Can Bv Be Cured Without Antibiotics

When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider

• Discharge that changes color or consistency.
• Discharge that smells different than usual.
• Vaginal itching, burning, swelling or soreness.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Although bacterial vaginosis is a mild infection, it can make you vulnerable to more serious conditions. Dont put off seeing your healthcare provider if you notice anything unusual. A simple course of antibiotics could set things straight.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/05/2020.

References

You Can Catch Chlamydia If Youve Only Had Sex Once

You may have heard that its not possible to get chlamydia from a single sex act. If youve had sex with someone who has the infection, you could get it, too. One encounter is all it takes to pass on the bacteria, so get tested.

In up to 15 percent of women with untreated chlamydia, the infection spreads to the uterus and uterine tubes, leading to symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease.

If youve had unprotected sex and are worried that you might have chlamydia, get tested. The test is easy and painless. Your doctor could take a sample of your cells with a cotton swab or ask you to pee in a cup. The sample is tested for chlamydia bacteria. If your doctor says you have chlamydia, dont worry. Its treatable.

Are There Any Natural Antibiotics

Natural antibiotics include honey, thyme essential oil, and oregano essential oil. Extracts of garlic, cranberry, and myrrh also have antibiotic properties. Several herbs are effective antibiotics, including echinacea, turmeric, and ginger.

Natural UTI treatments include D-mannose and uva ursi, along with green, parsley, mint, and chamomile teas.

You can experiment with different combinations of natural treatments to find out which are most effective for your needs.

You May Like: Can You Get Rid Of H Pylori Without Antibiotics

How To Get Rid Of A Bacterial Infection Without Antibiotics

Read Next

Bacterial infection can indeed be haunting. From severe coughing fits running nose and sore throat, bacterial infection manifests and spreads in some different ways. But instead of wasting time and money upon doctors and chemical antibiotics, try switching over to some incredible natural cures and remedies that will treat the bacterial infection, inhibit the germs and restore your health in no time. No need to stress out on how to get rid of a bacterial infection without antibiotics as bacterial infection treatment without antibiotics is now a guaranteed possibility with the scientifically proven natural cures of infection.

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection

KARL E. MILLER, M.D., University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Am Fam Physician. 2006 Apr 15 73:1411-1416.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Azithromycin or doxycycline is recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated genitourinary chlamydial infection.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Azithromycin or doxycycline is recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated genitourinary chlamydial infection.

You May Like: Best Probiotic For Dogs On Antibiotics

Challenges/opportunity Of Treating Bv Using Novel Interventions Including Probiotics And Vmt

The golden age for restoring the vaginal microbiome to decrease BV and its recurrence has begun. However, except for the disadvantages discussed above, several other challenges need to be considered. Foremost, unlike regular drugs, VMT and probiotics lack a standardized manufacturing process, which could affect microbial survival, growth, and viability,,. A standardized procedure for producing VMT and probiotics should be established and tested. Manufacturing the whole vaginal microbiome consistently and stably in vitro will contribute to the development and approval processes for the clinical use of VMT. Also, the effects of probiotics are strain-specific and dose-dependent hence, medical-grade probiotics require certified laboratories universally shared validated and standardized methodologies for production and quality-control.

Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis

The good news is that around 50 to 75% of women with BV dont develop symptoms, sparing them from various forms of discomfort. The bad news is that these individuals still have the associated pregnancy and STD risks that BV can bring, so its not a perfect situation.

Bacterial vaginosis can result in itching and irritation along with a painful or burning sensation when urinating. It can also cause pain during intercourse and in some cases even light bleeding or spotting. In rare cases, the infection can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes. This causes a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease and can potentially lead to infertility.

Also Check: Natural Antibiotics For Gut Bacteria

You May Like: What Antibiotics Affect Birth Control

What Is The Treatment For Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis often causes no symptoms, or the symptoms are mild. Also, there is a good chance that BV will gradually clear without treatment. There are various different treatments for bacterial vaginosis . There are also some things which you should avoid doing, which may help the problem to resolve itself.

These include avoiding the use of douches, vaginal deodorants, bath additives and harsh soaps. Refraining from intercourse for a couple of weeks, or using a condom and a water-based lubricant, can be helpful.

Coconut Oil Isnt An Effective Bv Treatment

Despite its antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil isnt an effective treatment for BV. In fact, coconut oil may actually aggravate symptoms.

of getting a sexually transmitted infection .

If youre pregnant, untreated BV can also increase your risk of pregnancy complications, including preterm birth.

Your doctor will confirm diagnosis through a visual examination. Theyll also likely take a vaginal swab that can be tested in a lab for the presence of the bacteria.

After getting an official diagnosis, your doctor may recommend one of the two antibiotics:

Both of these antibiotics can be taken orally or applied topically in the form of a prescription cream or gel. Common side effects for these antibiotics include:

• vaginal itching

Metronidazole can carry an additional side effect of a metallic taste in your mouth and a fuzzy feeling on your tongue. These treatments can take up to seven days to take effect.

