Bacterial Vaginosis is Associated with High Carbohydrate Diets

Women who consume too many sweets and excess carbohydrates are at risk for developing vaginal flora imbalance, a problem that can interfere with reproductive health.

Just as your digestive tract has a balance of bacterial power that is hopefully friendly, women also need a healthy balance of vaginal flora. When women eat too many sweets or carbohydrates, it creates fuel for excessive fermentation of the wrong type of bacteria in the digestive tract. The new study is the first to show that the problem is not limited to digestive tract imbalance but is also a direct problem for vaginal flora balance.

Bacterial vaginosis is relatively common in sexually active women of reproductive age. It is a problem of one’s own bacterial balance. The problem is characterized by an off-white vaginal discharge with an unpleasant “fishy” smell.

While the problem itself is not sexually transmitted or caused by a partner, it does compromise the healthy barrier that helps naturally protect a woman from sexually transmitted disease.

The source of the problem, especially if recurring, is likely a poor diet and a lack of friendly, digestive flora. Taking oral antibiotics is likely to make the underlying health condition worse. Women with this problem need to take their digestive health more seriously.