Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) remedy? HELP?!?

Ive been struggling with bacterial vaginosis for like a month now! I dont have any health insurance and yesterday I went to a free health clinic to see if I could get a prescription for metro gel! well after waiting for 2 hours the doctor came and saw me.. he asked me what the problem is I told him I believed I had BV and he prescribled me Metronindazole (without even checking me out)

Now Ive had BV before and I was told to either do a gel for 7 days or take a pill for 7 days.. The doctor told me to take the Metronidazole (500mg) ONCE..just ONE pill!

Well the prescription came with 4 and the one pill didnt do anything! so im going to take the rest (one every 12 hours)

If this doesnt work I cant go back to the clinic because each follow up visit is 100 bucks that I just dont have. Im hoping someone on here can give me some home remedies.. Ive heard of douching with hydrogen peroxide but I dont want to do that..but what about hydrogen peroxide in my bath water?? if so how much??

please help me!

treatment for Bacterial Vaginitis

Bacterial Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina which is caused by excessive growth of the bacteria called Gardnerella vaginitis, already present in the vagina. Gardnerella vaginitis is not solely responsible for this problem. When these different species of bacteria are imbalanced the vaginal discharge gives out a foul odor. Excess discharge and foul odor are the most common symptoms of this disease.

Even though the exact cause is unknown this disease mainly spreads through sexual intercourse, douching, use of intrauterine birth control device (IUD). It is one of the most common types of vaginal infection found in women. Even though there are quick remedies and medicines for this disease, if not treated on time it can be very dangerous. It may cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometritis, cervcitis, pregnancy complication and post-operative infection.

Home Remedies for Bacterial Vaginitis

* A good hygiene becomes very important if you want to stay away from bacterial vaginitis.

* Wear clean and properly washed underwear because the detergent residue may just cause an itching problem.

* Always wipe from front to back whenever you visit the toilet or otherwise to avoid the transfer of germs from rectal to genital area.

* If you have a bathtub see to it that it is properly cleansed as it is one of the favorite places for germs to reside.

* Have a warm bath, if possible without soap as it may cause irritation to the genital tissue. Soap removes natural oils from your body and also makes you defenseless against the germs. This aggravates your problem of vaginal infection.

* Drink at least four ounces of pure cranberry juice everyday to fight this bacterial disease.

* Having eight-ounces of yoghurt everyday keep women away from frequent problems of bacterial vaginitis or vaginosis. The acidophilus bacteria present in the yoghurt helps in creating a healthy bacterial environment.

* If the vagina is swollen you can use plain tea bag soaked in water, cooled in refrigerator to be applied externally to prevent itching. The tannin in tea gives a soothing touch.

* You can also use cold compress which alleviates the swelling and itching of the vagina. The cooling factor squeezes the blood vessels and prevents it from swelling and turning red.

* Avoid tight clothes and try to wear cotton panties which absorb moisture and provide good air circulation.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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What causes Bacterial Vaginosis

The condition bacterial vaginosis is defined by an imbalance of bacteria present in the vagina. On average around one in three women will experience a bout of BV in their life time. Because of the rather embarrassing characteristic of this condition some women find it too shameful to seek treatment. But as with any noticeable differences encountered from what is considered the norm, as far as health issues go, it is far better to see medical advice that allow things to the progress into something worse or cause unnecessary worry and stress.

Bacterial vaginosis is usually detected when a change in the usual vaginal discharge comes about. Often this change is described to be a greyish looking colour to the normal clearer vaginal discharge and have a somewhat fishy odour to it. However, it is also a known fact that many women can have bacterial vaginosis without any apparent symptoms.

In the case where any change is noted in either the smell or colour of vaginal discharge it is strongly recommended to get it checked out. This is particularly important for pregnant women as any infections of the vagina can provoke complications in pregnancy. Likewise, any woman should seek medical advice in order to rule out any other underlying problems that can be prevented from developing further of detected early.

So what exactly causes bacterial vaginosis? Although bacteria is present anyway in the vagina, given it’s warm and moist environment, this type of bacteria is known as good bacteria and is also accompanied by a small amount of bad bacteria. Although it may seem hard to believe, but this bacteria present in the vagina actually protects against infections. However, when the balance of bad bacteria begins to outweigh the good, the interior of the vagina can become inflamed and show signs of infection. The obvious symptom is the greyish tinge to any discharge and the rather unpleasant fishy smell.

Unfortunately it still remains unclear as to why this change in bacteria comes about but it is generally thought to be as a result of sexually transmitted diseases, the use of scented soaps and lotions, smoking, an intrauterine device and the use of vaginal deodorants.

