Bacterial Vaginitis

Bacterial vaginitis is a vaginal infection. It is one of the most common reasons for vaginitis during reproductive years. Bacterial vaginitis is not a STD; however it can be caused through sexual intercourse. It can also occur among lesbians through exchange of vaginal fluids. Bacterial vaginitis is known medically as bacterial vaginosis and it is the most common type of vaginal infection. The main cause of bacterial vaginosis is an imbalance in the natural flora of the vagina which causes a rapid increase in the growth of certain bacteria. These bacteria are normally present in the vagina but the sudden increase in their numbers is the cause of the infection. Yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis symptoms are sometimes very similar and this may result in an incorrect diagnosis. Yeast infection symptoms in men are very different from those in children and women and pictures and images can sometimes help to determine whether the symptoms you are experiencing are caused by a bacterial or a yeast infection. It is important to note that there are several key characteristics that help to differentiate between the two types of infection – while a yeast infection causes an odor that resembles beer or bread, bacterial vaginosis causes a sharp fishy odor. Furthermore, a yeast infection invariably causes itching while bacterial vaginosis may even go unnoticed due to the absence of itching or discomfort. A vaginal swab test would therefore help to obtain a definite diagnosis.

Symptoms of Bacterial vaginitis

Signs and symptoms

Some of the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginitis are as follows.- There could be changes in the odor and colour of the vaginal discharge.

• Itching or irritation in vagina.

• Pain while Urinating.

• Light bleeding from vagina.

• Fishy odor and grayish white discharge from vagina; especially after sexual intercourse.

Bacterial vaginosis symptoms are often very mild at the onset of the condition and if the infection is treated right away, the symptoms will disappear. However, the longer one ignores the problem for the higher the risk of suffering from severe and long lasting symptoms. It was earlier believed that a douche would help to flush out the vagina and help to get rid of the infection; but recent research proves that using a douche may in fact aggravate the situation. A douche flushes out both the good and bad bacteria from the vagina and this causes an imbalance which will allow the unhealthy bacteria to thrive once more. Any abdominal pain or bleeding must be brought to the attention of the doctor as these may be symptoms of a severe infection that has affected not just the vagina but also the other urinary organs in the body. This does not happen very often and is most commonly seen in cases where the initial symptoms of unusual bacterial vaginosis discharge or odor were ignored. Those who suffer from recurring bacterial vaginosis may also be at a higher risk of suffering from this problem. An infection that has spread to the other urinary organs can pose a serious health risk and needs immediate medical attention. Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID is another possible complication that can result from a severe case of bacterial vaginosis. The symptoms of pelvic inflammatory diseases are severe and painful and immediate treatment is a must.