Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and It’s Remedies

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is now the commonest reason of vaginal discharge in the western world. Yet amazingly, doctors still don't really know what reasons it.            ‘’Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Remedies’’

However, the fact that it often responds well to antibiotics indicates that very frequently certain bacterial infection is involved.

BV often produces a greyish or greyish-white discharge (occasionally yellow), which is regularly accompanied by a rather 'fish-like' odour.

‘’Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Remedies’’

But several women who have BV are symptomless, and in their cases the diagnosis is only made after a vaginal swab has been taken.

Unlike convinced other common reasons of vaginal discharge, BV does not cause soreness, irritation or itching.

UK genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics are now treating about 100,000 new cases a year, which is certain indication of how frequently it occurs.

Several other women are treated elsewhere – for instance in GPs' surgeries.

‘’Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Remedies’’

What causes BV?

No-one really knows the precise cause of BV. But it happens when the vagina misplaces its normal slight acidity. This acidity is shaped by health-promoting vaginal bacteria called lactobacilli.

You may be surprised to overhear that there are bacteria in the vagina. 

However these are 'good' micro-organisms, which help to control the pH (ie the acid-alkali balance) of the vaginal secretions.

In BV, germs named anaerobes, usually including one named Gardnerella and another called Provotella, are found in the vagina, replacing the usual organisms. Anaerobes are bacteria that can live without oxygen, and characteristically they produce an unpleasant odour.

Potentially, this imbalance could occur because of many factors, such as:

‘’Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Remedies’’

·         an action on the vagina

·         douching (the exercise of washing out or syringing out the vagina)

·         putting inappropriate and non-sterile substances into the vagina

·         sex.

In practice, BV often seems soon after a sexual encounter. But sometimes it happens for no obvious reason.

Is it sexually transmitted?

If you search the several websites devoted to bacterial vaginosis, you will find that certain authorities confidently state that it is not sexually transmitted. Others state that it is, while some only say that 'there is no evidence that it's sexually transmitted'.

In other arguments, we still do not know whether BV is sexually transmissible or not. Though, it's worth noting that it's rare in virgins, and that it often flares up after sex. Occasionally it occurs after the beginning of a new relationship.

‘’Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Remedies’’

Can the disease be transmitted to men?

Several doctors would say no, but there's a type of inflammation of the tip of the penis (balanitis) that seems to be linked to germs found in BV, though it's not shared.

Who is at risk?

Entirely women are at some risk, but particularly those who are sexually active.

How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?

In GUM clinics, the disorder can be diagnosed by looking at the appearance of the discharge – and by these three tests below.

·         Examination the pH (the alkalinity) of the vaginal secretions. These are slightly acid when the woman is in normal health, but in BV the pH is greater than 5, in other words, more alkaline than normal.

·         The potassium hydroxide test: if a minor amount of 10 per cent potassium hydroxide solution is added to a specimen of the discharge, there is a distinctive smell. This is named 'the whiff test'. It's becoming less commonly used because potassium hydroxide is a caustic liquid and so potentially harmful.

·         On investigative the discharge under a microscope, unusual cells called 'clue cells' are usually seen if BV is present. These have originate from the top layer of the walls of the vagina. They have an odd, stippled entrance on microscopic examination, due to the fact that germs are clinging to them.

‘’Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Remedies’’

In repetition, BV is only likely to be precisely diagnosed in a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, or sometimes by a gynaecologist, since hardly any GPs or family planning clinics have the technical services to make the diagnosis.

Though, if a woman has a persistent discharge like the one we've described, and if it doesn't respond to anti-thrush medications, and if no other cause for the sign is found (for instance, a forgotten tampon), it's sensible to say that she probably has BV.

How is BV treated?

The standard cure is the antibiotic drug metronidazole. This can be given orally as tablets (Flagyl) or occasionally used as a gel (Zidoval).

Metronidazole is highly actual against anaerobic bacteria in the vagina and elsewhere (eg the mouth), and that is presumably why it works in BV. You must not drink alcohol while taking it, because the combination can produce a really unfriendly reaction.

If metronidazole doesn't effort, or the discharge keeps coming back, GUM clinics tend to give a course of other anti-anaerobic antibiotics, such as clindamycin (Dalacin cream), which is inserted into the vagina by an applicator.

There are also vaginal preparations which are intended to restore the normal slight acidity of the oozes.

It's not normal to treat the patient's partner, but in recurrent cases of BV this might be worth considering.

‘’Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Remedies’’

What can you do to prevent BV?

Since the exact reason of BV is still not really known, it's problematic to give precise advice about how to prevent it. However, doctors who work in the field of sexual health often give the following hygiene information.

·         Don't douche. This habit, which is shared in the USA and some other countries, is usually regarded by British medics as liable to upset the bacteriological balance of the vagina.

·         Avoid thongs. Some specialists say that these can transfer germs from the anus to the vagina, and so cause vaginosis.

·         If attacks occur after intercourse, try to break having sex for a while. If that advice is unbearable to follow, then it may be worth trying the effect of making love with a female condom or Femidom. This lines the entire of the inside of the vagina during sex.

Bacterial vaginosis has become very mutual these days. So if you have a non-irritant, unpleasant-smelling, greyish, whitish or yellowish discharge, it may healthy be due to be BV.

Your finest move would be to go to your local GUM clinic for fast, accurate diagnosis and advice.

‘’Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms and Remedies’’