Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis: Everything You Need To Know

About

A condition which causes bacterial overgrowth in the vagina.

50% of women with bacterial vaginosis don't have any symptoms [1].

- Needs to be treated by a medical professional
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging often required
- Short-term- resolves within days or weeks

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic (not requiring oxygen to grow) bacteria and an organism called gardnerella vaginalis. If you don’t show any symptoms of BV, then you can check for the other causes of unusual vaginal discharge. BV is not a sexually transmitted disease ( STD) but persistent occurrence can often increase the chances of getting STD after intercourse. Pregnant women are quite susceptible to BV and need immediate medical attention.

Women aged between 15 and 44 are affected most often.

Symptoms

Self-diagnosable:
In some cases, there are no symptoms, but in case, there may be an unusual vaginal discharge, odor or itching sometimes.

People may experience:
Discharge: white, dull gray, greenish, and/or foamy
Also common: vaginal burning

Treatment

Self-care: avoid douching (washing the vaginal area with a mixture of water and vinegar) as it can increase bacterial growth. Having safe sex or limited sex partners can also help avoid the situation.

Medication: medical treatment can include the prescription of cream, gel or other medication. Antibiotics may be recommended to stop the overgrowth of bacteria.

Specialist: for medical opinions, consult a Primary Care Provider (PCP) or an OBGYN doctor. At mfine, we make sure that your healthcare provider knows your medical history to provide more holistic treatment options.