Home Remedies For BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) | Best Natural Ways
Home Remedies For BV – A healthy vagina contains both “good” and “bad” bacteria naturally. But if there is an overgrowth of the bad bacteria, then infection called bacterial vaginosis may occur.
Bacterial vaginosis is considered to be common in people having vaginas. Although it may clear up on its own, getting the treatment may lower your risk of certain complications and health risks that are associated with bacterial vaginosis.
You should read this article to learn about the best home remedies for bv (bacterial vaginosis), and also useful tips for lowering your risk.
What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is known as vaginal infection, caused by excess bad bacteria. This makes the vaginal environment out of balance and as a result following symptoms appears, such as:
- Thin grayish-white discharge, especially after having sexual intercourse.
- Discharge having a fishlike odour
- Pain while urination
- Pain during or after having sexual intercourse
- vaginal itching
In some cases, BV may cause no symptoms. BV commonly affects those people having vaginas ages between 15 and 44. Typically, it occurs in those people who are may be sexually active.
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Causes Of Bacterial Vaginosis
Medical Experts do not know exactly what causes BV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), although, it is more common in those people whom are considered to be sexually active.
The things that may enhance your risk of BV, may include:
- Douching
- Not use of condoms
- Having sex with multiple partners
- Having sex with new partners
Home Remedies For Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
If you think you may have a bacterial vaginosis infection, you should get medical treatment, especially during pregnancy.
While you may have to try natural home remedies for bv, some are harmful, so you should consult your medical expert before applying.
Here, we discuss some of the most common natural home remedies for BV.
1. Probiotics
Probiotics may help the body to grow beneficial bacteria that may help in fighting the bacteria that are associated with BV.
A 2019 study shows that probiotic therapy may have both short as well as long-term benefits in treatment of BV.
People may like to take probiotic supplements. However, natural probiotics may also support the bacterial colony that maintains your vagina healthy. These may include:
- Yogurt
- Fermented Foods
- Some cottage Cheese
- Kefir
2. Garlic
Garlic is considered as a common home remedy that can help in treatment of infections like BV. One study shows that by inserting garlic supplements vaginally for treating bacterial vaginosis.
Although this treatment seems to be as effective as metronidazole. Also this may not be a green light to put garlic in your vagina.
The best method is to incorporate garlic into your foods or optionally for garlic supplement tablets.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Limited studies show that tea tree oil can help in treatment of BV. However, there may be no scientific evidence uptill now that tea tree oil or their products that may contain tea tree oil may help the people having BV.
In some people, tea tree oil treatments can cause allergic reactions and are not considered safe for use, if you are pregnant.
If you are considering purchasing tea tree oil for treatment of BV, you should always consult a doctor first before using it.
4. Yogurt
There are limited studies that shows that by consuming yogurt may help in the treatment of BV.
You may never incorporate yogurt into your vagina, as this may cause worsen symptoms by developing bacterial growth.
5. Boric Acid
Vaginal suppositories that may contain boric acid can help in the treatment of BV.
A 2021 study shows that using intravaginal boric acid in addition to other antibiotic medications may be beneficial in treatment of BV.
Also a 2019 study indicates the same benefits for boric acid in treatment of BV and other yeast infections.
However, the authors of both studies concluded that more research is needed to assess how boric acid helps in treatment completely.
Boric acid may be considered as toxic if people take it orally. A person having BV should only ever use this product as per instructions given by the medical expert.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Some people also suggest that apple cider vinegar may help in the treatment of BV. However, it is important to consider that these suggestions are purely anecdotal, and there may be no evidence to prove this.
Home remedies may be beneficial for some people but are not having the place of evidence-based treatment options.
A person that wishes to use these home remedies should consult with a doctor before using them.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide
Only two small studies claim that using hydrogen peroxide solution for vaginal wash can help to remove the vaginal odor as well as to improve discharge, and restore vaginal pH in patients having BV.
However, as like other home remedies, there is not enough evidence in treating BV.
8. Herbs
Some kinds of herbs are considered to be having strong antibacterial properties. In one study, some patients used a vaginal cream mixed with the extract of calendula officinalis, that is a herb commonly known as pot marigold.
During the study it is found as effective in treating BV as metronidazole. But at this point, we need more research before doctors may recommend using it.
How to reduce your risk of BV (bacterial vaginosis)?
According to the CDC, medical experts do not fully understand how BV spreads. But in general, anything that can change the chemical balance in your vagina may increase the risk of BV.
For this, following steps can lower the risk of BV:
- Avoid use of scented tampons or pads, or any kind of perfumed menstrual products.
- Avoid douching: this may disrupt the natural balance of vaginal bacteria and may enhance the chance of infection. If you are already facing an infection, douching may make it worse for you.
- Wear breathable cotton underwear that may not be too tight.
- Reduce the number of sexual partners.
- Use latex condoms or other barrier ways every time when you have to sex.
- Do not sit with a wet bathing suit or damp clothes on. BV may spread more easily in moist conditions.
- Wipe carefully after having a bowel movement in order to avoid spreading germs from your anus to vagina.
Risks And Complications Of BV (Bacterial Vaginosis)
Although BV may remove on its own, at a point when it can get worse without treatment. This may enhance the risk of health complications, that may include:
- Contracting of HIV if its is exposed to the virus
- Contracting of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Experiencing complications if you are pregnant
- Premature delivery during pregnancy
- Promoting pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Promoting fertility problems caused due to STIs and PID
- Having low success during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment
The Conclusion
BV is known as a common infection in the vagina that affects the person of all ages. BV may not be STI, but some people having multiple sexual partners may at a higher risk of promoting it.
A person requires to restore the balance of natural bacteria in the vagina in treatment of BV.
Various treatments are available that help ease symptoms and clear up of BV. Anybody who suspects that they experience BV should consult with a doctor for diagnosis and its treatment.