Bacterial Vaginosis
Find out everything you want to know about Bacterial Vaginosis or what’s commonly known as BV.
Table Of Page Contents
Firstly let’s make it clear, this infection is not considered dangerous but does have some concerning symptoms. Statistics also show that up to 85% of women do not have any signs at all.
This infection, however, can be problematic for women that are pregnant and even if appropriately treated this infection can return at a later stage.
This site has been created to give women more of an understanding about Bacterial Vaginosis and what steps are available to correct the problem.
The symptoms of BV are vaginal discharge or a foul-smelling odour. This is the result of an increase in the healthy bacteria in the vagina. This infection has also been called Vaginitis or Gardnerella which was the bacteria once thought to cause this vaginal infection solely.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a disease of the vagina caused by excessive growth of bacteria. Common symptoms include increased vaginal discharge that often smells like fish. The discharge is usually white or gray in color. Burning with urination may occur. Itching is uncommon. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterial_vaginosis
What has been discovered with more research into this infection is that there are some different bacteria’s that live in the vagina and that can increase causing an infection. If any of these bacteria become unbalanced, then you may experience a foul-smelling odour which may be a symptom that you have Bacterial Vaginosis.
Bacterial Vaginosis is a common condition for those women of childbearing age and even more predominant in women that have an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease).
Treatment Options
- Antibiotics
- Vaginal Gels
- Natural Remedies
When trying to diagnose a bacterial infection, it is also suggested that you eliminate such STD’s as Gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
The treatments for this infection can vary from prescribed drugs (Antibiotics) to using natural remedies to correct the imbalance in the vagina which is causing the bacterial infection.
Can Bacterial Vaginosis be grouped as STD?
Because most women can experience bacterial vaginosis, this has to be one of the most common queries that have something to do with women’s health.
This is the reason it is vital for women to have their data corrected so that they will be aware if they have been avoiding the correct stuff or if they’re mainly making their chances of having bacterial vaginosis infection even higher.
Here are some of the basic facts that most adult females should know regarding this type of infection and STD.
Is It An STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease)
Before going to judgment can be passed on whether bacterial vaginosis is indeed an STD or not, it is advisable first of all to have excellent explicit knowledge of what STD surely is.
STD stands for sexually transmitted diseases. It comprises of any condition that could be transferred from a particular person to another by having sex or some form of sexual activity.
Some of the most known STD’s are gonorrhoea, syphilis and genital warts. An STD is also referred to as a venereal disease, but these days, the name STD is more popular.
Getting a couple of sex-related lovers is the most common way to acquire bacterial vaginosis. That may be possibly the reason why the quantity of instances of bacterial vaginosis infection has increased at a truly alarming rate over the length of the years.
Since adult females can develop bacterial vaginosis because of another genital infection that can be passed on sexually, ladies are not necessarily safe from bacterial vaginosis if their sexual lover has some other genital infection.
Other Causes Include.
In spite of this and contrary to public opinion, bacterial vaginosis can also be brought on by other things, for example, gynecologic surgical procedures. This consists of any vaginal surgical procedure. Other risk factors also include improper and an excessive amount of douching.
Although it has other causes and risk factors, the most typical cause of bacterial vaginosis infection remains to be sexual promiscuity.
In summary, bacterial vaginosis infection could be grouped under STD’s since it’s usually passed on through love making with somebody who has it or has another genital infection. But bear in mind, it is recommended to do not forget- there are still lots of other ways to develop bacterial vaginosis infection.
Expectant Mothers
Contrary to popular belief, being sexually active isn’t the only event that may amplify a women’s chance of acquiring bacterial vaginosis.
Some studies indicate that 20% of expectant women develop bacterial vaginosis a couple of times throughout their gestation. This is exactly why if you’re thinking about being pregnant or if you’re currently mothers-to-be, you might want to learn more about bacterial vaginosis.
Here are some of the items that you ought to know.
Carrying a child isn’t going to imply that you will have bacterial vaginosis. It just so happens that ladies that are inside the child bearing ages and ladies who are actually pregnant have a higher bacterial vaginosis frequency percentage rate. It does not also mean that pregnancies may cause bacterial vaginosis.
