Bacterial Vaginosis(BV) is one of the common conditions that women experience. The symptoms and intensity of Bacterial Vaginosis can vary from woman to woman. This is a treatable condition and in many cases over-the-counter medication such as Boric Acid BV Capsules help.

However, it is vital to know what causes BV and how to prevent and treat it. In this article, we throw light on the same.

What is Bacterial Vaginosis?

The vagina, just like our whole body, comprises a large number of bacteria in a balanced condition. This bacterium comprises the useful bacteria called the lactobacillus and harmful ones called the anaerobes.

The lactobacilli protect the vagina from dryness and maintain its health while anaerobes are responsible for foul smell, irritation, and itching. When the amount of harmful vaginal bacteria exceeds the helpful one, the condition of bacterial vaginosis arises.

What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

The symptoms of BV can vary with the severity of the condition. Foul smell, itching, irritation while passing urine, and in severe cases, pain in the pelvis can be the symptoms of BV.

How common is bacterial vaginosis?

BV can arise in women of any age, specifically in the reproductive age group of 18-45. The reasons for the occurrence of BV include:

• Douching

• Use of vaginal deodorants

• Multiple sex partners

• Pregnancy

• Usage of tight and synthetic underwear

• Usage of antibiotics

• Usage of vaginal medications

• Unprotected sex

Additionally, it is crucial to understand these aspects of BV:

• Sex between a female and male partner cannot transmit the infection to the male partner.

• However, if both the partners are female, and if one has the infection, another female partner must also get checked and take treatment.

• BV can be cured, but it can be a recurring condition. Most women that have had BV experienced it more than once with long gaps.

• Usually, BV can be treated with over-the-counter medicines such as Boric Acid BV Capsules and other vaginal tablets. However, if the BV intensity is high or you are pregnant, you must seek medical help as soon as possible.

How is BV diagnosed?

Your doctor would manually check the vaginal part and suggest the best treatment based on the severity. They would need a vaginal swab and a lab analysis to confirm the medication.

In practice, the following medicines are prescribed by doctors:

• Metronidazole (oral tablets)

• Tinidazole (oral tablets)

• Clindamycin (vaginal capsules)

However, if you are pregnant, it is vital to get checked by the doctor before considering the over-the-counter medication. Besides, the treatment for BV may be available over the counter based on your local medical regulations.

How to prevent bacterial vaginosis?

Lifestyle changes can help prevent BV to a lot extent:

Use cotton and breathable underwear: Tight and synthetic underwear can trap the moisture that helps bad flora flourish around the vagina. Switch to cotton and breathable underwear to maintain the healthy bacteria around your vagina naturally.

Ensure protected sex: Studies indicate that having multiple sex partners is one of the reasons for BV. Protected sex by using condoms and dental dams prevents vaginal infections to a lot extent. Besides, limit the number of sex partners to avoid BV.

Know how to differentiate yeast infection and BV: Both yeast infection and BV appear similar with look-alike symptoms. However, BV can be more intense compared to yeast infection. While yeast infection medication might prevent BV, it is not always helpful. Hence, a knowledge of the differences between yeast infection and BV is vital.

Naturally, clean your vaginal part: Here are some tips for cleaning the vagina in a natural way to maintain the vaginal bacterial balance:

• Use plain water to clean the vaginal part after excretion and sex.

• Refrain from using chemical deodorants to deodorize or freshen up the vaginal part. They can kill good bacteria and cause irritation and BV in the long run.

Maintain hygiene after sex and during periods

Change tampons and pads regularly during periods to prevent harmful bacteria from flourishing. Similarly, clean the vaginal part immediately after sex with plenty of plain water to eliminate the harmful bacteria that might enter the vagina due to sex.

Conclusion

BV can arise due to many reasons. Always seek medical help to treat bacterial vaginosis. Consume the medication for the duration mentioned by the doctor to prevent its recurrence and treat it fully.