What is bacterial vaginosis and what are the symptoms?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of various bacteria (germs). It is not just a simple infection caused by one type of bacterium.

• The main symptom of BV is a vaginal discharge. BV is one of the most common causes of vaginal discharge in women of childbearing age. The discharge is often a white-grey colour, and often has a fishy smell. The smell may be most noticeable when having sex. The discharge tends to be heaviest just after a period, and after having sex.
• The discharge does not usually cause itch or soreness around the vagina and vulva.
• Many women with BV do not have any symptoms (up to half of cases). BV may be found by chance when vaginal swabs are taken for other reasons.

Note: BV is not the only cause of a vaginal discharge. Various conditions can cause a discharge. For example, another common cause of a discharge is due to thrush (an infection caused by a yeast called candida). Unlike BV, thrush typically causes a thicker white discharge which tends to cause itch and soreness around the vagina and vulva. See separate leaflet called ‘Vaginal Thrush’ for more detail.

The causes of Bacterial Vaginitis is not completely understood by
Scientists.

However, enough is known to show that certain factors have an affect.

To make sure you get rid of vaginitis, it is also wise to support vaginal health through the digestive tract. Since yeast feeds on dietary sugar, it is important to slow down the spread of the yeast and various fungal infections by eliminating all refined and concentrated forms of sugar from the diet. Even fresh and dried fruit sugars should be avoided until the problem clears up. Soda pop and pastries are also a no-no. Be aware that nuts, seeds, cheeses, and some Indian and Chinese teas carry hidden mold and yeast spores. Avoid eating smoked meat, smoked fish or smoked poultry and try not to buy meat products from animals raised on antibiotics. Check food labels for hidden sugars in salad dressings, canned soups, and chips in cellophane bags.

We have been writing these tips, pieces of
information, articles, and success stories, hoping
they will provide you with some insight and help in controlling your BV and/or Yeast Infections.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginitis, accounting for 50% of cases. BV is caused by a change in the bacteria normally found in the vagina and causes an overgrowth of organisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis.

Risk factors include pregnancy, intrauterine device (IUD) use, and frequent douching. It is associated with sexual activity, possibly a new sexual partner or multiple sexual partners. Women who have never had sexual intercourse are rarely affected.

You do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools.

In the United States, as many as 16% of pregnant women have BV. This varies by race and ethnicity from 6% in Asians and 9% in whites to 16% in Hispanics and 23% in African Americans.

Vaginal yeast infections are caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. This is also called candidiasis, genital candidiasis, or vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Yeast infection can spread to other parts of the body including skin, mucous membranes, heart valves, esophagus, and other areas. It can cause life-threatening systemic infections mostly in people with weakened immune defenses (such as women who are pregnant and people who are HIV positive, have diabetes, or are taking steroids).

Nearly 75% of all adult women have had at least one genital yeast infection in their lifetime. Vaginal yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, but 12% to 15% of men will develop symptoms such as itching and penile rash following sexual contact with an infected partner.

Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of normally growing fungi in the vagina that creates unpleasant symptoms. The yeast are kept under control by normally growing bacteria in the body. If the natural balance of microorganisms is disrupted, the yeast grow out of control. It is not clear how fungal infections originate, but they are not thought to be sexually transmitted. Your own natural bacteria cause this type of infection when an imbalance occurs, possibly caused by any of these events:

Antibiotics use: Antibiotics destroy protective bacteria in the vagina. These bacteria normally stop the candidal organisms from overgrowing. Yeast infection may occur after you have taken a course of antibiotics for another condition such as strep throat.

Diabetes: Both diabetes and pregnancy make the vagina better suited for fungal growth. These conditions lower the glycogen store in certain vaginal cells. They may also raise the sugar content (and the pH) of the vagina and put you at risk for yeast infection.

Excessive alcohol

Birth control pills: Changes in the vaginal environment occur with increased hormonal levels from estrogen-containing birth control pills. This change creates an environment for the candidal fungus to grow and cause symptoms.

Hormonal changes such as ovulation, menopause, or pregnancy

Steroid use

Weakened immune system: HIV/AIDS, for example

Wearing underwear that is tight or non-cotton: This can increase temperature, moisture, and local irritation.

