4 Natural Treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis

What is Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is a recent discovery. Symptoms include a fishy odor, itching, pain during sex and a whitish discharge. The symptoms can mimic a yeast infection so if you’ve treated a yeast infection and it hasn’t gone away, consider getting tested for bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis happens when a normal bacteria called lactobacilli disappears from the vaginal tissues and other bacteria take their place.

Since it’s a relatively new condition some experts think vaginosis is an STD. While it’s more common among women with multiple sexual partners, and it can be passed from female partner to female partner, women without sexual partners can get bacterial vaginosis too.

Treatments include antibiotics and over the counter medications such as Vagisil. However, these may not cure bacterial vaginosis and antibiotics can cause yeast infections. Luckily, there are some natural bacterial vaginosis treatments that may work for you.

Eat More Garlic

Garlic is a fabulous herb with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Decrease the amount of bacteria in your vaginal tissues by eating more garlic or taking a garlic supplement. Some women will cut up a garlic clove, put it into a little cheese cloth and insert into the vagina. Many doctors question this practice, so talk to your doctor before doing this.

Try Yogurt

Eating yogurt with active cultures may help improve bacterial vaginosis, though some doctors question this. Applying a little unsweetened yogurt (sweetened yogurt can cause yeast infections) to the vaginal area or using a tampon with yogurt on it may help improve the symptoms.

Take Lactobacillus Supplements

Since bacterial vaginosis is actually caused by a lack of lactobacilli bacteria, supplements can help replace this important bacteria. You may have to place this supplement directly into the vagina or take it orally. Speak to your care provider for more information and to get the supplement.

Try Boric Acid

Boric acid may help kill some of the bad bacteria causing the symptoms. Speak to your care provider for a prescription and use as directed.

Be aware that boric acid may burn upon application.

Warnings

If you are pregnant and have bacterial vaginosis the chances of delivering a premature baby increases. Talk to your care provider for more information.

Do not douche if you have bacterial vaginosis as you may push the bacteria further into the vagina, making it harder to get rid of. You also increase your chances of developing PID (pelvic inflammatory disease).

It is possible to have bacterial vaginosis and a yeast infection. See Natural Treatments for Yeast Infections for more information about treating a yeast infection.

References

Hudson, Tori ND. Women’s Encylopedia of Natural Medicine. McGraw-Hill Books, 2008.

Stewart, Elizabeth MD. The V Book. Bantam, 2002.

Disclaimer

The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. The information in this article is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read on Brighthub.com. Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed. Certain herbs and holistic remedies are unsuitable to take if you are pregnant or nursing and must always be cleared by your doctor before use.