Can we treat vaginosis naturally?

Often overlooked, the health of the vaginal flora is one of the most important aspects of female well-being. Among its disorders, bacterial vaginosis is at the top of the list! As a reminder, vaginosis is due to an imbalance in the vaginal flora. It's therefore interesting to ask how can vaginosis be treated naturally ? The answer is nuanced; we explain everything in this article!

Key points:

• Treating bacterial vaginosis with natural methods helps prevent vaginosis, not cure it.
• It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis if you have symptoms of vaginosis, in order to prevent any complications.

Reminder of the basics: what is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is a common gynecological condition resulting from an imbalance in the vaginal bacterial flora. Normally, the vagina hosts a variety of bacteria, of which lactobacilli are the most beneficial because they help maintain vaginal acidity and prevent the proliferation of harmful microorganisms.

When this balance is disrupted, pathogenic bacteria, especially anaerobes, can multiply excessively, leading to vaginosis. This condition often manifests itself with symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, unpleasant odor, itching, and sometimes pain during sexual intercourse.

And it is perfectly understandable to want to seek natural treatments to restore the natural balance of the vaginal flora.

Is it serious to have vaginosis?

There's no need to panic. Bacterial vaginosis isn't considered serious and is very treatable.

Where it can get complicated is if it's left untreated. It can lead to complications and discomfort that shouldn't be ignored. In most cases, vaginosis manifests itself through uncomfortable symptoms that can affect our quality of life. These symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, usually accompanied by a very strong odor , often likened to a fishy smell.

So in summary, if vaginosis is left untreated, it can increase the risk of developing other gynecological infections, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and can even create complications during pregnancy.

Furthermore, it can increase susceptibility to contracting sexually transmitted infections.

What are the natural treatments for vaginosis?

Are you experiencing symptoms of vaginosis and looking for a natural treatment? Unfortunately, we do not recommend treating your vaginosis with a natural treatment. Why? The reason is simple: bacterial vaginosis, caused by an imbalance in the vaginal flora, may require a specific medical approach to be treated effectively. Natural treatments for vaginosis are especially effective in supporting the overall balance of the vaginal flora and preventing its imbalances . However, they are not sufficient and effective enough to eradicate the pathogenic bacteria responsible for vaginosis.

What can be done to treat vaginosis?

The first step is to consult a healthcare professional to get tested. Proper screening is essential to confirm a diagnosis of vaginosis. This not only helps accurately identify the cause of your symptoms but also allows you to receive the most appropriate treatment for your situation.

Then, if you have confirmed that you have vaginosis, the use of pessaries and prescription creams is often preferred due to their proven effectiveness. These targeted treatments work quickly to eliminate pathogenic bacteria while soothing discomforts, such as pain and irritation. They will provide you with effective and rapid relief.

Natural treatments to protect against vaginosis

Now that you know how to treat vaginosis, it is important to take care of your intimate health to avoid any recurrence and maintain the balance of the vaginal flora.

Here are several effective strategies to reduce the risk of developing vaginosis later:

Maintain good personal hygiene:

Maintaining good intimate hygiene doesn't necessarily mean showering every day. It's not just about cleanliness, but encompasses a series of specific behaviors aimed at preserving the natural balance and health of the vaginal area. These include:

• Choosing intimate hygiene products: It's imperative to opt for cleansers specially formulated for the intimate area, which are gentle, unscented, and designed to maintain the vagina's natural pH. Perfumed products and regular soaps can contain irritating chemicals that disrupt the balance of bacteria and increase the risk of infections. Throw them in the trash!

✨At Gapianne we sell the best products for intimate hygiene . To wash gently without unbalancing the vaginal flora. So we present to you our little favorite - the organic cleansing bar from Baûbo - which has a pH adapted to the flora and is perfect for sensitive mucous membranes. In addition, we love its ecological format!

• Forget douching: Douching should be banned from your routine. You should only wash the outside (the vulva) with lukewarm water and a suitable cleanser (as discussed above). This is more than enough to maintain cleanliness without affecting the internal balance of the vagina. Douching, which involves rinsing the inside of the vagina with liquids, should be avoided because it actually eliminates beneficial bacteria and increases the risk of imbalance.
• Moisturize your vulva: Moisturizing the vulva can also help prevent vaginosis. It maintains the integrity of the skin, which helps protect against infection by creating an effective barrier against pathogens. Adequate hydration can also prevent irritation and micro-tears, which reduce the risk of bacterial infections or imbalances. That's not all! Maintaining sufficient hydration in the vulvar area can support a healthy environment for vaginal flora and avoid conditions that favor the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

✨ The little gem for moisturizing your vulva is Baûbo Balm from Baûbo, which has been 100% validated by our customers. This balm is a must-have in your bathroom to support your intimate health. Discover it quickly!

