What are the Best Options For Curing Your Bacterial Vaginosis?

Millions of sexually active girls and women between the ages of 15 and 44 suffer or are likely to suffer from bacterial vaginosis. While the health condition can clear up on its own after a few days or a few weeks, it is advisable to get proper treatment when you first experience the symptoms. That may prevent any further health complications. The medical treatment for BV involves prescription antibiotics and over the counter BV medicine.

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is a health condition that is caused by the proliferation of harmful bacteria in the vagina. Normally, in a healthy vagina, there are different types of bacteria and these can coexist without causing any issues. The pH of the vaginal environment is generally mildly acidic due to a high volume of lactic acid producing bacteria, but if this alters and it becomes alkaline, the harmful bacteria may proliferate.

The imbalance is generally caused by sexual transmission, but there can be other reasons for it as well. The main symptom of bacterial vaginosis is a watery or foamy grayish-white discharge with a fishlike odor from the vagina. It may occur during menstruation or after sexual intercourse. Other BV symptoms include vaginal itching, burning sensation during urination, and pain during or after sexual intercourse. However, many girls or women may not experience any symptoms at all.

Having bacterial vaginosis can put you at greater risk of other sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV. It can also increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and could cause premature delivery. It can also increase risks if you are about to undergo gynecological surgery. You are at more risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility problems. If you are undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment, bacterial vaginosis may reduce the chances of getting pregnant.

What are the best options for curing bacterial vaginosis?

The best option for curing bacterial vaginosis is to see a qualified doctor, get a definite diagnosis, and get prescription antibiotics like metronidazole vaginal gel, metronidazole pills, or clindamycin vaginal cream. Often, infected women mistake their symptoms to be that of a yeast infection and attempt to treat them with over the counter remedies. These and over the counter BV medicine may work to an extent, but antibiotics will be more effective in treating bacterial vaginosis. However, it is essential to know that antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria as well as he bad and that could compromise your immune system. That is the reason many women often suffer a reoccurrence of the infection within weeks.

You can supplement or replace the prescription antibiotics with probiotic food and supplements. These contain good bacteria that are beneficial for your health and are especially effective in replacing the good bacteria that get destroyed by antibiotics. You can consume probiotic food like curd, yogurt, cheese, kimchi, or sauerkraut daily. You can also take probiotic supplements in pill or liquid form every day. These supplements are available without a prescription in health food stores, online stores, and pharmacies.

Garlic is another food that you might want to include in your diet to treat or prevent bacterial vaginosis.

Some women have found relief in using boric acid vaginal suppositories, but they are not recommended if you are pregnant.

How to reduce your risk of bacterial vaginosis?

Currently, medical health experts still do not understand the exact causes of bacterial vaginosis and how it spreads, but a chemical imbalance in the vaginal environment may play a role in it. You may be able to reduce your risk of bacterial vaginosis by maintaining the right balance. For that, it may help to practice good personal hygiene and clean yourself properly every time after using the toilet. It is also essential to wear comfortable, cotton underwear and avoid wearing tight or wet clothes for too long.

It is advisable to avoid using scented menstrual products and latex condoms as these can irritate the vaginal area. You should also avoid douching since that can aggravate an existing infection or upset the balance of the vaginal environment to cause an infection. Limiting the number of sexual partners may also reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis.