Bacterial Vaginosis Home Treatments

Bacterial Vaginosis vs. Trichomoniasis

There are three main types of vaginal infections that women are faced with: bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and trichomoniasis (trich). All 3 exhibit similar symptoms, particularly vaginal itching, burning sensation and pain within the vaginal region. More often than not, these symptoms will come with vaginal discharge-although each of the different vaginal infections has their own characteristic vaginal discharge that can serve as a distinguishing factor for easier identification. From among the many types of vaginal infections, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis are two of the most commonly confused infections. It’s therefore important to know how BV is different from trichomoniasis so as to take the right path to the appropriate treatment since different vaginal infections are treated distinctively.

Bacterial vaginosis mostly affects women of childbearing age, whereas trichomoniasis can affect both men and women. Trichomoniasis is caused by a microscopic parasite that can live and multiply in the vaginal area. It is classified as an STD since it can be transferred between partners. Men don’t normally experience any symptoms, but it can be transferred to a woman through sexual contact. Some symptoms men might experience include itching and burning, and it can possibly be a cause of prostatitis. The parasite however, will not survive in the mouth.

Similar to BV, trich also presents itself with a foul fishy smelling vaginal discharge, but there is still a differentiating factor that makes it distinct. Vaginal discharge of a person with trichomoniasis appears frothy and can range from yellow to grayish-green in color, but is commonly green. However, discharge from BV is commonly a cloudy white color. If you go to the doctor, you are likely to be prescribed with the antibiotic metronidazole once you are diagnosed with BV or trichomoniasis.

Complications

If left untreated, both BV and trich can have harmful effects. BV can lead to serious complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and can also cause pregnancy complications such as pre-term labor. Trichomoniasis can also lead to PID and pregnancy complications. It will also put you at a greater risk for other STDs, such as HIV. As long as you or your partner is left untreated, it will result to further spreading the infection.

It is greatly advised to seek a doctor’s diagnosis once you notice the symptoms of any type of vaginal infection. This is highly crucial because these infections have similar manifestations and it would sometimes be hard to define which one you are actually suffering from. There is nothing wrong with seeking diagnosis from a medical doctor rather than be sorry later on just because you are too shy or embarrassed to talk about the symptoms of the vaginal infection you are suffering from. If you have trichomoniasis, don’t despair. Of all STD’s, it is the most common curable STD. Intake of zinc can do wonders for you, in addition to a doctor’s prescription.

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Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis – Understand the Cause

For many women suffering from bacterial vaginosis (BV), the thought of encountering BV more than once would seem like a nightmare-and it most certainly is. It is indeed embarrassing, annoying, uncomfortable, painful, and puts you at a greater risk of developing further health complications. You see, recurrent BV can bring a more intensified threat when it comes to possible complications, some of which are fairly serious-such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It is definitely crucial that you dig into understanding the possible causes of the infection. This is the most efficient way to permanently eliminate BV and all the symptoms that it brings.

Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis: Probable Causes

Have you ever wondered why even if you undergo antibiotic and antifungal treatment, bacterial vaginosis reoccurs, sometimes even worse than before? BV will occur when the good bacterium that normally lives in the vaginal region (Lactobacillus) is outnumbered by unhealthy bacteria (Gardnerella Vaginalis, Candida Albicans, etc.). This can be brought about as a result of several different factors (see: causes of bacterial vaginosis). So how do antibiotics play a role?

Treatment with antibiotics alone leads to a likely chance of recurrent BV. You see, the task of antibiotics for treating bacterial vaginosis is to kill the overgrowth of bad bacteria that caused the infection to develop. However, antibiotics cannot properly distinguish which are the good from the bad bacteria. In the process, even good bacteria are destroyed. By the time the bad bacteria overpopulate the good, recurrent BV is almost certain to reappear.

It doesn’t really need to be said, but if you do nothing to treat your symptoms, occasionally it might go away for a time but will most likely be back. That is why it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. Especially since when it does come back, it is often much worse than before. Go to the doctor to get an accurate diagnosis to make sure you have BV and start a treatment plan immediately. Your doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics. (But antibiotics are a cause of chronic BV…!) So what do you do?

Permanently getting rid of bacterial vaginosis is not just about treating the condition, but providing a healthy environment in your vagina for good bacteria to flourish. Antibiotics will get rid of all bacteria, but it is part of your responsibility to eat right and have a healthy lifestyle.

To completely free yourself from this awful condition, I recommend using home remedies in addition to the medications that your doctor prescribes. In fact, many women have successfully treated the condition using home remedies alone, and that might be an option you should consider. View the home remedies post to learn what home remedies are most effective at treating BV.

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Over the Counter Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis

It is has been pointed out by many researchers that bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs as a consequence of the disruption in the normal balance of the vaginal flora. As a matter of fact, this vaginal condition has been referred to as one of the most common conditions that can develop in a woman who still belongs in the reproductive age group. In relation to this, there are a few over the counter treatments for BV that have been developed by a few manufacturers, and it is anticipated that there will be many more as the condition becomes better known.

Based on many studies and from actual inquiries to BV sufferers themselves, a large part of their population resort to over the counter treatment for bacterial vaginosis. This is largely due to two major reasons; first because many believe they can curtail their treatment expense and they think heading straight to simply ask the pharmacist for a recommendation would help them realize their goal. The second rationale is because they are embarrassed to discuss the symptoms that they are experiencing to the doctor but they want to get rid of it. Since the drugstore personnel are not familiar with who they are, they end up just running to them to ask which among the many over the counter options are possible to eliminate the manifestations of bacterial vaginosis.

Oral probiotic supplements such as Femanol are among the most sought-after over the counter treatments for BV. Femanol is particularly popular for controlling vaginal odor, but is typically more expensive than other BV treatment options. Some supplements are available in the form of either capsule or powder containing Lactobacillus or Acidophilus and are consumed daily to supply the body of additional good bacteria with the aim of restoring the balance that has been disrupted earlier by the thriving of the bad bacteria in the vaginal flora. These supplements are also developed to help in boosting up the body’s defense by means of strengthening the immune system of the body. Click here to learn more about Femanol.

Others looking for over-the-counter treatments for BV turn to vaginal anti-itch creams that are present in most drugstores. Although, they are not designed to cure the infection permanently, the relief they provide in terms of the itch that comes with the condition is something that is worthy in the eyes of the sufferer. It can also be helpful in getting rid of the fishy vaginal smell that comes when you have BV but just the same as mentioned earlier, they are not aimed at treating the primary cause of the infection.

There are also tea tree oil pessaries that can help in regulating the non-beneficial bacteria that grew in number in the vaginal wall. These are small plastic or silicone devices containing tea tree oil that is inserted into the vagina. The anti-bacterial property of the tea tree oil makes it one of the best possible over the counter treatments for bacterial vaginosis.

While some over the counter treatments for BV are widely sought after by many sufferers, using them alone is not a guaranteed option to eradicate the infection permanently. It is noteworthy that you aim for those treatments that are aimed at restoring the pH balance of the vaginal flora and at the same time supplying additional Lactobacillus in the body.

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