Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a type of vaginal infection and a very common problem among women these days. Every heathy vagina contains bacteria. But when bad bacteria dominate good bacteria it leads to BV. Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching in vagina and bad smell are the signs of it. If left untreated, bacterial vaginosis may bring other health complications for you. So, you need medical help to treat this.
Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
If you get affected by BV, you may experience:
- Off-white or grey vaginal discharge
- Displeasing or fishy smell of vaginal discharge
- Vaginal itching or irritation
- Discomfort in vaginal area
- Burning feeling when urinating
Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis
The causes behind getting bacterial vaginosis are:
- Increase of unhealthy bacteria: Our vagina contains multiple types of bacteria. These bacteria balance each other. Any change in their balance causes bacterial vaginosis. Good bacteria are Lactobacilli and bad bacteria are Anaerobas. When too many anaerobas grow more than the lactobacilli, it leads to imbalance of vaginal bacteria and finally it causes Bacterial Vaginosis.
The reason behind the imbalance of bacteria in vagina are
- Douching
- Unprotected sex
- Having multiple sex partners
- Having a low level of lactobacilli bacteria naturally
You can also get BV from swimming pools, toilet seats & hot tubs.
How is Bacterial Vaginosis Diagnosed?
Your doctor may first ask you about your symptoms, your medical history and your sexual activities. Next procedures to diagnose bacterial vaginosis are:
- Wet Mount Test: Your healthcare provider will collect sample of vaginal discharge by using a swab for microscope test. This is taken to identify the infection. They check the white blood cells and if they have fuzzy borders, this indicates a bacterial vaginosis. This is Wet mount test.
- Whiff Test: In whiff test your doctor will check the smell of your vaginal discharge. They add a solution to your vaginal fluid sample. If it makes a strong and fishy smell, they confirm it as BV or Bacterial Vaginosis.
- Vaginal pH Test:This vaginal pH test check the acidity of the fluid sample that is taken from the vagina. High acidity is a symptom of BV.
- DNA Test:DNA tests are taken to check the genetic material in the fluid sample. This is also called a PCR test. This test is more expensive than above three tests.
Complications of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial Vaginosis doesn’t create any serious complications but if untreated it can lead to other conditions. Problems like Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy issues may arise.
- Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections: Anybody with BV increases the chance of contracting sexually transmitted infections including, HIV, Chlamydia and gonorrhea. Because with BV it is harder to fight against any other infections.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: BV sometimes leads to PID. PID is actually the inflammation of reproductive organs such as uterus, fallopian tube and also ovaries. Women with BV may come across to this disease and also can cause infertility.
- Pregnancy related issues: Pregnant women are at risk of getting BV because of hormonal changes. If you have BV during pregnancy you may give premature birth or the baby’s weight can be low at the time of delivery which can affect the health of the new born.
How to prevent Bacterial Vaginosis through self-care?
Your vagina doesn’t require much care but only a few steps. So, to prevent BV you can follow some points. Those are:
- Avoid douching because it is not necessary and it will not clear your infection. It can change the natural balance of bacteria. Douching disrupts your vaginal flora and increases the risk of infection.
- Don’t use perfumes, scented products or powders in your vaginal area.
- Change your tampons or pads frequently during your menstruation.
- Limit your sex partners because research has shown that if you have multiple sex partners you are more likely to get affected by Bacterial Vaginosis.
- Use latex condoms during sex to secure yourself from STIs.
- Bacteria flourish in moist environments and cotton helps to wick away the moisture. So, try to wear cotton underwear.
Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis
In some cases, BV resolves on their own without any treatment. But if the symptoms are bothering you, you need medical help. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, which could be in the form of a tablet, pill, cream or gel that you put into vagina. These medications include:
- Metronidazole: Metronidazole is available as pill and also in gel form. You have to take the pill twice in a day for seven days and if you wish to use the gel, then you can use it at bed time for five days with your doctor’s recommendation. You may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, metalic taste in mouth.
- Clindamycin: Clindamycin is also available as an oral pill, gel or ovule suppository (medication membrane that melts in vagina). The gel form and ovules contain oil which may weaken latex products like condoms or diaphragms. Avoid sexual activities during the treatment. Doctor may prescribe one week course for pill and cream, and almost three days for ovule suppositories. The side effects include vomiting, heartburn, itching or burning sensation on vagina, metalic taste in the mouth etc.
- Tinidazole: It is also an antibiotic pill that you have to take. It is possible to develop adverse side effect from metronidazole and clindamycin. In this case doctor will suggest you Tinidazole. It may cause your stomach upset. You may also feel stomach pain or cramp, vomiting, headache, tiredness, metalic taste in mouth and many.
- Secnidazole: It’s another option. It requires only one does. Scenidazole is available as granules, so it can easily mix with your food. You can mix it with pudding or yogurt. If you prefer single dose treatment then you can go for it, though it’s expensive compare to other treatments. Side effects include metalic taste in mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and others.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
- What is bacterial Vaginosis?
Answer: Bacterial Vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused by the imbalance of bacteria in the vagina
- What are the symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis?
Answer: Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include, off-white or grey vaginal discharge, unpleasant o fishy smell of vaginal discharge, vaginal itching or irritation, discomfort in vaginal area and burning sensation during urination.
- What causes BV or Bacterial Vaginosis?
Answer: The causes of bacterial vaginosis are imbalance of vaginal bacteria, unprotected sex, multiple sex partner, douching and lack of lactobacilli bacteria (good bacteria) in vagina.
- How is Bacterial Vaginosis diagnosed?
Answer: BV is diagnosed through various processes like- vaginal discharge check under microscope(wet mount), pH check, whiff test and PCR test.
- How is BV treated?
Answer: The first of BV treatment is self care. You maintain your vagina clean through avoiding douching, avoiding using scented products around vaginal area or limiting sex partners. Other treatment required antibiotics(Metronidazole, Clindamycin, Tinidazole, Secnidazole) which your doctor may prescribe.