Use of douches, perfumed feminine hygiene sprays

Scratches in the vagina (during insertion of a tampon or other objects)

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (also called trich, pronounced “trick”) caused by a parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is primarily an infection of the urinary and genital tract. For women, the vagina is the most common site of infection. For men, the urethra is most commonly affected.

Other causes of vaginal infection may be because you could be allergic to spermicides, vaginal hygiene products, and detergents and fabric softeners you use to wash your clothes. You may also have a different sexually transmitted disease. Older women may experience atrophic vaginitis (a thinning of the vaginal walls with menopause). You may have forgotten to remove a tampon, or another foreign object may be in your vagina causing irritation.

Bacterial Vaginitis. Years ago, the condition was called Gardnerella Vaginitis. This is due to the fact that gardnerella bacteria is thought to cause the inflammation directly. A newer name, Bacterial Vaginitis, indicates that there are large quantities of species of bacteria that live naturally in the vagina and often grow to excess. Bacterial vaginitis will result when the balance between good bacteria and bad bacteria is disturbed, gardnerella the bad bacteria overgorws and inflammation occurs. The “good” bacteria are unable to fight against the “harmful” bacteria thereby causing an imbalance.

bacterial vagitis is very common in fact it is the most common vaginal infection to affect women. Yeast infections and trichomoniasis are both common vagina complaints but not as common as bacterial vaginitis.

Bacterial vaginitis is very often only a mild inflammation and can sometimes clear up on its own without treatment, this usually takes a few days but if it does not clear it may be a good idea to visit a doctor. It is always best to find some sort of treatment for your BV, if left untreated there is a real chance of a more serious condition taking hold. BV cannot be transferred to a male partner; therefore, to treat the male partner is not beneficial. The infection can be spread from one women to another this is going to more relevent to lesbian or bisexual women.

Not treating bacterial vaginitis can causes some serious risks including an increased HIV susceptibility if exposed. The increase of spreading HIV to her partner. An increase of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) has also been associated with women that have BV and that have recently had an abortion or hysterectomy. Some other STI can also be more common in a wome suffering from bacterial vaginitis, this is not always the case but chlamydia and gonorrhea are also more common.

This infection is found mostly in sexually active women and in approximately 16 percent of pregnant women, according to the CDC. Bacterial Vaginitis is most commonly associated with women that have had multiple sexual partners, a new sex partner, or those that use feminine products, such as douching, using feminine hygiene products and some antibiotics.

Women that are pregnant and have contracted Bacterial Vaginitis should be seen and treated by their OB/GYN as soon as they notice the related symptoms. Take extra care with bacterial vaginitis if you are pregnant, there are a number of complications that can occur with BV during pregnancy inclucding preterm labor. A physician should closely monitor any woman that has BV and is pregnant.

Although quite nasty bacterial vaginitis is very treatable, the normal route is to see your doctor and get a prescription of antibiotics usually in tablet form but also available in gels and creams these will rebalance all bacteria levels within the vagina. You must take in to account that a recurrence of bacterial vaginitis is very common after treatment.

Very little is actually known about how bacterial vaginitis is contracted and why so many women are effected but the what is known is that harmful bacteria overgrowth is to blame. Bacterial vaginitis is a very common inflammation to catch and all women are susceptalbe although common you can not catch it from swimming, sheets or a toilet seat.

What is bacterial vaginitis? Well its an inflammation of the vagina caused by a build up of the bad bacteria or Gardnerella in the vagina. This can cause itching, discharge an a nasty odor.

‘Bacterial Vaginitis’ can be treated with antibiotics but these will kill of the vaginas own good bacteria as well as the bad bacteria and will not stop the Bacterial Vaginitis coming back. You need to get smart with your body and build you own bodies natural bacteria balance. This can be done with probiotic drinks and natural yogurt amongst many other things. After suffering with recurrent bacterial vaginitis (BV) for over 3 years I eventually found a totally natural cure that did not involve any antibiotics or creams. If you have bacterial vaginitis for the first time or have had recurrent bacterial vaginitis for some time this is something you really should consider looking at Bacterial Vaginosis Help – The 3 Day Cure