Content

• Steps

Vaginal infection (BV) is a vaginal infection that occurs most commonly in women between the ages of 15 and 44. Vaginal infections are not sexually transmitted diseases, but are due to their rapid growth. bacteria in the vagina. Although a doctor has yet to find out the exact cause of BV, some factors such as sex increase the risk of this disease. In order to prevent BV, health experts recommend that this matter be extremely careful.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Preventing BV

1. 

   Have safe sex. This is an effective way to reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis. While you can abstain to completely prevent the risk of bacterial vaginosis, this is not a practical solution. Always use condoms during sex to reduce the risk of getting BV.
   • If you are faithful to your partner and do not use condoms very often, you should use them if you are diagnosed with BV to avoid harm to yourself and your partner.

2. 

   
   
   Limit your number of sexual partners. Although doctors still do not fully understand why, the more sex partners you have, the more likely you are to get bacterial vaginosis. Don't have sex with many people to minimize your risk of getting BV.
   • If you or your partner is unfaithful, you will both have a high risk of BV, especially if you do not use protection.
   • Open communication with your partner helps you both avoid the risk of getting or contracting BV.
   • Having BV and having multiple sex partners are two factors that increase the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease.

3. 

   
   
   Consider using another method of contraception instead of an IUD. Some studies have shown that using an IUD can increase the risk of BV. If you have a history of bacterial vaginosis, talk to your veterinarian about other birth control options.
   • Condoms are always an effective way to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy as well as BV.
   • You can use some other form of birth control such as birth control pills, birth control patch, or vaginal ring; diaphragm; hormonal injection, or cervical cap.

4. 

   
   
   Maintain a balance of vaginal bacteria. Vaginal infections are caused by an imbalance of beneficial bacteria in the vaginal area. You can maintain a balance of vaginal bacteria to avoid the risk of BV by cleaning daily and properly dressed in warm weather so that there is no imbalance in your vaginal bacteria.
   • Clean your genitals every day with a mild soap, such as Dove or Cetaphil.
   • After going to the toilet, always use a towel or tissue to wipe the "little girl" first and then the anus.
   • Make sure your genitals are well ventilated by wearing cotton underwear and not wearing tight pants. During the summer, don't wear tight-fitting pants.

5. 

   Use only water to wash the vagina if necessary. Avoid using douches to clean the inside of the vagina. Do not douche if you have or already have a bacterial vaginosis, as this will eliminate beneficial bacteria and increase the risk of infection or recurrence.
   • The genital area has a self-cleaning function, but if you need to clean it, you should only wash it with warm water while taking a shower.

6. 

   Regular gynecological examination. Visiting a gynecologist not only plays an important role in maintaining the health in general, but also for the health of the private area in particular. During the gynecological examination, the doctor can detect BV and suggest appropriate treatment.
   • If you don't have a gynecologist, you can see a general practitioner for a gynecological examination.

7. 

   Take enough medicine. You need to take up all the medicines your doctor has prescribed to treat BV. If your doctor finds out that you have BV, you will need to follow the prescription and contact if there are any concerns. Treatment interruption only increases the risk of BV recurrence.

8. 

   Eat probiotics or foods rich in lactobacilli. Some theories suggest that taking probiotics or using lactobacillus supplementation therapy to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in your genital area may help prevent BV. You can eat certain foods, such as fermented cheese, for probiotics or yogurt that contains lactobacillus. These foods help keep vaginal bacteria healthy.
   • The number of lactobacilli is low in women with BV, so the theory of lactobacillus delivery therapy has been applied as the form of treatment.
   • There is currently little research to show whether eating foods high in lactobacilli like yogurt or bananas prevents BV.
   • Consider using an over the counter probiotic. Some studies suggest that taking probiotics aids in preventing BV.
   • Probiotics are found in foods like kombucha tea, tofu, and millet. Fermented vegetables and cheese including cabbage, kimchi, Gouda, cheddar and Swiss are high in probiotics.

Part 2 of 2: Understanding BV

1. 

   Recognize the symptoms. BV causes many different symptoms and you should look for them to clearly identify and determine when to see a doctor for treatment.
   • Some women don't notice any symptoms of BV.
   • The most common symptoms of BV are a loose vaginal discharge, an unpleasant odor, and a painful feeling, itching, or burning sensation. You may also experience pain while urinating.

2. 

   See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment of BV. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor right away. Your doctor will confirm the diagnosis and prescribe medications to treat BV.
   • Your doctor will conduct a gynecological examination to detect signs of BV. In addition, some tests for vaginal discharge will also be done to confirm the diagnosis.
   • The most common medications used to treat BV are oral or topical metronidazole, cream clindamycin, or the pill tinidazole.
   • A male partner of a woman with BV does not need treatment.
   • In some cases, BV will go away on its own, but you still need to see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

3. 

   Understand the harms of not being treated. If you suspect or know that you have BV and do not see your doctor, you may be at a higher risk of some serious health problems. You need to understand the consequences of not having treatment in order to make the decision to see a doctor.
   • BV increases the chance of getting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
   • BV can make a partner more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
   • If you are pregnant and have BV, not getting treatment increases the risk of a premature birth or a low birth weight baby.

4. 

   Beware of some rumors about BV. In addition to knowing how to prevent BV, you also need to find out what is not causing the disease. You cannot get a bacterial vaginosis if you use a public toilet, share a bed, swim in a public pool, or come into contact with objects in close proximity.