Oyster Plant © lynette sheppard
This week’s guest post also focuses on vaginal health. Written by Patrick Ross, this offering addresses an uncomfortable difficulty that can arise during Menopause.
Bacterial Vaginosis During Menopause
The menopause is a difficult time for a woman. Contracting an embarrassing intimate condition during an already difficult period could make it very difficult.
What is Bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that occurs when the walls of the vagina become inflamed due to the overgrowth of bacteria. Women can develop this condition at any age, but menopause is one of the many risk factors that makes a woman more susceptible to developing this condition. The hormonal changes that women go through during this period can lead to a pH imbalance. If the pH balance in the vagina is disturbed, bacteria will begin to grow rapidly.
What are some of the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Light vaginal bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, painful intercourse and vaginal irritation are some of the symptoms that may accompany this condition. The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis can easily be confused with a yeast infection or sexually-transmitted disease, which is why this condition is sometimes difficult to diagnose.
What happens if bacterial vaginosis is left untreated?
Bacterial vaginosis can result in serious complications if it is left untreated. Women who have this condition are more likely to develop sexually-transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea or HIV. Some menopausal women may need to have a hysterectomy and bacterial vaginosis can increase a woman’s risk of developing complications from the procedure.
Additionally, bacterial vaginosis can also ruin a woman’s confidence. Menopause is supposed to be a time where a woman’s life changes for the better because she no longer has to worry about menstrual cycles or pregnancy. The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis may make some women feel reluctant to even leave their home.
How can bacterial vaginosis be treated?
Fortunately, menopausal women do not have to suffer with bacterial vaginosis. Balance Activ is a clinically-tested and proven gel that has been shown to alleviate this condition. This product helps treat this condition by restoring the vagina’s normal pH level. Balance Activ also helps alleviate discomfort, discharge and the foul smell.
Balance Activ is very simple to use. All a woman has to do is insert the gel into her vagina using an applicator. Balance Activ is available over-the-counter or on commercial websites, such as Amazon.com.
When to consult a physician
Most women will be able to treat their bacterial vaginosis with the help of Balance Activ. However, there are some cases that need medical assistance. If a woman experiences discomfort, bleeding or worsening symptoms, she should not hesitate to consult with her physician.
Patrick is guest blogging for balance activ a BV treatment available in America on Amazon.com or through their website.
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Great post from Patrick Ross. I am behind researching about Balance Active. Thanks
Thanks! If you are suffering with BV then researching Balance Activ to treat BV is a good idea.
I used to battle bv lots.. My doctor recommended I don’t use tampons. So I got the diva cup, it is very safe and clean! Since I have been using the diva cup I haven’t got bv back! I also have used boric acid but still got bv, until I started using the diva for periods, I don’t use boric acid. Everything is fine now. No tampons just the diva!!
I have suffered from BV (bacterial vaginosis) on and off for 4 years now but in the past year it has been constant. I have tried everything from doctors, naturopaths, chinese herbalists, gynecologists, healthy diet, you name it, I’ve tried it.
I have had numerous amounts of antibiotics in the past to try and get rid of it but it has just kept coming back.
Having BV for such a long time has made me insecure, stressed and upset.
I started to think that it would never go away which was a real concern as it can affect you when you are trying to have a baby also.
So my friend suggested I try Isla. I thought to myself how can this work if nothing else has? I used the Isla product which I bought online at http://www.islasoapstick.com for 3 days in a row and I could not believe it!
My discharge and odour has completely disappeared. I thought I would wait a month and see if it returned but it has completely gone!
I have been amazed by this product and I cannot thank Isla enough for helping me.
I cannot rave about this product anymore than I have. I have told everyone I know and everyone wants one due to the sexual benefits also.
I am sharing my story in the hope that it may assist other ladies who are suffering from this same problem and have tried everything like I had and thought it was something I was going to have to live with
Thanks so much for sharing, Sharon! Hopefully this can help many women who suffer from BV.
I have been researching about bacterial vaginosis when I found this blog! Thanks for this! It’s quite difficult to find out about it when people don’t write about it a lot. Thanks!!
So glad we could be of help!
Very informative post regarding how to get rid of bv during menopause. Thanks for sharing!
I am 53 and perimenopausal. I was on low dose bcp’s, but my gyn suggested I go off them when I was 52 to ck my hormone levels. Since I was feeling ok I didn’t go back on hormones. Four months later I had my 1st. BV infection, 6 months later I had had 5 BV’s, 3 yeast infections and 2 UTI’s. I. Started on HRT & have had bouts of estrogen dominance, bleeding & spotting. I’m now on activella, 0.5/0.1 and also take fem-dophilus probiotic. I worry constantly I will have another BV & am open to any & all suggestions that may help me.
One of our Menopause Goddesses has suffered from this and says that hygiene is critical for her. Also, you didn’t Mention if your HRT is oral or some other delivery method, but vaginal cream works really well in a focused way to treat BV. Sort of right to the source – you might want to ask your MD about this. (Or vagifem tablet) just some estrogen that is put in the vagina – localized. Good luck! Anyone else have suggestions for Donna?
It is not easy to be a woman. But, with such nice blog, every issue has a solution 🙂
Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Danielle!
I have just turned 40 and have been menopausal for the past 4yrs and hv bn experiencing BV for the past 3 I’m gonna try what you guys care saying because I hv had the gel and antibiotics and nothing has help me. This has ruin my relationship badd because I’m so insecure about this terrible smell. I feel like there is no hope.
this is really frustrating me. after reading this article and the comments i still feel helpless. I have done everything as suggested and nothing is working. will a hysterectomy stop this?
I am 47 pre meno for what seems to be 4years now andbeen having a mild to more notoceable BV for the last 4years. When its bad, I use tampons to stop the leakage, so the smell is not to offend anyone around me. If i can smell it, i am sure others can too. I know tampons are bad, but I feel like I have no other method that garentees that I wont be offensive. Soon as I get home I remove the tampon and bath the area and wear loose cotton garmets too allowe the area to breath. For some reason when I am home its not as noticable, i find when I am sick or under a lot of stress it gets worse. I am afraid to meet new men or have sex becasue of it. I just bought my first over the counter treatment of canes balance for VB. I am going to attempt this to see if it helps. I honestly thought this smell was just a warning for when my period was coming or finished. Cause the rest of the time there was no smell. But lately i have been experiencing vag dryness and VB and it seems all the time. When I have sex, its most noticiable during that time. I usually douch just before sex just mask it. I dont get any of the other symptoms thanks god, but I will def try this product in hopes I can rid myself of this before is gets to that point. Question…how often do you need to do these treatments? How long do they usually last for?
So after suffering with bv for 4 years now and the doctor doing nothing an not listening to me i only now find out it can be a sign of being postmenopausal ! ive now got to the stage where its suddenly gone just gone along with missing 3 months periods an iam only 44.