Expectant Mothers And New Borns
However, scientific studies done in 2002 have definitely verified the fact that bacterial vaginosis can be associated with new borns experiencing very low birth weight and premature rupture of the membranes which usually would probably contributes to preterm birth. Preterm birth means having a baby earlier than planned.
Until now, clinical practitioners and other experts are still figuring their actual relationship. It is more likely that bacterial vaginosis is one of the indications of preterm labor or low birth weight.
Managing The Infection
To manage this type of infection, expectant women receive low doses of metronidazole so that the fetus isn’t exposed to the drug to heavily. Until now, no scientific study appears to have been competent to verify that metronidazole can actually bring out teratogenic issues to the newborn baby.
Teratogenic drugs: A teratogen is an agent that can disturb the development of the embryo or fetus. Teratogens halt the pregnancy or produce a congenital malformation (a birth defect). Classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs. Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9334
Then again, you should never forget that it is safer to be on the safe side of a treatment plan rather than having to repent it in coming years. This is also the key reason why skin medications which is used to cure the itching resulting from bacterial vaginosis is a lot more recommended in comparison to the basic cure for the disease.
This is exactly why douching isn’t suggested for the duration of pregnancy. Douching is considered one of the risk factors of bacterial vaginosis. If you’re pregnant, it’s a lot better if you really don’t use scented soaps to wash your female organ.
Fragrant soaps will cause a bacterial discrepancy in your vagina making it the best home for the strain of micro-organisms that produces bacterial vaginosis.
Strategies To Fight It Off
Being one of the crucial prevalent infections that happens to be recognized by vaginal discharge, bacterial vaginosis is definitely a thing that shouldn’t be avoided.
Find The The Right Strategies
This is the reason it is very important for women to know the truth about these strategies which may possibly counter against bacterial vaginosis. Men of all ages should never as well grab the subject matter casually, particularly if their partner has been treated for this infection. Here are some tips that could help prevent infection.
Make Sure You Have Routine Check Ups
The best way to counter any health problem is by having routine check ups. Females should have habitual trips with their gynecologist. In most cases, bacterial vaginosis does not have any existing observable manifestations. In these incidents, the one thing that can confirm the existence of this disease is a series of laboratory checks.
This is why all females must have a doctor so that they have someone that could have a look at them every now and then.
Ladies that have been through surgical gynecologic procedures should try to comply with this tip more carefully than others. Since having an obtrusive gynecologic procedure can fundamentally increase the chances of infection.
Although these surgeries are done with utmost cleanliness, patients should never be too self-confident. They should totally follow their surgeon’s advice when considering their check ups and follow ups.
Douching
Although douching is an critical remedy maintain the female organ safe from other disease, females need to still get it done properly and in moderation. This is because bacterial vaginosis is often seen in women who douche over and over. When douching, women should first make sure that they can get it done properly and the times that they should do it and what better approach to fully understand these things than to have a chat with their doctor.
An estimated 20% to 40% of American women between ages 15 and 44 say they use a vaginal douche. Higher rates are seen in teens and African-American and Hispanic women. Besides making themselves feel fresher, women say they douche to get rid of unpleasant odors, wash away menstrual blood after their period, avoid getting sexually transmitted diseases, and prevent a pregnancy after intercourse.
Yet, health experts say douching is not effective for any of these purposes. They also warn that it can actually increase the risk of infections, pregnancy complications, and other health problems.
What Is Douching?
The word ”douche” is French for ”wash” or ”soak.” It is a method to wash out the vagina, usually with a mixture of water and vinegar. Douches that are sold in drugstores and supermarkets contain antiseptics and fragrances. A douche comes in a bottle or bag and is sprayed through a tube upward into the vagina. Source: http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/vaginal-douching-helpful-or-harmful
Sexual Activities
Despite the fact that this type of infection can also be the result of other things, sexual promiscuity is still one of the major causes. Ladies ought to be additionally watchful when determining their sexual partners especially if they fervently prefer other ladies than men. This may also be where monogamy becomes very extremely important.
