Bacterial Vaginosis In Men
Because BV affects the vagina, men cant get bacterial vaginosis. However, research suggests that having unprotected sex with an uncircumcised partner may increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis.
The relationship between bacterial vaginosis and men is, once again, due to bacteria. Indeed, circumcised men have a different penile microbiome to men that are not circumcised.
Thats because an uncircumsized penis still has foreskin which covers the head of the penis and creates a unique environment for bacteria to thrive.
What Is Bacterial Vaginosis
BV isnt, as many women think, an infection with a specific bacteria or yeast. BV refers to an imbalance in the vaginas own bacterial communities in which the beneficial organisms arent as robust, leading to an overgrowth of the less-than-desirable bacteria in the vagina Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, and a few other microorganisms.
BV usually has noticeable symptoms including,
- Thin graying colored discharge
- A strong, unpleasant odor
- Vaginal itching or irritation
It can, however, occasionally be asymptomatic until bigger problems crop up.
Almost 30 percent of women between the ages of 20 and 50 have BV or more accurately, are in a state of BV enough vaginal dysbiosis at any given time that their flora is significantly disrupted. Unfortunately, conventional doctors know surprisingly little about how to treat it outside of prescribing antibiotics, which often dont work, leading to multiple rounds of treatment which may eventually reduce the overgrowth of the annoying bacteria, but dont help to reset your vaginal ecology and may wipe out even more good microorganisms along with the symptom-causing ones.
Best Probiotic Or Vaginal Health: Jarrow Formulas Fem Dophilus
Probiotics can help protect against common gynecological conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and urinary tract infections, says Jennifer McDaniel, RDN, a dietitian in St. Louis. Bacteria can pass through our digestive system into the vagina, so we have the opportunity to consume probiotics that can benefit our vaginal health. L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 are evidenced-based probiotic strains for womens urogenital health. Not only do they disrupt the infection of a range of unhealthy bacteria and yeast in the vagina, they offer benefits to the vagina and reduce the risk of problems such as bladder infections. Fem Dophilus, made by Jarrow Formulas, has the critical strains and the company adheres to the highest production standards, she says.
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Best Probiotics For Bv
Because bacterial vaginosis is an imbalance of the good and bad bacteria in the vagina, taking probiotics orally or inserting probiotic bacteria vaginally can be useful in treating BV.
Taken orally, probiotic bacteria can actually help rebalance the vaginal flora.
If you are interested in inserting probiotics vaginally for BV, make sure to discuss this option with your healthcare provider.
Below are some of the best probiotics for BV.
Probiotics That Are Suited For Bv
Whilst you are looking at all of these probiotics to help combat BV, you need to make sure that they contain the good kinds of probiotics that you need.
You want to add more friendly bacteria to help combat the imbalance. Scientists are aware that there are different probiotics that all do different things.
However, it is understood that the Lactobacillus genus is the most predominant genus of bacteria that is found in a healthy vagina.
Some of the better strains to keep an eye on include:
- Lactobacillus plantarum FV9,
- Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-14,
- Lactobacillus crispatus CTV-05.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 are known to already exist in a healthy vaginal microbiome.
These two strains have been researched heavily and are known to support a healthy vagina and BV. While Lactobacillus paracasei F-19 is used to improve the pH of the vagina and reduce the order with women who are suffering from BV.
Then Lactobacillus brevis FV2, Lactobacillus salivarius CD2, and Lactobacillus plantarum FV9, all relieve symptoms that have been caused by BV.
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Treatment For Bacterial Vaginosis
Antibiotics like metronidazole or clindamycin might be prescribed by the doctor to treat BV. It could be a pill that you consume or a lotion or gel that you apply. Most treatments will require you to take them for 5 to 7 days.
Even if your symptoms go away, you need to finish all of your medications. If you quit too soon, the infection may resurface and become resistant to antibiotics.
Since BV can be transmitted through sex, avoid sexual intercourse until you’ve finished your medication and your symptoms have subsided. If your partner is a woman, she may want to consult a doctor to check if she needs treatment.
Once BV is treated and gone, it can frequently reappear. If this occurs, you will most likely need to take medication for a longer period of time. If you are using an IUD and your BV continues to return, you should consult with your doctor about switching to a new kind of birth control.
Why Take Probiotics For Vaginal Health
There are a few reasons why women should take probiotics for vaginal health:
· To prevent and treat vaginal infections, like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.
· To balance the good and bad bacteria in your vagina.
· To reduce the symptoms of vaginal infections and other vaginal issues.
· To maintain good vaginal health.