Your doctor may advise abstaining from sex during treatment. They may also recommend that you wear breathable, cotton underwear for the duration of the time youre on the antibiotic.

Its essential you take the whole prescribed duration of the antibiotic, even if your symptoms stop before that time. You might consider taking probiotics while you treat BV with antibiotics to decrease your risk of further complications, such as a yeast infection. Consider adding yogurt or other sources of probiotics to your diet.

Recommended Reading: When Do I Need Antibiotics For A Sinus Infection

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Azithromycin For Chlamydia

Yes, you may drink a small amount of alcohol while you are taking azithromycin but there is a chance large amounts of alcohol may increase the gastrointestinal side effects of azithromycin, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, or flatulence. Too much alcohol with azithromycin may also give you a headache.

Because azithromycin is usually taken as a one-off dose, drinking alcohol is unlikely to stop azithromycin from curing chlamydia.

Urogenital Infection In Women

In women, chlamydial infection of the lower genital tract occurs in the endocervix. It can cause an odorless, mucoid vaginal discharge, typically with no external pruritus, although many women have minimal or no symptoms.2 An ascending infection can result in pelvic inflammatory disease .

Physical findings of urogenital chlamydial infection in women include cervicitis with a yellow or cloudy mucoid discharge from the os. The cervix tends to bleed easily when rubbed with a polyester swab or scraped with a spatula. Chlamydial infection cannot be distinguished from other urogenital infections by symptoms alone. Clinical microscopy and the amine test can be used to help differentiate chlamydial infection from other lower genital tract infections such as urinary tract infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis.3 In addition, chlamydial infection in the lower genital tract does not cause vaginitis thus, if vaginal findings are present, they usually indicate a different diagnosis or a coinfection.

Some women with C. trachomatis infection develop urethritis symptoms may consist of dysuria without frequency or urgency. A urethral discharge can be elicited by compressing the urethra during the pelvic examination. Urinalysis usually will show more than five white blood cells per high-powered field, but urethral cultures generally are negative.

Donât Miss: One Time Pill For Chlamydia

Read Also: Oral Antibiotics For Toenail Fungus

Consideration : Administration Method

The second important factor that we believe contributes to the inefficient cure rate in clinical trials is the mode of probiotic administration. Although there is evidence that the gut microbiome might influence the vaginal environment, oral intake of bacteria for vaginosis treatment is probably based on the immune response or circulating metabolites that lack direct bacteriabacteria inhibition. Oral administration of probiotics follows the regulation of food supplements instead of drug development, which is less strict and provides a faster track to the market. The ability of probiotic strains to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract becomes an important selection criterion when oral administration is intended,,,. Hypothetically, vaginal administration allows for the direct replacement of BV-related microbes by probiotic strains. Once these strains have colonized, the replacement consequently results in the maintenance of a low pH and the production of lactic acid and antimicrobial substances, which could further support a healthy vaginal microbiome environment on site. Direct vaginal application also showed a slightly higher cure rate compared to the same L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 strains administered orally ,.

What Is A Bacterial Infection

Before learning about how to cure Bacterial Infection, it is essential to know what a bacterial infection is. Microorganisms like Bacteria can survive in different environments including the human body.

These can live in or on the body of humans. While there are many bacteria that are not harmful and greatly aid in body processes, certain bacteria do harm the body causing infections. Such infections are contagious and the transmission is through different media like air, food, and water.

You May Like: Getting Over Bronchitis Without Antibiotics

How Long Does Bacterial Vaginosis Last

After seeing your doctor and starting treatment with a prescribed medication, your symptoms will likely start improving within 2 to 3 days.

However, its important to continue taking your medication for the prescribed period of time, even if your symptoms have gone away. This will help ensure that the infection has completely cleared up, which typically takes about 7 days.

How Do You Treat It

BV rarely leads to any other issues and can go away on its own, but if it persists, your health care provider will prescribe antibiotics like metronidazole , clindamycin , and tindazole to kill the problem bacteria. These can be prescribed for oral or vaginal use. The trouble with antibiotics is that they dont treat the cause of the bacterial imbalance. Therefore, recurrence is very commonsymptoms return in about one out of three womenleading to concerns about antibiotic overuse.

Recommended Reading: Best Antibiotic For Dog Ear Infection

Your Partner Didnt Get Treated

If you have a consistent sexual partner, itâs important to tell them about your infection. They likely will need to get treated too.

Once youâve both gotten treated, you have to wait until the treatment has had time to work before you start having sex again. This is especially true of unprotected sex.

You want to avoid passing the STD back and forth between the two of you. Without taking these important steps, itâs possible for this to happen. Such a cycle would prolong the STD and its symptoms.

