What is Bacterial Vagniosis (BV)?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal inflammation caused by an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina, resulting in a bacterial imbalance.
Who gets Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) ?
For women aged 15 to 44, bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most frequent vaginal condition. Even if a woman has not had sexual intercourse, anyone with a vagina can get bacterial vaginosis. However, this is a rare occurrence. It most commonly affects those who are sexually active. There is a higher risk of contracting BV if one:
Is pregnant.
Does not use condoms and dental dams.
Is having a contraceptive device (IUD) implanted in the uterus.
Is having multiple sex partners.
Has found a new sexual partner.
Has a sex partner who is female.
Is using female douches.
Is of African descent. In African-American women, BV is twice as common as in white women.
How do you get BV
The cause of BV is unknown to researchers. However, the disease is most common in sexually active people. In a vagina, BV is caused by an imbalance of “good” and “bad” bacteria. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can disrupt the normal balance of vaginal flora, putting a person at risk for BV. Although BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it can raise the chance of contracting one.
Symptoms of BV
Women with BV have no symptoms about half of the time. They can, however, include:
Burning sensation while peeing.
After sex, there is a fishy odour that gets stronger.
Itching.
Discharge that is thin, white, grey or green.
A burning feeling during urination and itching around the exterior of the vagina may also occur, though this is less common.
Symptoms of BV are similar to those of other infections. It is critical to see a doctor to identify whether one has BV or another type of vaginal infection.
Difference between BV and vaginal yeast infection
Vaginal discharge is commonly caused by bacterial vaginosis and vaginal yeast infections. It is difficult to tell if one has BV or yeast infection because the symptoms are so similar. Only a doctor or a nurse can tell if one has BV for sure.
Bacterial vaginosis discharge may be white or grey in colour, but it may also have a fishy odour. A yeast infection’s discharge might be white or grey, but it can also resemble cottage cheese.
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an overgrowth of dangerous bacteria in the vaginal area, whereas a yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of candida fungus. Another distinction is that BV does not usually cause redness or swelling in and around the vaginal area, but yeast infections do.
Because the two infections are caused by different factors, they require different treatments. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed by doctors to treat bacterial vaginosis, and antifungal medicines to treat yeast infections.
Because of their similar symptoms, bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections are easily confused. However, the treatment required to treat the diseases is rather different. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal drugs, however BV usually requires an antibiotic prescription from a doctor.
Diagnosis of BV
The doctor may use the following tests to determine if you have bacterial vaginosis:
Inquire about your medical history. Any previous vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases may be brought up by the doctor.
Examine your pelvis. During a pelvic exam, the doctor visually inspects your vagina for symptoms of infection and inserts two fingers into the vagina while pressing on your abdomen with the other hand to look for signs of disease in your pelvic organs.
A sample of vaginal secretions is collected. This can be done to see if your vaginal flora has an overabundance of anaerobic bacteria.
Checking the pH of your vaginal discharge. By inserting a pH strip into your vagina, the doctor can determine the acidity of your vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is indicated by a vaginal pH of 4.5 or above.
Treating BV
Although treating an infected woman’s male sexual partner is usually unnecessary, bacterial vaginosis can transmit between female sexual partners. Female partners must be tested and if necessary, treated. Pregnant women with symptoms should be treated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of early birth or low birth weight babies.
Antibiotics might be prescribed by the doctor to treat bacterial vaginosis. This could be a tablet that you swallow or a cream or gel that you apply to your vaginal area. Most treatments will take 5 to 7 days to complete. Even if your symptoms go away, it is important to finish all of your medications. If one stops too soon, the infection may return.
Because BV can be transmitted through sex, avoid sexual contact until you have finished your prescription and symptoms have subsided. If the partner is a woman, she may wish to consult with her doctor to if she requires treatment.
Even when BV has been treated and gone away, it frequently reappears. If this happens, you will almost certainly need to take antibiotics for a longer period of time. If one is using an IUD and your BV keeps returning, one should talk to a doctor about switching to a different kind of birth control.
What happens if BV is not treated
The majority of the time, BV does not result in any other health issues. However, if left untreated, BV can put you at risk for STDs like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and inflammation of the uterus or fallopian tubes caused by the BV bacteria. It can also lead to other complications during pregnancy, such as a low-birth-weight infant or premature rupture of the membranes.
What should I do if I have BV
BV is a simple infection to cure. If you suspect you have BV, do the following:
Consult a physician or a nurse.
Make sure to take all of your medications exactly as directed. Even if your symptoms disappear, you must finish the medication.
If your sex partner is female, inform her so she can be handled properly.
Until your treatment is complete, avoid sexual contact.
If your symptoms do not go away within a few days after finishing the medications, see a doctor or nurse again.
Is it safe to treat pregnant women who have BV
Although BV is not normally a concern during pregnancy, it has been linked to several pregnancy difficulties. The majority of BV women have completely normal pregnancies. Furthermore, up to half of all BV cases in pregnant women resolve on their own. If one has been diagnosed with BV, one will be prescribed antibiotics that are safe to take while pregnant.
How can I lower my risk of BV
Taking the following steps may help to reduce the risk of BV:
Keeping the bacteria in your vaginal area balanced. Only clean the outside of your vagina with warm water. It is not necessary to use soap. To keep the area cool, wear cotton or cotton-lined underwear.
Not douching. Douching throws off the balance of good and bad bacteria in your vagina. This may increase your chances of contracting BV.
Avoid sex. Researchers are still trying to figure out how women contract BV. One can get BV even if they do not have sex, but it is more frequent in women who do.
Keep limited sex partners. According to research, the number of partners one has increases the risk of contracting BV.
How can I protect myself if I am a female and my female partner has BV
If your partner is infected with BV, you may be able to reduce the risk by using sex protection.
When having sex, always use condoms and dental dams
Before using sex toys, wrap them with condoms. Before sharing the item with your partner, remove the condom and replace it with a new one.
Even if women do not have symptoms, those who have sex should have frequent gynaecologist checkups and STD tests because of infections like BV. Because most women with BV have no symptoms, they may be unaware that they have it and may not seek treatment. Although BV is usually minor, it must be treated to avoid further complications.
Sources:
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3963-bacterial-vaginosis
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279
3. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/vaginitis/what-bacterial-vaginosis
4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/
5. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/bacterial-vaginosis
6. https://www.advancedgynecology.com/2020/bacterial-vaginosis-vs-yeast-infections-differences-and-similarities/
7. https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/bacterial-vaginosis.aspx#:~:text=Treatment%20with%20antibiotics%20for%20BV,have%20no%20signs%20or%20symptoms.