- Who is most at risk for bacterial vaginosis
- Differences between bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis
- Examination for bacterial vaginosis
- When to go to the doctor
Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused mostly by the bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis , due to a change in the woman's normal vaginal flora or during intimate contact, although it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. Learn how not to catch bacterial vaginosis.
Despite causing a lot of discomfort, vaginosis can be easily treated with antibiotics and, therefore, it is very important to identify the symptoms and go to the gynecologist to identify the problem and start the appropriate treatment. The most common symptoms are:
- Grayish, greenish or yellowish discharge; Vaginal odor similar to rotten fish; Itching in the vulva and vagina; Burning sensation when urinating.
Symptoms are more evident after intimate contact and before and at the end of menstruation, however, some women with bacterial vaginosis may not show any signs and symptoms.
Who is most at risk for bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis can happen to anyone, however, women with many sexual partners, who have frequent vaginal showers or who have a vaginal flora low in lactobacillus are at increased risk of bacterial vaginosis.
Differences between bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis
Some of the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis can be confused with symptoms of candidiasis, however, they are infections caused by different microorganisms, requiring different types of treatment, so it is very important to distinguish:
| Bacterial vaginosis | Vaginal candidiasis |
|---|---|
| Moderate or absent itching | Intense itching |
| Fish-like odor | Odorless |
| Grayish, yellowish or greenish liquid discharge | Thick discharge, identical to curd, white |
| Painless | With pain |
| Caused by bacteria | Caused by fungi |
The differences between candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis may not be easy to identify and can be confused with other problems, so it is very important to go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear.
Examination for bacterial vaginosis
The best test to confirm bacterial vaginosis is the analysis of vaginal discharge, after collection by the gynecologist with a cotton swab. The doctor will check for at least 3 of the 4 signs:
- Observation of the characteristic discharge; Identification of the presence of the bacteria, visualizing the so-called Clue cells ; Verification of a change in the vaginal pH, which becomes> 4 during infection; Identification of the odor of rotten fish.
This exam is done at the gynecologist's office, who will need to do the specular exam to observe the vaginal region and cervix.
When to go to the doctor
Although bacterial vaginosis causes very characteristic symptoms, it can be confused with other infections, so you should go to the doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear for a correct diagnosis, and for an antibiotic to be prescribed.
The doctor may ask you some questions about previous infections, do a pelvic exam, examine vaginal secretions, or test the vaginal pH to make the diagnosis.
