Bacteria Vaginosis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention

Overview

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a type of vaginal disease caused by an imbalance in the natural environment of the vagina leading to the overgrowth of the naturally found bacteria in the vagina. It comes with several displeasing characteristics such as vaginal discharge and a pungent fishy smell.

Bacteria Vaginosis mostly affects women in their reproductive age, however it can affect women of any age. In a normal vagina there is a healthy mix of bacteria, but an upset in this mix leads to Bacteria Vaginosis where a bacteria called the (anaerobic bacteria) multiply and another called (lactobacilli bacteria) dies leading to Bacteria Vaginosis.

How Bacteria Vaginosis spreads?

The main cause and the mechanism of spread in which BV manifest has not been properly proved by researches, however imbalance in the vagina flora had been attributed to the disease. Bacterial vaginosis spread is most common in menstruating women between the ages of 15 - 44, however some who have never had sex is likely not to have BV.

Although Bacteria Vaginosis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, however the development of the infection had been linked with, increase in number of sex partners, a new sex partner with lingering BV and male partners of women with BV which may have urethral colonization of the causal organism. Bacterial Vaginosis infection in a woman can increase the chances of a woman having Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). BV cannot be contacted from sleeping on same bed, toilet seats and swimming pools.

Signs and symptoms of Bacteria Vaginosis

Bacteria Vaginosis comes with some easy to notice signs and symptoms which includes the following:

- Unpleasant Vagina odor with characteristics fishy smell

- Irritation

- Sore in the vagina

- White or yellowish vaginal discharge

- Vaginal itching

- Burning sensation during urination

What are the causes of bacterial Vaginosis? / Risk factors

The cause of Bacteria Vaginosis isn't completely understood, but some activities, such as the following could be the cause:

- Continuous unprotected sex

- Antibiotic use

- Decreased estrogen production

- Using an intrauterine device (IUD)

- Frequent douching

- Sexual activity with multiple partners 

 Also read Vaginal Yeast Infection

How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?

Bacteria Vaginosis can be diagnosed with different observation and laboratory test.

- Pelvic scan

This is performed by your doctor, during this examination two fingers is inserted into your vagina and simultaneously pressing your abdomen. The doctor also take sample of vagina discharge, this enables the doctor to check for signs of infection.

- Vaginal pH Test

Vaginal pH test is necessary to check for the acidity of the vagina using the pH Strip. A vaginal pH greater than 4.5 is a sign of bacteria vaginosis.

- Examine vaginal secretions

The vaginal secretion is examined under the microscope; this is to check for "clue cells", vaginal cells covered with bacteria. This test is necessary to check for an abnormal growth of anaerobic bacteria in the vaginal environment. With more than three of the four Amsel criteria this shows a BV infection.

Amsel criteria

1. Thin, white, yellow, homogeneous discharge

2. Clue cells on microscopy

3. pH of vaginal fluid greater than 4.5

4. Characteristic fishy

Treatment for Bacteria Vaginosis

Bacteria Vaginosis can be treated with medication especially antibiotics which clears the disease within 3 to 7 days and simple home remedies, however most time BV infection can heal by itself without medications.

Medications for Bacteria Vaginosis

Some medications is prescribed by your doctor to treat BV, this comes in tablets to be taken orally and creams. Metronidazole, Clindamycin and Tinidazole this are range of medications that works for bacteria vaginosis.

Home remedies for BV

So simple home remedies had been known to work with the treatment of BV this includes. The use of Apple cider vinegar, Cocont oil   and Probiotics like Yogurt

Problems with untreated BV

Untreated BV can be very dangerous as it is can have damaging consequences:

- It can increase ones chances of having HIV if on contact with an infected person,

- It can also cause premature delivery in pregnant mothers

- Infecting others if it is a female partner

- It increases the chances of getting Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

- It increases the chances of having pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

  

Tips to Preventing BV

The cause of BV has not been fully established, however to prevent the infection it is necessary to follow these simple tips:

- Avoid vaginal douching

- Reduce the number of your sexual partners

- Abstain from sex if necessary or use protection

- Don’t use vaginal irritants like deodorant, spray, scented tampons and pads

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