Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Usually, women who have bacterial vaginosis don’t experience any symptoms and the condition disappears itself. However, some females might experience these bacterial vaginosis symptoms:

• Fishy and smelly discharge
• Vaginal discharge that is off-white, grey, or green
• The foul smell after getting involved in sexual intercourse or during the menstrual cycle
• Itchiness and soreness in the vagina

It is essential to understand that bacterial vaginosis symptoms are similar to other infections. Hence, one must get in touch with the doctor to know if they have the same condition or suffer from any other vaginal infection or other serious reproductive problem.

When there is an abnormality in the natural balance of vaginal bacteria, then it becomes the cause of bacterial vaginosis. The exact bacterial vaginosis causes are yet to be found, but there are some identified causes and one must be mindful of them:

• When an individual is active sexually without using the barrier methods, however females who aren’t active also can catch bacterial vaginosis.
• If a woman is involved in sexual activity with more than one partner, it causes bacterial vaginosis.
• When a female has an IUD or contraception device.
• If a woman regularly uses fragranced products across the vaginal area, it becomes the cause of bacterial vaginosis.

The doctor recommends getting frequent check-ups done as it benefits in identifying the problem before it gets worse. You must make an appointment with a doctor if:

• You are observing vaginal discharge that is not familiar and linked to odour and fever. The doctor will assist in identifying the cause and assessing the signs or symptoms.
• If you have experienced a vaginal infection earlier, then notice the colour and consistency of the discharge.
• You are involved in sexual intercourse with multiple partners. You must try figuring out the sexually transmitted infection symptoms as the signs for bacterial vaginosis and STIs are similar.
• You can initiate evaluating the self-treatment for a yeast infection with over-the-counter medications.

The doctor will initiate the bacterial vaginosis diagnosis after obtaining the information from an individual experiencing the condition as per the symptoms. He/she will consider all types of reproductive infections that females can experience throughout their life. So, for particular bacterial vaginosis diagnosis, here is what the doctor might order:

• Firstly, to understand the condition your doctor will ask everything about the clinical history.
• Secondly, the doctor will begin with a physical evaluation.
• In the next step, to make things more clear, the doctor will follow the pelvic examination.
• The doctor will also initiate the test to assess the vagina’s pH and acidity level as it will benefit in assessing the problem.
• Lastly, the doctor will ask for the vaginal discharge sample to have a look at the cells covered with bacteria.

When it comes to bacterial vaginosis treatment, then in most cases the infection goes away on its own without any treatment. However, when an individual experiences symptom, then it is crucial to seek clinical care.

The doctor will recommend certain antibiotics such as clindamycin and metronidazole. These are gels or creams that are supposed to be inserted into the vagina.

However, one must not use them without a doctor’s recommendation. They also come in pill form so they can be taken orally. Additionally, there are no other over-the-counter products for bacterial vaginosis treatment.

Here are some tips for bacterial vaginosis prevention:

• Make sure to avoid douching
• Ensure avoiding vaginal contact with anything that is infected like toilet papers
• Restricting the number of partners for sexual intercourse
• Use protective methods before getting involved in sexual intercourse
• Make sure to wear cotton or cotton-lined underpants

Rukmani Birla Hospital, Jaipur is a multi-special hospital delivering exceptional healthcare services to its patients. We have become a renowned name in the healthcare industry because of our unmatchable patient care and health amenities offered to them. Our team of skilled and highly-skilled doctors holds a good amount of experience in their respective fields.

We have also received the NABH accreditation and this is why we are always the choice of patients finding healthcare as per their requirements. The integration of state-of-the-art technology and advanced equipment makes the best choice for all your healthcare needs.

We strive not only to deliver the finest health services but also to discharge our patients happy and healthy from our hospital.

So, if you are finding the right treatment for bacterial vaginosis, we are the right pick for you. We have a gynaecological department at the hospital equipped with the most talented and experienced professionals for all your reproductive-related health issues.