Commonly called as a Vaginal Infection and scientifically called as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), this bacteria is normally found in the vagina and is quite troublesome for the women. Causing severe itching and discharge, women suffering from this infection can feel weak and if not treated on time, the infection could lead to other problems.
To understand bacterial vaginosis, it is very important to understand the causes of the same. Here we have discussed the causes in detail. Have a look to understand this infection properly.
Bacterial Vaginosis Causes:
We normally crib about presence of bacteria “around us”. But do you know what causes it to be “inside us”?
Bacterial vaginosis is caused when there is a change in the number or quantity of the bacteria found in vagina. Biological and chemical imbalance of the vaginal flora is one of the key reasons of vaginal bacteriosis. There are other grounds of BV too. Let us check them out.
Bacterial Vaginosis: When bad bacteria outgrow the good bacteria, it leads to BV. This happens most in sexual intercourse, or when women have more than one sex partner, or when she is sexually inactive.
Yeast Infections: Majority of vaginal infections are caused by the fungus C Albicans. This fungus infects other parts of the body too, for instance nail bed, mouth or skin fold.
Trichomoniasis: This infection happens when sex takes place with infected partners.
Noninfectious Vaginitis: When you buy toiletry products like perfume soaps, scent detergents, vaginal sprays, they can irritate your vaginal tissues and vulvar zone thereby leading to allergies. Menopause and surgical removal of ovaries can thin your vaginal lining which can cause your vagina to experience itching and burning sensation.
Apart from the reasons mentioned above, namely poor hygiene, smoking, drinking alcohol, can also become the cause of bacterial vaginosis.
Who Gets It And How Common It Is?
In reality, as many as 1 to 3 women have faced BV at some point in their lives.
Does it include you?
Well, you will have to answer it to yourself. But, bacterial vaginosis is so mild that one may not feel the need to go to the doctor. However, you can get BV if you have gone through the following conditions:
- Women who are sexually active are more prone to bacterial vaginosis (Women who have never had sexual intercourse can also get this infection).
- How often you have changed your sexual partner can also lead to BV.
- You have had sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the past.
- You are an active smoker.
- You have had a copper coil (intra uterine contraceptive device) inserted in your vagina for the sake of family planning.
- You frequently use bubble bath.
Ladies who are in the age bracket of teens to mid-40s are likely to be troubled with bacterial vaginosis.
Now that you know the causes of BV and who is likely to get it, let us also know the symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis.
Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms:
Some of the common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include:
- Excessive vaginal discharge. At times, the smell and colour of the discharge could also point out to BV.
- The feeling of itching and burning sensation while passing urine.
- Pain while having sexual intercourse.
- Light spotting or bleeding from vagina.
Thankfully, home remedies are there to prevent and minimise BV which are listed below.
Bacterial Vaginosis Home Treatment:
Let us find out the plethora of remedies our kitchen has for us in order to tackle Bacterial Vaginosis. You will be surprised to find out the huge basket of home remedies which is far more effective as compared to the field of allopath.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar:
What you need:
- ACV
- Bath Water
Directions:
- Pour 1 to 2 cups of ACV into your bath water.
- Sit into this treated bath water for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Now pat dry your vaginal area.
How it works: Since ACV is acidic in nature; it increases the acidity levels of the vagina. This makes it tough for the bad bacteria to survive, and good for the good bacteria to thrive.
Tip: Repeat this exercise at least once a day until you feel the situation getting better.
2. Yogurt:
What you need:
- Yogurt
- Cotton ball.
Directions:
- Put a cotton ball in a small yogurt container and apply it on the affected area in private parts.
- Leave it to rest for half an hour.
- Once the time is over, wash it with fresh water.
As an option:
Dip a tampon in yogurt and put it in the vagina for max 2 hours twice a day to get results.
OR
- If you want to try out the oral route, then eat 2 cups of yogurt on a daily basis in order to minimise the growth of bad bacteria in the vagina.
- Repeat this thrice a day for the relief to come in.
How it works: Yogurt has beneficial bacteria – the ‘lactobacillus acidophilus’ which fight off bad bacteria and help in maintaining healthy pH balance of vagina.
3. Tea Tree Oil:
What you need:
- Tea tree oil
- Warm water
Directions:
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a small bowl of water and stir it well.
- Rinse your vagina with the water
- Keep repeating this application process every day for about 3 to 4 weeks.
As an option:
- You can also combine 3 drops of tea tree oil with 3 cups of white vinegar and add it to your bath water.
- Soak yourself in it for half an hour to get results.
- Keep repeating this remedy for some time till you are satisfied with the results.
How it works: Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal compounds that kill the BV-causing germs. This way, the oil also cuts down on the awful smell that builds up as a result of vaginal infection.
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4. Cold Compress:
What you need:
- Few ice cubes
- Piece of cloth
Directions:
- Wrap a couple of ice cubes in a piece of cloth.
- Keep it on your vagina for a few minutes.
- Give it a minute break and then reapply the ice pack on the private parts.
