Bacterial Vaginosis

Introduction

A condition when there is excessive of bacteria on the women’s vagina is termed as Bacterial Vaginosis.  There is presence of some bacteria on vagina but the misbalance in the content of the bacteria leads this state. It will lead to discharge, fishy foul odor, pain and itching. It may also affect the bladder, urethra and skin area of the genitals. This mostly is common in the women of child bearing ages.

Causes

This is caused due to the misbalance of the content of the bacteria in the women’s vagina. Bacteria are already present in the women’s vagina. There is presence of the harmless and harmful bacteria in the vaginas. But due to the rise in the content of the harmful bacteria Bacterial Vaginosis is caused.

The actual cause of the Bacterial Vaginosis is not found yet.  There are some activities that can lead the women to the Bacterial Vaginosis. These are activities that can affect the balance of the bacteria on the vagina. These activities include having sex with new partner or multiple partners and douching (cleaning vagina using water or medicated solution), recent antibiotics and cigarette smoking.

The role of the sexual activities in getting Bacterial Vaginosis is not clear but women do not get it from toilet seats, swimming pool and touching objects around them. The women who hadn’t experienced sexual intercourse may also get Bacterial Vaginosis.

Symptoms

Mostly women (85% out of those of infected) with Bacterial Vaginosis do not have any symptoms. The most common is vaginal discharge and odor. The discharge may also vary from women to women. The women with abnormal discharge should evaluate the discharge. Some women will get thin grayish discharge with fishy foul odor. The odor is noticeable after sexual intercourse.

Diagnosis

If women have unusual discharge then the doctor examines the discharge in a routine basis. The vaginal cell called clue cell are examined under the microscope for the bacteria. In extreme case the pelvic exam will be conducted by the doctor. The doctor examines the ovaries, cervix and uterus manually. Additionally the serious case may be accompanied with fever, pelvic pain. A PH of more than 4.5 of the vaginal discharge may also suggest the Bacterial Vaginosis. Finally the doctor can perform whiff test with a solution of KOH, when a drop of KOH is reacted with the infected vaginal discharge then it results in a fishy odor.

Treatment

Antibiotics are the main content of the treatment. The metronidazole taken orally is helpful but the metronidazole gel  for the vaginal opening is preferred most. The vahinal cendamycin cream can also be used. Oral metronidazole may cause side effects we can take Trinidazole for fewer side effects.  Although these are the prescribed medicines for Bacterial Vaginosis, the doctor must be consulted before taking these pills. And a point to be noted is the Bacterial Vaginosis may be reoccurred after successful treatment.

Complications

There are no any major complications if a patient has Bacterial Vaginosis. If symptoms disappear then no any follow up is required. But there may be some serious complications.

If a women have Bacterial Vaginosis, then

·         A woman is likely to have HIV, if she is exposed to HIV virus.

·         It can cause premature birth, premature labor, and infection of the uterus after delivery.

·         A woman is also is likely to have after STDs.

Prevention

As Bacterial vaginosis is not completely interpreted by the scientist, the pure preventive measures cannot be suggested. But the preventive measures that can minimize the probability for the misbalance of the bacteria in the vagina are:

·         Do not take drugs or alcohol.

·         Have limited sex partners.

·         Douching should not be carried out.

·         Take the full dose of the medicine of the Bacterial Vaginosis if the symptoms disappear.