Naturopathic Doctor Pamela Frank, BSc (Hons), ND
Healthcare with a human touch
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Naturopathic Doctor Pamela Frank, BSc (Hons), ND
Healthcare with a human touch |
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Bacterial VaginosisWhat is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the vagina causing vaginal irritation. What causes BV? It is often the result of either antibiotic or antifungal use that disrupts vaginal flora. What are the symptoms of BV? 1. Vaginal irritation 2. Foul smelling discharge, usually thin and greyish white, but not necessarily 3. Unusual vaginal odor, sometimes described as a fishy odor How is BV diagnosed? Medical doctors can collect a vaginal swab and send it to a lab to be cultured to determine what types of bacteria are growing in the vagina. Often the organism that is causing BV is called Gardnerella vaginalis. How do you treat BV? Medical doctors would prescribe antibiotics to kill the offending organism. The problem with this approach is that it does not necessarily restore the proper environment in the vagina and a different unwanted organism may then overgrow and cause similar symptoms. More than half of those treated this way experience a recurrence within 12 months. My Naturopathic Approach to BV This approach tends to offer more permanent resolution of the problem because it addresses the underlying cause and restores a healthy environment in the vagina. 1. Clean unwanted bacteria or yeast out of the vagina. 2. Restore good bacteria that help keep the tissue healthy and prevent harmful invaders from growing. 3. Remove sources of vaginal irritation that makes the tissue more sticky and susceptible to infection such as food allergies, tampons, latex allergies (condoms). 4. Address any vitamin deficiencies that may be making the vaginal tissue or immune system unhealthy such as a vitamin A or C deficiency or zinc deficiency. 5. Ensure healthy functioning of the immune system to ward off any kind of infection. DISCLAIMER: The information provided here may not apply precisely to your individual situation. Diagnostic and therapeutic choices must always be tailored to the individual patient's circumstances, and consultation with a licensed naturopathic physician should be undertaken before following any of the treatment strategies suggested in this web site.
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