Mar 02 2008
Bacterial Vaginosis Prevention
A vaginal infection that women often complain about developing is bacterial vaginosis. It is a common one that afflicts women who are sexually active and is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal flora. The vagina hosts good bacteria known as lactobacillus, and when these micro-organisms become outnumbered by unhealthy bacteria, an infection usually occurs.
Informative methods for bacterial vaginosis prevention can be found in many locations on the internet, from your physician, or pharmacist. Some are just common sense practices for every day living while others offer suggestions more medical in nature.
It is important for women to keep the vaginal area clean and relatively free from moisture that can trap unhealthy bacteria and allow it to grow out of control which will cause an infection. Health care consultants suggest avoiding the use of nylon underwear as it doesn’t allow normal dampness to evaporate as readily as cotton.
An easy way to ensure bacterial vaginosis prevention is to adopt the habit of using condoms during sexual activity and ensuring that IUD’s or other birth control devices are cleaned properly after use. It has also been implied by many that as the number of sexual partners increase, so do the risks of acquiring an infection.
Douching too often can also lead to an infection as many of the products on the market contain perfumes or chemicals that can upset the pH level in the vagina. This allows the lactobacillus, or good bacteria, to be over run by organisms that destroy the acidic environment in which the good bacteria live and guard against infection.
Suggestions that women consume milk and yogurt containing active acidophilus cultures have been made for quite some time. These cultures aid in the production and maintenance of the acid based surroundings of good bacteria so that they can survive and combat disease.
Some herbal supplements are effective in promoting overall good health, and in the case of garlic, contain natural antibacterial properties. A well balanced diet is also an important factor in bacterial vaginosis prevention as vital minerals and nutrients are absorbed by the body to sustain overall good health. Someone who is physically fit and eats properly will have a stronger immune system to ward off many illnesses.