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Probiotics For Digestive Health
Healthy gut bacteria feed on fiber and some other prebiotic foods, so experts recommend that people eat a diet rich in high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables.
To improve digestion, choose probiotics known to support gut health, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species. The L. rhamnosus GG strain, in particular, has many protective factors that may benefit gut health, for example, inhibiting the growth of some salmonella bacteria.
Taking a probiotic supplement will not always benefit a persons digestive health and should not replace a healthy lifestyle. People should ensure they are:
- eating a healthy diet
support vaginal and digestive health. This product contains 1 billion CFU of L.acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, and L. plantarum.
The company claims that Probiotic Pearls may protect against UTIs.
This probiotic contains softgel capsules. They are free from gluten and sugar, and do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. However, this product is not suitable for vegetarians.
A Natural Bv Protocol
There are a variety of all-natural botanical interventions that can be effective against BV. Heres my daily protocol.
Youll want to follow this for one week, and avoid sex during this time:
Heres my go-to suppository blend for treating both vaginal yeast and BV infections. I use this suppository in my practice for pregnant patients, but check with your midwife or doctor first.
- 1 cup cocoa butter
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Are Probiotics Safe To Use
Using probiotics is safe but there are important considerations that need to be taken into account. There are side effects when using probiotics and it is important for a woman to consult her medical care provider to see if using probiotics is OK for her health. Those who are immunosuppressed are advised against using probiotics as there are rare cases and occurrences where it can cause infection and other conditions instead of giving health benefits to the individual.
Q: How Can I Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis From Returning
A: Because we dont know exactly what causes BV, it can be difficult to say exactly what will prevent it. However, there are a number of measures that may help:
- Condom use: People who use condoms have a lower risk of BV. Although no one has studied whether starting to use condoms decreases recurrence, using condoms may help.
- Hormonal birth control: People who use hormonal birth control have a lower risk of recurrent BV. Again, no one has studied whether starting these would help reduce recurrences, but we sometimes try this if hormones are a safe option for you.
- Avoid douching: Douching can disrupt your healthy vaginal bacterial community and may increase the likelihood of BV coming back.
- Longer-term antibiotics: If youve had three or more documented episodes of BV a year, using vaginal metronidazole twice a week for four months can decrease the chances of your BV returning.
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Caveats: Will Other Formulations Work
Th is study was funded by the makers of Probaclac Vaginal, so we will be watching for independent replication of these findings in other populations. The vaginal probiotic tested had 80 times the current recommended concentration of lactobacilli required to restore and maintain normal vaginal flora, so we are unsure as to whether less concentrated formulations would be equally effective.
Probiotic formulations differ widely, although some are similar to the species/concentration used in Probaclac Vaginal, including LactoViden ID by Metagenics , with 15 billion CFUs, and Therbiotic by Klaire Labs , with 25 billion CFUs.
Also, this intervention has not been tested in populations outside of China, in heavy smokers, or in women with more than one sexual partner, so there is a small risk that these findings may not be confirmed in subsequent RCTs or may not be generalizable to other populations. Nonetheless, we think the potential benefit outweighs any possible harm, and we will be watching for studies that confirm or challenge these findings.
Why Should I Buy A
You can tell if you need or want a womens probiotic for bacterial vaginosis by looking at your existing inventory. You probably dont need it and should reconsider buying it. If you cant get go of the old one, you could sell it and use the proceeds to buy the new one.This is a fun and easy approach to finish your task.
Final Thoughts
Lets face it, we all want to feel good about our purchases. But there are so many! How can you know which is best? You need not be concerned because Aids Quilt has your back. Our trained staff is here to help you find what works for you. Before making a final decision, you can take advantage of our free consultations. Let us show you how easy shopping for home audio equipment can be when you have an expert on your side!
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Q: What Causes Bacterial Vaginosis
A: The short answer is that we dont know.
However, BV seems to be associated with sex, though not as clearly as with a true sexually transmitted disease. Some women report having many episodes of BV when they are sexually active with one partner, but not with another partner. Others report getting BV over and over again during times when they arent having sex at all.
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What Is The Bv Treatment For Women Probiotic
Sorry if youre perplexed. I know its not an easy choice! But its one of the most crucial choices youll ever make. If youre still unsure which type of bv treatment for women probiotic is best for you, I recommend comparing the characteristics and functionalities of the bv treatment for women probiotic listed above. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
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The Unintended Consequences Of Conventional Treatments
The conventional treatment for bacterial vaginosis is the antibiotic metronidazole, which can be taken orally or applied topically to the vagina, or clindamycin.
