Bacterial vaginosis is a very common inflammatory disorder that causes many women to see their gynaecologist. This poorly understood disorder is not serious in the vast majority of cases but can cause much concern for women affected by it.
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Some women (and doctors) mistakenly believe it is a yeast infection. Bacterial vaginosis is poorly understood condition in which the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted. Normally, there is a lot of “good” bacteria (lactobacilli) and some “bad” bacteria (anaerobes) in the vagina. The good types help control the growth of the bad types. In women with bacterial vaginosis, the balance is upset.
Women in their reproductive years are most likely to get bacterial vaginosis, but it can affect women of any age.
We are still not completely sure why this condition develops. It is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, although we know that women with bacterial vaginosis may be able to pass the condition to other women they have sex with, although it is not clear how this happens. There is no evidence to suggest the bacteria causing bacterial vaginosis can affect male sexual partners.
There are also a number of other factors that can increase a woman’s risk of developing bacterial vaginosis and these include the following:
• using scented soaps or bubble baths
• having an intrauterine device (IUD) fitted
• using vaginal deodorant
What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Many women with this disorder do not have any symptoms and are often diagnosed when going to their gynaecologist for some other condition. When symptoms do occur the most common is that of a vaginal discharge and a “fishy” vaginal ordour.
When to see your doctor?
It is important to make the correct diagnosis so that treatment can be commenced in a timely manner. You should see your doctor if:
• You have vaginal discharge that is new and associated with an odour or fever.
• You have had vaginal infections before, but the colour and consistency of your discharge seem different this time.
• You have multiple sex partners or a new partner. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection are similar to those of bacterial vaginosis.
• You try self-treatment for a yeast infection with an over-the-counter treatment and your symptoms persist.
Treatment
Once the woman is diagnosed, a number of medications are available to successfully treat bacterial vaginosis. In some women the disorder might recur and a further course of treatment is needed.
Complications
In most women bacterial vaginosis is a mild disorder but, in a few instances, in women not getting the appropriate treatment a few complications might develop to include the following:
• Preterm birth. In pregnant women, bacterial vaginosis is linked to premature deliveries and low birth weight babies.
• Sexually transmitted infections. Having bacterial vaginosis makes women more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia or gonorrhoea. If you have HIV, bacterial vaginosis increases the odds that you will pass the virus on to your partner.
• Infection risk after gynecologic surgery. Having bacterial vaginosis may increase the risk of developing a post-surgical infection after procedures such as hysterectomy.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Bacterial vaginosis can sometimes cause PID, an infection of the uterus and the fallopian tubes that can increase the risk of infertility.
Conclusion
Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15-44. If you have sympotms suggestive of bacterial vaginsis see your doctor so that you cn be successfully treated.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG, is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty-two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
