Is BV caused by pH imbalance?

Bacterial Vaginosis, typically referred to as BV, is a bacteria infection that occurs in the vagina. Women get BV when there is an imbalance in the natural PH levels of your vagina.

nwhn.org - What is Bacterial Vaginosis and How Do Women Get It?

Can a person survive eating only eggs?

Eggs can be a healthful source of protein, but they should not be the only food a person eats. The egg diet may lead to weight loss initially, but...

Last updated May 3, 2022

How do you get rid of cortisol belly fat?

How to reduce cortisol belly fat? You can reduce cortisol belly fat by reducing your cortisol levels. Do this by reducing your stress, getting...

Last updated Jul 18, 2022

Promotion

Question

I recently went to the doctor and they told me I have BV (Bacterial Vaginosis). What is this and how do women get it?

Answer

What is BV?

BV occurs when there is a high presence of gardnerella bacteria and less lactobacillus bacteria, causing PH levels to become less acidic. A normal vaginal PH is about 4 (more acidic) while a vaginal PH with BV is 7 or higher (less acidic). Anything that changes your vagina’s ph balance can throw off bacteria levels and lead to infection. Actions such as douching, using scented products and deodorants around the vagina, wearing tight non-breathable clothing, or using irritating products can all contribute to ph imbalance. BV is the most common vaginal infection experienced by women. It is not a sexually transmitted disease, but multiple sex partners or change in sex partners may increase one’s risk for BV. Since BV is an infection of the vagina, men can not get the infection.

What are symptoms of BV?

The most common symptoms that may indicate potential BV include: a thin or foamy vaginal discharge that may have a strong fishy odor. The color of the discharge may be white, dull-grey, or greenish, and sometimes vaginal irritation and itching can occur. Some women may experience more symptoms than others. Many women have reported not experiencing any symptoms at all, which can be potentially dangerous. If left untreated for a long period of time, the infection can spread causing more serious health issues. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider to schedule an exam. Routine personal monitoring to your vulva and vaginal discharge can help catch any signs of vaginal infection early on.

How do I treat BV?

BV can be easily cured with a standard antibiotic prescription. While there are multiple non-prescriptions to help alleviate the symptoms associated with BV, the infection itself will not be cleared unless you take a prescribed antibiotic. The most common antibiotics prescribed are metronidazole, clindamycin, or tinidazole. Some women suffer from recurring BV, which is not life threatening but can be annoying and have an impact on daily comfort and living. Here are some additional tips on how to regulate and prevent BV. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained on or available through this website is for general information purposes only. Evita Almassi, MSW, served as the Communications and Digital Marketing Manager for the NWHN. Her 10+ years in nonprofit communications – especially with social media advocacy campaigns – enabled the NWHN to reach and empower more women in their health education and advocacy journeys. The continued availability of external resources is outside of the NWHN’s control. If the link you are looking for is broken, contact us at nwhn@nwhn.org to request more current citation information.

Can blueberries be keto?

Take note that blueberries have about 12g of net carb due to higher amounts of sugar and a lower amount of fiber, so they are not considered a...

Last updated May 24, 2022

Do you spray oil on chips in air fryer?

Oil – You can air fry chips without any oil, but I think they taste much better with at least a few sprays. You really don't need to use that much,...

Last updated Aug 24, 2020

Promotion

What does excess ketones do to blood pH?

High ketone levels make your blood too acidic. This is a serious condition called ketoacidosis. The most common type of ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a medical emergency that often develops quickly and can lead to a coma and be life-threatening.

medlineplus.gov - Ketones in Blood: MedlinePlus Medical Test

What is a ketones in blood test?

A ketones in blood test measures the level of ketones in your blood. Ketones are acids that your body makes when it breaks down fat for energy. Normally, the cells in your body use blood glucose (sugar) for energy. You get glucose from eating carbohydrates. If your cells can't get enough glucose, your body will break down fat for energy instead. This process produces ketones. If your body breaks down fat too fast, ketones can build up in your blood and urine. High ketone levels make your blood too acidic. This is a serious condition called ketoacidosis. The most common type of ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a medical emergency that often develops quickly and can lead to a coma and be life-threatening. If you have diabetes, a ketones in blood test can help find high ketone levels early so you can get treatment right away. If your health care provider recommends frequent testing to check for increasing ketone levels, at-home blood testing meters are available that check both glucose levels and ketones. At-home testing for ketones in urine testing may also be an option. Talk with your provider about which is right for you.

Other names: Ketone bodies (blood), serum ketones, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, acetoacetate, nitroprusside test

Where is the first place you notice weight loss?

For some people, the first noticeable change may be at the waistline. For others, the breasts or face are the first to show change. Where you gain...

Last updated Oct 10, 2021

Which vegetables are keto friendly?

Here are some of our favorite keto approved vegetables, based on their net carbs per 100 gram serving size: Asparagus: 1g. Spinach: 2g. Swiss...

Last updated Dec 30, 2021

Promotion

Do eggs break ketosis?

Eggs are a healthy food and fit nicely into a keto diet, as they contain next to zero carbs but provide fat and protein. Eating whole eggs provides...

Last updated Apr 4, 2020

Promotion

What happens if you cheat one time on keto?

Your weight might spike because carbs cause you to retain water, but as long as you limit carbs after the cheat day and get back into a state of...

Last updated May 12, 2022