Many women at least once in their lives have to face a diagnosis of bacagnosis. What is it? This is the name for a specific type of vaginal inflammation caused by an excess of bacteria. Microorganisms themselves are not dangerous; they always live in the vagina and perform useful functions. However, exceeding their normal amount leads to a violation of the natural balance of microflora, and then to bacterial vaginosis.
Most often, this pathology is found in women of childbearing age, although an imbalance can be diagnosed in everyone. The causes of the violation are still not known to science; only certain risk factors can be distinguished - for example, unprotected sexual intercourse or frequent douching. Taking certain medications can also provoke bacvinosis.
Symptoms
In women of all ages, the disease manifests itself in the same way. Contact your gynecologist if you are concerned:
- watery gray, white, or green vaginal discharge;
- unpleasant ("fishy") smell from the vagina;
- itching in the groin;
- burning sensation during urination.
In some cases, bacterial vaginosis is asymptomatic.
When to see a doctor
Sign up for a consultation at a clinic or medical center if:
- Vaginal discharge looks new or unusual, has an unpleasant odor or is accompanied by an increase in body temperature. A gynecologist will help identify the cause and diagnose the ailment according to signs and symptoms.
- You have already treated vaginal infections before, but this time the discharge has a different color and consistency.
- Have you had sex with multiple partners or have recently changed partners. Sometimes the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases are similar to those of bacterial vaginosis.
- You tried to cure a yeast infection yourself with over-the-counter medicine, but as a result, you developed bacvaginosis, the symptoms of which do not go away.
Causes
The inflammatory process in the vagina begins as a result of the overgrowth of several types of bacteria that live in the female body. In a normal state of microflora, beneficial lactobacilli outnumber "harmful" microorganisms (anaerobes). But if there are more anaerobes, the natural balance is disturbed and leads to a disease called "bacvinosis." What is a coincidence or pattern caused by non-observance of personal hygiene? Unfortunately, medicine is not yet able to give a definite answer to this question.
Risk factors
There are circumstances that increase the risk of developing pathology. These include:
- Frequent change of sexual partners or relationships with a new sexual partner. Doctors do not fully understand the relationship between sexual activity and bacterial vaginosis, but the disease is more often diagnosed in women who have entered into a relationship with a new man. Representatives of non-traditional sexual orientation are at even greater risk.
- Douching. The practice of washing the vagina with water or detergent (douching) upsets the natural balance of the vagina. This can lead to the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which, in turn, threatens the development of pathology. Since the vagina is capable of self-cleaning, there is no need for douching.
- The lack of lactobacilli as an individual feature of the body. Sometimes, in perfectly healthy women who do not change sexual partners and do not produce douching, bacvinosis is detected. What kind of misfortune is this and why is it developing, it would seem, from scratch? In fact, there are times when a woman’s vagina is naturally unable to produce enough lactobacilli. The lack of "good" microorganisms over time leads to the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.
Complications
Usually this inflammatory process does not entail complications. In rare cases, the following are noted:
- Premature birth. Bakvaginosis during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery and the birth of a child with low indicators of weight and height.
- Sexually transmitted infections. If a woman does not take any measures to alleviate her condition, her body becomes more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections. The list includes HIV, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia and gonorrhea. If the patient has HIV, bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of transmitting the virus to the partner.
- Risk of infection after surgery. An untreated disease increases the risk of postoperative infection after procedures such as removal of the uterus or expansion and curettage of its cavity.
- Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. Bakvaginosis, the reasons for which remained a mystery, in some cases causes inflammatory processes in the pelvis (usually the uterus and fallopian tubes suffer), which, in turn, can lead to infertility.
Diagnostics
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor:
- Ask questions about your medical history. A specialist will ask if you have previously had vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases.
- Will perform a gynecological examination. During this study, the doctor examines the vagina for signs of infection and places two fingers inside while pressing the abdomen with the other hand to check if the pelvic organs are healthy.
- Take a sample of vaginal discharge for analysis (smear). This procedure is performed to detect excess anaerobic bacteria in the microflora of the vagina. The specialist will examine the discharge under a microscope, looking for "key cells" - vaginal cells coated with rod-shaped microbes.
- Check the pH in the vagina. Vaginal acidity is checked by placing a special test strip inside. If the pH reaches 4.5 or higher, the doctor will diagnose bacvaginosis (photo).
Treatment
Use only the medicines prescribed by your gynecologist. To treat the inflammatory process in the vagina is usually used:
- Metronidazole. This medication is convenient in that it is released in tablets - you can just drink the tablets with water. It is also available in the form of a topical gel, a small amount of which is placed in the vagina. To avoid the side effects of taking the pills (they can manifest as an upset stomach, abdominal pain, or nausea), avoid drinking alcohol during therapy. It is also advisable to refrain from drinking alcohol during the day after completing the course of treatment.
- Clindamycin. This product is available in the form of a cream for the vagina. It should be borne in mind that this drug has a destructive effect on latex condoms, both during treatment and for a minimum of three days after the end of therapy.
- Tinidazole This drug is presented in the form of tablets and has properties similar to those of metronidazole, the most common medication used to treat baccaminosis. What does it mean? Follow the instructions for use and remember that you should not drink alcohol during the course of tinidazole.
If the sexual partner of the infected patient is a man, he usually does not need treatment. Otherwise, representatives of non-traditional sexual orientation; they are advised to undergo diagnostic examinations and, in case of inflammation, start a course of therapy. Timely treatment is of particular importance for pregnant women, since bacterial vaginosis can cause premature birth.
Take medications or use a cream or gel strictly during the period that your gynecologist has prescribed for you, even if the symptoms disappear earlier. Premature completion of therapy may increase the risk of relapse.
Relapse
Even if you have exactly learned from the doctor how to treat bacquinosis, and strictly followed his recommendations, the disease can recur after a period of three months to a year. Currently, research is being conducted on methods to prevent recurrent vaginal inflammation. Be sure to consult a doctor if the symptoms of the infection arose again; you may be prescribed an additional course of metronidazole.
There is a scientifically unfounded, but widespread opinion that eating foods rich in lactobacilli helps restore the natural balance of the vaginal microflora. Proponents of this point of view suggest that women suffering from relapses of bacterial vaginosis add more natural yogurt and other products containing probiotics to their daily diet. Although this assumption may have a rational basis, scientists cannot yet give a definite answer to the question of the usefulness of changes to the menu.
Prevention
Without a doubt, it is better not to treat, but to prevent bacagnosis. Reviews of special intimate hygiene products will help you make the right choice - get a mild non-perfumed liquid soap and tampons or pads without fragrances.
It is not recommended to resort to douching, since the vagina does not need special cleaning - just take a bath or a normal shower. Frequent douching upsets the balance of microflora in the vagina and increases the risk of developing infectious diseases. In addition, deliberate "cleaning" of the vagina does not help to calm down the already begun inflammatory process.
Avoid contracting sexually transmitted infections. Use male latex condoms, limit the number of sexual partners, or temporarily refrain from sexual activity to minimize the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.