Preventing Bacterial Vaginosis

All about

Contrary to popular belief, yeast infections aren’t the most commonly occurring infections in women. It is actually bacterial vaginosis, which affects anywhere from 10 to 64 percent of the female population. What exactly is bacterial vaginosis? It is a mild infection caused by the imbalance of flora in the vagina. The vagina contains both good and bad bacteria. In the event that the amount of bad bacteria present is more than that of the good bacteria bacterial vaginosis occurs. This is commonly asymptomatic and is resolved on its own without treatment.

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However, it is always good to have this checked and treated since in some instances this may lead to bigger problems such as a pelvic infection. If in case, there are symptoms present it is usually characterized by: a heavy discharge that is milky white to grey and thin in consistency with a fishlike odor that worsens after sexual intercourse, irritation and itching around the vagina and a burning sensation during urination.

Treatment

Most physicians treat bacterial vaginosis with watchful waiting and or antibiotics. Watchful waiting involves observing the infection to see if it will resolve itself or not; antibiotics that are often prescribed for this includes metronidazole and tetracycline which can be taken either orally or as a suppository. These may help to kill the bacteria that are present, but not to eliminate the cause of the problem, which is why more often than not a relapse can occur.

Prevention vs. Treatment

It is often said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Such is true in the case of bacterial vaginosis, it is better to address the root problem rather than trying to cure it over and over. Some natural ways of preventing bacterial vaginosis are:

  • Do not douche- douching often upsets the natural ph of the vagina and promotes the growth of bad bacteria. Cleaning the outside of the vagina is sufficient, since the vagina is able to cleanse itself on the inside.
  • Wearing clean under wear- by changing underwear regularly the growth of bacteria is inhibited. It is recommended that 100% cotton underwear is worn to avoid irritation from other fibers and to allow proper aeration.
  • Wipe from front to back- this is true for both after urination and a bowel movement. This keeps bacteria away from the vagina.
  • Wash regularly- cleaning the outside portions of the vagina can also keep bacteria at check. It is important to use products that are not heavily scented or contain lots of chemicals as these may also be irritants.
  • Avoid tight undergarments and pants- this helps to ensure that there is proper air circulation that will keep the vaginal area dry.
  • Supplements- include supplements such as vitamin C, zinc and garlic in your diet that can help combat bacteria and infections.

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