More Natural Remedies

Bacterial vaginosis or BV is a bacterial infection in the vagina brought on by a change in the normal balance of bacteria within the vagina. A normal vagina has no odor and is normally home to a whole host of bacteria called Lactobacilli, and a few other bacteria called anaerobes or anaerobic bacteria. When conditions are normal in the vagina, the ratio of Lactobacilli to anaerobes is in the balance and there is little to no odor emitted from the vagina.

When this balance is upset, the anaerobic bacteria and an organism called Gardnerella are in more abundant. The protective bacteria Lactobacilli, which normally produce a natural disinfectant to clear up after the anaerobic bacteria, are then overwhelmed and are unable to keep a normal, healthy balance in the vagina. As a result, inflammations and infections develop, resulting in fishy smelling vaginal discharges.

Anaerobic bacteria don’t need oxygen to grow and survive, and like places that contain little to no oxygen, such as the back of the vagina. Anaerobic bacteria are the same type of bacteria that are responsible for bad breath. In the correct portion to the Lactobacilli, anaerobic bacteria actually serve a needed function of keeping the vagina clean by digesting and breaking down dead or dying tissue lining the vagina wall.

While you may have heard of yeast infections, or Candida vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis is actually the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age.

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis may include a smelly or fishy vaginal odor and a clear, milky-white, or gray vaginal discharge. The discharge may be light or heavy. The odor may get worse around the time of menstruation or after unprotected sexual intercourse. When semen is mixed with vaginal secretions, the odor becomes even stronger. Women with BV may also have burning sensations during urination or itching around the outside of the vagina, or both. However, most women with BV report experiencing no signs or symptoms at all.

Bacterial vaginosis is more common in women with multiple sexual partners and may develop after sexual intercourse with a new partner. However, women who are not sexually active can also get bacterial vaginosis.

One factor contributing to BV may be poor hygiene resulting in the spreading of the bacterium E. coli (Escherichia coli), which can cause bacterial vaginitis, from the rectum, where it is usually found, to the vagina. Other contributing factors that may give rise to bacterial vaginitis include hot weather, poor health, use of an intrauterine device (IUD), regular use of douche, or anything that will upset the bacterial balance in the vagina.

Risk of bacterial vaginosis also increases as a woman approaches menopause, and in women with diabetes, as well as in women with weakened immune systems due to other illnesses.

BV is not considered a dangerous infection and it usually go away on its own without any treatment. However, if a woman with a BV inflection continues to use an IUD, or when the infection moves deeper into the vagina, there is a greater risk that she would develop problems during pregnancy, such as premature labor, miscarriage, and infection of the uterus after childbirth. It is suggested that all pregnant women, who have ever had a premature delivery or low birth weight baby, consider testing for BV, regardless of any symptoms.

If necessary, BV is usually treatable with antibiotics. However, BV can be very difficult to get rid of all together. Even with the help of modern medicine, there is no guarantee of 100 % success in treatment and the condition often comes back. The primary focus of any bacterial vaginosis treatment is to rebalance the normal vaginal bacteria. Natural cures for bacterial vaginosis have proven effective in a majority of cases in restoring the natural bacteria balance in the vagina. Here are a few tips for keeping your vagina healthy to reduce your risk of developing bacterial vaginosis:

- Wipe away from your vagina – from front to back – after urination or bowel movement.

- Bathe or shower on a regular basis and keep the vaginal area clean and dry.

- Wear underpants made with cotton. Cotton material “breaths” and will be better for keeping your vaginal area dry and less inviting for bacteria. Avoid wearing extremely tight-fitting clothing.

- Stay away from douching and using other products in the vaginal area that will upset your vagina’s bacterial balance. If you have BV, do not use douches or deodorant spray to cover up any vaginal odors you may have. Although the products may help disguise the unpleasant odor, they will not treat the infection, and in fact might make your infection even worse.

- Use condoms during sexual intercourse to keep sperm away from your vagina.

- Eat plain yogurt with active or live cultures every day. Stay away from fruity, sugary yogurts. The active cultures actually support the growth of good bacteria in your body that will aid in the fight against infections. You can even apply the yogurt directly into your vagina. Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. bifidus, the active cultures found in yogurt, can help restore the acidic balance and promote bacterial balance in the vagina.

- Eat more fresh garlic. Garlic has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and has been shown to help ward off the bacterial vaginosis symptoms. Garlic can be taken internally or can be applied directly into the vagina.

- Take natural dietary supplements, such as vitamin A, B, C, D and E, which contain antioxidants that help resist BV. Vitamin E capsules or creams applied directly to the vagina area can help relieve itching. Additionally, you can take Femanol capsules to deal with the odor caused by your bacterial vaginosis.

Treating bacterial vaginosis with natural remedies offers a safe, cheap and effective alternative to antibiotics based medicine. However, before trying any natural cures for bacterial vaginosis or putting anything into your body, consult your doctor to be sure that the treatments are right for your condition.