How to recognise Bacterial Vaginosis

Being a woman means looking good and taking care of our appearance. Each year women spend millions on beauty products in a bid to keep themselves not only looking and feeling good but also smelling good. So, when an unpleasant smell begins to make itself known and in the most private of lady parts, it is no wonder than many women are overwhelmed with embarrassment.

In many cases, when bacterial vaginosis rears its ugly head the symptoms can be rather alarming. No woman likes to have a lingering smell in her vagina, especially when it resembles that of fish. The obvious symptoms that indicate something is not quite right down below are those of a greyish looking discharge accompanied by a foul smell, generally referred to as that of a fish market. But bacterial vaginosis does not always have the obvious symptoms and in this instance the odds that it is a mild infection are high.

Therefore, knowing how to recognise bacterial vaginosis is important because once detected it can be swiftly treated and all feeling of shame can be wiped out. Caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina, BV can cause a certain amount of discomfort if left untreated. So if you notice a sudden increase in tenderness and a change in the appearance of colour of any discharge then do seek medical advice. This will not only help relieve any unpleasantness and embarrassment but also prevent any other problems from progressing any further.

For younger women, it is crucial that we do not try to live with the problem rather than deal with it. Bacterial vaginosis is fairly common and it is estimated that about a third of the female population may experience it at some point in their life.

Reoccurring Bacterial Vaginosis

Getting bacterial vaginosis is no pleasantry for any woman but to have it on a reoccurring basis can be soul destroying. The actual condition in and of itself targets the most private area of a woman and therefore when it comes to symptoms and treatment many women can be too ashamed to seek out help.

Known for its unpleasant odour, bacterial vaginosis basically consists of a smelly discharge that causes irritation of the vaginal area. It can be triggered through sexual intercourse with various partners if a sexually transmitted disease is passed on, or through the use of scented production used for hygiene. In short, bacterial vaginosis is a harmful bacteria, which overrides the good bacteria already present in the vaginal environment. Once detected the effects have more harm emotionally as the most obvious trait is that of a strong smelling discharge often described as fishy.

Bacterial vaginosis can generally be treated with a dose of antibiotics or a specific medicated gel that can be applied to the infected area. However, despite the use of medical treatment many women have little success and the condition can flair up after just a short time. In such cases, not only does the woman have to cope with the discomfort but also the daily embarrassment of her condition becoming noticeable, mainly due to the smell caused by the greyish discharge.

When medical treatment fails to keep bacterial vaginosis at bay and a clinical examination has been done to eliminate any other possible underlying problems, then the next course of action is to revise over ones diet and adopt a healthier dietary intake. Studies have proved that a high fatty intake can have a negative impact on our immune system and in this case the effect of bacterial vaginosis. By eliminating certain foods and replacing them with more compatible alternative, bacterial vaginosis can be brought under control.

Dietary Tactics to Get rid of Bacterial Vaginosis

Changing ones diet can have dramatic results for those women who suffer from bacterial vaginosis, especially those unfortunate enough to experience reoccurring cases of the condition. Studies carried out have shown that there is in fact a strong link between the amount of dietary fat intake and the likelihood that a woman will get bacterial vaginosis. It has also been proved than the severity and frequency a woman suffers from the condition is also related to the fat intake in her diet.

Research has shown that saturated fats can reduce the immune response in the vagina and change the vaginal acidity so it favours the bad bacteria instead of the good, which is required to protect from certain infections. Such saturated fats can be found in foods like butter, full fat milk, red meat, cheese and pastries. So by cutting down on these food types can help the treatment of BV. These fatty foods can be replaced with monounsaturated fats, found in olive oil, canola and tea seed oil, as they are known to have a small effect on causing bacterial vaginosis. In addition, polyunsaturated fats, found in fish oils, sunflower seeds and bananas, have proved to have no effect whatsoever on producing the imbalance in vaginal bacteria.

Other dietary tactics that can be used to help ward off bacterial vaginosis include increasing the intake of vitamin E. Vitamin E is known for its antioxidising properties that fortify the immune system. Other vitamins than can help prevent infection are vitamins A and C along with iron and zinc. Vitamin E can be found in foods such as almonds, sunflower seeds, kiwi and in greens such as spinach and broccoli.

How can Bacterial Vaginosis be treated

There is perhaps nothing more embarrassing for a woman than to have problems in her lower half ie the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is a relatively common condition that manifests itself in the form of a smelly discharge. In general the condition is experienced among the younger and middle aged females other older women can also experience a case of BV at some stage in their life.