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Ladies really should not be assured that they will not develop bacterial vaginosis infection right after one other genital infection such as trichomoniasis.
What Men Should Know
There is absolutely no disgrace in incurring bacterial vaginosis since it is actually very common in ladies.
Should You Use Home Remedies
But, there will always be a number of people who don’t want to visit the medical center or their doctor’s clinic to get them cured. Moreover, there are few women who’re not big advocates of antibiotics as it is often not really the most effective way to become organic and natural.
If you’re one of these women, then you really might deliberate on treating your bacterial vaginosis infection at home.
Here are a few of the remedies that you can do by yourself.
Eating meals rich in vitamins A, B, C and D can certainly help treat this bacteria infection. The concept is that since bacterial vaginosis infection is a type of bacterial infection, healthy diet can lead to a more favourable defense mechanisms that can fend off the condition.
On the contrary, a great treatment for the itchiness that might be caused by bacterial vaginosis is the application of ointments and lotions and the consumption of dietary supplements that contain vitamin E.
Sitz baths could also be a competent remedy for the itchiness. If ever the warm baths don’t work, women could even try applying cold compress. But nevertheless, it mustn’t be put on the epidermis for more than fifteen minutes since adult females can certainly end up having more than a numb genital.
Yogurt treatments are also the best way to deal with an infection. The theory is the fact that yogurt can certainly help bring back the normal pH level in the genitals which makes it less alluring for the microorganisms that triggers bacterial vaginosis. Ladies can either choose to consume lots of fat free yogurt or to introduce yogurt to their vagina directly.
Regardless of the fact that douching is regarded as one of the risk factors for developing bacterial vaginosis infection, it is also quite beneficial for the infection. It’s all about the right douching. Boric acid douching is a different way to make the genital walls more acidic so that it will destroy the microorganisms that causes BV.
Another great solution to manage this from home is by using oxygen healing solutions. Although it’s normally more costly than other home remedies, it’s definitely one of the most efficient do-it-yourself home remedies.
What You Need To Change In Your Diet
If you’re thinking of disease, you should always understand that the best way to ward off or manage them is by improving your daily diet.
Bacterial infection is not an exemption either. Even though it could be addressed by taking antibiotics according to your doctor’s orders, you can also improve your daily diet so that the antibiotics can become competent. In this manner, you might possibly overcome your problem a lot quicker.
Here are a few daily things you should try to improve in your diet if you would like to treat or avoid BV.
If you can eat unpolluted fruit and veggies. Upping your intake of beneficial vitamins and minerals are always good for you and your immune systems defenses. Aside from the crystal clear health rewards, vegetables and fruits happen to be fantastic sources of anti-oxidants that can help fend off infections.
Probably the most fundamental supplement that you should eat a little more of is Vitamin C, the humble orange.
Get Better Protection Through Vitamins
As you might be aware of, upping your vitamin c consumption can fortify your body’s defense mechanisms making it more able to fight off microbial infection. If you already have an infection and you are itching, it can also be recommended to put on topical creams which have Vitamin E to the irritated area.
If the pH in the female organ is not totally normal, then the harmful bacteria that create bacterial vaginosis would most likely realize it as being the best suited place to reside in. This really is definitely you really should feed on quite a lot of yogurt since this really is the best way to normalize the acidity level in the genitals.
Processed Foods Are Not Good For A BV Infection
If you infected, then you’d probably want to stay away from manufactured ingredients or any foods that are made in factories. You must also avoid any refined flour products such as pasta and bread. You should also give some thought to reducing sugary foods and if possible even sugar from your diet.
For those who have a sweet tooth, then you should give consideration to honey as a nice alternative to sugar. It might not taste the same, but at least you will be able to stop your bacterial vaginosis. If you have bacterial vaginosis, then you really have one other reason to quit smoking since recent studies say that cigarette smoking can exacerbate vaginal microbial infection.
What You Need To Understand About Bacterial Vaginosis
A lot of women are afraid of a lot of infections that could strike their genitals.
