BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS (BV)

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an abnormal vaginal condition that is characterized by a whitish-grey vaginal discharge with unpleasant smell. The term bacterial vaginosis is used to refer to the intricate changes of vaginal bacterial flora (i.e bacteria inhabiting the vagina) due to loss of lacto-bacilli, an increase in vaginal PH and an increase in anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis as the name suggests is caused by bacteria. BV is also know as vaginal bacteriosis.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMSBACTERIAL VAGINOSIS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The main symptom of BV is a vaginal discharge. BV is one of the most common causes of vaginal discharge in women of child bearing age. The discharge is often white-grey in colour and often has a fishy smell.
The smell may be more noticeable during sex. The discharge does not usually cause itching or sore around the vagina and vulva.

CAUSES

Normally, there are a lot of good bacteria and few harmful bacteria in the vagina. The good types help control the growth of the harmful types. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs when these harmful bacteria out grows the good bacterial. Although the bacteria is of low virulence, It causes discomfort when infection co-exist with more virulent organisms. The risk of getting bacterial vaginosis is higher if you have more than one sex partner or have a new sex partner, douche or smoke.

RISKS

➢ BV and pregnancy;
If you have untreated BV during pregnancy, you have a slightly increased risk of developing some complications of pregnancy. These include:
● Chorioamnionitis – inflammation of the membranes that surround the fetus (chorion and amnion).
● Miscarriage.
● Having your baby early (preterm birth) with risk of cerebral palsy if the baby survives.
● Having a low birth-weight baby.
● Developing an infection of the womb (uterus) after childbirth (postpartum endometritis).
➢ BV and surgery;
If you have untreated BV, the chance of developing an infection of the uterus is higher following certain surgeries such as termination of pregnancy or a vaginal hysterectomy.
➢ BV and other infections;
If you have untreated BV, you may have an increased risk of developing HIV infection if you have sex with someone who is infected with HIV. You may also be more likely to pass on HIV if you have HIV
and BV together. There is also some evidence that women with untreated BV may be at an increased risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

DIAGNOSIS

Bacterial vaginosis can be diagnosed by the following tests:
➢ Testing the acid level of your vagina; The discharge of BV has a typical PH level (acid/alkaline balance) compared to other causes of discharge. In addition, if an alkali is added to a sample of the discharge, it often causes a characteristic fishy smell.
➢ Taking a sample (a swab); To confirm the diagnosis, a swab of the discharge should be taken from the vagina and sent to the laboratory for testing. Large numbers of various bacteria that occur with BV are seen under the microscope. More than one swab can be taken from the vagina to rule out other causes of vaginal discharge.

TREATMENT

There is a good chance that BV will gradually clear without treatment. Any disruption in the balance of vaginal germs (bacteria) maybe corrected naturally with time. So if you have no symptoms or only mild symptoms you may not need any treatment. However you may be advised to take antibiotics treatment depending on the severity.
Such antibiotics are metronidazole tablets, metronidazole vaginal gel or clindamycin vaginal cream, clindamycin tablets or trindazole tablets.

PREVENTION

➢ Do not push water into your vagina to clean it (douching). The vagina needs no specific cleaning.
➢ Do not add bath oils, antiseptics, scented soaps, perfumed bubble bath, shampoos, e.t.c., to bath water.
➢ Do not use strong detergents to wash your underwear.
N.B; The logic behind these tips is to try not to upset the normal balance of germs (bacteria) in the vagina.

More details and references can be found below;

[url]http://www.checkhealth247.com/diseases/bacterial-vaginosis-bv/
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Bacterial Vaginosis (BV); Causes and Cures Discussed in Details