As an option:
- Clean your vagina with cold water for a couple of days
How it works: When you want relief from discomfort, pain, inflammation and itching sensation in the vaginal area, then cold compress is your go-to remedy, as the cool feeling from the ice cubes eases the symptoms immediately.
Tip: Keep repeating this remedy whenever itching or pain arises
5. Garlic:
What you need:
- Garlic cloves
- Lukewarm water.
Directions:
- Crush the garlic cloves (about 3-4)
- Smear your vaginal area with the cloves.
- After 20 minutes are over, wash the area with lukewarm water
As an option:
- You can also eat garlic daily in raw form.
- If you don’t like the garlic taste, you can take garlic capsules after you have consulted a qualified doctor.
How it works: Being a natural antibiotic, garlic is a good home remedy to treat bacterial vaginosis. The antiseptic and antibacterial properties in garlic improves the immune system, thus controlling yeast or bacterial infections.
Tip: Keep doing the 1st remedy for a few days till the time you are satisfied with the results.
6. Fenugreek:
What you need:
- Fenugreek seeds
- Water
Directions:
- Soak 2 tbsp of fenugreek seeds in a glass of water and leave it overnight.
- The next morning, drink this water on an empty stomach.
As an option:
- Put 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds in a cup of yogurt and eat it twice daily for a couple of days for the situation to improve.
How it works: Fenugreek improves the pH level in the vagina. Also, apart from boosting the immune system thereby speeding up the healing process, it balances the level of hormones and stabilizes the menstrual cycle which is essential for bacterial infection natural treatment of the vagina.
Tip: Repeat the 1st remedy for a month till you see an improvement in your condition.
7. Milk:
What you need:
- Milk
- Tampon
- Turmeric powder (optional)
Directions:
- In chilled milk, dip a tampon and insert it into your vagina.
- Let the tampon stay inside you for one to two hours and then take it out.
As an option:
- You can also add 1 tsp turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk and drink this mixture on a daily basis till the time the situation improves.
How it works: Milk is endowed with lactobacilli bacteria which helps tackling bacterial vaginosis better. Plus, milk also strengthens immunity.
Tip: Make sure to do the 1st remedy at least once a day for a couple of days to get results.
8. Boric Acid:
What you need:
- Boric acid powder or
- Gel capsule containing the same.
Directions:
- Take a gel capsule containing the powder of boric acid.
- Before sleeping, put this capsule inside your vagina.
- When you wake up the next morning, clean your vagina with some warm water.
- Repeat this exercise twice a week to get best results.
How it works: Boric acid has antifungal and antiseptic properties which relieve you from the discomforts of itching, pain and irritation in vagina. It also helps in keeping a balanced pH level and cleanses the vagina.
Tip: Pregnant ladies should avoid following this remedy.
9. Coconut Oil:
What you need:
- Coconut oil.
Directions:
- Apply and massage coconut oil on the affected area till the time condition improves.
As an option
- You can also soak a tampon in the coconut oil and insert it in the vagina.
- Leave it for a couple of hours.
- Once you have removed the tampon, rinse the area thoroughly with lukewarm water.
How it works: Coconut oil has ample antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties that prevent BV from occurring and kill the germs that cause it.
Tip: Such is the potential of coconut oil that you can use it in cooking too in order to speed up the healing process and boost up the immune system.
10. Indian Lilac (Neem or Margosa leaves)
What you need:
- A couple of neem leaves
Directions:
- Heat up few neem leaves in a kitchen pan.
- No need to add water or any other liquid.
- When the leaves have cooled down, then grind them into a fine powder.
- Mix water into 2 tsp of this powder and make it into a paste.
- Apply this paste in and around the vagina for half an hour and then rinse it with lukewarm water.
How it works: The Indian lilac has antibacterial properties that reduce itching and inflammation and kills infection-causing germs.
Tip: Repeat this daily till the time the symptoms are eradicated.
11. Chamomile:
What you need:
- Hot water
- Chamomile tea bag
Directions:
- Put a chamomile tea bag in a glass of hot water.
- After 1 minute is over, take out the tea bag and keep it in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes. Now put the iced tea bag inside your vagina.
- Squirt the tea bag in such a way that the water reaches the inflamed vaginal canals.
How it works: The naturally relaxing and soothing chamomile brings relief form itching, swelling and pain which happens due to BV.
Tip: Do this trick once or twice a day so that the itching symptoms in the vagina subside.
12. Hydrogen Peroxide:
What you need:
- Water
- Hydrogen peroxide
Directions:
- Make a solution out of hydrogen peroxide and water by keeping both these ingredients in equal measure.
- Firstly, cleanse your vagina with this solution and after 10 minutes, use cold water to cleanse the vagina again.
- Do this home remedy twice a day so that you can feel relieved.
How it works: Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant which not only kills the bad bacteria in the vagina but also,work against other infection-causing agents that can cause BV. The hydrogen peroxide solution helps in easing out itchiness, pain and inflammation.
