Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms & 6 Natural Treatments

Causes

Overgrowth of certain microbes or an imbalance of bacteria usually causes vaginal infections or diseases. Depending on the kind of infection, this can lead to changes in vaginal discharge, more discharge than normal, unusual smells, itching and pain when urinating.

The main culprit of bacterial vaginosis is Gardnerella vaginalis. This is a type of tiny coccobacilli spore that can reproduce inside in the vagina and changing the normal pH (alkaline/acidic) balance. Disruption of the genital microflora that results from overgrowth of bacteria leads to higher than usual acidity in the vaginal pH. Not every vaginosis infection is due to overgrowth of Gardnerella. Less often, other bacteria can cause infection too.

Is the infection a sexually transmitted disease or contagious, you might be wondering? Bacterial vaginosis can spread between female sexual partners but generally cannot be passed from females to males. Because of this, men are not treated for the infection as a precautionary step if their partner has vaginosis. However, avoiding sex is recommended during an infection and immediately after for a few days.

Risk Factors

• Bacterial vaginosis prevalence varies with age. Vaginosis infection is most common from the teenage years through a woman’s 40s. In other words, during her “reproductive years.” As mentioned above, almost one-third of women (over 29 percent) in this age group tested positive for bacterial vaginosis in certain studies.
• Surveys have found that even after adjusting for other sociodemographic characteristics, vaginosis affects some ethnicities more than others. Black and Mexican-American women tend to develop vaginosis more than other ethnicities, including white, non-Hispanic women.
• Another risk factor is frequently douching to cleanse the inside the vagina. Women who douched in the past 6 months were at a higher risk for infection despite otherwise being healthy.
• Pregnant women have an increased risk for infections, as pregnancy greatly affects the immune system and reproductive organs.
• Studies also show that BV risk is higher among women who are obese, those living in poverty, women who have low levels of education, smokers and drug abusers.
• In general the more sexual partners someone has had in their lifetime, the higher their risk is of having an STD or vaginal infection.Women who report having had a female sex partner in the past also seem to suffer from bacterial vaginosis more often than those who don’t.
• Those who use soaps or laundry detergent with perfumes, dyes and irritating chemicals are more prone to vaginal infections, especially if they bathe with them more than once daily and try to cleanse the inside of the vagina.
• Overall there are mixed findings about the association between different types of contraceptives/birth control pills and vaginosis risk. Although we don’t recommend birth control pills for various reasons, some research shows that oral contraceptive use might be inversely associated with vaginosis occurrence (women on the pill tend to develop vaginosis less often). On the other hand, other studies have found the opposite to be true: the pill might put women at a higher risk. Some studies have found that if you have a copper coil for contraception (an intrauterine contraceptive device or IUD), then you might have a higher chance for infection. (4)

Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms

How do you know if you have a bacterial infection?

The most common signs and symptoms of vaginal bacterial infections include:

• Changes in discharge. Discharge can range from a white, off-white to grayish color.
• Discharge might be more than usual or be accompanied by a musty odor/fishy smell.
• Sometimes discharge can be clumpy, creamy, frothy, or turn from gray to white or yellow-green. This may cause changes in your urination, such as urine cloudiness.
• Some women experience pain during urination, when showering, or during/after sex.
• Burning might occur when showering and using certain soaps because this can make the vagina even more alkaline and irritated. Naturally, your skin makes a lightly acidic secretion to help protect itself. When this secretion becomes too alkaline, soap can make the problem even worse. Most foaming soaps have an alkaline base and have ingredients like glycerol, lye soap or sodium hydroxide because these help dissolve acidity and remove germs.
• The skin inside and around the vagina might be irritated, sensitive and red.

Conventional Treatment

Can BV clear up on its own?  If not, how should it be treated?

As mentioned earlier, many women with BV remain unaware of the infection because its asymptomatic. If symptoms do appear, and you visit your doctor for a diagnosis or treatment, he or she is likely to ask you about your symptoms (vaginal discharge, foul-smelling odor, and pain when urinating for example) along with performing a swab test on the vagina, urine test and blood test.

Some doctors choose to make a diagnosis by performing an amine whiff test, testing discharge, or looking at the discharge under a microscope. Your doctor might use a pH test of  your vaginal discharge to identify low acidity (pH greater than 4.5), which suggests vaginosis infection. (5) The doctor can do a whiff test to check for unusual vaginal odor, which suggests that Gardnerella overgrowth is the cause of infection.

Vaginal infections often cause similar symptoms, such as creamy vaginal discharge, burning sensations, itching, redness or signs of irritation. One difference between Gardnerella and other types of microbes that can overgrow in the vagina — including Candida albicans, which is responsible for some vaginal yeast infections, or Trichomonas vaginalis, which is responsible for trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease — is that Gardnerella usually causes a “fishy” odor.  It’s important to differentiate between different types of vaginal infections because this is key to treating the infection properly.

Once diagnosed, doctors typically treat BV in some of the following ways:

• Antibiotics, such as clindamycin and metronidazole. These can be taken by mouth or as part of creams.
• Topical medicine that you apply to the vagina, including prescription or over-the-counter vaginal creams and gels to reduce bacteria.
• Suppository that you put into your vagina, which your doctor may prescribe or you can buy in drug stores.
• Antifungal tablets that you take by mouth.
• Avoiding irritants, such as soaps or shaving.
• Avoiding sexual intercourse for a period of time.

