Have you ever felt itching, odor, and pain in your vagina but do not know the reason? If you have those symptoms, it may be the problem of bacterial vaginosis that you should be concerned about. This problem is easy to disappear if you have a method to treat promptly but it can also be severe if you ignore it for a long time. This article will give you more detail about the causes, symptoms, and some home remedies for bacterial vaginosis.
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Vaginitis is an infected condition of the vagina that is caused by bacteria and usually goes along with itching sensation, pain, and vaginal discharge. Normally, the vagina has both bad and good bacteria present together. When the balance between them is disturbed, that may be the time for inflammation to occur.
Vaginitis includes four main types, they are:
- Bacterial Vaginosis: It occurs because one of the organisms in the vagina develops excessively.
- Trichomoniasis: It happens through sexual intercourse, and that is the way for the parasites to spread.
- Yeast Infections: This type occurs due to a fungus named Candida Albicans, which causes infection priority in the vagina.
- Vaginal Atrophy: It appears when the level of estrogen is low after the woman had menopause.
What are the causes of bacterial vaginosis?
Changing the amount of good and bad bacteria in the vagina can be the main cause of bacterial vaginosis. The imbalance related to biological and chemicals of normal flora in the vagina can impact partly on bacterial vaginosis. In addition, bacterial vaginosis can occur in any woman, but some risk factors can impact directly the development of this problem such as douching, having multiple sex partners, washing the underwear with strong detergents, smoking, using antiseptic liquids in bathing, etc.
What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis can lead to some typical following symptoms:
- The changes of vaginal discharge in color, odor, and the amount.
- Feel pain when urinating or in sexual intercourse.
- Irritated and itching outside the vagina.
- Appear bleeding or spot in the vagina.
Home remedies for bacterial vaginosis
Yogurt
Yogurt contains a lot of healthy bacteria that can help you deal with vaginitis efficiently. The bacteria in yogurt are lactobacilli which can fight against harmful bacteria quickly and maintain the balance of pH in the vaginal environment. For that reason, yogurt is one of the most effective home remedies for bacterial vaginosis.
Besides eating yogurt every day, you can also use a clean cotton pad and dip into yogurt. Then, place it directly over affected areas and leave for 30 minutes. Remove the pad and clean the area carefully with water.
Another way is using a tampon to dip in yogurt and place in the vagina for about 1-2 hours and then wash thoroughly. Repeat this process three times per day until your condition improves.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains a natural acidic property that can help you in balancing the pH in the vagina. It makes the bad bacteria difficult to survive and reduce their amount in the vagina. Hence, the good bacteria have a convenient condition to thrive and improve the vaginitis condition.
Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with warm water and use this to cleanse your vagina thoroughly. Or you can pour one or two cups of vinegar into your bath water and sit in that for 20 minutes. Then, pat the vaginal dry gently.
Perform this process twice a day to get the best result.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is well known for treating many health problems because it contains antifungal and antibacterial agents. It also can help you to stay away from bacterial vaginosis efficiently. It also supports you in removing the vaginal odor and reduces the symptoms of vaginitis that bacteria caused.
Take a few tea tree oil drops into warm water to clean the vagina. Besides, you also can mix a few drops of tea tree oil with some white vinegar cups and pour in your bath water to soak in about 30 minutes. Apply this remedy every day until your condition is better.
Garlic
Garlic is a good choice that is worthy to present on the list of home remedies for bacterial vaginosis. It has powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties that can fight against vaginitis that bacteria cause efficiently.
Take a few drops of garlic oil and mix well with a teaspoon of vitamin E and coconut oil. Gently place this mixture on the inflammation area for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Repeat this method once or twice a day until the affected areas improve.
Hydrogen Peroxide
If you are looking for a way to get rid of bacterial vaginosis hydrogen peroxide is a home remedy that you should not skip. Hydrogen peroxide assists you in relieving the irritation, pain, itching, and inflammation of the vagina. You should only use hydrogen peroxide 3% to get the best result for your condition.
Use hydrogen peroxide 3% to mix with fresh water at the rate of 1:1. Gently cleanse your vagina with this solution for a few minutes. Then, wash again with clean water. Repeat this method once or twice a day until the affected area is better.
Turmeric
Turmeric has antibiotic and anti-inflammation agents that are very efficient in dealing with vaginitis. It can ease the swelling and reduce the inflammation of your condition.
Take a teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix with a cup of warm milk. Stir well and consume this mixture twice daily until your condition improves.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek can balance the pH in the vagina and maintain the menstrual cycle stable. In addition, it also supports your immune system to fight against bacteria. For that reason, fenugreek is a home remedy that can help you treat bacterial vaginosis quickly.
You can eat yogurt with fenugreek powder twice a day to improve your condition. Another way is using fenugreek seeds to mix with a cup of water and leave for overnight. Drinking it when your stomach is empty in the morning daily will bring a similar result.
Bacterial vaginosis is a popular problem that appears in any woman. This inflammation can be treated quickly if you apply one of those home remedies in this article. Nonetheless, if your condition is worse or does not improve, you should visit the doctor to get prompt treatment.
