Bacterial Vaginosis
A part of every women's health education is knowing about vaginitis. Vaginitis means inflammation or irritation of the vagina. Most women who have had a case of vaginitis will agree there is definitely irritation. Vaginitis can be caused by infections, allergies and hormonal changes.
What Is The Difference of Bacterial Vaginosis vs Vaginitis?
The medical definition of bacterial vaginosis (also called bv) is the existence or state of having an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. Actually bacterial vaginosis is the most common type of vaginitis.
Approximately 40-45% of all vaginal infections are bacterial with yeast (candida albicans) 20-25% and trichomoniasis 15-20% with the remainder a combination of these and other organisms.
Bacteria live in a women’s vagina normally. Sometimes bacteria take over and this leads to an infection. The bacterial infection is called bacterial vaginosis. The infection gives a thin grayish white almost sticky vaginal discharge with a fishy smell. Up to 50% of women show no symptoms at all of bacterial vaginosis.
Who’s At Risk For Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is more common in African-American women than other ethnic-racial groups. Other risk factors for bacterial vaginosis include women who:
- Douche,
- Have IUD’s and
- Have more than two sexual partners.
The imbalance of bacteria leading to bacterial vaginosis often happens in pregnancy and infections following pelvic surgery. Hormonal changes of pregnancy can lead to a change in the bacterial levels.
With the hormone changes of menopause, the possibility of getting bacterial vaginosis also increases.
Why worry about bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis can lead to:
- Decreased vaginal protection so it is easier to get HIV infections,
- Development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and
- Having an infection following gynecological surgeries or procedures.
In pregnant women bacterial vaginitis can lead to:
- Early labor
- Tiny premature babies, and
- Early delivery
Bacterial infections are much more frequent than yeast infections. This is why it is so important to correctly tell the difference between yeast infections and bacterial vaginitis.
What Is The Treatment For Bacterial Vaginosis?
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis is done in a variety of ways. Antibiotic medicines and natural ways are both options for treatment. click here to get the all-natural plan for treating your bacterial vaginosis.