Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused mostly by the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis due to a change in the woman's normal vaginal flora or during intimate contact, although it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. Learn how not to catch bacterial vaginosis.
Although it causes a lot of discomfort, vaginosis can be easily treated with the use of antibiotics, so it is very important to identify the symptoms and go to the gynecologist to identify the problem and start the appropriate treatment. The most common symptoms are:
- Greyish, greenish or yellowish discharge;
- Vaginal odor similar to rotten fish;
- Itching of the vulva and vagina;
- Burning sensation when urinating.
Symptoms are most evident after intimate contact and before and at the end of menstruation; however, some women with bacterial vaginosis may not show any signs and symptoms.
Who has a higher risk of having bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis can happen in any person, however, women with many sexual partners, who do frequent vaginal showers or who have a vaginal flora poor in lactobacillus are at greater risk of having bacterial vaginosis.
Differences between bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis
Some of the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis can be confused with candidiasis symptoms; however, they are infections caused by different microorganisms, requiring different types of treatment, so it is very important to make the distinction:
| Bacterial vaginosis | Vaginal candidiasis |
|---|---|
| Moderate or absent itching | Intense itching |
| Fish-like odor | Odorless |
| Greasy, yellowish or greenish liquid discharge | Thick, identical to white curd |
| Painless | With pain |
| Caused by bacteria | Caused by fungi |
The differences between candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis may not be easy to identify and may be confused with other problems, so it is very important to go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear.
Bacterial vaginosis examination
The best test to confirm bacterial vaginosis is the analysis of vaginal discharge, after collection by the gynecologist with a swab. The doctor will check for the presence of at least 3 of the 4 signs:
- Observation of characteristic discharge;
- Identification of the presence of the bacteria, visualizing the so-called Clue cells ;
- Verification of a change in vaginal pH, which becomes> 4 during infection;
- Identification of the odor of rotten fish.
This examination is done in the gynecologist's office, which will need to do the specular examination to observe the vaginal region and cervix.
When to go to the doctor
Although bacterial vaginosis causes very characteristic symptoms, it can be confused with other infections, so you should go to the doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear so there is a correct diagnosis and an antibiotic is prescribed.
The doctor may ask questions about previous infections, do a pelvic exam, examine vaginal secretions, or test vaginal pH to make the diagnosis.
