Any woman that has ever suffered with a bout of bacterial vaginosis (BV) knows from experience, how utterly annoying, painful, and embarrassing the symptoms of this condition can be. Although the symptoms are quite similar, an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast are two different types of infections. Common symptoms between the two may include: severe itching, burning during urination, pain during or after sexual intercourse, or an unusual looking discharge.

One of the tale tell signs of BV, though, is a very strong and foul smelling 'fishy' odor. Symptoms of BV can vary from person to person. Many women will not have any signs of a bacterial infection other than a nasty odor, and some may only have 1 or 2 of the symptoms mentioned above. Some women may not even know they have a BV infection, unless they are undergoing a pelvic exam for an unrelated matter.

Simply put, women that have a BV infection have too much 'bad' bacteria and not enough 'good' bacteria, upsetting the delicate flora balance inside the vagina. They don't have enough good germs to fight off an overgrowth of the bad germs that lead to the infection to begin with.

For many years, the first line of treatment for most women with this type of infection was to use an antibiotic. What many women are discovering now, is that antibiotics often provide only marginal results. Most find the infection appears to go away, only to return in the short-term with a different type of problem, a vaginal yeast infection.

Taking antibiotics for BV can lead to a vaginal yeast infection due to the over killing of good germs that keep candida yeast (which is normally present in the human body) in check. Without healthy populations of good bacteria inside the body, a potentially harmful bacterial or fungus overgrowth can soon take over the intestinal tract, or the vagina, leading to a lot of unnecessary suffering for both men and women.

Although there is no clear-cut evidence to support BV is spread through sexual activity, as some women still get it despite sexual abstinence, there are several known risk factors that make some people more susceptible to contacting a BV infection, and these risks are;

the overuse of antibiotics for any reason
pregnancy
douching and feminine deodorants disturb and irritate the natural delicate lining of the vagina
wearing synthetic undergarments, wet bathing suits, or tight fitting clothing that traps moisture
diets high in refined foods such as sugar, white flour, and processed fats
a vitamin D deficiency

BV is not a serious threat to your health by itself, if recognized and treated early. However, if left untreated, BV could quite possibly lead to a more serious medical condition such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervicitis, and endometritis. Women who are pregnant, or considering becoming pregnant, need to be especially careful, as BV can cause unwanted risks of miscarriage, early delivery, or a uterine infection after delivery.

Page 1 of 2 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 | Next