What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is one of 4 main types of vaginal infection, which commonly affects women in age of 15-44. This disease occurs when the vagina loses its balance because of a certain change in bacteria, leading to itchiness, irritation, even pain and discharge [1][2].
Causes of Bacteria Vaginosis
According to experts, BV is linked to the imbalance of lactobacilli, good bacteria and anaerobes, harmful bacteria in vagina.
Specifically, having multiple sex partners or a new sex partner recently is a factor that can disturb the environment in vaginal, which in turn facilitates the outgrowth of anaerobes and increases the risk of BV.
Although BV is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD), it contributes to the risk getting STD [3].
Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
BV shares some common signs with other types of vaginitis like itchiness, irritation, pain while intercourse and urination, changes in color and odor of vaginal discharge. In case of BV, vaginal discharge is described with foul smell and grayish-white color.
BV is quite common among women but lots of them feel not comfortable when seeing a doctor to talk about this. Instead, they choose home remedies for bacterial vaginosis, which can be easily applied at home and effectively curb the condition.
Here are top 10 useful tips on home remedies for bacterial that you should take into consideration….
1.Yogurt
Yogurt has been found with a huge amount of lactobacilli, good bacteria for vagina. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use yogurt as a home remedies for bacterial vaginosis, which can restore the balance of pH level and ease the irritation [4].
Use a tampon dipping in plain, unsweetened yogurt then insert into your vagina. Leave it overnight or at least for a couple of hours. Remove the tampon and gentle wash off the area with clean water. Follow this remedy at least once a day until you see improvement.
There are also many other uses of yogurt you should know, including Home Remedies for Athlete’s Foot.
2. Chamomile
Chamomile, an herb with soothing quality, is a perfect answer for your question “How to get rid of bacterial vaginosis?”. By applying chamomile to make home remedies for bv, you will effectively reduce the irritation as well as other discomforts of the symptoms [5].
Put a tea bag in a cup of hot water and let it steep for some minutes. Remove the tea bag and put it in the fridge in 10 minutes. After that, put the tea bag into your vagina. To let the water reach the vaginal canals, remember to squirt the tea bag. Do this 1-2 times a day to quickly improve the condition.
3. Cold Compress
An ice bag is a useful bacterial vaginosis natural treatment that can help you quickly and temporarily ease the irritation in vagina. Furthermore, the coldness is also able to reduce the inflammation and other discomforts caused by BV [6].
Wrap some ice cubes in a clean cotton cloth. Directly apply the ice bag to your vagina in a few minutes. Remember to have a few breaks during the appliance. Do this several times a day or any time you find it needed. Also, wash your vagina with cold water.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been commonly used in various treatments for health and beauty problems, including bacterial vaginosis. Thanks to its acidic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties, the liquid is highly effective in re-balancing the pH level and eliminating harmful bacteria in vagina [7].
To make use of apple cider vinegar for home remedies for BV, dissolve 2 tablespoons of the liquid into warm water then use the solution to rinse off the vagina 2-3 times a day until you see improvement. Also, remember to consume the mixture made by mixing apple cider vinegar, honey and warm water together, 2 times a day.
5. Garlic
Garlic, with its antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, will never let you down when it comes to home remedies for bacterial vaginosis. Furthermore, by consuming garlic every day, you are helping your immune system to increase, which in turn successfully fights against harmful bacteria [8][9].
Mix a few drops of garlic oil with half a teaspoon of vitamin E oil and a tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your vagina and let it sit on for some minutes. Finally, wash off the area with warm water.
At the same time, do not forget to consume garlic every day or take garlic supplements after consulting a doctor.
Learn more about other benefits of garlic at Home Remedies for Abscessed Tooth.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has been so well known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. For that reason, tea tree oil has gained a spot itself in the list of home remedies for bacterial vaginosis [10][11].
Add a few drops of tea tree oil into your bathtub. Soak your body in the tub and relax. You can simply use the solution of tea tree oil and warm water to cleanse your vagina. Do this once a day and you will soon see the improvement.
7. Fenugreek
If you are wondering how to get rid of bacterial vaginosis, why don’t you give fenugreek a try? The seeds are effective in balancing the hormone and regulating the menstrual cycle. This helps a lot in bacterial vaginosis natural treatments [12].
Add 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds into water and leave it overnight. In the next morning, remove the seeds and keep the water to consume in your empty stomach.
8. Cranberry Juice
More than a common fruit, cranberry has been long used as herbal product, which can treat various diseases like diabetes, diarrhea, digestive problems and bacterial vaginosis, etc. [13][14]
With a glass of cranberry juice on a daily basis, you will successfully gain back the balance of bacteria in vagina, reducing the symptoms of quickly get rid of the condition.
9. Oregano Oil
Another oil you can use for how to get rid of bacterial vaginosis is oregano oil thanks to its antifungal and antibacterial properties. Not only does it help to ease the irritation and inflammation but oregano oil also improve our immunity, enhancing the ability to fight back the disease ourselves [15][16].
Asides from topical appliance of oregano on the area, take 500mg of oregano oil twice daily until the condition shows positive improvements.
10. Vaginal Hygiene
The most basic and necessary thing you have to do even when you do not get bacterial vaginosis is maintaining vaginal hygiene. In some cases, people have reported that their bacterial vaginosis disappears without any treatments as long as they keep the area clean.
Here are some tips to maintain your vagina hygiene.
- Change your underwear every day. Wash them with hot water and let it dry under the sunlight.
- Do not cleanse your vagina so many times since it will cause the imbalance of pH level.
- Do not use soap or any kind of cosmetic products that are not produced for this sensitive area.
- After going to toilet, wipe the toilet paper from front to back.
- Do not wear wet clothes in a long period of time. In case you sweat excessively, remember to change your underwear 2-3 times a day.
- Use underwear that is made from cotton and fit you properly.