Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis

Our television sets at home are selling us sex! Sex is everywhere and it seems to be appealing to majority of the people. Any type of product that has sexy themes on it will catch the attention of people and it will surely sell even though the product may be as ordinary as roof paint sealers, plates, beverages, and diapers. Condom ads do not even look sexy anymore because of the flooded subliminal sex messages in advertisements.

This theme in advertisements is causing a lot of people, especially among the younger generations, to engage in unprotected sex. Participating in such activities does not only take a strain on the morality of society but it should also warrant the consciousness of sexually transmitted diseases. All STDs can be prevented to some extent by use of safer sex practices including the use of a condom and spermicide containing nonoxyl-9 for sexual relations.

Little disease immunity is developed against sexually transmitted disease once it has been contracted, so it is possible to become reinfected if prevention measures are not followed. In most instances, an infected partner should also be treated or the disease can recur from cross-infection. Education should be given to many people concerning the spread if STDs. Unfortunately, when education is done, most of the diseases mentioned are only the famous ones (AIDS, gonorrhea, etc.) and not the ordinary ones. Among the ordinary diseases, bacterial vaginosis is mostly under explained.

What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is the local infection of the vagina by the invasion, most commonly, of Gardnerella vaginalis organisms. The associated discharges are gray and has a fishy odor. Skin itchiness may be intense in some cases. The drug of choice for non pregnant women would have to be metronidazole (Flagyl) through the oral route. The pregnant women on the other hand should not be given this drug. Instead, they are given topical vaginal cream late in pregnancy. The only way to treat recurring bacterial vaginosis is the strict adherence to the medical regimen. The most common mistake that people have is that they stop taking the medications when the signs and symptoms have subsided. This is a very terrible practice and should not be done by anyone on antibiotic therapy.

The prescribed medication regimen should be followed strictly since bacteria develop tolerance to the medication when under dosed. This means that the bacteria will diminish for a couple of days of therapy but when stopped, they multiply again and become stronger than before. This will prompt your doctor to give a stronger antibiotic to combat the effects of tolerance. Under dosing and overdosing antibiotics should never be observed. When treatment is done, safer sex practices should be encourage.

The use of contraceptive barrier methods such as condoms (both male and female can be used) will greatly prevent recurrent infections. Perhaps the most effective contraceptive of them all would have to be abstinence. Preventing from participating in sexual intercourse will make you safe from infections and you will also do the world a favor of not spreading the disease.

Medications

Although numerous medications can do treat recurrent bacterial vaginosis, it is undeniable that these drugs may cause some adverse reactions that can possible affect the health of a woman. That is why many individuals opt for the natural methods instead to stop the disease from recurring. It has always been a common mistake that women who are relieved about successfully getting rid of bacterial vaginosis no longer focus on the ways that can prevent the recurrence of the disease.

It is factual that the antibacterial medications of bacterial vaginosis can eliminate the symptoms of the disease. However, these drugs will not entirely eliminate the causative agents. As a result, as much as 80% of those women who had the disorder experience recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

Causes

In general, bacterial vaginosis takes place when the pH balance in the vagina has been disrupted and is not kept on a normal level. Moreover, the healthy bacteria known as Lactobacillus has either been weakened or has been washed away and this can trigger the proliferation of the harmful bacteria.

There are so many reasons on why lactobacillus could not perform its function but if the bacteria become useless, a woman must implement long term treatments that can be difficult to accomplish. These long term methods are more effective if a woman goes for those natural remedies since they are safer to use.

The most common causes of recurrent bacterial vaginosis include improper hygienic practices, multiple sex partners and even smoking. Here are some natural methods that can prevent its recurrence:

1.) Frequent washing can disrupt pH balance. Therefore, it is important to do washing only twice a day. Furthermore, you must limit your douching sessions and never utilize perfumed products.

2.) When wearing underwear, it is much better to use the type that is made of cotton. This material allows healthy air circulation. Moreover, it can also prevent damping wherein this kind of environment can promote growth of bacteria.

3.) Without any questions and excuses, quit smoking!

4.) If possible, have only one partner when having sex. Also, make sure that your partner does not have multiple sex partners as well.

5.) Semen also has a certain pH level that may affect the vagina’s pH level. This is where using a condom becomes important to avoid any pH disruptions.

6.) Engage on a healthy diet plan. This diet should consist of eating plenty vegetables and fruits as well as drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. Moreover, it is strongly suggested to avoid processed foods and those containing a lot of sugar. A healthy type of diet can strengthen the immune system and therefore, can prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

Recurrent bacterial vaginosis should be addressed right away. Otherwise, this can lead to other conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease and even infertility. Preventing recurrent bacterial vaginosis can always be accomplished through the natural methods mentioned above. Remember that it takes discipline and responsibility to do these things but it will surely save you from numerous diseases.