Useful Home Remedies For Bacterial Vaginosis
If you have been dealing with bacterial vaginosis and aren’t willing to try prescription medications or other medical treatments, one or more of these home remedies for bacterial vaginosis might be the treatment you’ve been looking for. In this article, you’ll find some general information regarding the condition including the causes and the symptoms of the problem. You’ll then find a number of different home remedies that you can try out on your own to help clear up your bacterial vaginosis.
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What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Vaginitis is inflammation that occurs in the vagina that can cause itching, discharge, and pain. It can be caused by different things and is mainly believed to be associated with the female reproductive system’s sensitivity to changes in pH levels and the presence of bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis is just one form of vaginitis that occurs when there is excessive growth of an outside pathogen in the vagina. Other forms of vaginitis are yeast infections, trichomoniasis, and vaginal atrophy.
What Causes Bacterial Vaginosis?
One of the biggest causes for bacterial vaginosis is a change in the bacteria in the vagina. There are normal amounts of natural bacteria in the vagina that keep it healthy. When the bacteria becomes imbalanced and an overgrowth occurs, it could lead to bacterial vaginosis.
Changes in the frequency of bacteria in the vagina can be caused by hygiene problems, side effects of medications, multiple sexual partners or sexual contact with a person who has a sexually transmitted infection, or a related biological change (a general infection that spread to the vagina).
Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis
Some of the common symptoms that people dealing with bacterial vaginosis report are:
- Foul odors
- Colored vaginal discharge (white/grayish)
- Irritation or itching
- Painful intercourse and/or urination
- Spotting/light vaginal bleeding
Individual symptoms can vary from person to person, too. Since bacterial vaginosis isn’t the only form of vaginitis, it is important to get a proper diagnosis before you try to treat the issue.If you feel that anything is out of the norm for you in regards to your vaginal health, it’s best to see a medical professional in order to get a proper diagnosis so you can treat the exact problem properly using these home remedies for bacterial vaginosis.
Home Remedies For Bacterial Vaginosis
Medication can be prescribed by your doctor to treat bacterial vaginosis, but those have side effects of their own that you may want to avoid. There are home remedies for bacterial vaginosis that you can try out on your own to clear up the infection on your own. Here are a few things that you can try:
- Yogurt
This food has other uses outside of the kitchen. Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that can help battle the bad bacteria in your vagina in order to clear up the infection and restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in the body. It can also balance your pH levels to help lower your discomfort levels. To do this, apply yogurt internally using a tampon and leave it in place for a few hours. Do this twice a day. Eating yogurt regularly can also help keep you healthy.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
The acid in the vinegar can help battle the bacteria in your vagina and balance your pH level to help clear up the infection. Simply take two tablespoons of vinegar and mix it with warm water. Cleanse the vagina with this mixture twice a day. For prevention, you can drink the solution with some honey twice a day.
- Cold Compresses
This won’t necessarily clear up your infection but it can help relieve some of the discomfort by numbing the area. Wrap a clean cloth around several ice cubes and apply it to your vagina for a minute at a time until the discomfort decreases. This is an effective fast way to ease your discomfort.
- Garlic
Believe it or not, garlic has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that can help your immune system and aid in the controlling of bacterial infections like bacterial vaginosis. You can use garlic oil mixed with coconut oil or vitamin E oil and apply it directly to your vagina twice a day for several days or you can choose to eat more garlic on a daily basis. Taking garlic supplements can also help.
- Boric Acid
To help relieve your discomfort and to clear up the infection, use boric acid. This can also help regulate your pH levels while cleansing your vagina. Get empty gel capsules and fill one with boric acid. Insert the capsule into the vagina before going to sleep. In the morning, cleanse the vagina with warm water. Do this twice a week. Note: pregnant women should not do this.
- Chamomile
This herb has relaxing and soothing properties that can help alleviate the pain, swelling, and itching associated with bacterial vaginosis. Steep a bag of chamomile tea in hot water for on minute. Take the bag out of the water and place it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, insert the bag into your vagina. Squeeze the bag so it releases water into the vaginal canal. To this once or twice a day until your symptoms clear up.
- Peroxide
This can help you control the growth of bacteria in your vagina while also clearing up the present infection. It can also soothe any discomfort you’re feeling. Use only 3% hydrogen peroxide in this remedy. Mix equal amounts of peroxide with water and cleanse the vagina using the mixture. Cleanse the vagina again with plain water 10 minutes later. Do this once or twice a day for a few days.
- Tea Tree Oil
This beneficial essential oil is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It’s been used as a natural remedy for a number of conditions including bacterial vaginosis. It can also help control the odor associated with it and alleviate some of the discomfort. To use this, add a few drops to warm water to create a cleaning solution cleanse your vagina with it once a day for a few days.
- Turmeric
This spice is well-known for its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for both for years. As one of the home remedies for bacterial vaginosis, turmeric can help reduce swelling in the vagina and control the other symptoms associated with the infection. You can use this by consuming the turmeric in a glass of warm milk two times a day or you can add turmeric to your daily cooking
Conclusion
These are just a few home remedies for bacterial vaginosis. Try them out on your own to help alleviate the symptoms of the infection or to clear up the infection completely. If you see that your infection isn’t clearing up after a few days, you should see a doctor to make sure that there is nothing else wrong or that you’re dealing with a different form of vaginitis which would need other treatments.