subject: BV Over The Counter Treatment - Can You Buy Something In The Drugstore To Treat Bacterial Vaginosis? [print this page] Bacterial Vaginosis, or BV for short, is a common infection affecting women from all walks of life. Traditional treatment is the usage of antibiotics taken by mouth, or in topical form inserted directly into the vagina. Whether they are in pill form, or in gel or cream form, these antibiotics must be prescribed by a doctor. Because it is often a recurring problem, it can end up being quite costly to treat. Many women are left wondering if there is a BV over the counter treatment available.
The answer is yes and no. While you can walk into a drugstore and find products addressing yeast infections, there is no BV over the counter treatment available without a prescription. However, there are items you can purchase that can provide an alternative to antibiotics.
L.Acidophilus - Lactobacillus Acidophilus is a "good"bacteria, that is naturally occurring in the body, including the vagina. When bacterial vaginosis occurs, the delicate balance of the good and bad bacteria located there is disturbed. Once this happens, there is too much of the bad bacteria, Gardnerella in particular, and it essentially takes over.
Acidophilus is an anti-microbial, and works by riding the body of harmful bacteria, which is what you need when fighting bacterial vaginosis. So while it is not technically a BV over the counter treatment, it is easily accessible at the health food store.
You can buy acidophilus in capsule form, though it also comes in powder form as well (I prefer the former.) It is also found naturally in certain foods, which brings me to another option.
Yogurt - Another method that has been used successfully by many females is the practice of taking a tampon covered with plain yogurt and inserting it into the vagina. It is then left in for several hours, if possible overnight. In addition to topical application, you can also eat yogurt that contains live cultures. Yogurt is an important element to incorporate into your diet in the fight against bacterial vaginosis, with the added benefit of being good for your digestive health as well.
Hydrogen Peroxide - A third method used in treating bacterial vaginosis is the use of a hydorgen peroxide douche. It also has antimicrobial properties, and is considered to be an anti-bacterial agent. I am opposed to douching of any kind, however, used in moderation it is a viable option. Hydrogen peroxide is readily available in drugstores, and so can be considered an effective BV over the counter treatment.
BV Over The Counter Treatment - Can You Buy Something In The Drugstore To Treat Bacterial Vaginosis?
