Treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition in which certain bacteria grow out of balance in the vagina. BV can have symptoms of pain, itching, odor and discharge and is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age and during pregnancy.

Features

• Women with BV sometimes have an abnormal vaginal discharge that is white or gray. This may be accompanied by an unpleasant odor, sometimes described as fish-like. Symptoms may also include itching in or around the vagina or burning during urination. However, it is possible to have BV and not even know it because there may be no symptoms or signs at all.

Causes

• BV develops when the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted. Usually, the vagina contains many more good bacteria, also called microflora, than bad bacteria.

  This type of unbalance is more commonly thought of in the digestive tract but can take place in the body where there is mucus and bacteria, which includes the vagina and also the mouth.

  The cause of BV is not entirely understood, but an increase in douching, multiple sexual partners and intrauterine devices (IUDs) seems to put woman at a higher risk of BV, according to the Journal of Family Practice.

Treatment

• There are several ways to treat BV, and sometimes BV will clear up without treatment.

  Traditional medicine usually involves prescription antibiotics such as metronidazole and clindamycin to kill off the bad bacteria.

  Holistic, alternative and complementary medicine suggest adding probiotics like acidophilus to the diet to help balance the flora in the vagina. Most probiotics can be taken in conjunction with prescription antibiotics.

  Almost any herbal treatment for Candida Albicans, a bad bacteria that commonly grows in the digestive tract, may also help with BV. These include garlic, goldenseal, caprylic acid and oil of oregano.

  If you are pregnant, it is especially important to be treated for BV. Most prescriptions that are used to treat BV are considered safe during pregnancy, but your doctor can determine what is right for you.

Prevention/Solution

• Use and finish all medication prescribed for the treatment of BV, even if symptoms go away before you are done with the medication. Unfortunately, BV can return even with treatment. Lifestyle changes that may help include not douching and limiting sexual partners.

  A diet that is high in sugar can influence overgrowth of bad bacteria in the digestive tract. Limiting sugar and taking probiotics regularly may help reduce or eliminate BV infections as well.

Misconceptions

• You cannot get BV from toilet seats, swimming pools or hotel sheets. It is possible to have BV and have never had sexual intercourse.