Must know things on Bacterial Vaginosis Infection

Bacterial vaginosis infection is a disease caused by the chemical and biological imbalance in the naturally occurring bacteria. This should not be confused with yeast infection though there are symptoms common to both conditions. Bacterial vaginosis is a simple yet awkward condition as most women are embarrassed to discuss this with their gynecologist.

A large number of microorganism are normally present in the vagina. This includes bacteria like Gardnerella, Mobiluncus, Bacteroides and Lactobacillus to name a few. Bacterial vaginosis is triggered when changes in the normal flora occur, like the reduction in the number of good bacteria lactobacillus. This could be due to a change in the pH level of the vagina or the use of antibiotics.

The hallmarks of bacterial vaginosis infections are the abnormal discharge (especially after sex) and the fishy odor. Other symptoms like itching, stomach pains and burning sensation can be felt but some women who have bacterial vaginosis infection do not feel any symptoms at all.
BV is common among sexually active women 15-44 years old but may also affect pre-pubescent girls and menopausal-age women. Though associated with sexual activity, it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Conventional treatment for BV includes the use of antibiotics like metronidazole and clindamycin in oral and vaginal gel form. Oral metronidazole is reportedly the most effective treatment but may cause some side effects. Vaginal gels do not have side effects but may not be as effective and may even cause yeast vaginitis. Some studies show a high rate of recurrence even after completing the treatment regimen. It is still not known why many bacterial vaginosis infections recur. When this happens, a second round of antibiotic treatment is usually prescribed.

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