1. Over the Counter Treatment Options for Bacterial Vaginosis
By: Serena Loo
www.bvremedytoday.com
Bacterial vaginosis is the result of an upset in the vaginal flora balance. A plethora of over
the counter bacterial vaginosis products have been made available to women on drugstore
shelves.
According to a survey, 73% of women with recurrent vulvovaginitis, including bacterial
vaginosis, resorted to over-the-counter medications to relieve their symptoms, in hope to
reduce health care cost and avoid expensive clinic visits.
OTC bacterial vaginosis treatment options
Vaginal anti-itch creams that are available in drugstores include Vagisil, Vagi-gard,
Summers Eve, and Equate. They are usually grouped on the shelves next to the vaginal
yeast infection treatments.
These creams contain ingredients including anesthetics, external analgesics, and anti-
pruritics. However, these creams only relieve minor itching and have no antimicrobial
effects. They may relieve symptoms, but do not treat the root cause of infection.
If you are using vaginal anti-itch creams, you may experience only temporary alleviation of
symptoms. To some women, these creams may even act as an irritant or worsen their
symptoms.
The truth is, no over the counter treatment for bacterial vaginosis alone can eliminate the
condition completely. Often, these creams are used in combination with prescribed
antibiotic treatment, and they add up to the cost.
Nevertheless, there are a few over the counter items that can help to treat bacterial
vaginosis by maintaining the vaginal pH and replenishing lactobacilli in the body. Some of
these items include tea tree oil pessaries, lactate vaginal gel, and probiotic supplements.
Tea tree oil pessaries can be used inside the vagina and their natural antibacterial
properties can help to control the harmful bacteria, which is present in the vagina when a
woman has bacterial vaginosis.
Lactate vaginal gels work as pH balancing gel. RepHresh, for example, is used to treat BV
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.
2. Probiotic supplements are such as powder or capsules containing acidophilus or
lactobacillus. The product Fem-Dophilus is an over the counter bacterial vaginosis
supplements ingested orally. It contains two lactobacillus strains that help to enhance a
healthy supply of the good bacteria and eventually improve the body’s ability to eliminate
BV.
Femanol is also an oral supplement containing lactobacillus acidophilus. In addition, it
contains garlic and several immune system enhancing nutrients (e.g. vitamins B1, B2, B5,
and B6).
Natural treatments for BV appear to have a much better success rate than conventional
over the counter bacterial vaginosis treatments and antibiotics. You are able to find online
many tips and solutions for dealing with bacterial vaginosis naturally.
However, they are unlikely to provide a complete cure if used individually. Only when the
methods are employed through a systematic and strategic approach, the natural remedies
will then work optimally to get rid of BV permanently.
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