Under normal circumstances, a healthy vagina contains a variety of bacteria, the most important of which is Lactobacillus. This helps to maintain a slightly acidic environment which prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. There can be a number of reasons why Lactobacillus decreases, but the result is always an overgrowth in harmful bacteria, causing the typical symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. Although not initially dangerous, if left untreated , bacterial vaginosis can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease or even infertility.
Bacterial vaginosis is very common and affects between 10 and 60% of the female population at any one time. Typical symptoms include a gray or white watery discharge, a very unpleasant fishy vaginal odor and unbearable itching and burning.
Conventional medication will usually include antibiotics, which can help to kill off harmful bacteria but unfortunately, as they do not treat the root cause, it is highly likely that the condition will recur. In addition, antibiotics do not discriminate between good or bad bacteria and so this leaves the vagina very vulnerable to further infection.
Home remedies for bacterial vaginosis often include the use of tea tree oil, cider vinegar and probiotic yogurt.
* Tea tree oil- this is a powerful antibacterial substance and a few drops can be added to a warm bath. Alternatively, tea tree oil pessaries can be bought from health food stores
* Cider vinegar- as the normally acidic conditions within the vagina are usually lowered when you have BV, cider vinegar can help to restore balance. Add a couple of cups to a bath and sit in it for around 20 minutes
* Probiotic yogurt- The bacteria within this yogurt are the same as those found within a healthy vagina. Try dipping a tampon in the yogurt and leaving it in place in the vagina for a couple of hours
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