Alternative Medicine Guide

If you suffer from BV, you need at least one of several bacterial vaginosis treatments, not only because it’s symptoms but also because the danger of complications you run. The most common complications are;

- Premature labor and birth for pregnant women and
- carries a higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases.

The most common symptoms of BV are;

- Abnormal discharge from vagina
- Bad vaginal odor
- Itching
- Irritation and swelling of the nether regions
- Abdominal cramps

A majority of women with BV don’t experience the symptoms. Which treatments are offered for this condition?

BV Home Remedies

This group of bacterial vaginosis treatments differs according to the principles used to counteract the infection.

Remedies containing Lactic Bacteria

These remedies are based on the principle that lactobacilli, also called “good bacteria”, will prevent vaginal infections.

Remedies based on Tea Tree Oil

These remedies kill the bacteria, probably by producing antiseptic and antifungal substances.

Remedies that lower the pH Level of the Vagina

These remedies are adding an acidic buffer in vagina. This will help to protect against infections like bacterial vaginosis.

Most of the home remedies mentioned above will only lighten the symptoms without eliminating the bacteria or vaginal odor absolutely.

Treating BV with Antibiotics

If you’re suffering from bacterial vaginosis or you suspect you have it you should always visit your doctor or gynecologist for medical advice. The treatment these professionals most likely will give for your BV is antibiotics. If you are treated with antibiotics, it is mandatory that you follow the prescription the physician has given very carefully.

Should the symptoms disappear before the treatment period is over, keep taking the medication as long as the doctor has told you. Your doctor or gynecologist will also inform you about the side effects antibiotics might have on your condition.

There are mainly two antibiotics that are used for treating BV;

Metronidazole

Metronidazole is sold as oral medication or as a topical vaginal cream or gel. Taken orally the medication can be used as a one-time treatment. For most patients though, the treatment will take a week or so. Clinical studies have documented that the weeklong treatment is more effective that the one-time treatment. Metrodinazole is known as the most efficient antibiotic for treating bacterial vaginosis. The drawback with this medication is side effects like

- Headaches,
- Dizziness,
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Allergic reactions,

In the gel or cream form, vaginal yeast infection has been reported as a side effect. If you experience any of these side effects when you are treated with antibiotics, you should consult your doctor immediately

Clindamycin

Like metronidazole, clindamycin is available as oral medication and topical cream or gel. This medication is also linked to side effects which include

- Rashes,
- Nausea,
- Diarrhea,
- Abdominal cramps

Approach your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.

The good thing with antibiotics is that they kill the bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis. However, in 50 percent of the cases, the BV infection will recur within 12 months after an antibiotic treatment. In other words; antibiotics fails to give permanent bacterial vaginosis relief relief for a significant number of women.

This fact has forced us to look for other bacterial vaginosis treatments.

by Gerd Petersen

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