There are plenty of hygienic troubles that come with these sorts of infections much like gonorrhea and chlamydia. On the other hand, not many are aware of bacterial vaginosis.
Exactly what do we all know regarding bacterial vaginosis?
If you decide to ask females, you may possibly not acquire many answers. They worry more about various other ailments without thinking that bacterial vaginosis infection leads to the same variety of hygienic health problems and must be taken care of as soon as possible.
This Infection Is Not Deadly
The great thing is, its not deadly, however it can cause a number of exasperating signs and symptoms. BV was initially known as Gardnerlla vaginitis, after the bacteria that men and women believe started the disease.
Nonetheless, early general practitioners disregarded that there are a lot of unhealthy bacteria that live comfortably in the vagina. Its the abnormal number of harmful microorganisms that’s the actual reason behind bacterial vaginosis.
What Are Some Of The Charateristics
The main characteristic of bacterial vaginosis like any other conditions of the vagina, is actually unusual discharge including an unusual fragrance. Vaginal discharge that might be considered on a normal degree can differ individually. Thus, any scenario that appears to be uncommon for a specific lady should be subjected to testing.
In some instances, people with an infection show no indicators, while other people experience a fishy smell for each and every discharge. The discharge gets further more evident after sex occurs.
There is absolutely no basic reason why this bacterial infection occurs. What we understand is the fact that illness isn’t just as a consequence of one bacterium. Instead, a multiple set of bacteria needs to live together for the illness to develop. Without a real cause, and slight symptoms, lots of women won’t recognize if they have bacterial vaginosis or otherwise.
Several risk factors attributed to bacterial vaginosis features history of many other STD’s, smoking cigarettes, multiple copulation partners, and new sexual partners. However, we should remember that risk factors are certainly not direct causes. In fact, no one has completely understood how bacterial vaginosis could be developed through sexual intercourse.
There are a lot of things that we should know about bacterial vaginosis infection. It is important though that we consider the necessary safety measures to stop the illness and also have the accurate treatment plan in place when they do come about.
How Can You Develop Bacterial Vaginosis
BV is among the most typical infections associated with women’s vagina. Although it might not be as common compared to chlamydia and gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis is still a threat to women’s health and wellness which are not to be disregarded.
It’s Not Really Understood As To Why This Infection Occurs
There is absolutely no one sure-fire factor that creates bacterial vaginosis. In fact, experts are having a hard time determine what the cause of bacterial vaginosis is. What we acknowledge is the fact that there must be the presence of different permutations of bacteria for bacterial vaginosis infection to manifest.
This can typically be the result of chemical imbalance in the female organ.
Ladies with this health problem most often have reduced levels of hydrogen peroxide in the female organ. Hydrogen peroxide is known as a substance that generates lactobacilli in the genitals. Lactobacilli are actually known as the good bacteria in one’s body that combats off the harmful bacterium.
Micro Organisms Can Cause This Infection
Also, you can get bacterial vaginosis through a specific type of micro organisms also known as anaerobic microorganisms. This is a type of bacteria that grows up in cavities where there is practically no oxygen at all. The collection of harmful micro organisms that may cause the disease can make it complicated for medical doctors to identify and treat effectively.
A variety of examinations may be needed to identify these harmful microorganisms in your female organ to help extinguish them.
Acquiring this type of infection can also be dependent on various risk factors. The majority of the risk factor for bacterial vaginosis infection consists of having multiple sex partners, attracting new sex partners, symptoms of vaginal douching, and cigarette smoking. Additionally, these are merely risk factors and the probability of infection can vary a lot.
True enough, the connection of sexual intercourse and bacterial vaginosis infection are certainly not clear, and there are circumstances of bacterial vaginosis occurring in women who did not have sexual intercourse yet.
How To Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis
Preventing bacterial vaginosis infection starts with understanding how we obtain it. It is essential to take care of our vaginal hygiene to avoid it. Clean your vagina at least once a day, preferably with a formula that may possibly balance the level of acidity or PH level of your genitals. You should not take part in many different sex activities to lessen the possibilities of bacterial vaginosis.
