Bacterial vaginosis is caused by a change in the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina. What causes this to happen is not fully known, but you're more likely to get it if: you're sexually active (but women who have not had sex can also get bacterial vaginosis) you have had a change of partner.
Why do I keep getting BV? There are multiple risk factors for bacterial vaginosis. Anything from genetics, sex partners, lifestyle, diet, and stress levels can trigger BV. Your OBGYN can help you discover the reasons why you keep getting BV.
In an attempt to treat or prevent recurring vaginal symptoms women will often employ their own self-help remedies such as douching, taking yoghurt orally or vaginally, probiotics or vitamin supplements, using over the counter yeast infection treatment products and antiseptic creams, wearing cotton underwear and ...
Most often, BV does not cause other health problems. However, if left untreated, BV may increase your risk for: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Pelvic inflammatory disease where BV bacteria infect the uterus or fallopian tubes.
The hormonal changes associated with your menstrual cycle can alter the balance of bacteria in your vagina and cause BV. It is also possible that the sanitary products you are using create a change in the balance of bacteria in your vagina. Trying different sanitary products may help prevent recurring BV.
A: Possibly helpful for treating BV: Vitamin C: One study1 of 142 European women evaluated vaginal use of silicone-coated 250mg vitamin C tablets to reduce BV recurrence and showed a nearly 50% decrease in recurrence of BV.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal dysbiosis among women of reproductive age. Micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamin D deficiency, can increase the risk of BV.
Duration of Bacterial Vaginosis
Once BV is treated with antibiotics, it usually goes away. But sometimes it persists or recurs, often within three months, for reasons that aren't entirely understood. If a person keeps getting BV, a longer course of antibiotics may be necessary.
Disruptive microbes have formed a biofilm
The ability of BV-causing bacteria to potentially form a biofilm may explain in part why BV has such a high recurrence rate.
Researchers suggest that high fat intake, particularly saturated fat may increase vaginal pH, thereby increasing the risk of bacterial vaginosis. As you can see in the associated video Bacterial Vaginosis and Diet, most saturated fat in the American diet comes from dairy, desserts, and chicken.
Antibiotics can treat these infections but recurrence is not uncommon. Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms don't go away or if they return after treatment.
Recurrent BV might happen when the infection isn't fully treated, something messes up the balance of your bacteria again, or a layer of microorganisms known as a biofilm forms to protect BV-causing bacteria. Besides disrupting your work and sex life, recurrent BV can also lead to serious complications.
Recommended treatment for recurrent BV consists of an extended course of metronidazole treatment (500 mg twice daily for 10-14 days); if ineffective, metronidazole vaginal gel 0.75% for 10 days, followed by two times per week for 3-6 months, is an alternate treatment regimen.
Women who are not pregnant
After treatment, you do not need any further tests to ensure that BV has cleared (a test of cure) provided that your symptoms have gone.
Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and re-establish proper vaginal pH. The mucous membranes in the vagina require fluids to be supported and healthy. Dehydration can make BV worse by allowing bacteria to become concentrated in the vagina.
Studies have found that women who have an ongoing male sexual partner are twice as likely to experience BV recurrence [3,10] and that inconsistent condom use for penile-vaginal sex is also associated with higher rates of recurrence after treatment [10].
Any change in your immune health—like stress—can impact your vaginal pH level, making a yeast infection and/or bacterial vaginosis more common. Unfortunately, your stress probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Some studies show that eating yogurt or probiotic supplements may treat bacterial vaginosis, and is quite safe. Another promising remedy is boric acid, a white powder with antifungal and antiviral properties.
With treatment, bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 5 to 7 days.