Table of Contents
- 1 What triggers BV?
- 2 How do you prevent bacterial vaginosis from growing?
- 3 How can bacterial infections be prevented?
- 4 What foods to avoid when you have BV?
- 5 How long does bacterial vaginosis last?
- 6 Can you get rid of a bacterial infection without antibiotics?
- 7 What should I eat if I have BV?
- 8 How do I fix my pH balance?
What triggers BV?
BV is linked to an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria that are normally found in a woman’s vagina. Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners, as well as douching, can upset the balance of bacteria in the vagina. This places a woman at increased risk for getting BV.
How do you prevent bacterial vaginosis from growing?
Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment The doctor can prescribe antibiotics (metronidazole, clindamycin, tinidazole) to treat BV. This could be a tablet you take by mouth or a cream or gel you put into your vagina. You’ll need to take most treatments for 5 to 7 days. Finish all your medicine, even if the symptoms go away.
How can bacterial infections be prevented?
Prevent infections. You can prevent infections through simple tactics, such as washing your hands regularly, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, cleaning surfaces that are touched often, avoiding contaminated food and water, getting vaccinations, and taking appropriate medications. Hand-washing.
What does BV discharge look like?
The main symptom of BV is lots of thin vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell. The discharge may be white, dull gray, greenish, and/or foamy. The fishy smell is often more noticeable after vaginal sex.
What foods make BV worse?
The 7 Worst Foods For Vaginal Health
- Sweet stuff. Those delicious desserts aren’t doing you or your vaginal health any favors.
- Onions. It isn’t just your breath that smells after eating onions.
- Asparagus.
- Anything fried.
- Coffee.
- Refined carbs.
- Cheese.
What foods to avoid when you have BV?
How long does bacterial vaginosis last?
Bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 2 or 3 days with antibiotics, but treatment goes on for 7 days. Do not stop using your medicine just because your symptoms are better. Be sure to take the full course of antibiotics. Antibiotics usually work well and have few side effects.
Can you get rid of a bacterial infection without antibiotics?
Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics. Antibiotics aren’t needed for many sinus infections and some ear infections.
What happens if you leave a bacterial infection untreated?
An untreated bacterial infection can also put you at risk for developing a life-threatening condition called sepsis. Sepsis occurs when an infection causes an extreme reaction in your body. The bacteria most likely to cause sepsis include Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and some types of Streptococcus.
What does BV smell like?
Discharge: The hallmark sign of BV is discharge with a “fishy” smell. Discharge from yeast infections doesn’t usually have a strong smell but may look like cottage cheese.
What should I eat if I have BV?
Yogurt is a natural probiotic, which means it has plenty of healthy bacteria in it. Eating yogurt may help introduce healthy bacteria back into the body. This helps establish a balanced vaginal environment and could help fight off the bad bacteria. To get the full benefits, eat at least one serving of yogurt per day.
How do I fix my pH balance?
To keep the pH of your vagina at a consistently healthy level, follow these tips:
- Whenever you have sex, use a condom. The barrier will not only protect you from STDs, but it’ll also prevent alkaline semen from disrupting your vaginal pH levels.
- Take probiotics.
- Don’t douche.
- Eat yogurt.
- See your OB-GYN.