Do You Suffer From Minor Vagina Infections or Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

MINOR VAGINAL INFECTIONS AND BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS (BV)
 

The normal vagina has various kinds of bacteria that live in this area, and these bacterial forms make up what is called the normal vaginal flora. These organisms usually do not cause problems. Various external factors can cause an imbalance of the normal "friendly" organisms allowing growth of the more "unfriendly" organisms (bacteria that cause irritation, but not true disease). This change in the ratio of friendly/unfriendly organisms in the vagina will result in minor vaginal infections that occur commonly throughout a woman's life.
 

Probably the greatest external factors inducing a change in the vaginal flora are: puberty, wearing synthetic pantyhose (that increases the moisture and decreases breathing of the area), and having sex without barrier contraception (the seminal plasma changes the normally acidic vaginal pH toward a more alkaline or basic pH). In addition, using Birth Control Pills causes an increase in the vaginal fluid sugar content similar to the elevation observed during a normal pregnancy. When you increase nutrients that are available for the growth of bacteria and yeast their growth increases exponentially.
 

Another factor leading to growth of unfriendly organisms is douching with feminine hygiene products. These products can change both the both the acid-base balance (pH) of the vagina as well as remove the protective mucus in the vagina. Both factors can lead to greater irritation and promote the growth of bacteria and yeast. I recommend that women not douche at all. Unfortunately many women treat themselves for yeast infections with over the counter antifungal agents when they assume that they have an infection (frequently they don't even have yeast, but are irritated by another organism). This treatment may alter the content of the normal vaginal flora by destroying lactobacillus, the predominant normal vaginal bacteria. Lastly, the reduction of estrogen during the perimenopausal years allows the vagina to become more susceptible to irritation by friction during sex. This allows bacteria further grow causing additional vaginal irritation."
 

There are several holistic techniques that a woman can do to reduce the occurrence of minor infections throughout her life. Reducing the conditions for optimal growth of bacteria and yeast may, in many cases, prevent their occurrence. The simplest method is to make sure that you use pantyhose with a cotton crotch so that the area breathes. Most organisms thrive in warm moist conditions with adequate nutrients, and low oxygen levels. Allowing the area to breathe will allow more oxygen to the area thus hindering bacterial growth. If you swim during the warmer months don't sit around in a wet bathing suit all day. Change to a dry suit (to reduce moisture of the vulvar/vaginal area) if you plan to be out of the water for several hours.
 

Taking antibiotics (even for a short duration) can significantly reduce the population of friendly organisms allowing the unfriendly forms, which may be resistant to the antibiotic therapy, to gain an advantage. If you have to take antibiotics for an infection; repopulate the intestinal tract with friendly organisms by eating yogurt with active bacteria (lactobacillus) and/or injest a form of acidophilus with milk in between taking the antibiotics. Unfortunately, the yeast organism is very resistant to most antibiotics, and will take over as the predominant organism of the intestinal tract during therapy. A yeast overgrowth in the intestinal tract can lead to chronic yeast vaginitis or worse to a rectal fissure (small cut in the rectal mucosa) causing severe pain with bowel movements. Repopulating the intestinal tract will not repopulate the vagina with lactobacillus after a course of systemic antibiotics. You have to use vaginal lactobacillus to reintroduce the normal vaginal flora. There is not much you can do if you're using oral contraceptives because the pill will increase levels of vaginal sugar. But you can reduce intestinal yeast levels by eating a diet that doesn't contain yeast or promote yeast growth (no white flour, no foods containing yeast such as wine or beer).
 

If you tend to be plagued with chronic yeast infections inserting Boric acid capsules in the vagina is a very effective treatment to control yeast overgrowth. Boric acid is a very toxic substance and shouldn't be used if you have cuts or breaks in the vaginal wall. Use the vaginal suppositories twice a day for 7 days to kill the yeast overgrowth. You can purchase boric acid by calling my office at 914-722-9300, and we can have them shipped directly to you. Alternatively you can order them directly on the web by clicking on the following link (the product is Yeast Arrest there are enough suppositories to repeat the treatment a second time). The access code is: dryeck. Click here to buy products
 

Bacterial vaginosis is commonly associated with both a reduction of the normal vaginal lactobacillus and an overgrowth of either Gardinella vaginalis and/or anaerobic bacteria. It causes a bad odor in the vaginal secretions (smells like rotten fish), and it is also associated with a higher risk of developing AIDS if you are exposed to HIV. This condition is very difficult to both diagnose and/or treat by many physicians. Vaginal cultures are frequently not helpful in diagnosing BV as the result is usually reported as "growth of normal vaginal organisms". Using the simple criteria of Amsel is the best way to diagnose BV. The criteria include 1. a thin, white vaginal discharge that smoothly coats the vaginal walls; 2. the presence of clue cell seen on a microscopic examination of the vaginal cells; 3. vaginal fluid pH >4.5; and 4. applying dilute base (KOH) to the vaginal secretions (the whiff test) results in the release of very foul smelling amines. The current CDC guidelines for treating BV in nonpregnant women are: Metronidazole 250 mg 3 times daily orally or 500 mg orally twice a day for 7 days; or Clindamycin 300 mg orally twice a day for 7 days. Most specialists avoid providing intravaginal therapy especially during the later half of pregnancy. It is my clinical experience that antibiotic treatments although initially helpful are not effective. Most women remain asymptomatic for a short duration, and their symptoms return within two weeks of completing the course the antibiotic therapy. The most effective treatment that I have found is to kill the offending organisms with Boric acid vaginal capsules, and to restore the normal vaginal flora with lactobacillus capsules. Once lactobacillus becomes the main inhabitant of the vagina it will restore the normal acid pH, and release hydrogen peroxide to keep the growth of obnoxious organisms in check. You cannot restore the normal form of vaginal lactobacillus by eating yogurt or inserting yogurt into the vagina! You first have to kill the BV organisms using Yeast Arrest inserting them vaginally AM & PM for 7 days (enough suppositories for a course of treatment if needed) , and then repopulating the vagina with the normal lactobacillus organism (Vital 10), Insert the Vital 10 vaginally AM & PM for two weeks (there are enough suppositories to treat several additional times) after completing the treatment with Yeast Arrest . You can purchase them by calling my office at 914-722-9300, and we can have them shipped directly to you. Alternatively you can order them on the web, at a slight discount. The access code is: dryeck. Click here to buy products.
 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.