OBGYN visits for early detection

Bacterial Vaginosis: Everything A Woman Needs To Know

30 June 2015 by Dwight Frazier

Bacterial vaginosis is the name of a vaginal inflammation caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in a woman's vagina. The inflammation sets in when the overgrowth upsets the normal balance of vaginal bacteria. While women who are in their reproductive years are more likely to get bacterial vaginosis, this is a condition any woman can experience.

What Cases This Inflammation to Occur?

The unfortunate truth is medical experts and researchers have yet to determine exactly what causes a woman to develop bacterial vaginosis. Medical experts do know several different types of bacteria must be present in the vagina at once for this condition to develop. There are some situations and factors that many medical experts believe may increase the chances of bacterial vaginosis developing:

• Recent use of antibiotics
• New or multiple sexual partners
• Birth control
• Smoking cigarettes
• Vaginal douching

The connection between bacterial vaginosis and sexual activity has yet to be established by medical experts. This means there is no need for you to place the blame of the condition exclusively on your sexual partners.

How Do You Know You Have Bacterial Vaginosis?

A thin and gray vaginal discharge is the first sign bacterial vaginosis is developing. You will also notice a foul and somewhat fishy smell. This smell will be strongest after sexual activity. Vaginal itching and burning when you urinate are also common symptoms. The unfortunate truth is there are many women who develop bacterial vaginosis without any symptoms at all. This is why it is so important for a woman to go to a gynecologist, like one at Bayview OB GYN Women's Care Florida, regularly for checkups.

When Should You Go to the Doctor?

Any time you notice a change in your vaginal area, there is nothing wrong with making an appointment to see a gynecologist to get yourself checked out. It is extremely common for women to try over-the-counter treatments for yeast infection before heading to the doctor. While there is nothing wrong with trying these treatments, you should still make an appointment to make sure the infection is gone. If you were to develop a fever or notice an unpleasant vaginal smell, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Other than the pain and discomfort, bacterial vaginosis is not known to cause many complications. It can cause pregnant women to deliver prematurely, and it can cause other types of infections to develop. Getting regular checkups by a gynecologist and scheduling an appointment as soon as you notice strange vaginal symptoms is the best thing you can do for your body. 

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