Tip: Use only 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide whenever you are trying out this remedy.
13. Tea Bags:
What you need:
- Tea bags
- Warm water
Directions:
- First of all, soak a tea bag (never mind the brand/label) in warm water for about 10-15 minutes.
- Then put it in the fridge to chill it.
- Now apply the refrigerated tea bag on the vaginal area externally to get relief from itching.
How it works: The tannins of tea have astringent and antibiotic properties which soothe the burning sensation and bring relief from swelling and irritation.
Tip: Do this 3-4 times a day for a few weeks so that the vaginal infection can get cleared up completely.
14. Oregano Oil:
What you need:
- Oregano oil
- Olive oil
Directions:
- Mix 1 tsp of olive oil with 3 drops of oregano oil.
- Now apply this liquid mixture on the affected part once daily and leave it for two hours before you see improvement.
- As an option, you can also mix 3 drops of oregano oil in a glass containing lukewarm water.
- Drink it daily for about 2 months without a break to get good results.
How it works: This oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties to take care of the germs that cause BV. The best thing about oregano oil is that it works to prevent recurrence of the infection.
Tip: Use oregano oil that does not have alcohol.
15. Turmeric:
What you need:
- Turmeric powder
- Warm milk
Directions:
- Add some turmeric powder into warm milk and drink it twice a day.
As an option:
- Include turmeric in your cooking recipes on a daily basis
How it works: Haldi or turmeric is a well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. That is why; it brings relief from swelling and putting a tab on the symptoms associated with BV.
Tip: Drink hot milk with turmeric in the morning and once at night before sleeping.
16. Calendula:
What you need:
- Boiling water
- Calendula powder
Directions:
- To boiling water add 12 tsp calendula.
- Allow it to steep
- Cool before you use it as a douche to soothe the affected area
How it works: This herb reduces inflammation in vagina bringing the much needed relief.
Tip: You can add calendula petals to salads and eat it.
17. Tincture:
What you need:
- Black Walnut
Directions:
- Apply black walnut tincture to your infected vagina for best results and immediate relief.
How it works: Black Walnut is a good antiseptic, which has anti-parasitic properties. It has a potent antibacterial compound called juglone, which helps in killing and curing the infection. You can also take black walnut supplements which help in treating the bacterial vaginosis faster.
18. Citrus Fruits:
What you need:
- Lemons, grape fruits or oranges.
Directions:
- Drink the juice of citrus fruits or eat the citrus fruits by themselves.
How it works: Since the citrus fruits have plenty of vitamin C, they strengthen your immunity thereby safeguarding you against vaginal infections.
19. Warm Water Bath:
What you need:
- A bucket containing warm water.
How it works: Since you are to soothe the vaginal tissues of inflammation and irritation, having a bath in warm water helps a lot in preventing and tackling infection.
20. Fluids To Take:
- Drink vegetable juice which has green vegetables, parsley, garlic and ginger. When you drink this juice it helps in reducing itching and pain caused by BV.
- There is a herb called tracheal herb which helps flush out the toxins from your body when you drink it in the form of tea. Just steep 1 tsp of tracheal herb in a cup containing hot water, for the vaginal itching symptoms to go away.
Now that we have read about the various home remedies for bacterial vaginosis, let us also find out the methods of prevention.
Bacterial Vaginosis Prevention:
The best ways to prevent bacterial vaginosis is to:
- Use cotton panties
- Keep vagina clean
- Maintain proper hygiene
- Minimize your sugar intake
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Avoid sexual contact with multiple partners
- Say no to scented and harsh soaps.
Now supposing all the tips shared above fail, you should know when to seek doctor’s guidance.
When To See a Doctor:
When you are getting vaginal discharge with an unusual and unpleasant smell, or experience itching in vagina, have pain while passing urine or when having sex, or develop any other form of discomfort in vagina, it is time to consult the doctor immediately. Never delay things on this front.
I hope this blog will benefit many ladies reading this piece. That is why it is said that prevention is better than cure. When you pay attention to the kind of underpants/panties you need to shop and buy, you also need to put in equal thought about your vaginal health. If you have any more tips to share on this subject, feel free to write in. This blog is dedicated in the interest of women health and welfare.
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7 comments
Can men get a bacterial infection from a woman
Yes it is possible during intercourse, when one hasn’t kept clean, it tends to spread to the other person due to the intensity. This is mostly concerned with the hygiene levels.
Can I Get Hiv If I Have Bacterial Vaginosis
Although there hasn’t been any direct response to this question, there is a possibility that having Bacterial Vaginosis may not lead to HIV. Instead it could be the other way round where HIV patients are at a higher risk of being affected by Bacterial Vaginosis.
how long does Bacterial Vaginosis last
There is no particular time period for it. Unless proper medication is taken and the problem is addressed, there is no chance for the infection to go away. So proper medication can take the infection away.
Bacterial Vaginosis could from a few weeks to a few months depending on the intensity of it.