More information about Bacterial you should know...

 

How accurate are the tests?

Tests for bacterial vaginosis are usually accurate. The doctor or nurse will discuss your test results with you.

Where can I get a test?

You may be offered a test as soon as you have signs and symptoms for the doctor or nurse to check. There are a number of services you can go to. Choose the service you feel most comfortable with.
A test can be done at:

• a genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic
• some general practices (ask a doctor or practice nurse)
• some contraception clinics and young people’s services.

What is the treatment for bacterial vaginosis?

• Treatment for bacterial vaginosis is simple and involves taking antibiotic tablets. There are several different antibiotics that can be used. These are taken either as a single dose or a longer course (up to one week).
• You may be given a cream or gel instead. You will need to use this in the vagina for 5–7 days.
• The doctor or nurse will advise you how to use the treatment. If you are given the antibiotic metronidazole, either as tablets or a vaginal gel, you will be advised not to drink alcohol during the treatment and for 48 hours afterwards. This is because it reacts with alcohol and can make you feel very unwell.
• Some creams can weaken latex condoms, diaphragms and caps. Polyurethane types can be safely used. Ask the doctor or nurse for advice.
• Do tell the doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are pregnant, or think you might be, or you are breastfeeding. This will affect the type of treatment that you are given.
• There is currently no evidence that complementary therapies can cure bacterial vaginosis.

How effective is the treatment?

Treatment is very effective if it is used according to the instructions.
It is quite common for bacterial vaginosis to return, and some women get repeated episodes.

Do I need to have a test to check that the bacterial vaginosis has gone?

You only need another test if:

• signs and symptoms don’t go away
• signs and symptoms come back
• you are treated for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy.

What happens if bacterial vaginosis isn’t treated?

For many women bacterial vaginosis goes away by itself.

What can be done if bacterial vaginosis keeps coming back?

We don’t know why bacterial vaginosis keeps recurring in some women. There is no agreed preferred way of treating recurrent infection. Some women may be given a course of antibiotic gel to use over a number of months. Other women may be given antibiotic tablets to use at the start and end of their period. Some women may find it helpful to use a lactic acid gel (available from the pharmacy) to restore the pH balance in the vagina. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice.

Does my partner need treatment?

Men don't get bacterial vaginosis so male partners do not need treatment. Female partners should get advice from a doctor or nurse about whether they need treatment.

Will bacterial vaginosis affect my chances of getting pregnant?

There is no evidence that bacterial vaginosis will affect your chances of getting pregnant.

What happens if I get bacterial vaginosis when I’m pregnant?

Bacterial vaginosis may cause problems with a pregnancy. The infection has been found in some women who have had a miscarriage, a premature birth or a low birth weight baby.
Bacterial vaginosis can safely be treated when you are pregnant and when you are breastfeeding – this won’t harm the baby, but do tell the doctor or nurse if you are pregnant. This will influence the type of treatment that you are given.
Pregnant women who have had a previous premature birth will usually be offered a test for bacterial vaginosis.

Does bacterial vaginosis cause cervical cancer?

There is no evidence that bacterial vaginosis causes cervical cancer.
You might like: How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor
                       Home Remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis 

Source:  http://www.fpa.org.uk/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis-help/thrush-and-bacterial-vaginosis#ezIxUOq8jurmFarH.99

Bacterial Vaginosis Diagnosis

 

How will I know if I have bacterial vaginosis?

If you think you may have it, talk to a doctor or nurse who might recommend a test if you have signs and symptoms. You may notice these yourself or they may be noticed by a doctor or nurse during a vaginal examination.
Some women may also be offered a test during pregnancy and before some gynaecological procedures or an abortion.
Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection but it is important that you don’t delay getting advice if you think you may have been at risk of a sexually transmitted infection.

What does the test involve?

A doctor or nurse will look at any vaginal discharge and use a swab or a small plastic loop to collect a sample of cells from the walls of the vagina, during an internal examination. A swab looks a bit like a cotton bud, but is smaller, soft and rounded.
The swab or loop is wiped over the parts of the body that could be affected and easily picks up samples of discharge and cells. It only takes a few seconds and is not usually painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a moment.
The pH (alkaline/acid balance) of the vagina may be measured by wiping a sample of vaginal discharge over a piece of specially treated paper.
Samples taken during the examination are looked at under a microscope to check for bacterial vaginosis. In some services, the result is available immediately. In others a sample is sent to a laboratory, and the result is usually available within a week.
Sometimes bacterial vaginosis is noticed during a cervical screening test, but you will only need treatment if you have problems with discharge.
Routine blood tests do not detect infections such as bacterial vaginosis.

How accurate are the tests?

Tests for bacterial vaginosis are usually accurate. The doctor or nurse will discuss your test results with you.

Where can I get a test?

You may be offered a test as soon as you have signs and symptoms for the doctor or nurse to check. There are a number of services you can go to. Choose the service you feel most comfortable with.
A test can be done at:

• a genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic
• some general practices (ask a doctor or practice nurse)
• some contraception clinics and young people’s services.

You might like: Home Remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis
Source: http://www.fpa.org.uk/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis-help/thrush-and-bacterial-vaginosis#ezIxUOq8jurmFarH.99

 

How do you get bacterial vaginosis? Signs and Symptoms

How do you get bacterial vaginosis?

 

Bacterial vaginosis can occur if you:

• use medicated or perfumed soaps, bubble bath or shower gel
• put antiseptic liquids in the bath
• douche or use vaginal deodorant
• use strong detergents to wash your underwear
• smoke.

Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, semen in the vagina after sex without a condom, an intrauterine contraceptive device and genetic factors may also play a part.
Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection, but women who are sexually active and have had a change of partner are more likely to have it, including women in same-sex relationships.

What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

Around half of women with bacterial vaginosis will not have any signs and symptoms at all, or may not be aware of them. If you do get symptoms you might notice a change in your usual vaginal discharge. This may increase, become thin and watery, change to a white/grey colour and develop a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell, especially after sexual intercourse. Bacterial vaginosis is not usually associated with soreness, itching or irritation.

You can Read More: Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment 

Source: http://www.fpa.org.uk/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis-help/thrush-and-bacterial-vaginosis#ezIxUOq8jurmFarH.99

Home Remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis

1. Yogurt

By containing the lactobacilli which are beneficial for your vagina, yogurt is one of the top home remedies for bacterial vaginosis. Also yogurt can help you maintain a balance level of pH as well as reduce discomforts.

How to use:

• Use a tampon to apply yogurt inside your vagina for few hours. Perform twice per day.
• Consume yogurt on a daily basis.

For more information about the benefits and applications of yogurt, please read: How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

The acidic property from vinegar will help you keep a balance level of pH, thus maintain a balance in amount of bacteria for your vagina. Therefore, it is an effective treatment for bacterial infection in the vaginal area.

How to use:

• Take 2 tablespoons of vinegar into warm water. Use this solution to cleanse the vagina twice per day for couples of day.
• Another option is take 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar with some honey into some warm water and consume twice per day.

Apple cider vinegar is without a doubt the greatest home remedy due to its effectiveness against many diseases and ailments. You can find out more at: Home Remedies for Fibroids.

3. Cold Compress

This is extremely effective at relieving you from discomforts, pain, inflammatory and itching sensation through numb the affected area. This treatment for bacterial infection in the vagina is recommended in case you need to ease the symptoms immediately.

How to use:

• Use a piece of clean cloth to wrap few ice cubes.
• Apply onto your vagina for a minute.
• After another minute of break, re-apply.
• Perform for couples of time and remember to apply this remedy anytime needed.
• Another option is cleansing your vagina using cold water for couples of time per day.

4. Garlic

The antiseptic and antibacterial from garlic are significantly essential for improving your immune system in order to control yeast or bacterial infections. Due to its strongly effect, garlic is often considered the best natural solution for how to get rid of bacterial vaginosis.

How to use:

• Make a mixture from some drops of garlic oil with half teaspoon of coconut and vitamin E oil. Directly apply this mixture on the affected area twice per day for couples of day.
• Add garlic into your cooking daily as well as consume few cloves of garlic on a daily basis.
• Take garlic supplementary pills after consulting the doctor.

5. Boric Acid

The antifungal and antiseptic properties are extremely helpful at relieving discomforts such as irritation, itchiness and pain. Also it can even assist you in keeping a balance level of pH and cleansing the vagina. This method is one of the optimal solutions when you think about how to get rid of bacterial vaginosis.

How to use:

• Take a gel capsule to contain some boric acid.
• Put this capsule inside your vagina before sleeping.
• After waking up, cleanse your vagina using warm water.
• Perform 1 to 2 times per week.

Note: Avoid using for women who are pregnant.
Source: https://lethomeremedies.com/home-remedies-for-bacterial-vaginosis/

What is Bacterial Vaginosis and Causes

 What is bacterial vaginosis?

Vaginitis (¹) is the term used to call the inflammation happened in your vagina. This can lead to pain, itching sensation and even discharge. This problem appeared might be due to the balance level of bacteria in the vagina is disturbed or sometimes infections or even low level of estrogen after menopause. There are 4 most common types of vaginitis which are:

• Bacterial Vaginosis: happens due to the excessive growth by one of many organisms housing in the vagina.
• Yeast Infections: caused by a fungus called Candida Albicans which is naturally occurred.
• Trichomoniasis: occurred due to parasites which are spread through sexual intercourse.
• Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic Vaginitis): happened due to the low level of estrogen after menopause.

What causes bacterial vaginosis?

The causes are varied for each type of vaginitis.

• Bacterial Vaginosis: In normal circumstances, the lactobacilli which are the good bacteria will outnumber the anaerobes which are the bad bacteria. However, in case when the anaerobes are excessive, then bacterial vaginosis will occur. This often happens together with sexual intercourse, and women who have multiple sex partners or just have a new sex partner recently or sometimes when women who are not sexually active.
• Yeast Infections: C. Albicans is responsible for majority of vaginal infections. Moreover, this fungus also infects other areas of the body which are moist such as nail bed, skin fold or even mouth. Diaper rash is also caused by this fungus.
• Trichomoniasis: A microscopic and one-cell parasite named Trichomonas Vaginalis is the cause for this problem. It is transmitted through sexual intercourse with infected individuals. For men, this parasite can cause infection in the urinary tract; however, no symptom is detected. For women, there are symptoms incurred by this infection.
• Noninfectious Vaginitis: Toiletry products such as scent detergents, perfume soaps, spermicidal products or vaginal sprays can make your vaginal tissues as well as your vulvar irritate and have reactions for allergies. Also menopause and surgery of ovaries removal can thin your vaginal lining which will make your vagina experience the burning and itching sensation.

Source: https://lethomeremedies.com/home-remedies-for-bacterial-vaginosis/