Bacterial vaginosis is the most common form of vaginal infection. Women having bacterial vaginosis have a large number of organisms called Gardnerella vaginalis. If this infection is present, a strong foul odor after sexual intercourse is present as well as, profuse white or discolored discharge.

Candida caused vaginitis is another frequent type of vaginal infection. This is characterized by itching, redness and swelling of the vaginal area. If this is present, there may be larger amounts of thick, white discharge or no discharge at all.

In cases of vaginal infection, one third of women have an unknown cause. These infections may extend to the urinary and reproductive system. Menopause, low hormone levels, allergies and weak immune system are among the causes of vaginal infections.

There is no one cause for vaginal infection. They may occur in stress, illnesses and with overuse of antibiotics.

In terms of diagnosis of vaginal infection, a simple physical assessment is done. The physician may ask for a history of the disease process as well as the clinical presentation.

The treatment for vaginal infections depends on the cause. A medication called metronidazole (Flagyl or Protostat) is prescribed for Trichomonas Vaginalis.  This drug is taken by mouth. Alcohol is contraindicated while taking this drug because it may have an adverse effect of stomach upset or nausea. Other medicines such as clindamycin (Cleocin), miconazole (Monistat), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin or Mycelex-G) and anti-fungal creams or gels are also available as treatment for Candida yeast infections.

If the infection gets worse or recurs, a physician must be consulted immediately.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most frequent sort of vaginitis. Bacterial vaginosis makes up 45% of all vaginitis.

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection with the vagina caused by bacterium. Now a woman's vagina normally has bacteria in it. The normal bacteria protect the vagina from yeast and bacterial infection by keeping things in balance.

The helpful bacterium are referred to as lactobacillus. The lactobacillus helps in its job to maintain the pH of the vagina. Not so valuable bacterial can grow out of control when the lactobacillus is overwhelmed. No one knows why or how this happens.

Bacterial vaginosis will cause a discharge from the vagina. The discharge might have a fishy smell particularly after having sex or a menstrual period. Discharge from bacterial vaginosis can be clear, grey, or milky. It may be thick or thin.

Why Must You Care About bacterial vaginosis? By traveling up the vagina into the cervix and also the fallopian tubes the germs can start an infection elsewhere. These disease can trigger sterility and other difficulties.

The bacteria can travel up the vagina into the cervix and up to the fallopian tubes and start an elsewhere. These other infections can lead to sterility and other difficulties. The complications are usually very serious if the woman is pregnant. The complications can include:

• Babies whose birth weight is less than 5 pounds
• Early delivery
• Early rupture of membrane

If you are pregnant and think you have bacterial vaginosis, contact your helathcare provider as soon as possible. Medical studies have shown bacterial vaginosis within the first trimester can double the incidence of miscarriage within the second trimester

If frequent bacterial vaginosis is a problem for you, read the information at Get Rid Of Bacterial Vaginosis.

Metronidazole is not given during early pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. It also is not used when breast feeding because of the risk to the baby.

The challenge with using these antibiotics is antibiotics change the balance in the vagina leading  to a yeast infection. Then you have not just one but two problems at the same time. Bacterial vaginosis is especially difficult to treat.

It can reoccur even with successful treatment. Almost 50% of al women treated have another episode within one year. It still is unknown as to why this happens.

What are complications of bacterial vaginosis?

If the symptoms disappear there is no special follow up needed.

In pregnancy it is important to closely monitor the mother  and the baby. Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy is much more serious. It can lead to premature labor, low birth weight babies, and infection of the amniotic fluids and uterus.

This is why if you have a history of premature births you will be screened for bacterial vaginosis during subsequent pregnancies.

• Whether or not fever is present?
• Is there pain in the pelvis or vaginal area?
• Have there been new or multiple sexual partners (was there unprotected sex)?
• Is there a history of sexually transmitted diseases?

There will also be a physical exam including a pelvic exam. The health care provider will check the vagina, its lining and the cervix. In addition the ovaries, and uterus will be checked. Samples will be taken to check for chlamydia or gonorrhea infections.

The samples taken of the vaginal discharge will be checked under the microscope. One can easily tell the difference between yeast infection (candidiasis) and trichomonas (sexually transmitted infection) under the microscope.

Bacterial vaginosis has several key identifiers. One is a particular type of cell called a clue cell. It is considered the definite identifying mark of bacterial vaginosis. The pH is greater than 4.5.  In addition women with bacterial vaginosis have less of the protective bacteria lactobacilli.

The key sign of this condition is a vaginal discharge, which is foul often described as fishy. Usually bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, but it can cause problems especially in women who are pregnant. If you have an unusual vaginal discharge you should check with your health care provider to make sure it is not a more serious infection such a chlamydia or gonorrhea.

What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis symptoms are vaginal odor and discharge. Rarely are there other symptoms. In fact, many women have no symptoms.

The discharge with bacterial vaginosis is thin, and a grayed white color. It tends to be more obvious after sexual intercourse.

Normal vaginal discharge varies by woman. So if the amount, color or smell changes it is a good idea to discuss this with your health care provider.
A large number of women with bacterial vaginosis do not have any symptoms with bacterial vaginosis.

What causes bacterial vaginosis?

The answer is no one really knows. It’s guessed that several different types of bacteria have to be present for this to happen. The vagina has its own special cleaning system normally taking care of the vagina.

The vagina’s natural cleansing system is made up of  a bacteria called lactobacilli. These bacteria kill off the harmful bacteria by secreting or giving off hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide prevents the harmful bacteria which doesn’t use oxygen  to live (anerobic).  So the harmful bacteria is unable to grow.

Certain conditions tend to increase a woman's risk of developing bacterial vaginosis. Some of the factors include new sexual partners, multiple sexual partners, use of vaginal douching, and smoking cigarettes.

It's not known why these factors lead to a higher risk. Though sexual activity is one of the conditions bacterial vaginosis can and does develop in women who have not had sexual intercourse.