash.
I highly suggest that women use this bacterial vaginosis treatment that is all natural before trying conventional treatments. However, you should see a doctor when these treatments fail. It might not be BV after all.
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