All The Facts About Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common causes of vaginal infections. It is known with a few different names, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal bacteriosis or just vaginitis. Bacterial vaginosis is not really a sexually transmitted diesease although it can often flair up arfter sex but that is usually down to a bacteria imbalance. Bacterial vaginosis is not easily spread and can not live outside the body, so you will be unable to catch it from a toilet seat, in a swimming pool or of any bed clothes.

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance within the vagina of the naturally occuring bacteria. There naturally occuring good bacteria or lactobacillus is replaced or taken over by bad bacteria or gardnerella. Once overgrowth of the bad bacteria starts the good bacteria can not keep a healthy balance. The symptoms of BV are very telling: there is a white, gray, or even yellow vaginal discharge that excretes a foul, fishy smelling odor. This discharge and odor can become more apparent during or after sexual intercourse.

With in 3 days or so BV can sometimes clear all by itself. However, if you still have the symptoms, you should be seen as soon as possible by your GYN or physician to receive the proper care and treatment as it can cause very serious problems if left untreated. Creams and gels all have there place in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis but the trouble with these are that they will only treat the symptoms of BV and not the cause, it becomes very likely that the bacterial vaginosis will return.

If you are pregnant, it could possibly lead to a miscarriage, early delivery and/or a uterine infection after pregnancy. Should you have a pelvic procedure scheduled, such as an abortion or hysterectomy, you are more likely than other women having those same procedures of having a pelvic infection. If you do have bacterial vaginosis then you will be more susceptable to catching other more serious diseases if exposed. You must get your bacterial vaginosis it can be come more than just a nuisance if left untreated.

Treatment is as simple as obtaining a prescription for an antibiotic. The antibiotics most often used are metronidazole and clindamycin, but you should keep in mind that metronidazole has been banned in Europe as it has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Both types of antibiotics come in the following forms: pills that you will swallow, an antibiotic cream or gel, which is to be rubbed on the affected areas or a capsule (ovule) that you will insert into your vagina. As i stated before this will be the first course of action you need to take and hopefully this will clear up your problem but a lot of women find that the bacterial vaginosis does come back.

BV usually clears up within two to three days with the antibiotics; however, it is essential that you continue to take the full seven-day regimen. Eveb if your BV symptoms go away you must continue the treatment until you complete the course of antibiotics that is usually 7 – 10 days. Always complete the full course of any prescribed antibiotics.

The antibiotics usually work very well; however, there may be a few side effects. It can happen that you will develope a yeast infection the discharge is thicker and white in color and there is no smell or odor. Should you develop these symptoms, contact your doctor’s office as soon as possible so that he can prescribe a different antibiotic for the yeast infection.

If you directly apply gels or creams in to the vagina then be aware that condoms may become ineffective. Using condoms with the gels and creams causes the latex to break down and they will be ineffective all together.

Bacterial vaginosis often comes back, recurrent BV is actually very common effecting almost 1 in 3 sufferers. It is not uncommon for women to suffer the same symptoms within a few days, they can either take another course of antibiotics or try another more natural treatment.

Find out more about the best home remedies and a great natural Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment