Bacterial vaginosis is an infection caused by the imbalance of saprophytic vaginal flora that can cause unpleasant symptoms in people suffering from this condition.
What are the causes of bacterial vaginosis?
What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection caused by the imbalance of saprophytic vaginal flora that can cause unpleasant symptoms in people suffering from this condition.
The saprophytic vaginal flora is mainly represented by lactobacilli Doderlein which prevents the development of other microorganisms with pathogenic potential and maintains the balance of the vaginal flora when it is associated with a slightly acidic pH (between 3.8 and 4.5) of the intimate area. Bacterial vaginosis is mainly caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, a saprophytic anaerobic microorganism that, under favorable pH conditions, can multiply uncontrollably, replacing the beneficial lactobacillary flora.
What are the causes of bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection and is not favored by poor hygiene conditions, but on the contrary, it appears in the case of women who perform intravaginal douches repeatedly or use perfumed or aggressive intimate hygiene products that destroy the saprophytic vaginal flora beneficial.
Other causes that can determine the appearance of VB are represented by:
- The use of the contraceptive method that involves the insertion of an IUD intrauterine device
- Frequent sexual activity
- Use of spermicides
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Frequent use of daily absorbents
- Use of strong detergents for washing underwear
What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis causes the appearance of gray-whitish, thin or watery pathological vaginal secretions that emit a specific fishy smell. Pathological vaginal secretions can be present both after intimate relations and during the menstrual period. Itching of the vulvar region, local burning, dysuria and dyspareunia (pain during sexual contact) are less specific symptoms of bacterial vaginosis.
Untreated BV increases the risk of infection with Chlamydia and gonococcus in the case of intimate contact with an infected sexual partner and pelvic inflammatory diseases, and if flora imbalance occurs during pregnancy it can cause premature birth.
Diagnosis of VB
The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is established by the gynecologist based on the anamnesis and the clinical consultation of the patient, together with the paraclinical laboratory investigations represented by the microscopic examination of the smear from the vaginal secretions and the bacteriological examination of the cultures from the pathological vaginal secretions.
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis
The treatment of VB is based on the use of a salt therapeutic scheme that associates broad-spectrum oral antibiotics with preparation against anaerobic bacteria and can be supplemented by the use of eggs or gel with Metronidazole.
Find out more:
- Bacterial Vaginosis – https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.med.51.1.349
- Bacterial Vaginosis – https://journals.asm.org/doi/abs/10.1128/cmr.4.4.485
- Diagnosis and clinical manifestations of bacterial vaginosis – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0002937888900786
