Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is an overgrowth of bacteria normally present in healthy amounts in the vagina.
Many women confuse BV with a yeast infection because there is a vaginal discharge present with both conditions.
There is however a difference in the appearance of the discharge associated with BV and that associated with yeast infections.
Yeast infection discharge is characterized by a thick white cottage cheese like discharge.
BV discharge is characterized by a thin and watery discharge with a color varying from white to yellow.
BVs real distinguishing characteristic is a pungent fishy order which is often made more noticeable after sexual intercourse.
For most women BV clears up fairly easily with a 7 - 10 day course of antibiotics but for some BV becomes a way of life.
Some women experience chronic BV which is repeatedly treated in vain with more antibiotics.
Although these antibiotics attempt to kill the problematic bacteria they also kill the bacteria necessary to keep the body's intestinal system in balance.
These beneficial bacteria are often referred to as "good" bacteria and when these are eliminated the opportunity for Candida, a fungus usually present in harmless amounts in the body, to overgrow becomes immense.
Without the good bacteria the candida begins to overgrow and becomes opportunistic creating seemingly unrelated health problems throughout the body.
This is how many women become trapped in this viscous cycle of chronic yeast infections and chronic BV.
At this point both antibiotics and anti-fungals offer little to no relief of symptoms.
This problem baffles many gynecologists and many patients are left feeling hopeless about the chronic state of disease they are experience in their vaginal area.
Chronic BV, besides being an extremely embarrassing condition for most women because of the discharge and foul odor accompanied with it can be very dangerous.
Unresolved BV can cause upper genital tract infections, complications with pregnancy and increase the risk of contracting an STD.
Many women suffer for years and do not know where to turn.
There is however hope for restoring the body's delicate intestinal balance and eradicating these infections.
Although antibiotics and anti-fungals may not help patients with chronic BV many patients have sought and gained help through alternative avenues.
The Candida Diet is one of those alternative avenues.
The Candida Diet helps to restore the delicate intestinal balance destroyed by poor diets, overuse of antibiotics and other contributing factors which play a role in both chronic BV and chronic yeast infections.
There are also supplements such as probiotics that are beneficial to restoring a health intestinal balance.
To learn more about the Candida Diet and how it can help combat chronic health problems visit Yeast Free Living.
Many women confuse BV with a yeast infection because there is a vaginal discharge present with both conditions.
There is however a difference in the appearance of the discharge associated with BV and that associated with yeast infections.
Yeast infection discharge is characterized by a thick white cottage cheese like discharge.
BV discharge is characterized by a thin and watery discharge with a color varying from white to yellow.
BVs real distinguishing characteristic is a pungent fishy order which is often made more noticeable after sexual intercourse.
For most women BV clears up fairly easily with a 7 - 10 day course of antibiotics but for some BV becomes a way of life.
Some women experience chronic BV which is repeatedly treated in vain with more antibiotics.
Although these antibiotics attempt to kill the problematic bacteria they also kill the bacteria necessary to keep the body's intestinal system in balance.
These beneficial bacteria are often referred to as "good" bacteria and when these are eliminated the opportunity for Candida, a fungus usually present in harmless amounts in the body, to overgrow becomes immense.
Without the good bacteria the candida begins to overgrow and becomes opportunistic creating seemingly unrelated health problems throughout the body.
This is how many women become trapped in this viscous cycle of chronic yeast infections and chronic BV.
At this point both antibiotics and anti-fungals offer little to no relief of symptoms.
This problem baffles many gynecologists and many patients are left feeling hopeless about the chronic state of disease they are experience in their vaginal area.
Chronic BV, besides being an extremely embarrassing condition for most women because of the discharge and foul odor accompanied with it can be very dangerous.
Unresolved BV can cause upper genital tract infections, complications with pregnancy and increase the risk of contracting an STD.
Many women suffer for years and do not know where to turn.
There is however hope for restoring the body's delicate intestinal balance and eradicating these infections.
Although antibiotics and anti-fungals may not help patients with chronic BV many patients have sought and gained help through alternative avenues.
The Candida Diet is one of those alternative avenues.
The Candida Diet helps to restore the delicate intestinal balance destroyed by poor diets, overuse of antibiotics and other contributing factors which play a role in both chronic BV and chronic yeast infections.
There are also supplements such as probiotics that are beneficial to restoring a health intestinal balance.
To learn more about the Candida Diet and how it can help combat chronic health problems visit Yeast Free Living.