Bacterial vaginosis, sometimes called vaginitis or simply BV, is a very common infection affecting a great number of women. In fact most women will develop this condition at least once in their lifetime. Because the symptoms of BV mimic other feminine infections so closely, a lot of women don't even realize that they may have BV. You may think you have a simple yeast or bladder infection, when in fact you may have a bacterial infection. Itching, burning, a fishy odor, or a yellowish discharge are the symptoms that come with BV, but the very same symptoms may occur with many other vaginal infections.

So you schedule a visit to your doctor or gynecologist thinking bladder or yeast infection. A lot of women even try over the counter medications to cure their "problem". After all it is a bit embarrassing to describe your symptoms, especially the fishy odor that you have noticed lately. All these medications can be very pricey, not to mention the cost of a doctors visit if you choose that option. However, you are very relieved when your symptoms disappear. You feel fresh again, and do not have to worry about being intimate with your partner because of this problem. Or having a sudden need to itch at the worst possible time, usually in public, of course.

Some women may never have to deal with this issue again, they are the lucky ones. Because for a great number of women, BV can become a chronic, recurring problem. They are horrified when two months later their symptoms have returned with a vengeance. So back to the doctor they will go for more antibiotics. This then becomes a cycle that seems never-ending. Some may try various creams, or other products, that may reduce the severity of the symptoms, but never really cures the condition.

This condition then begins to affect your life a great deal. You may have problems with intimacy, low self-esteem, and great deal of frustration. For example, I love to lay out at the pool with my friends, but I was too embarrassed to put on a swimsuit. For a while, I thought I would have to worry about this problem for the rest of my life. I was at my doctor's office at least once every three months for the same thing, for a little more than a year. Each time I was given a stronger antibiotic, and was told by my gynecologist there was nothing more he could do for me. Needless to say I was pretty fed up by this time. And the amount of money this condition was costing me was ridiculous.

I decided one day enough was enough, I was going to find a way to get rid of BV for good. I began to do research on the web for the causes of this annoying infection, and I was quite surprised at what I learned. The most surprising to me, was the effects the antibiotics have on us women. Antibiotics can actually cause vaginal infections, what a shocker. No wonder the BV kept coming back, the bacteria was becoming resistant to all the antibiotics I was being prescribed. I was also surprised to learn, that your diet can also cause these infections. There are lots of bacteria that are naturally present in the vagina. Some of those bacteria are good, and some are not so good. Problems occur when the bad bacteria begin to multiply and take over. This is what causes the bacterial vaginosis. That is when you begin to have the fishy odor, the burning, and itching. The key to staying healthy is to keep these bacteria from multiplying.

There are ways to do this naturally, without tons of antibiotics. This is what causes superbugs, and lowers your immune system. It is very unfortunate that many women do not realize they are doing a great deal of harm to their bodies with the treatments that their doctors recommend. I am now BV free, and have been for a year now, I have not had one infection since I learned these things. My hope is that the women who suffer with recurring BV will learn that there is a better, safer, and much cheaper way to rid themselves of BV for good. I learned all this from a website I found that is dedicated to educating women on natural remedies, and prevention. There is some very good information here, and it works I am living proof.