Home Remedies to Cure Bacterial Vaginosis

By Erika Criste

Our body is composed of more than 100 trillion bacteria both bad and good. Each of it has its respective location and function that affects the performance of our system as human beings. In the case of the female genital, specific bacteria are present that provides for the overall healthy surrounding of the vaginal flora.

The primary colonizing bacteria in a vagina is called Lactobacillus, this appear in large numbers and is a good bacteria that helps in keeping an acidic (low Ph) condition. This Lactobacillus bacteria produces Lactic acid which is responsible for the controlling of vaginal acidity which best thrives at a pH <4.5.

However healthy vaginal bacteria are sometimes disturbed that an overgrowth of harmful bacteria occurs, pH balance of the vagina changes which results in a Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). These harmful bacteria involved in BV include Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus species, Bacteroides species, Mycoplasma species and others.

Bacterial Vaginosis is the most common infection for women however this is only a mild case and it is not a sexually-transmitted disease (STD). This infection may be left untreated and could go on its own but to avoid serious problem it would be a good idea to prevent it and see a doctor for treatment.

However there have been some proven effective home remedies that helped in addressing women suffering from this BV.

Out from the comfort zone

Jackie, not her real name, is a teenage girl from Cagayan de Oro City who has been observing some unusual occurrence in her private area. She noticed an odd discharge coming out of her regularly. She though it was a normal thing for girls to have this yellowish discharge.

Soon enough she began to notice this awful smell until such time it became stronger and stronger until a distinct fishy smell caught her attention. She was worried, browsed the internet for some answers regarding the peculiar discharge of her genital.

Jackie then found a site that gave off the same symptoms that she has been going through. Without hesitating she found out that she was suffering from Bacterial Vaginosis.

While symptoms are not present in about half of woman with BV, those who do experience symptoms will have a yellowing or grayish, thin and watery vaginal discharge usually with a very fishy unpleasant odor.

“I cannot last a day without wearing a panty liner for protection against the very bad smell and uncomfortable wet discharge”, explained the 19 year old Jackie.

“I feel uncomfortable and restless always having to think that people may smell the fishy odor and would think that I have a bad hygiene. I have been desperately searching online for possible solution to this BV”, she added.

BV as explained by professionals is never a result of a bad hygiene; in fact excessive washing of the private part may harm the vagina’s natural healthy flora and can cause infections more likely to develop BV.

The cause and treatment

“This Bacterial Vaginosis is an infection wherein both male and female could acquire it. Usually we treat it with Metronidazole for this infection is aerobic, meaning they thrive on air. They occur in wet and warm areas such as vaginal area.” according to Dr. Fatmah Mangondato, OB Gyne.

Though there has been no exact study on what causes BV but there are common factors found to be true causes wherein frequently it develops after sexual intercourse, having a new partner, using scented soaps or bubble baths, using vaginal deodorant and women who perform douching (cleaning out the vagina).

Jackie admitted that she had an exchange partner lately and during her first boyfriend after their intimate session, she has likely observed the BV coming in. Jackie’s relationship didn’t last and found a new partner, this time the BV worsens.

Though the BV vanished a couple of months after finding some home remedies online she went back having a sexual intercourse with her boyfriend and the BV once again showed up.

Research also shows that once you get BV you are likely to catch it again, you don’t get immune to it. “I went over online and found some home remedies which I immediately tried. I found products that are easily seen on the market like Apple Cider Vinegar, Yoghurt, Garlic, Tea Tree Oil and Hydrogen Peroxide. There are still other remedies but these are the only ones I tried.”

Home Remedies

“Every night I use to take long baths and sit about 10-20 minutes on a mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar with water. I tried applying yoghurt and tea tree oil on my private area. I even used a tampon with hydrogen peroxide and sleep with it until morning. I suffered a lot.”

These home remedies have its own benefits in addressing the BV:

1.) Apple Cider Vinegar due to its acidic nature will help increase the vaginal acidity. This makes it difficult for bad bacteria to survive and create a better environment for good bacterial to thrive.

2.) Yoghurt contains beneficial bacteria known as Lactobacillus similar with that from the female genital. It will help fight off the bad bacteria and help maintain healthy vaginal pH balance.

3.) Tea Tree Oil contains natural antibacterial as well as antifungal compounds that help kill the germs will also combat the awful smell that is common with BV.

4.) Garlic is a natural antibiotic and it has antifungal properties that will keep the bad bacteria in check.

5.) Hydrogen Peroxide words as a natural disinfectant and helps eradicate the bad bacteria and other inflammatory agents that cause BV.

However no scientific study has really proven this home remedies to be effective but Jackie is one living proof that surpassed the challenge of Bacterial Vaginosis. There are also other women who shared a forum online under the page of Bacterial Vaginosis that these home remedies helped them in getting rid of this BV.

“I lost it once, I actually didn’t think it would come back. Now I’m still currently suffering from it but so far it starts to fade again. I really do hope that this BV will vanish forever.”

There may be some medical treatments of BV like Metronidazole taken as pill, Vaginal clindamycin and Tinidazole which is an antibiotic. Recurrence of BV is possible even after successful treatment; it is still unclear why such recurrent infections develop.

"There are studies that support the home remedies however it is still not proven. We usually discourage too much washing of vinegar for it could cause burning in the perennial area. You can prevent it by safe sex and proper hygiene. It could also happen in children most especially those that are prone in sexual abuse. In my Out Patient Department (OPD) I usually have a 1-3 patient that have BV." Said Dr. Fatmah Mangondato.

Take into consideration that we have a different body and how it is able to react with treatments, what may work for one could not work with the other.

There’s nothing wrong in trying out some new stuffs, for as long as it’s natural and could see no great harm to one’s health. It’s always safe to research first before diving into the actual application of remedies like what Jackie did.

#health #vaginalhygiene