disease. That infectious disease
must be treated or your Vaginosis will never go away.
You might even want to treat that underlying disease with complementary
natural therapies as well.
Most women seem to suffer from what I like to call ordinary Vaginosis. This
type of BV can easily be addressed, relieved and ultimately cured by
changes in diet and lifestyle changes. There are natural substances that
you can take immediately to relieve your suffering.
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Ordinary Vaginosis is caused by a number of things including:
• The Bacterial or fungal infestation
• Vitamin B deficiencies
• Intestinal worms
• Irritation from excessive douching
• The overuse of deodorant sprays
• Tight non porous clothing
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• The overuse of antibiotics
• The use of oral contraceptives
There is also a third type of Vaginosis that should be mentioned here called
atrophic Vaginosis.
It is primarily found in post menopausal women and those whose ovaries
have been surgically removed. This disorder can result in adhesions and
make a person more vulnerable to infection.
Sometimes this type of Vaginosis is simply accepted and treated as a
normal part of aging or going through menopause.
This type of Vaginosis does need special treatment. It is characterized by a
thinner watery discharge and thin streaks of blood.
If you are near menopausal age or in menopause and you have this then
you should see your doctor to get a correct diagnosis.
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If you do have Atrophic Vaginitis you will most likely be prescribed a
prescription estrogen ointment and extra doses of the vitamin B6. High
doses of folic acid can also help treat this condition.
For ordinary Bacterial Vaginosis, two different medicines are recommended
as treatment -- metronidazole or clindamycin.
Either can be used with non-pregnant or with pregnant women, but the
recommended dosages differ.
Statistics
Bacterial Vaginosis is practically a plague in this country. It often goes
undiagnosed and sometimes untreated as so many women are so
embarrassed by the condition they never get proper treatment for it.
Many women also believe that the BV is caused by sex and feel that there is
a stigma attached to the disorder. This comes from the fact that
contracting certain sexual diseases can cause it but usually this is not the
culprit.
Bacteria is the culprit. Unfortunately many doctors, including male doctors,
treat your vaginal disorder as being the result of promiscuity or too much
sex.
In the meantime, the reality is that you are not having any sex at all as you
are afraid of disgusting your lover with the odor.
BV is very common in women of reproductive age and as many as 16% of
pregnant women get it. That is because the walls of the vagina thin when
you get pregnant and become more vulnerable to infection.
African Americans are most likely to contract it. The breakdown in terms of
vulnerability to the condition is:
• 23% of African Americans
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• 16% Hispanics
• 9% Whites
• 5% Asians.
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) 1 in 424 women contract
the Bacterial form of Vaginosis. There are also some conditions that put
you at extreme risk for BV.
These include:
• Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis) - This disease of the
immune system puts you at an unusually high risk for contracting
infections.
• Women with Low Estrogen Levels – Low estrogen can cause the
vaginal lining to become more fragile and thin which in turn increases
the risk of Bacterial infection.
• Women with High Estrogen Levels – Women with high estrogen
levels, also known as estrogen dominance are also more vulnerable
to infection. Elevated estrogen levels are common in individuals that
are taking birth control or who are pregnant. Changes in the vaginal
lining make it an ideal breeding ground for funguses and Bacteria.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis include:
• Vitamin B