Usually male sex partners don’t need treatment. BV is a female condition since it’s an upset in “good” and “bad” bacteria that are present in the vagina.
What Are The Manifestations
Clinically, there are merely two diseases which can also be classified by experiencing vaginal discharge and they are trichomoniasis and vaginitis. If the vaginitis is brought about by a microbial infection, that is when it is called bacterial vaginosis.
Identifying The Infection
In spite of this, vaginal discharge is certainly not the main indicator of bacterial vaginosis. Another situation worth noting about this illness is that most of the instances, it is asymptomatic.
But bear in mind, there are still circumstances where in a lot of women who seem to develop microbial vaginosis can go through other indicators.
Here are some of these.
Ladies can potentially go through some kind of discomfort in the vagina. Other people say that no matter what they choose to do or no matter how frequently they wash, their genital can remains to be very itchy. Burning sensation is also one of the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis.
It is marked by experiencing an irritating feeling in the vaginal area. Most of the time, the burning sensation is likely to be felt after going through sexual intercourse.
Another Form Of This Infection Is Called Blushing
One of several rarer manifestations of bacterial vaginosis is blushing. Blushing is most likely present in a few areas of the genitals. In spite of this, in more intense, cases, the blushing is often observed around the affected body part. Pruritus may also be observed. It may be described as a second degree irritation.
Whenever it comes to laboratory exams, a vaginal fluid pH of above 4.5 can be indicative of bacterial vaginosis. One positive Whiff test might also prove the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis. With this test, potassium hydroxide will be applied to the genital discharge. if the discharge gives off a fishy odor that is when the result is declared as positive.
One other indicator of bacterial vaginosis is actually the existence of clue cells in the genital discharge which might only be validated by further, more in depth examination of the discharge.
The most visible symptom of bacterial vaginosis is genital discharge. Its most of the time thin and watery in structure. The color is normally grayish white to light grey and it has a “fishy” odour. Most of the time, the discharge can stick to the vaginal wall which can be seen or sensed in a extensive physical exam of the vagina.
Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis
All bacterial infections are more often curable by means of facing a series of antibacterial remedies.
This includes bacterial vaginosis, which in its basis, is really a microbial infection of the vagina. Since there are a number bacterial strains, different bacterial infections demand different kinds of antibiotics.
Exactly how It’s Cured
The most appropriate form of antibiotic for the treatment of this is definitely metronidazole that is also often known as Flagyl. But bear in mind, metronidazole has other brand names at the same time. Even though it could be the case, women should never take metronidazole on their own ir without instruction from a qualified doctor.
The crucial element to a successful anti-biotic therapy is the up most submission to the medical professional’s instructions especially the instructions that indicate the right moment of each and every dosage and also the duration of the entire treatment plan.
When looking at the management of a bacterial vaginosis infection, women actually have two choices. They can op for any of the one-time dose plans or the 7 day program. Generally, the one-time dose regimen is recommended for patients whose submission to an antibiotic therapy is up for improvement. Although it may seem far more convenient, the single dosage treatment is basically less effective than the 7-day plan.
Different Treatments
For expecting mothers who may have bacterial vaginosis infection, they are treated with lesser doses of metronidazole. Lesser doses of the medication is imperative so that the baby will not be exposed to very much metronidazole.
A woman’s can take metronidazole orally or intra-vaginally. Infusing the drug intra-vaginally should make it easier for the medication to take action. If the medical treatment is drunk orally, it has to go throughout whole process of ingestion just before its therapeutic effect can take place. However, most of the time, the choice remains to be in the patient’s hand. They will just convey to their medical doctor about their selection.
Sometimes however, it may require a more thorough therapy. In these incidents, the doctor can allow higher than average dosages of metronidazole or give clindamycin, which is also an anti-biotic that can be used to manage serious microbial infection.
Adult females should preferably and stringently adhere to these adjustments since more often than not, it means that their BV infection is getting more serious or their bodies aren’t complying to a normal prescribed antibiotic therapeutic approach.
Note: We are not qualified doctors before making any decisions please consult with your own doctor, the information on this page is educational only.