Also Check: Does Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Go Away

What Can Cause Bacterial Vaginosis

You are more likely to get BV:

• If you are sexually active.
• If you have recently changed your sexual partner. Frequent changes of sexual partner, or having more than one regular partner, increase the likelihood of BV further.
• If you have a past history of sexually transmitted infections .
• If you have a copper coil for contraception an intrauterine contraceptive device .
• If your family has Afro-Caribbean origins.
• If you use bubble bath.
• If you have prolonged or heavy periods.
• Following hormonal changes. In some women BV seems to be triggered by the hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy or the menopause. These are all conditions of changing vaginal acidity.
• Following courses of antibiotics. Courses of antibiotics tend to kill off all our good bacteria .

Other conditions which can upset vaginal pH or lactobacillus health, and which might be expected to increase the risk of BV include:

• Use of sex toys.

• You have showers, not baths.

Read Also: Triple Antibiotic Therapy For H Pylori

Are Lactobacillus Tablets An Effective Treatment For Bacterial Vaginosis

Lactobacillus suppositories and oral tablets are sold in some health food shops, for use in BV.

Intravaginal lactobacillus treatment seems as though it ought to be an obvious solution – why not put the right bacteria where they are meant to go? However, results of studies on vaginal treatments with lactobacilli are also mixed, with some studies suggesting this treatment is effective and others not.

What Can Happen If Bv Is Not Treated

If BV is untreated, possible problems may include:6

• Higher risk of getting STIs, including HIV. Having BV can raise your risk of getting HIV, genital herpes, chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, and gonorrhea. Women with HIV who get BV are also more likely to pass HIV to a male sexual partner.
• Pregnancy problems. BV can lead to premature birth or a low-birth-weight baby . All pregnant women with symptoms of BV should be tested and treated if they have it.

You May Like: Z Pack Antibiotic In Spanish

Similar Pain Different Infection

While UTIs and STIs are very different, they can often come with similar painful feelings such as urinary urgency, pain when urinating, cloudy urine and pelvic pain.

UTIs are easily treatable with a doctor prescribed antibiotic, but STIs may require different treatments, depending on the specific infection. It is important to contact your doctor if you think you have an infection of any sort.

How Do I Treat Bv

Make sure you use all of the medicine the way your doctor says, even if your symptoms go away sooner. And dont have sex until you finish your treatment and your infection clears up.

If you have BV that keeps coming back, probiotics may help. But ask your doctor before trying any supplements. Your nurse, doctor, or local Planned Parenthood health center can help you figure out the best treatment if you struggle with chronic BV.

Recommended Reading: Can Antibiotics Help With Cold Sores

When To See Your Doctor Forrecurrent Bacterial Vaginosis

If you suspect that you have BV, see your doctor. A trip to the doctor is warranted with a full history and physical to uncover potential causes and risk factors, Dr. Wider says. And, if you keep getting BV, its important to go back for repeat care until the problem is solved. Extended use treatment with the antibiotic metronidazole may be necessary, along with recommendations to increase lactobacillus in the body, Dr. Wider says. But, its important to remember, your doctor cant help if they dont know whats going on.

Related Story

Get Bv Treatment Today With K Health

Did you know you can access BV treatment online with K Health?

Check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a healthcare provider in minutes all through K Health.

K Healths AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and is based on 20 years of clinical data.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

Read Also: Can Cats Take Human Antibiotics

Bacterial Vaginosis Not Going Away With Antibiotics How To Treat Bv Without Antibiotics

Bacterial vaginosis is a common issue that millions of women around the world will have to deal with. Its a problem with bacteria overgrowth, and it can cause no symptoms at first. However, left untreated, a variety of symptoms may come through, causing a great deal of issues for women of childbearing age. With that in mind, you may find that you will need to take antibiotics to help with getting rid of the malady. But heres the thing, it may not work. Theres a few things that you should know about this, and how it may affect your recovery.

What Is The Treatment For Persisting Bacterial Vaginosis

If you have persistent BV then your doctor may want to take further vaginal swabs to check whether there is another cause of the discharge. They will usually suggest that you use the seven-day course of metronidazole if you have not had this before.

Another treatment which may be tried is using metronidazole gel twice a week for up to six months.

If you have a persistent BV infection which does not respond to treatment, and you have an intrauterine contraceptive device then your doctor may advise removing the device until things settle down, as there is some evidence that IUCDs can contribute to persistent BV.

If you have persistent BV and a same-sex partner then treating both of you at the same time is likely to be helpful in preventing persistence and recurrence – even if your partner does not have symptoms.

Recommended Reading: Most Commonly Used Antibiotic For Uti

Protecting Yourself Against Stis:

• Use a condom. However, nothing is 100% safe. If youâre concerned you might have an STI, even after safe sex, check with your doctor.

At the clinic, your doctor may ask you questions like âDid you use a condom?â or âDid you have multiple sexual partners?â Its not so they can judge you. Itâs so they can organize what further tests you need. So, donât be shy or feel ashamed about your answers.

With a few minor changes, you can take good care of yourself. You can start making better health choices now by

Read Also: Where Can I Buy Chlamydia Treatment Over The Counter