Natural Treatments

1. Avoid Harsh Soaps & Products Near Your Genitals

Washing the vagina with commercial (usually alkaline) soaps can cause worsened skin irritation, imbalances in pH and microflora, and increased vaginal discharge. It’s best to avoid using any feminine deodorant sprays, perfumed or dyed products near your vagina (such as lubricants or scented tampons/pads), especially on the inside or if you have any type of irritation already.

It might sound strange, but most dermatologists and experts recommend that you give the irritated genital area a rest for several days and avoid using soap all together. For several days, try cleansing your vagina with warm water only (no soap), plus changing to a mild laundry detergent. After that use natural, mild, non-deodorant soaps and don’t overwash the vagina (more than once daily), as it is naturally “self cleaning,” especially inside. Also, try not to use strong detergents with perfumes and other chemicals to wash your underwear, since this can rub off on your skin and irritate your genitals. To prevent future irritation or infection, it’s best to wash the outside of the vagina (vulva) only once daily with unscented glycerin or castile soap, while monitoring your symptoms.

While showering, some women have found relief from yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis using some of the following natural/home remedies. Use caution when trying any home remedy, and if you notice symptoms getting worse, mention this to your doctor:

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• Take a bath with apple cider vinegar, which may help fight off the toxins and bacteria that cause vaginal odor while restoring the acidic quality of the vaginal flora. (6)
• Use baking soda in your bath. Some report that using about half a cup of baking soda in their bathwater while soaking for about 15–20 minutes helps to resolve symptoms. Afterwards dry your body before putting on your clothing, paying attention to removing moisture from the groin area.
• Apply a few drops of tea tree essential combined with water and witch hazel on a cotton pad.  Then applying it to the irritated area daily. Research shows that tea tree oil contains strong antifungal properties. It acts like a natural antiseptic, helping to get rid of bacteria.

2. Don’t Douche!

Douching is a major risk factor for vaginal infections, as it disrupts the normal bacterial balance inside in the vagina. Douching won’t help get rid of an infection. It can actually make the infection worse by removing beneficial bacteria that are there that protect you. (7)

3. Upgrade Your Tampons 

During menstruation, try using organic/natural cotton tampons, being sure to change them often enough. I recommend unscented tampons or pads that don’t contain any harsh chemicals, dyes or perfumes. Avoid bacterial overgrowth by changing tampons at least three times daily (at least every six to eight hours). You can also use pads/panty liners (such as overnight, which limits the hours you use the same tampon). (8)

4. Avoid Intercourse During an Infection, Then Use Condoms

It’s always wise to use a condom during sex if you’re with a new partner, in addition to limiting the number of sex partners you have in general. The more partners someone has during their lifetime, the more likely they are to acquire infections or an STD. This is especially true when the sex is unprotected (no condom for example), even if the woman is taking birth control pills. Remember that the pill does not protect against STDs and does not stop the transfer of bacteria!

5. Talk To Your Doctor ASAP If You’re Pregnant

Because BV can lead to complications in a developing fetus, pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis symptoms should be treated as quickly as possible. If you’re breast-feeding, talk to your doctor as well, since this will have an impact on the medication/treatments you use. Complications during pregnancy that are possible if left untreated are rare, but can include  premature delivery or low birth weight.

6. Boost Immunity To Prevent Recurrent Infections

It’s common for bacterial vaginosis to recur within three to 12 months. It can recur even if the infection is initially treated. This is likely due to risk factors not being addressed. It can also be due to impaired immunity in some women, which leads to higher chance for all infections/illnesses. Tips for improving immunity against infections include:

• Taking probiotics and eating probiotic foods. Consuming probiotics including lactobacillus increases the number of “good bacteria” in the vagina and re-establishes a balanced microflora. Try eating fermented or cultured probiotic foods like yogurt, kimchi, kefir and kombucha
• Eating a healthy, unprocessed diet
• Addressing allergies, nutrient deficiencies, diabetes, autoimmune disease or leaky gut syndrome
• Getting enough exercise
• Sleeping enough
• Managing stress
• Considering if your medications are causing recurrent infections
• Trying neem oil or neem bark. Neem bark is a natural antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial. It helps support balanced intestinal flora while fighting infection. It can be taken in tablet or oil form. Neem oil or neem bark may offer some increased protection against STDs (like gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes) or infections by improving antibody production to control bacteria. (9)

Precautions

As with other infections, I recommend that you don’t take antibiotics unless you really need to. Experts recommend that if you do take antibiotics to treat bacterial vaginosis symptoms, you do so for the shortest duration possible (your doctor can decide this). Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that might interact with antibiotics.

Keep in mind that certain vaginosis creams that you insert into your vagina (such as clindamycin cream) can dissolve latex condoms and make them break. So, it’s best to avoid sex during treatment and for about three to four afterward as well. (10)

Pregnant and lactating women should not take antibiotics unless they are specifically cleared to do so and monitored. Antibiotics can pass on to the fetus/infant including through breast milk. If you have other symptoms such as warts, blisters, a fever, lots of pain when urinating, or unusual bleeding, then speak with your doctor for an evaluation to rule out other STDs or infections.

Final Thoughts

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common type of vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of normal microbes (bacteria) inside the vagina. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection, but can be passed from female to female during sex.
• Bacterial vaginosis symptoms include unusual discharge, usually a noticeable smell, irritation and sometimes burning or pain.

6 Tips for Prevention and Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms

1. Avoid irritants; instead treat the area with apple cider vinegar or tea tree essential oil.
2. Don’t douche.
3. Use a condom during sex.
4. Use clean/natural tampons during menstruation.
5. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant.
6. Boost your immunity by eating a healthy diet and taking probiotics.