Some women experience some sort of discomfort accompanied by a gray or whitish discharge. There is also a lingering itchiness or stinging that is even present during sexual relations, or while urinating. Many women relate these symptoms with the possibility of vaginal infection, and they’re right, but the thing is that this isn’t just of any infection. You could have bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial vaginosis is an imbalance in the bacterial flora of a woman’s vagina. The use of contraceptives is highly recommended if you are about to have sex with a new partner, as semen can accelerate the onset of symptoms. This condition appears when the normal bacteria (lactobacillus acidophilus) is replaced by anaerobic bacteria (Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae)
There are many possible causes. They can be hormonal, immunological, genetic, unhealthy habits, or related to poor hygiene.
In some cases, having a new sexual partner or many different partners can increase the risk of getting this infection.
It has been proven that this infection is most prevalent in women in reproductive age (from 14 to 49 years old), and sometimes it may relapse. It’s important to bear in mind that, in some cases, you may not have any symptoms.
Apart from using contraception, another key recommendation is to avoid vaginal douching, as it could actually make things worse. Remember the vagina cleans itself from dead cells. If you’re pregnant, bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of premature birth or delivering an underweight baby.
It is important to be treated by a professional; don’t self medicate. If bacterial vaginosis is not promptly and adequately treated, it can travel to other areas like the uterus or the fallopian tubes and cause more severe infections. A doctor may prescribe you some medicine, vaginal cream or gel.
Another particularly important fact to bear in mind is that in 2012 the University Of California in San Francisco (UCSF) found out that bacterial vaginosis could increase the risk of contracting HIV. More than 2,000 women with HIV took part, and the results showed that most of them had also suffered from bacterial vaginosis. The infection increased three time the risk of HIV.
Although there are many unsolved questions regarding bacterial vaginosis, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of yourself. Don’t forget these recommendation and go see your doctor as soon as you notice that something odd is going on and makes you suspect of a vaginal infection.
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To be much healthier and safe, you may want to read about these five things you should do after having sex.
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Sources:
El País
Family Doctor
CDC
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Translated by Andrea Valle