What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the condition of having too much of bad bacteria in the vagina, accompanied by vaginal odor, burning or pain. Normal vaginal fluids are primarily made up of healthy bacteria and have a pH level of 3.5 - 4.5. BV happens when this balance becomes upset and the vagina's pH increases to an unhealthy level, usually between 5-8. This causes inflammation which leads to discharge that smells like fish.

BV occurs about 2-3 times more often in women who have had several sexual partners and sexually transmitted diseases, but it can happen to any woman at any time - even if you have never been sexually active! The cause of Bacterial Vaginosis is not really known, but it is thought to be caused by having lots of partners or unprotected sex with one partner, douching, and/or not getting enough healthy bacteria in the vagina.

BV symptoms include itching or burning in the vaginal area both of which are NOT normal and a "fishy" odor that can become more intense after sexual intercourse. Some women will have no symptoms at all and will find out about their BV in a routine check at the OBGYN.

BV treatment usually includes antibiotics. While Bacterial Vaginosis isn't dangerous, if left untreated it can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, infertility, stillbirth, chronic pain, increased risk for HIV transmission during pregnancy, and other STDs. This is why it's so important to get treated quickly and take steps to prevent the infection from coming back.

There are also some factors that increase the chance of developing BV, so be aware of these things! Some important ones are: douching, using scented or flavored products in or around the vagina, wearing tight clothes, and having an unhealthy diet.

If you are diagnosed with Bacterial Vaginosis, don't feel embarrassed! It can happen to any woman, and there are ways to prevent it from happening again. We've come up with the top 5 ways to prevent Bacterial Vaginosis AND other vaginal infections:

1. Don't douche! Douching can disrupt the natural flora of the vagina and create a breeding ground for bad bacteria and yeast to overgrow.

2. Take probiotics on a daily basis. Probiotics will help balance the good bacteria in the vagina and reduce the risk of developing BV. V-Luxe probiotics include 8 strains of friendly bacteria that have been clinically studied for years! Our probiotics survive stomach acid and they will colonize in your vagina quickly. Click here to purchase our daily probiotics to prevent BV.

3. Love your body at any size because it's beautiful!! We recommend staying away from tight-fitting clothes as these can also upset your vaginal pH level. Try to also avoid wearing thongs and as a general rule of thumb, stick to underwear that is at least 95% cotton, like these ones!

4. Use lube-free condoms when you have sex. Condom companies usually pre-lube the condoms with the worst unhealthy lube they can find to save on costs. You can purchase these lube-free condoms with a natural lubricant or a pH-safe lube.

5. Take care of yourself! Eat a healthy diet and try to reduce your stress level as much as possible. Eat lots of vegetables, drink lots of water, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and reduce stress if possible. Here's a link to an article we made about a healthy diet to prevent BV.

If you have any questions about bacterial vaginosis and how to take care of it in the long-term, we’re here for you. Reach out to us anytime, we're here to help and support all women who are struggling with bacterial vaginosis and any other vaginal infections.

XOXO

The V-Luxe Team