Eliminating Bacterial Vaginosis.
Are you tired of recurring BV? Are you fed up with countless visits to the gyno that leave you with another antibiotic prescription and more unanswered questions? Do you feel like there is another way?
Well, you’re right! There is another way.
There’s another approach to understand the body and heal sustainably instead of only fixing uncomfortable symptoms. There’s a way to feel empowered, not lost.
The body is wise. There is so much to learn about this beautiful instrument you were gifted.
So let’s take the holistic approach and get to know the body and why bacterial vaginosis keeps showing up. And with this knowledge, you can take action and stop recurring BV!
What is BV?
Bacterial Vaginosis, or BV, is a vaginal condition that’s very common in women of reproductive age. It’s a condition caused by changes in vaginal flora, leading to an imbalance and uncomfortable symptoms.1
Vaginal symptoms such as:
- Itching
- Burning while peeing
- Fishy, foul-smelling odor
- Thin, gray, white, or green discharge
If BV goes untreated, it can lead to a higher risk of STIs, preterm birth in pregnant women, infection risk, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).2
Destigmatizing BV.
Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal condition, but it’s not always openly talked about. You may feel alone in your suffering, but you aren’t.
There are two main reasons for silence around recurring BV:
- BV and the vaginal microbiome are not yet well understood.
- Shame around discussing any issues “down there.”
We can shift this first point by the continued study of Bacterial Vaginosis and its causes. A holistic, integrative approach and a look into your unique genetic makeup give us further factors to consider. And thus, there is always more we can understand.
To the second point, we can destigmatize shame through acceptance and vulnerability. This process will look different for each individual.
Get honest with yourself, and then bravely share your struggles with a trusted friend. Any judgment you ever feel from another isn’t yours to carry. Accepting yourself first gives a baseline to return to regardless of another’s response.
An imbalance of your vaginal flora has nothing to do with your self-worth. You are worthy of feeling good in your body. You are worthy of healing.
What is vaginal flora?
Vaginal flora is the bacteria that live inside the vagina. Much like the bacteria in the gut, the vaginal flora is a separate entity. It’s not technically part of the body but rather a beneficial, symbiotic organism.
That said, this bacteria is useful when it’s in balance. According to the CDC, “BV is linked to an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria that are normally found in a woman’s vagina.”
The vaginal flora is an essential part of a healthy vaginal ecosystem. Various lactobacillus species make up the flora or bacteria.
The “Good” Guy: Lactobacillus.
“Good” bacteria, or Lactobacilli (plural), make up the majority of the bacteria in a healthy digestive and reproductive tract. They produce both lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide to reduce the overgrowth of yeast and other unwanted bacteria.
The lactic acid they produce keeps pH levels acidic. A mildly acidic pH balance assists in preventing infection.3
Lactobacillus (singular) is a probiotic, meaning it’s a live, microorganism that’s beneficial to bodily function. Various strains of lactobacillus occur naturally in the body. And you can also consume Lactobacilli in foods or take it as a supplement. They’re found in certain yogurts, kefir, and fermented foods.
What influences lactobacilli?
Nutrition has a significant impact on lactobacilli and the body’s internal environment.
The topic of nutrition is where a women’s health coach like me steps in and where current models of care are lacking. We want to do everything we can to support the growth of healthy bacteria in this environment.
A lot of that has to do with nutrition. Whatever we’re feeding the gut, we’re also feeding the vaginal microbiome.
The number one suggestion I have from a nutritional standpoint is to limit sugars.
Excess sugar intake creates chaos because the harmful bacteria will feed off of these sugars, which will help them replicate. And it can be a trigger point for an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria.
This creates an imbalance in the microbiome, and that’s one major key often overlooked.
Understanding BV Trigger Points.
When you go to a traditional OBGYN for Bacterial Vaginosis, they mostly prescribe you a series of antibiotics, and that will resolve the issue—but only temporarily.
Then, there will be another trigger point, whether that’s related to nutrition, stress, or just some lifestyle factors. And you’ll find yourself suffering from symptoms of BV all over again.
Some factors that influence what’s happening with the vaginal microbiome:
- Stress
- Nutrition/Diet
- Use of Antibiotics or Probiotics
- Smoking
- Douching
- Contraceptive Devices or Pills
- Intercourse
- Multiple Sex Partners or a New Partner
The role of antibiotics and probiotics.
Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria or inhibit their ability to grow and replicate. Antibiotics act like an “atomic bomb,” obliterating all bacteria good and bad. That’s why when you take antibiotics you need to supplement with probiotics.
Probiotics are other helpful yeast and bacteria that you want to have more of (like Lactobacilli). Prebiotics are food sources that humans cannot digest, so the bacteria do it for us. Prebiotics are usually some kind of carbohydrate, fiber, or enzyme.
Aside from being mindful of your sugar intake, it’s important to lay the groundwork for healthy bacteria to thrive by incorporating prebiotics.
You need your bacteria to thrive. This means a healthy balance of more “good” bacteria than “bad.” You want to make sure the good always overpowers the bad.
“As within, so without.”
—Hermes Trismegistus
What nutrients directly affect BV?
Diet and BV are being studied more as we understand the importance of bacterial balance within the digestive and reproductive tract. Diets higher in dietary fat can lead to an increased risk of BV. And studies show that certain vitamins and minerals have a positive impact on immunity!4
Nutrients such as:
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Folate
Holistic-Integrative Approach to BV.
These are the basics of my stance on how to handle and approach BV. It is simplistic, but people aren’t informed enough on how to deal with it when BV is recurrent.
There could be other factors, like if there’s an underlying STI that was never resolved. That would be something a care provider needs to address.
There are two pillars for taking care of your reproductive system. They are nutrition and supporting your internal environment with the proper balance of good and bad bacteria. You can learn more about the most appropriate type of nutrition for your body through nutrigenetics. Order your nutrigenetic test now for personalized recommendations to combat BV based on your genetic makeup.
Support for your journey.
For further support on your healing journey, join the online course BV Free! I created this course to empower women to heal from recurrent BV and learn natural modalities for vaginal health. We dive into nutrition and dietary exclusions, as well. You also receive 1:1 time with me as your coach.
You’re not alone, you’re supported, and you’re so worthy.