How to Cure Bacterial Vaginosis Effectively?

There are both good and harmful bacteria present in a healthy vagina. They live together in a delicate balance. But, certain situations can cause the number of harmful bacteria to go up and cause trouble. This condition is known as bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Causes

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the levels of any of the naturally occurring bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Peptostreptococcus, Fusobacterium, Eubacterium, etc.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Excessive vaginal discharge which is thin and watery in consistency and greyish white in color.
2. Foul odor in the vagina.
3. Noticeably increased discharge and fishy odor after sexual intercourse.
4. Increased vaginal pH.

Risk Factors

The situations which increase the risk of a woman developing BV are as follows:

• Being sexually active.
• Having a new sex partner.
• Having multiple sex partners.
• Cigarette smoking.
• Vaginal douching.
• Using intrauterine birth control devices.
• Engaging in oral sex.
• Engaging in anal sex.
• Antibiotic usage.
• Use of vaginal deodorants.

Investigations

• Pelvic examination.
• Manual examination of ovaries and uterus.
• Swab sample examination.
• Whiff test.

Treatment

Antibiotic tablets and gels are prescribed by the doctor to treat the condition. Metronidazole is the antibiotic of choice. But, if the infection recurs, Clindamycin or Tinidazole may be prescribed. The duration of the antibiotic course may vary from one-day or five-day to a seven-day course depending on the severity and rate of recurrence of the infection.

It is not necessary for male partners to be treated simultaneously but female partners with symptoms are to be treated simultaneously as it can pass on from one woman to another.