Home remedies for Bacterial vaginitis include yogurt, tea, cold water, neem powder, garlic, turmeric, tracheal, vegetable juice, cedar oil, etc. Bacterial vaginitis is inflammation of the genitourinary tract (GIT) of a women characterised by a thick, white, foul smelling discharge from vagina. It is caused due to growth of a set of bacteria leading to pH imbalance in the affected area. This causes redness, swelling, pain, and burning sensation to the female. It is easily curable via home remedies and some precautionary measures involving personal hygiene.
Bacterial vaginitis also referred to as Bacterial vaginosis, is one of the most frequently occurring condition wherein there is fluid discharge from genitourinary tract of the female. It is characterised by inflammation of vagina and increased alkalinity or rise in pH in the regions surrounding it. According to the Bandolier, a Journal that gives evidence based opinions; about 10% women around the globe are affected by the condition. However as many as half of the women population have either mild or no symptoms.
It is caused due to overgrowth of a particular set of bacteria which out competes the normal flora of vagina resulting in a shift from acidic to alkaline conditions. It is easy to treat the disease but if left untreated, bacterial vaginitis increases the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) as well as complications during pregnancy.
The prominent symptoms of Bacterial vaginitis are summarized below-
- Itching in vaginal region
- Pain or burning is noticeable and increased while urinating or during intercourse
- The lips outside the vagina, vulva are reddened
- Vaginal discharge which is thick or heavy and white or greyish in colour
- Foul and unpleasant smell from the discharge
- Discharge is increased after coitus or menstrual cycle
- If the discharge is thin with streaks of blood, it is indicative of atrophic vaginitis
Bacterial vaginitis is curable by taking little precaution. Home remedies prove substantially helpful in dealing with the symptoms of bacterial vaginitis. The home remedies for the same have been described below-
- Yogurt: Cotton plugs soaked in yogurt can either be inserted or yogurt directly applied over the affected area. Treatment with yogurt has been clinically investigated and found to be beneficial in long run as discussed by Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment. Taking bowlful of yogurt daily has also been recommended till the condition disappears.
- Tea: Take a tea bag, soak in plain water and let it cool for a while in refrigerator. The bag can now be applied externally to relieve itching.
- Cold water: A cloth soaked in cold water can be laid across the affected area to obtain relief from redness and swelling due to constriction of blood vessels. This is the simplest home remedy for getting rid of pain and burning sensation.
- Neem powder: Neem has excellent antibacterial properties and is always advised in case of dermatological problems. Taking neem powder can alleviate bacteria from vaginal site.
- Garlic: Garlic can either be taken raw as capsules (1-2 each day) or applied at vagina. Peeled garlic clove is wrapped in a gauze and try to insert it in vagina. Repeating the treatment after an interval of 3-4 hours helps reducing the infection.
- Turmeric: Being anti fungal, turmeric power dissolved in milk can be had till the symptoms subside.
- Tracheal: This natural herb helps remove toxins out of body. One teaspoonful of tracheal dry leaves in a cup of hot water can be had as tea.
- Vegetable Juice: Vegetable juice containing parsley, ginger and garlic along with green vegetables also has beneficial effect over the pain and itching during conditions of Bacterial vaginitis.
- Cedar oil: Bathing in hot water with a spoon of salt and few drops of cedar oil in it. Cedar oil helps a lot in itching.
In order to keep oneself protected and to stay away from the troublesome symptoms of Bacterial vaginitis one should practice clean toilet hygiene, rinse underwear neatly, take warm bath. Towels, bed sheet, pillows and other items of daily use must be used separately. And the best way to keep away from these awful vaginal bacteria is to eat yogurt regularly.
This article was contributed by Seema Adnani
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References: Bandolier and Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment
