Bacterial vaginosis is a problem faced by women of different ages and nationalities. What is it and how is this problem treated? Let's consider it further.
General concept
Bacterial vaginosis is a disease from the field of gynecology, which is a kind of dysbiosis that occurs in the area of the female vagina. Its occurrence occurs when the balance of the ratio of microorganisms that live there occurs in a given area of the body. Studies show that with the occurrence of vaginosis, the lactic bacteria become less and less, despite the fact that their number should significantly exceed the others.
How is the disease manifested? The main signs of bacterial vaginosis are formed discharge, which has an unpleasant odor, reminiscent of the one that produces rotten fish. In addition, a woman whose body has undergone this problem begins to notice white on her panties, which in their consistency sometimes resemble thick sour cream or even loose curd.
This disease is not sexually transmitted and does not belong to the group of sexually transmitted diseases. That is why its manifestation is far from the worst problem, and it can be solved.
Causes of occurrence
The main cause of bacterial vaginosis is gynecology experts who determine that a woman is not properly maintaining hygiene. This problem is always present for those representatives of the fair sex who prefer underwear made from non-natural fabrics, synthetics, wear it constantly.
Also, the cause of the disease often becomes the reception of a certain type of medication. Very often, antibiotics become the cause of the problem. Practice shows that they are dangerous not only for the vagina, but also for the gastrointestinal tract, where the formation of dysbiosis also occurs. The same can be observed in the case of taking antimycotic drugs, cytostatics and radiotherapy.
Some specialists in the field of women's health identify other reasons for the formation of white discharge. Among them there are hormonal disruptions, reduced immunity, too frequent washing with soap, douching, as well as the use of poor-quality shower gel or intimate hygiene. In some cases, bacterial vaginosis occurs in women whose body begins to deform the cervix, pelvic muscles, or deformity of the vagina.
In the event that a spiral is installed in the woman’s uterus, it can cause infection.
When to contact a specialist
Practice shows that if you detect the first symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, you should immediately contact a doctor who is a specialist in resolving these issues. In what cases should this be done immediately?
First of all, it is considered normal to visit a gynecologist immediately after the change in sexual partner, especially if sex with him was unprotected. The thing is that the frequent change of sexual partners is the main reason for the manifestation of bacterial vaginosis, despite the fact that the disease does not have the property of being sexually transmitted.
In the event that itching began to be felt in the vaginal area and, in addition, whitish or yellow discharge began to appear on the linen, this is also an occasion to visit a gynecologist. The peculiarity of the situation is that such symptoms can signal not the development of vaginosis in the microflora of the vagina, but the appearance of a sexually transmitted disease.
In the event that treatment of such a problem has already been made, but it has resumed again, this is also an occasion to visit a doctor. Particular attention should be paid to the phenomenon if the symptoms are similar, but somewhat different from those that were previously observed.
Elevated temperature and the formation of an unpleasant odor from the vagina may indicate that the body's immunity has significantly decreased, and such an atmosphere is an excellent condition for the formation and development of the disease in question.
Vaginosis during pregnancy
Often there is a manifestation of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. This phenomenon is due to the fact that in the process of nucleation and gestation of the fetus in the body of a woman, the process of increasing progesterone synthesis occurs. In connection with it, a lack of estrogens begins to be felt inside the body, and a weakening of the immune system occurs - this is a normal reaction of the body, which is needed to prevent possible rejection of the fetus in the womb.
For a pregnant woman, the formation of such a disease is not at all desirable. This is due to the fact that it negatively affects the development of the fetus. So, in the early stages of pregnancy, such a disease can affect the strengthening of the fetus and can cause spontaneous abortion. In the event that it originated a little later than at an early date (2 and 3 trimesters), this can affect the strength of the connection of the fetal membrane in the baby himself - this phenomenon, as a rule, leads to prenatal discharge of water.
In addition to all of the above, bacteriosis that is not eliminated during childbirth, as a rule, causes purulent diseases in the mother, as well as serious problems after childbirth.
In the event that the manifestation of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy nevertheless happened, it must be treated as soon as possible. For this purpose, you should consult a doctor whose future mother is under observation and report a problem. The specialist must prescribe the most appropriate medication.
Standard treatments for vaginosis
In order to treat bacterial vaginosis in their patients, many doctors offer them to undergo antibiotic therapy. In practice, both local and systemic nature of this process can be applied. The bulk of antibiotics designed to eliminate this problem contain substances such as clindamycin and metronidazole. Their effect is aimed at suppressing bacteria that create a painful environment in the vagina. In addition, they create the conditions necessary to restore normal flora.
After the patient undergoes a course of treatment, she must visit a doctor again in order to pass a re-analysis. It is he who must show how effective the treatment has been. If the results of the tests show that pathogens have been suppressed, the doctor should prescribe probiotics - drugs that help normal vaginal microflora recover. For this purpose, can be used drugs "Lactobacterin" or "Bifidumbacterin." These funds should be injected into the female vagina for 10 days, one candle before going to bed. In some situations, Linex may be prescribed, which is in the form of capsules. This type of drug should be taken three times a day immediately after a meal.
