Vaginal Bacteriosis is diagnosed when the natural bacteria (flora) that live in the vagina start to overgrow and the pH level is determined to be 4.5 or above. Commonly known as Bacterial Vaginitis/Vaginosis (or BV for short), it affects many women worldwide and is likely to affect between 10-64% of all women in the U.S. When anaerobic bacterial growth gets out of hand, symptoms like a yeast infection will present themselves. These include itching, burning and vaginal discharge. When yeast (Candida) is present, a thick white discharge is usual. However, with BV, the consistency of the discharge is runny and the color can be whitish, gray or yellow. Like Candida, Gardnerella (BV) is often recurrent and can be prevented.
Diet, activity and good hygiene can stave away a lot of health problems. Women who have BV exhibit pelvic/back pain and/or fever along with the itching, burning and discharge. Yeast infections are treated usually with anti-fungal creams and suppositories. A yeast infection is not caused by bacteria like BV is. Therefore, BV must be treated differently with oral and topical antibiotics. Many scientists claim that they don’t know how Gardnerella forms or why, but some professionals link it to sexual activity. Sometimes bad habits contribute to both infections. The CDC considers Gardnerella an STD. Although in some cases, virgins have acquired it through various means and the Medical Field doesn’t necessarily label it as such. Now more than ever women and men alike are participating in oral sex.
The germs and bacteria that are in the mouth are transferred to the genitals of a partner during this activity. If a woman doesn’t clean herself following sexual activity, it can contribute to infections as well as conducting bad bacteria. Douching is not good to do very often as it strips the vagina of its good bacteria. Therefore, it isn’t a good solution to try if you start to become itchy or feel not so fresh. The vagina’s ecosystem can become imbalanced by many activities. Many women end up with yeast or urinary tract infections as well as Bacterial Vaginitis and it’s nothing to be scared about because there are cures.
Sometimes Mycoplasma, Escherichia coli (E-coli), streptococci (strep), or staphylococci (staph) have caused the infection and they are contagious. BV can affect females of all ages, but it tends to occur during reproductive/child bearing years. Making an appointment with a gynecologist is the first thing you should do any time you start having symptoms after sexual activity to determine the culprit. STDs like Trichomoniasis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia have similar signs also, though some women who have early stages of any infection or disease don’t have any. All of these problems should be taken seriously. If you’re not feeling well and unsure it’s best to go get checked out by a medical professional.