Bacterial vaginosis is a condition in which the natural environment of the vagina is disturbed as a result of the overgrowth of harmful bacteria that inhabit the vagina. Harmful bacteria multiply rapidly due to various reasons, notably poor hygiene and unhealthy eating habits. When these harmful bacteria multiply and outnumber the good or beneficial bacteria that also inhabit the vagina, this imbalance triggers infection.
Some of the symptoms of this condition include grayish-white vaginal discharge that is more noticeable after sexual intercourse, fishy vaginal odor, vaginal itching, and difficult or painful urination. The main cause of this infection is still unknown, but certain factors can increase the risk of this condition, and these include; excessive douching, having multiple sexual partners, having unprotected sex, use of intrauterine devices for birth control, as well as the use of vaginal sprays.
Antibiotics are usually prescribed for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Conventional treatments using antibiotics can only provide temporary relief, as there is always a chance that the disease will recur. This could prompt you to take more doses of antibiotics that are harmful to the body as they are likely to cause side effects.
If you are diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis or have any of its symptoms, the most important step towards your treatment is modifying your diet. There are certain foods that can help you control the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis.
The following are some foods to eat and avoid to prevent and control your bacterial vaginosis infection:
food to eat
You should eat a high fiber diet. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are high in fiber, so eat them regularly. You should also include nutritional supplements like vitamin C in your regular diet to boost your immune system.
Drink plenty of water every day. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day. This is necessary so that you are hydrated at all times. Drinking plenty of water will flush out all the unnecessary fluids from the body and will also aid in the digestion of extra sugar in the system. This will remove an important food source for harmful bacteria in the vagina. Also, try to drink a lot of cranberry juice. It contains a high level of acid that suppresses the growth of harmful bacteria in the vagina.
Foods to Avoid
Eating some foods can increase your risk of getting sick or aggravate symptoms of an existing infection. Stop eating foods that are high in glucose and sugar, such as white bread. This type of food is a source of nutrients for the bad bacteria in the vagina. Therefore, you should avoid them in your diet. Instead, opt for whole grain bread which contains less glucose and sugar content.
Avoid salt or reduce excessive salt intake in your diet. Too much salt in the body can cause water retention and can also increase the risk of urinary tract infection.