Bacterial vaginosis is easy to treat with antibiotics, but the crucial step is to confirm the diagnosis with a medical provider. Self-diagnosing often leads to errors. The malodorous situation \u201cdown there\u201d will not improve if we are not treating the right thing.<\/p>\n
While most women will get bacterial vaginosis at some point in their life, everyone wants to know why BV happens and how to get rid of it.<\/p>\n
What is bacterial vaginosis (BV)?<\/h3>\n
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is not an infection in the traditional sense, but rather a condition caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria living in the vagina.<\/p>\n
Vaginal bacteria are supposed to be present. Bacteria live on our skin, mouths, and gastrointestinal tracts all the time. These healthy bacteria help keep our body systems running smoothly. The vagina always contains small amounts of healthy, protective bacteria.<\/p>\n
Vaginal bacteria and yeast live in perfect harmony, maintaining the vaginal ecosystem. Bacteria and yeast work to keep the vaginal chemistry pH balanced in the healthy range between 3.5\u20135.5.<\/p>\n
Periodically, something disruptive happens to break the chemical balance allowing bacteria to flourish. When bacteria outgrows the counterbalancing yeast, women develop bacterial vaginosis.<\/p>\n
When vaginal bacteria overpower and suppress yeast, women will notice a gray or yellow, fishy smelling discharge.<\/p>\n
Who is at risk for bacterial vaginosis?<\/h3>\n
BV is the most common vaginal condition, and any woman can get it. BV is more common in sexually active women, but it is not a sexually transmitted infection.<\/p>\n
BV is\u00a0most common in ages 15 to 44<\/a>, but it can happen at any age and in women who do not have sex.<\/p>\n The risk of bacterial vaginosis increases with:<\/p>\n BV symptoms vary from person to person. While some may have no symptoms, others will notice a fishy vaginal odor, vulvar irritation, or discomfort with urination. Some experience a watery or foamy white, yellow, or gray vaginal discharge.<\/p>\n These symptoms are often confused with STIs and\u00a0vaginal yeast infections<\/a>. Seeing your doctor or practitioner is the only way to determine if you have a BV and not a more severe problem.<\/p>\n The signs and symptoms of a BV are similar to other more serious infections.\u00a0Trichomoniasis is a common STI<\/a>\u00a0that also causes itching and vaginal odor.<\/p>\n If left untreated, STIs and BV raise your risk of getting other STIs, including HIV. Untreated\u00a0gonorrhea<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0chlamydia\u00a0<\/a>can lead to problems getting pregnant. BV can also lead to problems during pregnancy, such as preterm labor and premature delivery.<\/p>\n A doctor will do a pelvic exam to look for the characteristic discharge. The doctor may also use a cotton swab to take a sample of the discharge from the vagina.<\/p>\n A test can be done to see if the pH is elevated. The providers may add a chemical called KOH to perform a Whiff test. (Yes, this involves smelling the discharge). Finally, the provider may look at the sample under a microscope to evaluate for a particular finding called clue cells.<\/p>\n Nucleic acid amplification microbial testing is a widely available rapid test technology to help distinguish between yeast, bacterial vaginosis, and\u00a0trichomoniasis<\/a>.<\/p>\n Womenshealth.gov <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n BV is treated with prescription antibiotics. Metronidazole pills or vaginal gel are the most common. Clindamycin is a common acceptable alternative.<\/p>\n Sex partners do not need to be treated.<\/p>\n Patients suffering from recurrent bacterial vaginosis may qualify for more robust treatment protocols.<\/p>\n Many times, BV will resolve on its own. Vaginas are very effective at self-correcting. Untreated BV increases\u00a0the risk of getting HIV<\/a>, genital herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Women with HIV who get BV are also more likely to pass HIV to a male sexual partner.<\/p>\n The medicine used to treat BV is safe for pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy. All pregnant women with symptoms of BV should be tested and treated. Some evidence indicates\u00a0a link between BV and preterm birth<\/a>.<\/p>\n Researchers do not know exactly what causes BV, but we know ways to help the vagina maintain a normal pH and reduce the risk of BV. Steps include:<\/p>\n Thank you <\/span><\/i>Sexography<\/span><\/i><\/a> for publishing this article on Medium<\/a>. \u00a0Article originally published on Medika Life.<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Blog Author: Dr. <\/span>Jeff Livingston\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Main Blog Photo By:\u00a0<\/span>Giulio_Fornasar stock by Getty<\/a><\/p>\n\n
What are the symptoms of BV?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/expioconsulting.com\/macarthur\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Vaginal-yeast-infections.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHow is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/expioconsulting.com\/macarthur\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/bacterial-vaginosis-1.png\")
<\/p>\nHow is bacterial vaginosis treated?<\/h3>\n
Is it safe to treat pregnant women who have BV?<\/h3>\n
How can I lower my risk of BV?<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/expioconsulting.com\/macarthur\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Medium.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"