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Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition that can be easily treated. This ailment is also known as vaginal odor. It is caused by an upset in the balance between healthy and harmful bacteria in the vagina.

It is mostly confused with vaginal yeast infection, but they are different. A vaginal yeast infection is caused by a fungus, candida albicans, although other strains of fungi can cause this while bacterial vaginosis is caused by misbalance between harmful and healthy bacteria.

It is not considered as a true infection, it does not cause any serious problem but the symptoms are discomforting and this condition raises the risks of sexually transmitted diseases. It affects pregnant women by raising the risks of premature birth or giving birth to a baby with low weight.

SEE ALSO: Home Remedies for Vaginal Yeast Infections

It affects fertility in women and can make fertility treatments like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) unsuccessful, it also leads to Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PID) and this also causes infertility.

This condition can be treated easily but it has to be treated fast before it cause harm in the body, especially in pregnant women or women of child-bearing age.

What are the Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis?

Factors that can an upset or a misbalance between the population of healthy and harmful microbes are many but we will be taking a look at the common ones.

There are healthy and friendly bacteria like lactobacillus present in the vagina to fight off harmful microbes and keep their growth in check. They also release substances that make the vagina slightly acidic, this kills harmful bacteria and makes the area inhabitable for them.

SEE ALSO: 15 Best Herbal Cures for Women Infertilty in Nigeria

When there is a reduction in the number of these beneficial bacteria, the harmful and unneeded microbes grow and multiply beyond control. This leads to vagina odor and other symptoms of bacterial vaginosis.

Below are things or factor that cause this misbalance:

  • A suppressed or compromised immune system’2
  • Multiple sexual partners
  • Increased sexual activity
  • Having a new sexual partner
  • Douching
  • Smoking
  • Use of vaginal deodorants, scented soaps and antibiotics
  • Using strong detergents to wash your underwear and pants
  • Abuse and frequent of antibiotics
  • Anal and oral sex
  • Lesbianism

SEE ALSO: Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections

Signs and Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis

Most women with this condition don’t have any symptom while some do and the symptoms tend to look like those of vaginal candidiasis and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Below are the symptoms of BV.

  • A characteristic foul smell that gets stronger after sex
  • Intense itching inside and around the vagina
  • A coloured vaginal discharge, it can be white, green, cloudy, grey, bloody or yellow.
  • Inflammation in and around the vagina
  • Excessive vagina discharge
  • Cloudy urine
  • A burning sensation when expelling urine
  • An abnormal consistency of vagina fluid
  • Painful sexual intercourse
  • Pains in the vagina

SEE ALSO: Top Ten Health Benefits of Turmeric and How to use it

Effective Home Remedies for Treating Bacterial Vaginosis

Turmeric

This powerful herb is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties, antibiotic properties, antioxidants and it has a powerful active ingredient, Curcumin. This help corrects this misbalance by killing the harmful bacteria and relieving the symptoms of BV.

It stops inflammation, and hastens recovery. Drink plenty cups of turmeric herbal tea daily or you add some tablespoons of turmeric powder in a cup of warm milk and take. Do this many times daily.

Add lots of turmeric to your meals and you can also chew on fresh turmeric roots.

Aloe Vera

The gel of this powerful herb is used in treating a host of microbial infections because it contains many powerful antibacterial, antiseptic and antimicrobial compounds.

Anthraquinone present in aloe vera gel inhibits the growth of harmful microbes and relieve all the symptoms of the infection and in this case bacterial vaginosis. It fights inflammation, and boosts quick healing.

Scoop out fresh aloe vera gel from a fresh leave and apply this on the affected region, leave it on for thirty minutes, and then you wash it away with lukewarm water. Do this three times daily and in weeks, you will recover.

SEE ALSO: Top Ten Medical and Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

Mango Leaves

This is a less known but effective remedy for bacterial vaginosis, it has many powerful compounds that fights microbes and depopulate harmful ones. Boil mango leaves in water and let it cool, use this decoction to wash your genitals and its surrounding three times daily.

Do these every day till you notice improvement.

Guava Leaves

Guava leaves are loaded with antibacterial properties, they also have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, and this is why they are employed in fighting microbial infections.

Use it in the same way as mango leaves, boil some fresh leaves of guava and cool the solution, use this to wash and disinfect your vagina three times daily.

SEE ALSO: Top Ten Medical Benefits of Mango Leaves and Uses

Yogurt

Plain or cultured yogurt contains beneficial bacteria like lactobacillus bacteria. Rub some yogurts on the affected part using a cotton ball. Leave it for thirty minutes before washing it away. Do this three times every day until the condition is reversed.

An alternative way to do this is by soaking a tampon is yogurt and insert it into the vagina and leave it for two hours. Do this three times daily also, it will restore the pH of the vagina and reduce the population of bad bacteria.

Garlic

This natural antibiotic kills a wide range of harmful microbes, crush few fresh cloves of garlic and apply the paste on the affected area. Wash it off after some minutes using lukewarm water.

You can also insert garlic clove into your vagina for thirty minutes, at most to prevent burning and soreness. Do this once daily till the condition is reversed.

SEE ALSO: Top Ten Health Benefits of Guava Leaves and Fruits

Green Tea

Green tea contains tannins and other antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The tannins present in green tea are natural antibiotics, they also soothe the symptoms of BV, and they relieve inflammation and stop the burning sensation.

Drink many cups of green tea, as much as you can daily, then you cool the tea bags by putting them in a fridge or refrigerator and place it on your vagina for few minutes.

Do this four times daily, to kill harmful bacteria and relieve itching and other discomforts.

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