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An itchy vagina is a sign of bacterial vaginosis. Prevent it with these 5 superfoods

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition marked by unbalanced bacterial growth in your vagina. Here's a list of foods to support healthy vaginal pH, which can cure your BV.
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You are what you eat. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Aayushi Gupta Published: 27 Jul 2021, 11:00 am IST
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Maintaining optimal vaginal health can be tricky, especially when your vagina has some trouble. One of the very common conditions which can develop in your vagina is bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is nothing but a condition that is marked by a disruption of the natural balance of normal bacteria in your vagina. If left untreated, BV can cause multiple complications, including infertility. 

Hence, treating this condition is really important. You know what they say, you are what you eat! Nutrition is everything, ladies! Your diet can impact your vaginal health in major ways. These foods may help with balancing your pH levels and promote the growth of good bacteria, which can cure bacterial vaginosis. 

So, have a look at this list of five foods for your vagina to treat BV: 

1. Kefir

Kefir is a healthy, fermented food with a consistency comparable to drinkable yogurt. It is beneficial to cure bacterial vaginosis, because kefir has high quantities of multiple strains of live lactobacillus. Lactobacillus plays a huge role in protecting the genital tract through the production of lactic acid responsible for low vaginal pH. What’s more, it also brings bacterial balance back to normal.

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2. Garlic

You don’t have to consume it raw; you can add garlic to your meals to provide much-needed TLC to your vagina. Garlic is a prebiotic food, which makes it good for BV. Prebiotic foods stabilize vaginal pH by promoting the growth of healthy bacteria. Also, garlic has antibacterial properties, which is another reason why garlic can help fight infections.

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3. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons

Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are packed with the goodness of vitamin C that is effective against recurring bacterial infections and abnormal vaginal discharge.

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Do you often feel dehydrated ? Lemon water can give all the electrolytes that you need. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, consuming vitamin C on a regular basis lowers the risk of recurring vaginal infections by half, due to the presence of ascorbic acid.

4. Salmon

You already know that omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon) promote heart health and circulation around the body. But why is that important for the vagina? Well, omega-3 fatty acids present in salmon improve the overall blood circulation, which also promotes better blood flow down there. This way, you can combat vaginal infections.

5. Cranberries

You have already heard that drinking cranberry juice can prevent or ease urinary tract infections. Well, it also wards off vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis. Just make sure you stay away from the sugar-loaded cranberry juice varieties, which can actually make things worse down there.

While some foods are essential for vaginal health, others can disrupt the natural flora down there.

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Avoid these foods:
  • Sugar:  Sugar is never your vagina’s best friend, therefore you need to be careful with the consumption. High amounts of sugar are directly related to bacterial vaginosis. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, if you consume more sugar, it will disrupt the vaginal biome and lead to vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis. 
  • Alcohol: Excess alcohol can dehydrate you. In fact, if you’re drinking alcohol without consuming water, your vagina can also become dehydrated. And due to dehydration, vaginal dryness is also experienced by some which can lead to vaginal itching and cause discomfort, and ultimately it can result in vaginal infections. 

So, it’s time you eat those healthy foods to cure your condition and get your vaginal health back on track.

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About the Author

Aayushi Gupta is a health writer with a special interest in trends related to diet, fitness, beauty and intimate health. With around 2 years of experience in the wellness industry, she is connected to leading experts and doctors to provide our readers with factually correct information. ...Read More

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