Wear underwear made from natural materials:

It is highly recommended to wear underwear made from natural materials, such as cotton. This material helps prevent imbalances in the vaginal flora for several reasons.

First, it has high breathability. It promotes air circulation, which helps keep the vaginal area dry and at a balanced temperature. As a reminder, humid and warm areas increase the risk of bacterial growth.

Second, cotton has the ability to absorb excess moisture, which is especially important for vaginal health. By removing moisture from the skin's surface, cotton helps prevent the creation of a moist environment where bacteria and yeast can thrive.

Finally, synthetic fabrics are more prone to chafing. Rubbing the skin in the vaginal area can cause irritation. This irritation can, in turn, damage the skin barrier, making the area more susceptible to infection. Soft cotton, on the other hand, is less likely to cause chafing.

Tips for choosing underwear:

• Choose 100% cotton underwear, especially the lining that is in direct contact with the vulvar area, and if possible, organic.
• Avoid tight-fitting underwear that can restrict airflow and create areas of moisture.
• Change your underwear daily, or more often if you are particularly active or in hot weather, to keep the area as dry and ventilated as possible.
• Consider sleeping without underwear to allow maximum ventilation during the night.

Adopt a balanced diet:

At Gapianne, this is a piece of advice we often hear, but health comes first and foremost from what we eat! Eating a balanced diet is therefore essential for vaginal flora health. Incorporating foods rich in probiotics and prebiotics into your diet plays a crucial role in supporting and maintaining healthy vaginal flora:

• Probiotics: These are live microorganisms (or in other words, “good bacteria”) that, when ingested in adequate quantities, have positive effects on health, notably by contributing to the balance of intestinal and vaginal flora. These include Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, which are the best known. In fact, some of these bacteria already make up our vaginal flora.

You can therefore turn to fermented foods, which are excellent sources of probiotics. Among these, plain yogurt (without added sugar) stands out as a common and easily accessible option. Other examples include kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh. These foods help increase the population of good bacteria in the gut, which has a positive effect on the microbial balance of the vagina through beneficial bacterial translocation.

• Prebiotics: Prebiotics are indigestible dietary fibers that feed the probiotic bacteria in the gut. They help promote their growth and activity. They essentially act as "fertilizer" for the good bacteria. Foods rich in prebiotics include bananas, garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, artichokes, and many types of green vegetables. By stimulating the growth of probiotics, prebiotics indirectly help strengthen the health of the vaginal flora.

✨For greater effectiveness, you can integrate treatments enriched with probiotics and prebiotics. Our little favorite is the Miyé moisturizing and rebalancing intimate gel . This gel supports and strengthens the natural ecosystem of your vaginal flora, while providing a lasting feeling of freshness and comfort. We are also fans of the South Beauty treatment , perfect for soothing, protecting and nourishing your intimate area, while preventing bacterial imbalances.

Practice safe sex:

Practicing safe sex helps reduce the risk of bacterial imbalances in the vaginal flora. Condoms act as a physical barrier, preventing the exchange of bodily fluids and the transfer of potentially pathogenic microorganisms between partners. This helps maintain the vaginal microbial balance.

Remember that condoms are also a preventative measure against sexually transmitted infections, which can alter the vaginal environment and promote the growth of harmful bacteria. Additionally, maintaining the vagina's natural acidity through condom use protects lactobacilli. So remember to use condoms!

Avoid irritating products:

Most of the products we find in the supermarket are full of chemicals, and unfortunately, they can be irritating to the vulva and unbalance the vaginal flora. To maintain vaginal health, it is recommended to choose gentle, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic intimate hygiene products designed to respect the natural pH of the vaginal area.

✨The last gel we want to show you to support the balance of your flora is the Wumi intimate cleansing gel which brings a feeling of freshness and comfort while soothing and preserving the balance of your intimate area.

In conclusion, approaching the treatment of bacterial vaginosis with natural methods offers an interesting perspective on maintaining the balance of vaginal flora, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to intimate health. However, it is crucial to recognize that natural treatments can serve as complements to prevent imbalances rather than replacing necessary medical interventions in the event of an infection. Consulting a healthcare professional remains essential for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.