What Does Bacterial Vaginosis Cause?

What does bacterial vaginosis cause? Physical symptoms may include vaginal itching, burning urination, and vaginal discharge. In addition, there is likely to be a foul emitting from the discharge. It is important to note, however, that roughly 50 percent of women with this type of infection do not have any noticeable symptoms at all. This is why an annual pap smear examination is a good idea for sexually active women. A simple swab of the vaginal lining will pick up the bacteria, if any. Results of the swabbing may be known in as little as two days. Pinpointing your bacterial vaginosis cause could prove to be difficult. A common bacterial vaginosis cause is the use of scented or antiseptic soaps. Basically anything that could act as an irritant could be causing the infection. In some instances, women with bacterial vaginosis have even found smoke and certain detergents to be the irritants that caused their infections. Another bacterial vaginosis cause often stems from sexual activities. Having sex is not a direct bacterial vaginosis cause, but certain behaviors common to sexually active women may encourage the infection to transpire. Leaving semen in the vagina after sex, using an intrauterine contraceptive device, and douching all are potential culprits. What else could bacterial vaginosis cause? A recent report from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health provides us with some shockingly scary data. Researchers analyzed 23 published studies and found that women with bacterial vaginosis were more likely to be infected with HIV than women without bacterial vaginosis. You also may be wondering, does bacterial vaginosis cause cervical cancer? Thankfully, researchers have made no connection at this time between having bacterial vaginosis and being at an increased risk for cervical cancer because of it.

Download my free ebook. Just enter your first name and email.