Bacterial Vaginosis Resources

What is Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most general cause of vaginal infection known as vaginitis. Even though it is not considered to be an STD, it causes an imbalance of naturally occurring bacterial flora, resulting in bacterial vaginosis.

What are the symptoms and signs of Bacterial Vaginosis?

The most common symptom is an unusual vaginal discharge that worsens after sexual activity, which has an unpleasant fishy smell. Some women don’t experience any symptoms, while many other women experience intense swelling, itching and irritation (often misdiagnosed by health practitioner as yeast infection). Stomach pains can also be prevalent which may feel like severe cramps. In contrast, a normal discharge should be odorless and vary in amount and consistency with the menstrual cycle.

What causes Bacterial Vaginosis?

Normally, a healthy vagina should contain many microorganisms such as Lactobacillus Crispate and Lactobacillus Jensenii. Changes in normal bacterial flora due to use of antibiotics, pH imbalances or other reasons, allow the more resistant bacteria to grow at a fast pace, resulting in vaginal bacterial aggravation.

Bacterial vaginosis is common in sexually active women of reproductive age, and is even more common in women who either have multiple sexual partners or have recently changed partners. Even though BV can affect a sexually active woman, it can be found in virginal women as well.

Although bacterial vaginosis might be related to sexual activity, there is no strong evidence of sexual transmission.

Pregnant women and women with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are more at risk. Bacterial Vaginosis may also affect a woman after menopause, and it’s been proven that there is a link between BV and psychosocial stress. Studies have shown that anemia (iron shortage) is a strong cause of BV in pregnant women

There is a theory mentioning that sexual exchange of vaginal secretions in sex between women is a possible mechanism for acquisition.

In young girls, strep or bacteria from the anus due to unhealthy hygiene practices such as wiping from back to front may cause Bacterial Vaginosis.

What is the treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis?

Since the condition is caused by bacteria, traditional treatment for BV is antibiotics. Two very common antibiotic prescriptions include Metronidazole (Flagyl), which is taken orally as a pill or by vaginally (Metrogel). The vaginal clindamycin cream (Cleocin) is also available for treatment.

The oral metronidazole is believed to be the best and most effective treatment but may cause minor and unpleasant side effects. Typically the gel does not cause side effects, but yeast infections can happen as a side effect of the medication.

There is the possibility of bacterial vaginosis recurrence even after a successful traditional treatment. Recurrence happens in more than half of the treated patients within 12 months, and the reason is unclear. Due to appearance of recurrent symptoms, second courses of antibiotic treatment is usually recommended.

There are several alternative treatments available as well, and in the first chapter of “The Ultimate Natural Guide to Bacterial Vaginosis Relief”, the process of beginning alternative treatments for BV recovery is explained in depth.

To Your Health!

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