Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is one of the vaginal disease, which is caused by the overgrowth of certain kind of bacteria or imbalance of the naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina. It is also known as vaginal bacteriosis or Gardneralla vaginitis. It is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age. It is the vaginal condition, in which there is a fish odor like discharge. Earlier it was known as a Gardnerellas vaginosis, because it was thought that the bacterial vaginosis is caused by this bacteria only. But now, it is known as bacterial vaginosis, it reflects that there are so many types of bacteria which are present in the vagina and may grow to excess. The bacteria’s which are involved in bacterial vaginosis are Gardenerella, Lactobacillus, bacterosides, Peptostreptococcus, Eubacterium and so many other types of bacteria.

It’s not dangerous, but it can cause severe complications along with pregnancy. Bacterial vaginosis double the risk of infection by a number of other sexual transmitted infection like HIV/AIDS.

Normally, female vagina contains lactic acid bacteria called lactobacilli. These bacteria produce lactic acid, making the vagina acidic which helps to prevent the growth of other bacteria’s. But, when due to certain conditions, the lactobacilli quantity decrease, it leads to bacteria vaginosis.

• Vaginal discharge: The discharge is usually thin or grayish white. The discharge tends to be heaviest just after a periods or sex.
• Vaginal odor: Unpleasant fishy odor
• Itching around the vagina
• Burning sensation while urination

On a severe condition, there is an addition of the more symptoms:

• Fever
• Pelvic Pain

• Multiple sex partner
• New sex partner
• Intra uterine device
• Bubble bath and use of some scented soap
• Recent, Antibiotic use
• Vaginal douching
• Cigarette smoking

• Whiff test: This test is done with Potassium hydroxide (KOH). A drop of KOH is in contact with the drop of discharge from the woman having bacterial vaginosis; a certain fishy smell is there.
• Pelvic Examination

If someone has bacterial Vaginosis during pregnancy, then following will be the complications:

• Early labor
• Miscarriage
• Low weight baby
• Preterm birth (Having a baby birth early)
• Postpartum endometriosis (Developing an infection of the womb after childbirth)

Ayurveda is an ancient study, which is a boon for mankind. According to Ayurveda. The main cause of the Bacterial vaginosis is due to an unbalanced diet. Our body consists of three humors Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire) and Kapha (Water). If these three humors are balanced in the body, then the person is healthy or if out of these one or more than one humor will aggravate then the person is said to be unhealthy. Natural herbs are called ayurvedic medicines which help to maintain the balance of these three humors in the body and cures the disease.

According to Ayurveda, (Asthang Hirdayam) Vata is the main dosha which causes the reproductive system complications and disorders especially in females. The infection is commonly caused by the unhygienic, spicy and bad food. Consuming the improper food leads to increase the moisture content which leads to increase the kapha in the body. At last, it leads to give rise to salismiki. It is also known as Kaphaja yoni vypapat. Vata dosha needs to be treated with care. To treat the disorder vitiated by the kapha dosha, the treatment is generally done with the hot and dry herbs.

In general, doshas has very much impact on the infections. People with aggravated vata and pitta dosha are more prone to vaginal irritation and infection, while people with pitta and kapha doshas are more prone to yeast infections. The chronic infection is caused due to higher levels of kapha doshas and lower level of Agni in the body. This can be cured by modifying the diet and taking herbal remedies.