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Your Online Guide » Guide to Women » Bacterial Vaginosis

[I519]Is Bacterial Vaginosis Contagious
by peterhutch, pet

Bacterial vaginosis sometimes clears up without treatment in some who are fortunate enough. But, in others, treatment is required. Usually, antibiotics are effective for bacterial vaginosis cure. Two different antibiotics generally recommended are metronidazole or clindamycin (2). Take these as a single dose or twice a day for five days. Take the tablets after meals to reduce the nausea and upset stomach that is sometimes associated with metronidazole. Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment. However, if you are unable to take metronidazole, your physician can prescribe other antibiotics or vaginal creams, like Tinidazole and Clindamycin cream.

Physicians may also recommend supplements to boost your immune system. A strong immune system is important to fend off unhealthy organisms that can cause illness and disease. Multivitamins and minerals that may be missing from your daily intake can be replaced to assist in making your body more resistant to infections and maintain overall good health. Bacterial vaginosis treatment plans may also encourage patients to consume milk products and yogurt rich in active acidophilus cultures. Acidophilus cultures have been proven to help the vagina sustain its acidic environment where lactobacillus organisms, good bacteria, defend against unhealthy bacteria that can cause an infection.

Acidophilous creates peroxide naturally in your vagina. You'd be best off with a dosage of 2billion+. I've used this method in preventing BV - and it has worked quite well for me, personally. If you get the tablets (not capsules filled - they are grainy your husband will get grainy stuff on his no-no spot) you can place them inside after sex and this should help a lot in preventing BV from developing.

Regular washing with warm water when bathing will keep the outside of the vagina clean and healthy. Pour water over the perineum. It helps to prevent urinary infections by washing away germs before they reach the urethra. Avoid scented tampons, pad, powders, and sprays. These products may increase a woman's chances of getting vaginal infections. Bathing in perfumed water or bubble baths also cause damage by irritating the vaginal area. Soaps, bubble baths all can cause irritation to the vagina.

Treatment of bacterial vaginosis is simple and involves taking antibiotic tablets, it take five to seven days of antibiotics taken orally or inserted in the vagina, the treatment is up to 80 per cent effective if it is used according to the instructions.

Garlic can put up a very strong fight against infections. Garlic contains many important antibacterial and antifungal properties. This is why this is one of the best herbal remedies for treating bacterial infections such as vaginal infections. If you decide to take garlic in the form of a supplement, it should contain 5,000 micrograms of alliums (the compound in garlic that contains the highest infection-fighting properties ). Consume 1 or 2 garlic capsules per day until the symptoms subside.

Generally, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to rule out other, more serious, problems. A sample of the discharge will be collected to examine under a microscope. Bacterial vaginosis can be distinguished from other common problems, such as yeast, with this microscopic exam.

There is a particular test your doctor can perform called a "whiff test". A drop of potassium hydroxide testing solution is added to the discharge. The result is usually a strong fishy odor.

Yogurt, a rich source of "good bacteria," can be applied directly to the affected region. Consuming yogurt in generous amounts also assists in treatment.
Tea Bags, soaked in cold water and applied to the infected area, relieve itching and irritation.


NO, you donot need to douche; the healthy, normally developed vagina is able to clean it self. Women are however subjected to constant messages from the media, magazines etc indicating that in order to ?keep the vaginal clean and fresh? they need a number of feminine products to help them achieve this. This indirectly suggests that in fact the vagina is never clean. Ultimately though women need to recognize that the aims of some these products are to make money and that they do not necessarily have women's best interests at heart.

All healthy vaginas contain some bacteria and other organisms called the vaginal flora. The normal acidity of the vagina keeps the amount of bacteria down. 90% of bacteria found in the healthy vagina belong to the genus lactobacillus. These bacteria control the growth of bad bacteria that can cause infection. Douching can change this delicate balance by reducing the number of protective Lactobacilli,thus creating an environment in which there is an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This may make a woman more prone to bacterial vaginosis and other vaginal infections due to a depletion of lactobacillus. Douching can also spread existing vaginal infections up into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

WHAT IS VAGINAL DOUCHING?

"Douche" is a French word which means to wash or soak. Vaginal douching is the practice of rinsing or cleaning out the vagina. Women douche mainly for hygienic reasons, to prevent or treat infection. Douching is a common practice among women all over the world. A survey found that in the United States 20 to 40 percent of American women aged 15 to 44 years douche regularly. About half of these women douche every week.

Most douches are made with water and vinegar, baking soda, iodine or a mixture of water and medicinal herbs. Some women use homemade douches of water and vinegar, although most use commercial prepackaged douches.

WHY SHOULD WOMEN NOT DOUCHE?

Research suggests that women who douche regularly have more health problems than women who do not. Douching can cause irritation and inflammation of vaginal tissues, vaginal infections such as BV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and pelvic inflammatory disease(PID). PID is an infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes. PID may lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. There is also an increased risk of miscarriage or delivery before 37th week of pregnancy (preterm or premature labour).

WHAT ARE THE REASONS WOMEN GIVE FOR DOUCHING?

-To clean the vagina

-To rinse sperm out of the vagina after sex

-To rinse away blood after monthly periods

-To get rid of vaginal odors

-To reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Women believe that douching is beneficial, in fact it can be harmful and should be avoided.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN THE VAGINA?

The best way is to let your vagina clean itself. The vagina cleans itself naturally by producing mucous. Women do not need to douche to wash away blood, semen, or vaginal discharge. The vagina gets rid of it alone. Also, it is important to note that even when your vagina is clean, it will still have some amount of odor. As long as it is not unpleasant odor, it is normal for a healthy vagina.

Regular washing with warm water when bathing will keep the outside of the vagina clean and healthy. Pour water over the perineum. It helps to prevent urinary infections by washing away germs before they reach the urethra. Avoid scented tampons, pad, powders, and sprays. These products may increase a woman's chances of getting vaginal infections. Bathing in perfumed water or bubble baths also cause damage by irritating the vaginal area. Soaps, bubble baths all can cause irritation to the vagina. Always wipe from vagina to anus to avoid bacteria entering your vagina. If you experience vaginal odor or unusual discharge, itching, redness, burning, pain when urinating or discomfort during sex, you should seek medical advice you may have bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted disease(STD).

References

Baird DD, et al. Vaginal douching and reduced fertility. Am J Public Health 1996 Jun;86(6):844-50.

Jeffrey T. Kirchner. Prevalence of Vaginal Douching Despite its Adverse Effects. American Family Physician Feb 1, 2000.

Zhang J, et al. Vaginal douching and adverse health effects: a meta-analysis. Am J Public Health 1997 Jul;87(7):1207-11.

Innacchinoe, Mary Ann. The vagina dialogue: Do you douche? American Journal of nursing: Jan 2004, Vol 104 Issue 1 pg 40
Article Source : Bacterial Vaginosis

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