Over-the-Counter Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an overabundance of bad bacteria, called gardnerella, in the vaginal tract.Bacterial vaginosis is not well understood, however, the condition has been associated with sexual activity and having multiple sexual partners. There is also a link between using an intrauterine device for birth control and douching to development of the conditon. Symptoms include itching, burning, a fishy smell and a clear to grayish discharge. There are some over the counter treatments for bacterial vaginosis that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Herbal Remedies
There is some evidence that a mixture of goldenseal as a vaginal suppository and vitamin A have some positive effect against BV. Because goldenseal is an immune system enhancer it seems to counterbalance the infection.
RepHresh
Causes of Gardnerella Infection
Learn More
RepHresh is a product that claims to treat bacterial vaginosis by encouraging a positive pH balance in the vagina.It is approved by the FDA and is sold over the counter in the United States.RepHresh is inserted into the vagina with an applicator and used every three days to maintain vaginal balance. It is not recommended during menstruation, however, as it may congeal and clump.
- RepHresh is a product that claims to treat bacterial vaginosis by encouraging a positive pH balance in the vagina.
- RepHresh is inserted into the vagina with an applicator and used every three days to maintain vaginal balance.
Fem-Dophilus
The product Fem-Dophilus contains probiotics that help to increase healthy flora in the vagina.This encourages a natural balance that discourages the growth of the bad bacteria, gardnerella. This medication is over the counter and ingested orally for the treatment of BV.
Femigel
4 Ways to Cure Bacterial Vaginosis Naturally
Learn More
This natural lubricant is thought to maintain healthy vaginal moisture balance and bacterial levels by promoting healthy pH balance. It also contains 3 percent tea tree, which kills the bad bacteria in the vagina and helps maintain a healthy balance. The dosages are inserted in the vagina using an applicator and are used every few days to be most effective.
Natural Remedies
According to Bacterial-vaginosis.com, there are numerous natural remedies that might help fight bacterial vaginosis. They claim that beta-dine applied in a mixture with gentian violet will treat BV when applied topically.In addition, they advocate taking anti-oxidants to promote a health pH balance.Eating yogurt might also be helpful in restoring natural flora in the vagina by promoting the growth of good bacteria.
- According to Bacterial-vaginosis.com, there are numerous natural remedies that might help fight bacterial vaginosis.
- In addition, they advocate taking anti-oxidants to promote a health pH balance.
Related Articles
References
- Reiter S, Kellogg spadt S. Bacterial vaginosis: a primer for clinicians. Postgrad Med. 2019;131(1):8-18.
- Bilardi J,沃克,McNair R, et al。女人的魔法gement of Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis and Experiences of Clinical Care: A Qualitative Study. PLoS One. 2016;11(3):e0151794. Published 2016 Mar 24. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0151794
- Koumans EH, Sternberg M, Bruce C, et al. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in the United States, 2001-2004; associations with symptoms, sexual behaviors, and reproductive health. Sex Transm Dis. 2007;34(11):864-9.
- Kumar N, Behera B, Sagiri SS, Pal K, Ray SS, Roy S. Bacterial vaginosis: Etiology and modalities of treatment-A brief note. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011;3(4):496–503. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.90102
- 麦当劳HM,布罗克赫斯特P,走了rdon A. Antibiotics for treating bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(1):CD000262. Published 2007 Jan 24. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000262.pub3
- Kairys N, Garg M. Bacterial Vaginosis. [Updated 2019 May 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459216/
- Kumar N, Behera B, Sagiri SS, Pal K, Ray SS, Roy S. Bacterial vaginosis: Etiology and modalities of treatment-A brief note. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011;3(4):496–503. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.90102
- Muzny CA, Schwebke JR. Pathogenesis of Bacterial Vaginosis: Discussion of Current Hypotheses. J Infect Dis. 2016;214 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S1–S5. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiw121
- Mackelprang RD, Scoville CW, Cohen CR, et al. Toll-like receptor gene variants and bacterial vaginosis among HIV-1 infected and uninfected African women. Genes Immun. 2015;16(5):362–365. doi:10.1038/gene.2015.13
- Money D. The laboratory diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2005;16(2):77–79. doi:10.1155/2005/230319
- Cook RL, Reid G, Pond DG, Schmitt CA, Sobel JD. Clue cells in bacterial vaginosis: immunofluorescent identification of the adherent gram-negative bacteria as Gardnerella vaginalis. J Infect Dis. 1989;160(3):490-6.
- Bradshaw CS, Sobel JD. Current Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis-Limitations and Need for Innovation. J Infect Dis. 2016;214 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S14–S20. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiw159
- Menard JP. Antibacterial treatment of bacterial vaginosis: current and emerging therapies. Int J Womens Health. 2011;3:295–305. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S23814
- Homayouni A, Bastani P, Ziyadi S, et al. Effects of probiotics on the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis: a review. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2014;18(1):79-86.
- Muzny CA, Schwebke JR. Pathogenesis of Bacterial Vaginosis: Discussion of Current Hypotheses. J Infect Dis. 2016;214 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S1–S5. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiw121
- Allworth, J. and Peipert, J. Severity of Bacterial Vaginosis and the Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infection.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011; 205(2):113.e1-113.e6. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.060.
- Bagnall, P. and Rizzolo, D. Bacterial vaginosis: A practical review.J Am Acad Phys Assist. 2017; 30(12):15-21. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000526770.60197.fa.
- CDC. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Statistics: Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15-44. Updated December 17, 2015.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines: Bacterial Vaginosis. Atlanta, Georgia; updated June 4, 2015.
- Hainer, B. and Gibson, M. Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2011; 83(7):807-815.
Writer Bio
Robin McDaniel is a writer, educator and musician. She holds a master's degree in higher educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton as well as a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in adult in community education. McDaniel enjoys writing, blogging, web design, singing and playing bass guitar.