BV, or Bacterial Vaginosis, is a common vagina infection that develops due to disparity in the bacterial flora in the vagina. While BV can clear up independently, ignoring it can raise the risk of health complications.
Certain treatments that will take care of your BV typically involve antibiotics as well as natural remedies. Physicians recommend making certain lifestyle changes to lower the risk of developing BV.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the top treatment options to try for BV.
Visit your doctor
The first essential step is to visit your physician, who is likely to prescribe antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis. Those who do not like the use of antibiotics can try over-the-counter treatments such as probiotics, boric acid, and garlic.
Prescription treatments
BV medications are available in cream, pills, or suppository form, and some popular names include Metronidazole, Clindamycin, and Tinidazole.
- Metronidazole—This is one of the best prescription treatments for BV, available in gel and pill form. Doctors prescribe the medication twice or once daily for 5-7 days. However, side effects can include diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as headache and appetite loss.
- Clindamycin – This antibiotic can be taken as a pill or applied vaginally as a cream. It is an effective treatment but carries a higher risk of colitis and may weaken certain contraception forms.
- Tinidazole—This antibiotic is taken as a pill, and recommended dosages are once per day for 2 -5 days. Potential side effects include vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, and headache. Although it is easy to take the antibiotic, which is less expensive than other prescriptions, the potential side effects are also cons.
- Secnidazole—Secnidazole is another good option for BV treatment. It can be taken in a single dose of 2 g. Available in granular form, it is easy to take the antibiotic orally, and one can always mix the granules with yogurt. However, potential side effects include a metallic taste, headache, diarrhea, and vomiting, and another con is the higher price.
Apart from the above prescription treatments, there are over-the-counter medications and oral supplements, as well as vaginal suppositories. Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 strains help to maintain healthy vaginal flora. Vaginal gels and suppositories can be applied directly to the vaginal area to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Boric acid suppositories are recommended because of their antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Your doctor will also recommend making specific lifestyle changes, such as staying well hydrated and following a healthy diet. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and local produce and drink plenty of water to support good body health. Follow hygiene practices again, such as using mild soaps for gentle cleaning. Douching should be avoided completely, as it can disturb the natural balance of bacteria.
Women should wear cotton underwear to reduce any build-up of moisture that can raise the risk of infections. It is essential to follow safe sexual practices to prevent the spread of bacteria. Some alternative therapies include tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar, which are known for antibacterial properties.
