How to Treat and Prevent Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis Effectively?

Recurrent bacterial vaginosis is a condition that is characterized by an imbalance of the vaginal bacteria normally present in the vagina. If you have experienced bacterial vaginosis before, you can know that it is more likely to recur or even become chronic, requiring multiple and sometimes long-term treatments. Thus, it is important to know to treat and prevent this effectively.

Treat Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis

1.   Antibiotics
Doctors usually prescribe one week long antibiotic treatment to women with bacterial vaginosis. The type of antibiotic you are prescribed may depend on the severity of one’s condition. The most common antibiotics for treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis are Metronidazole and Clindamycin.

Metronidazole works on BV by interfering with the bacterial and protozoal cells’ genetic material. It's recommended to take 7.5 mg/kg orally every 6 hours but must not exceed 4 grams daily. Clindamycin is usually used when Metronidazole doesn’t work and the vaginal discharge keeps on coming back. It works by blocking the production of proteins in the bacteria which are necessary for their growth. They will eventually die without these proteins. And it's recommended to take 300 mg orally two times a day.

2.   Herbal Medicines
Herbal Medicines are alternative medicines for treating bacterial vaginosis. Unlike antibiotics, herbal medicines will not cause any side effects and drug resistance. The most famous one is named Fuyan Pill. This pill is made up from over 50 kinds of herbs. It has powerful effect of eliminating inflammation, killing bacteria, clearing heat and promoting blood circulation etc. After taking this pill, the self-immunity can be also enhanced so as to prevent bacteria from invading into the body.

Prevent Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis

1. Learn how to wipe correctly
Remember to wipe from the front of the vagina to the back in order to prevent recurrence of bacterial vaginosis, even after a bowel movement. By this way, it can prevent E. coli, a type of bacteria from feces, from entering in the vagina area and destroying the balance of natural organisms in the vagina.

2. Practice proper hygiene
Try to practice proper hygiene such as regular bathing. Try to use mild soap to wash your vaginal area because the vagina typically has an acidic environment.

3. Avoid scented products
Do not use harsh and scented soaps and detergents to prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Besides, it's also recommended to clean cervical caps and medical applicators thoroughly before and after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria.

4. Wear panties rather than thongs
It is believed that wearing a thong could increase the risk of transferring microorganisms from the anus to the vagina, which could lead to bacterial vaginosis.