Sometimes one may encounter misconceptions regarding the fact that in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in a woman, her man must also be examined. This opinion is erroneous, since the disease does not have the ability to be sexually transmitted, and such manipulations are simply meaningless. An exception can only be a situation when a representative of the stronger sex has a problem with the genitourinary system.
Standard drugs for systemic treatment
In order to carry out systemic treatment of the disease, the doctor must prescribe to his patient a whole range of components, which with their action should not only destroy harmful bacteria, but also restore the vaginal microflora.
Classical treatment should begin with Ornidazole. Its daily dosage is 1000 mg - you need to take the drug twice a day for 500 mg. The duration of treatment with this medicine is exactly one week. This tool should completely destroy the harmful bacteria that destroy the vaginal microflora. The patient reviews say that this tool is very effective and quite affordable for consumers.
Another variant of the drug for bacterial vaginosis is Metronidazole. This component should also be taken orally throughout the week. As for the dosage, it should be determined by the doctor, since in each case its daily volume is individual. In its effect, it is similar to Ornidazole. The effectiveness of this component is also confirmed in a huge mass of positive reviews, which state that the treatment of vaginosis was quite comfortable for the body and was relatively short.
And finally, a few words about "Clindamycin", which is often recommended by doctors for their patients. This product is available in the form of tablets. It should be consumed 300 mg at a time, twice a day. Treatment with this tool should be carried out for a week without interruption.
Using candles
How to treat bacterial vaginosis? Many doctors recommend candles for this purpose. The reviews about this version of the drugs say that they can quite effectively deal with the problem, in a short time killing pathogens. After their use, the doctor must prescribe drugs whose action will be aimed at restoring the vaginal microflora.
Suppositories from bacterial vaginosis are produced by many pharmacological companies, however, products made at factories in Germany, Israel and Russia receive the most positive reviews. Their cost can be different: from 40 rubles and more per package.
According to gynecologists, such drugs are practically not absorbed into the blood, acting in the "hotbed" of the problem. In this regard, the method of treating candles is not only effective, but also quite safe. Side effects with this treatment of bacterial vaginosis, according to patients, is also minimized.
What candles are considered the best? When buying a drug in a pharmacy, you should pay attention to drugs with such names as "Ecofemin", "Bifidumbacterin", as well as "Hexicon". This product contains beneficial bacteria in its composition, which, getting into the vagina, begin to actively fight pathogens, gradually killing them. The course of treatment with candles is about 10 days.
Eubiotics
How to cure bacterial vaginosis? For this purpose, you can use eubiotics, which the doctor will recommend. It should immediately be noted that their use is necessary only when the cause of vaginosis is a violation of the intestinal microflora.
Drugs of this group are produced by pharmacological companies in two forms: liquid and tablets. Practice shows that both are effective. What eubiotics are the most sparing and suitable for quick and high-quality treatment?
In reviews of drugs of this type, the largest number of positive comments by both patients and gynecologists receive in their favor "Bactisubtil", "Hilak Forte" and "Linex". Each of them is recommended to be taken 2-3 times a day with food. The exact dosage of the drug should be determined by the doctor, after a preliminary analysis.
Vagonosis treatment at home
How to treat bacterial vaginosis at home? Practice shows that there are many methods for how to fix a problem while staying at home. However, it should immediately be noted that all these methods are too simple to eliminate a developed infection, they can only help if the first signs of the disease are detected.
First, you need to start doing regular douching. For this, solutions made on the basis of lactic or boric acid are perfect. In the process, make sure that the liquid is not cold.
Alternatively, you can use intervaginal tampons. Previously, they should be moistened with ascorbic or lactic acid and immersed in the vagina. After 20 minutes, the product must be removed. You do not need to wash after that. Patient reviews say that this method is quite effective - the result from it becomes noticeable after 3-4 applications.
ethnoscience
Specialists in the field of gynecology do not recommend using herbs and other traditional medicine in order to eliminate the problem of vaginosis. However, in practice there is a considerable number of people who want to try just such treatment methods. For this, it is best to use decoctions of medicinal herbs: the roots of the marshmallow, St. John's wort, basil, dandelion leaves, calendula. From such plants, concentrated decoctions can be prepared and douched with their help.
Vaginosis can also be treated internally. To do this, you should prepare a tincture based on boiling water and a mixture of medicinal herbs mixed in equal proportions: licorice, thyme, chamomile, elecampane root, mint and birch leaves.
With tinctures from the above plants, you can do not only douching, but also perform the procedure with sedentary baths. Carrying them out, one should not forget that the fluid for the procedure must be a little warm and in no case hot.
Take care of yourself and be healthy!