How to eliminate vaginal odor: treat BV naturally
In order to know how to eliminate vaginal odor, it is first important to determine why you may have this condition. Most women will have some type of vaginal odor, but it is usually not offensive. If you have a fishy odor that is accompanied by a thin gray or white discharge, along with some itching and burning, then you most likely have bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the natural flora of the vagina. There may be various causes of the imbalance, but in many women this is not known. The main causes include douching, excessive washing, a change of sexual partner, the use of scented products in the vaginal area, or even being unwell.
There are two types of bacteria naturally present in the vagina. Lactobacillus (“good” bacteria) and Gardnerella (“bad” bacteria). Under normal circumstances, the good bacteria keep a check on the bad bacteria by making sure they don’t overgrow. When the balance is upset, the bad bacteria grow out of control and this causes the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis which include unpleasant vaginal odor.
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to eliminate vaginal odor. These work by killing bacteria inside the vagina and will therefore eliminate the odor. Unfortunately, they cannot distinguish between “good” and “bad” bacteria and this means that as soon as the effects of the antibiotics have worn off and the bacteria naturally start to repopulate the vagina, the “good” bacteria will not suffice. strength to maintain balance and the whole cycle begins again.
It is for this reason that more than 70% of women who take antibiotics to get rid of bacterial vaginosis will have a repeat outbreak within a few weeks.
There are some self-help steps you can take right away that can help you get rid of vaginal odor. In isolation, they won’t completely cure the condition, but they should provide some relief.
* Add a couple of cups of cider vinegar to a warm bath and sit for 10-15 minutes.
* Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and some women have found that tea tree oil pessaries can help
* Eat live plain yogurt or try dipping a tampon in it and inserting it directly into the vagina. Live yogurt contains Lactobacillus and can help replenish the body’s supply.
* A washcloth soaked in ice water and placed over the vaginal area can provide instant relief from itching and burning.
If left untreated, bacterial vaginosis can worsen, possibly leading to pelvic inflammatory disease and even infertility. Fortunately, it is relatively simple to treat and learn how to eliminate vaginal odor and bacterial vaginosis symptoms in 3 short days.