A sample of the side-effects that can occur with metronidazole include:
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Inflamed and sore mouth
- Hallucinations
- Liver disorders
- Disorder of the peripheral nerves called peripheral neuropathy that causes weakness and numbness
- Seizures
If using an antibiotic, I recommend always trying topical treatment first as this is less likely to cause serious medication side-effects.
Metronidazole has an 80 percent cure rate within 4 weeks, but the recurrence rate is disproportionately high: 15 to 50 percent of women who treat BV with metronidazole experience a return of symptoms within 3 months.
One theory about why the recurrence rate is so high after a course of antibiotics is that the drugs kill the bad bacteria, but they dont promote recolonization with good bacteria. Without some encouragement from topical or oral antibiotics, its tough for good bacteria like Lactobacillus to get a foothold and the bad bacteria just take over again.
In my practice, if a patient isnt pregnant or experiencing symptoms of BV complications, for example, abdominal pain, I recommend trying natural treatments first. They are healthier and less likely to cause recurrent infections, though admittedly, they do require a bit more work than just filling a prescription.
Risk Factors Of Bacterial Vaginosis
You may have a higher risk of experiencing BV if you:
- Smoke
- Are sexually active
- Douche
Douching disrupts the normal bacterial balance. Scented soaps, bubble baths, and vaginal deodorants can all be disruptive to the vaginal microbiome.
Having a new, or multiple, sexual partners increases your chances of getting BV. It is unclear why, but women who have female partners are more vulnerable.
The IUD, or intrauterine device, has been associated with BV, especially if you have irregular bleeding. However, its unclear whether this is a direct cause.
Despite what some people say, swimming pools and public toilet seats are not places where you can obtain vaginal infections like BV.
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Probiotics For Overall Health
When purchasing any probiotic for overall health, a person should be aware that there is little research into the health benefits of probiotics and may find it difficult to determine their effectiveness.
While it is common for some people to take probiotic supplements to promote their overall health, and suggested by many healthcare providers for various conditions, it is important to understand that not all probiotics are effective or safe for everyone . It is much more important for an individual to support their overall health by focusing on diet and lifestyle as a whole rather than on taking one specific supplement.
The health benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, and probiotics for overall health often contain a lot of live microorganisms rather than single strains. This makes it difficult for a person to determine whether research supports the health benefits that the manufacturers claim.
Three probiotic options for overall health include:
Best for a raw probiotic
| Bacteria strains |
|---|
Persona claims that this vegetarian probiotic can support healthy digestion, immune health, and emotional well-being.
Each capsule contains 10 billion CFU of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.
The company recommends people take the probiotic differently depending on the time of day:
- in the morning, take with or after breakfast
- in the evening, take with a snack or dinner
- at night, take an hour before going to bed
The Other Things You Can Do To Keep Your Vaginal Flora In Check
Diet and lifestyle play pivotal roles in preventing the occurrence and recurrence of infections. Avoid harsh cleansers or soaps, tight fitting and synthetic clothing and consume a wide variety of fresh vegetables while avoiding sugar and processed foods, advises Laura Southern, nutritional therapist at London Gynaecology. Upping your water intake will also help keep things well hydrated down there while prebiotic foods such as garlic, onions, oats, lentils and leeks and probiotic-rich foods such as kefir, yoghurt, kombucha and kimchi can help too.
Also take steps to keep stress levels down and eat immune system-boosting foods to help further support your more intimately positioned microbiome. One of the key factors that affects your vaginal health is your immunity, says Tania. Our immune system supports our bodies to maintain a good balance of bacteria and prevents bad bacteria from taking hold. However, if your immune system is run down, which may commonly be down to stress, or a virus, you are more likely to get a vaginal infection.
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Randomization Groups And Visit Schedule
Women were randomized to four groups within three days of completing oral metronidazole treatment: behavioral counseling only counseling plus 500mg oral metronidazole twice weekly for two months counseling plus EF+ vaginal capsule once per day for the first five days followed by thrice weekly for a total of two months and 4) counseling plus GynLP once every four days for two months. Participants applied the first dose of their intervention under direct observation at the enrollment visit, and returned to the clinic after seven days , one month , two months , and six months . They were allowed to cease vaginal product use temporarily during menstruation. Product adherence was assessed by review of diary cards, used and unused products, and by a self-rating adherence scale. Symptomatic BV, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and urinary tract infections, and laboratory-confirmed sexually transmitted infections, diagnosed during follow-up were treated using standard oral therapies, and women were urged to continue their interventions during treatment. Visit procedures are summarized in Fig. and described in Supplement .
