Bacterial Vaginosis

Description

Bacterial vaginosis is a poorly understood disease. It is associated with several changes in the vagina including:

• less normal healthy bacteria in the vagina (especially ones called Lactobacilli)
• the vaginal fluids, which are normally quite acidic, become less acidic
• other bacteria in the vagina increase in number.

These changes result in a change in the normal vaginal discharge.

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms, but there is usually a little soreness or irritation. Some women notice a “fishy” discharge which is worse during their period or after sex.

Treatment

When a doctor or sexual health nurse examines the vagina, there may be signs of bacterial vaginosis. A swab of the discharge from the vagina should also be taken. If there is any risk of a sexually transmitted infection, tests should be taken at the same time.

Women with any unusual vaginal discharge are advised to go to their local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic.

In some women, the changes found with bacterial vaginosis settle without treatment. Women with bacterial vaginosis should:

• avoid douching
• avoid shower gels, soaps, perfumed products and extended use of panty liners
• avoid use of antiseptic agents and shampoo in the bath.

Treatment is recommended for:

• women with an offensive discharge due to bacterial vaginosis
• pregnant women found to have bacterial vaginosis who had a premature birth with a previous pregnancy.

Bacterial vaginosis can be effectively treated with antibacterial vaginal creams or oral antibiotics.

Health Outcome

Bacterial vaginosis occurs in women who have sex, but it is not considered to be a sexually transmitted infection. The reason some women get bacterial vaginosis is not understood.

Several factors have been found to increase the likelihood of women getting bacterial vaginosis. These include:

• a recent change in sexual partner
• having had many sexual partners
• vaginal douching.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in women between the ages of 15 and 45 years.

Bacterial vaginosis is somehow related to complications of pregnancy including premature birth. If a woman who had a premature birth with a previous pregnancy is found to have bacterial vaginosis during a subsequent pregnancy, she should be treated.

Prevention

It is not understood how bacterial vaginosis can be prevented.

Help and Assistance

For further information about bacterial vaginosis, you can talk to:

• your local doctor
• your local sexual health clinic
• your local family planning clinic.