What is BV?

Bacterial vaginitis (BV) isn’t, as many women think, an infection with a specific bacteria or yeast. BV refers to an imbalance in the vagina’s own bacterial communities. When beneficial organisms aren’t as robust, it can lead to an overgrowth of the less-than-desirable bacteria in the vagina (Peptostreptococcus species, Eubacterium species, Mobiluncus species, Gardnerella, and Mycoplasma hominis, Gardnerella vaginalis, to name just a few!).

Contributing Factors

• Changes in vaginal pH: A shift in the normal acidic environment of the vagina can create a favorable environment for the growth of harmful bacteria. This can be caused by:
  • Douching: This disrupts the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina.
  • Use of feminine hygiene products: Products with perfumes or harsh chemicals can irritate the vagina and alter its pH.
  • Semen: Semen can change the pH of the vagina, especially after unprotected sex.
• Antibiotic use: Antibiotics can kill off beneficial bacteria in the vagina, allowing harmful bacteria to grow unchecked.
• Sexual activity: Having multiple sex partners or a new sex partner can increase your risk of BV. This can cause changes in the vaginal pH as a result of exposure to semen or saliva (women in heterosexual and same-sex relationships are therefore both susceptible and can ‘ping-pong’ the infection between partners).
• Immunosuppression: A weakened immune system can make it harder for the body to fight off infections, including BV.

Common symptoms include:

• A white vaginal discharge that covers the walls of the vagina
• Vaginal discharge with a foul or fishy odor
• Vaginal pain or itching
• Burning while urinating

An imbalance between good/healthy bacteria and bad/unhealthy bacteria is the cause for the inflammation that causes this condition. Several factors can make a female more prone to the development of bad bacteria such as:

• Gut dysbiosis
• High sugar diet, alcohol consumption, or poorly controlled blood sugar
• Exposure to synthetic chemicals/fragrances that upset beneficial bacteria or vaginal pH
• Repeated antibiotic use
• Stress
• Changes in the vaginal pH that can happen with age

How Is It Treated?

Currently BV is treated in isolation - using an antibiotic cream to remove the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Metronidazole has an 80 percent cure rate within 4 weeks, but the recurrence rate is disproportionately high: 15 to 50 percent of women who treat BV with metronidazole experience a return of symptoms within 3 months! Antibiotics also remove the healthy bacteria important for vaginal health. We want that vaginal flora to flourish in all the right ways, so that your lady garden can maintain the right pH and you can be BV free.

What About Probiotics?

Alternative non-antibiotic options such as probiotic products containing lactobacilli, lactic acid, sucrose gel, and combination products with estriol, are starting to get more attention. This is because they are able to target the problem without annihilating the good bacteria.

Estriol in the Silky Peach Cream is definitely part of the process - along with getting the right bacteria in place and making sure the inner sanctum has the right pH to allow the right bacteria to grow. The key to clearing up BV for good is to get to the root cause. If BV has been a naggingly persistent issue, a naturopathic practitioner or homeopathic practitioner will have some good ideas on ways to discover and heal the root cause.

Understanding Estrogen

Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the vaginal pH balance. It stimulates the production of glycogen in the vaginal lining, which serves as a food source for beneficial bacteria called lactobacilli. These lactobacilli thrive on glycogen and produce lactic acid as a byproduct. Lactic acid helps lower the vaginal pH, creating an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast, thus promoting vaginal health.

What success (or troubles) have you had with BV? We always love to hear from you as we try to save the world, one vagina at a time!