In brief, bacterial vaginosis is bacterial infection caused by certain unfriendly bacteria which provoke an imbalance in the vagina. The normal friendly bacteria is basically outnumbered by the more harmful bacteria and therefore causes symptoms such as soreness, itchiness, and grey looking discharge with the dreaded fish smelling odour.

Treating bacterial vaginosis can be relatively easy but it is recommended that any noticeable changes a woman experiences in her vaginal area be checked out from the offset. This can not only rule out more serious infections and conditions but also prevent ongoing suffering, embarrassment and worry.

The first step towards treating bacterial vaginosis is to pay a visit to a GP. From here either a swob will be taken or if the described symptoms match those of BV then a course of antibiotics or gel will be prescribed. Relief from the condition will be pretty much quick to come about and the vaginal environment should return to its more neutral balance within a couple of days.

Of course, it is also quite common for women to experience a reoccurrence of symptoms within a six month period. Continued use of various scented products will affect the bacterial balance of the vagina as will sexual habits such as changing partners frequently. In some cases where bacterial vaginosis reoccurs it is recommended that women are referred to a gynaecologist. This way, essential tests can be carried out to find the underlying cause to this condition.

Overview of Some Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), also known as vaginal bacteriosis is the most common cause of vaginal infection for women of childbearing age.

Although it frequently develops after sexual intercourse with a new partner,it is important to remember that bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection (STD). BV is however more common in women with multiple partners.

Bacterial vaginosis is often confused with candidiasis (yeast infection) or Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis) These conditions are not caused by bacteria but are caused when there is an  imbalance of the naturally occurring bacteria found in a womans vagina. Smoking and using hygiene products are linked to a higher risk of developing BV.

According to the National Health Service in the UK, around 12% to 30% of adult women in the UK are affected with BV. About 20% of pregnant women in the UK are also affected with BV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA estimate that 16% of US women are affected. Bacterial Vaginosis occurs in 1 of 3 women so very few of us have the pleasure of not having this condition at some stage in our lifes.

Bacterial vaginosis can sometimes be asymptomatic meaning that about 50% of women with BV have no symptoms. Doctors say treatment is not required if the woman is found to have BV but has no symptoms. Sometimes BV can occur and also disappear for no obvious reason.

Even though antibiotic medication will work in up to 90% of cases, 25% of women will develop BV again within four weeks.
A pregnant woman with BV has a higher risk of complications and could give birth before the 37th week of pregnancy.

So What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

As stated above 50% of all women with BV have no symptoms . If a woman does have symptoms, she does not necessarily need to get tested to find out.

The main sign is vaginal discharge:

A vaginal discharge which is watery and thin
This vaginal discharge can become grey or white and may have a strong and unpleasant smell that is often described as fishy

The following symptoms also occur but are much less common:

A burning sensation during urination
An itching around the outside of the vagina

So What causes bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the bacteria that are normally found in a female’s vagina – an imbalance in the vagina’s naturally occurring bacterial flora.
To date nobody fully understands why this imbalance occurs. The vagina contains mostly good bacteria and few harmful bacteria. With bacterial vaginosis the harmful bacteria grow in numbers and as yet Doctors do not know what role these harmful bacteria play in causing BV.

A female’s vagina should contain the lactic acid bacteria, called lactobacilli. These bacteria naturally produce lactic acid which makes the vagina slightly acidic. This acidity prevents other bacteria from growing there. If the vagina has lost this acidity then other bacteria will have the opportunity to grow. In addition to this if If there are fewer lactobacilli the vagina may become less acidic…a double edged sword.

Any female can develop BV. There are however some behaviors or activities that can upset the balance of these naturally occurring bacterial flora and increase the risk of developing BV.

These are below

Douching where you use water or a medicated solution to clean the vagina
Having a bath with an antiseptic liquid
A new sex partner
Multiple sex partners
Having a perfumed bubble baths with some scented soaps
Smoking
Using an Intrauterine device, such as a contraceptive device that is made from plastic and copper and fits inside the uterus
Vaginal deodorants
Washing your underwear with strong detergents

However:

Women who have never had a sexual partner may be affected.
On another note I can assure you that You cannot get BV from touching a toilet seat, touching bedding or swimming pools

REFERENCES

Bacterial Vaginosis – News Medical

Sep 14, 2013 … Bacterial vaginosis, also called BV is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. It happens when the normal balance of …

STD Facts – Bacterial Vaginosis

Mar 11, 2014 … Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Fact Sheet from CDC. What is BV? How common is BV? How do people get BV? And more…

Bacterial Vaginosis Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments – WebMD

Mar 12, 2014 … Bacterial vaginosis causes specific symptoms that can be different from two other common types of vaginal infections, vaginal yeast infection …

 

 

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