Most women will get a vaginal infection at some point in their lives. Bacterial vaginosis has been recognized as the most frequent form of vaginitis in women of childbearing age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bacterial vaginosis is sometimes still referred to as 'nonspecific vaginitis' or 'Gardnerella vaginitis'.
About 50 percent of women who get bacterial vaginosis sometimes will not have any symptoms. The other half of bacterial vaginosis sufferers will get a fish-like smell from their vaginal discharge, an increased discharge that is white or gray in color, pain while urinating, and itching in the vaginal region.
Women who have had bacterial vaginosis are also at a disadvantage when it comes to certain sexually transmitted diseases. A bacterial vaginosis infection may increase the odds of the woman getting sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, HIV, and chlamydia. It is recommended that women who have a vaginal infection get checked out for these diseases.
What causes bacterial vaginosis? As its name implies, it is a bacteria related issue. Specifically, bacterial vaginosis may form when the 'good' bacteria in the vagina are overrun by the 'bad' bacteria. Good and bad bacteria is normal in the vagina, but there is a delicate balance that needs to be kept. Lactobacillus is among one of the good kinds of bacteria found in the vagina. Undesirable bacteria, such as Gardnerella vaginalis and bacteroides, may push out the lactobacillus bacteria and cause a vaginal infection.
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis consists of using antibiotic medication, taken either orally or intravaginally. A gynecologist can easily take a sample of vaginal fluid and send it to a lab for results. Eating yogurt with live cultures may prevent the harmful bacteria from overrunning the healthy ones in the first place.
|
|
Download my free ebook. Just enter your first name and email.
|