Natural Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis

By Kristi Patrice Carter

Bacterial Vaginosis is a mild infection in the vagina that is caused by bacteria. It is also known as Gardnerella-associated Vaginitis or just Vaginitis. 

Signs of Bacterial Vaginosis include thin white or gray discharge, itching, burning or a strong fishy odor.

Bacterial Vaginosis must be treated by a physician because the infection can move up to the uterus and fallopian tubes if left untreated.

Your doctor will determine if you have Bacterial Vaginosis based on physical exam of the signs and laboratory tests. If you have Bacterial Vaginosis, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for you to take.

You can support the treatment from your doctor with naturopathic regimens and remedies. Natural treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis includes abstinence from sexual activity to allow the infection to heal and to allow the bacterial flora to return to the natural balance of good bacteria over bad.

Additionally, a healthy diet is another natural treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis that will help your body quickly heal. A healthy diet including fresh vegetables, grains, fresh water and flax seed is important. Other beneficial foods for fighting Bacterial Vaginosis include plain yogurt, brown rice and oat bran. Experts recommend avoiding sugar, as it feeds bacteria. Other items to avoid include alcohol, fast foods, processed food, coffee and other caffeinated products, saturated fat and refined flour (white bread). Some naturopaths recommend a fruit-free diet, especially citrus or acidic fruits, until you have some relief from the infection.

Another natural treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis includes taking supplements like acidophilus, the good bacteria, which replenishes the good bacteria that have fallen out of balance, vitamin B complex of 50 to 100 mg three times a day with meals, and essential fatty acids (like those found in flax seed). Other recommended supplements include 2,000 to 5,000 mg daily of vitamin C and 50,000 IU of vitamin A. Some naturopaths recommend tea tree oil, goldenseal, or calendula and vitamin C vaginal suppositories to promote healing. Some naturopaths also suggest colloidal silver for its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E at 400 IU daily is a powerful antioxidant that helps promote healing. Many naturopaths recommend against taking iron supplements because bacteria use iron to grow.

In addition, a natural treatment to relieve itching includes adding a few cups of pure apple cider vinegar to bath water and soaking for a few minutes.

Douching with store-bought douches is not recommended, and, in fact, douching with such items is often thought to cause Bacterial Vaginosis to worsen and may in fact upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina. However, some naturopaths suggest a natural treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis is herbal douching with antiseptic herbs like Calendula, Garlic, Goldenseal, Echinacea or Tea Tree oil by Naturopaths. Check with your doctor first before trying herbal douches.