Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms
The symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) vary from woman to woman but primarily are vaginal discharge, which may be gray or white in color; an unpleasant smell or odor (often described as fishy smelling). Some of the other symptoms which are less common are a burning sensation during urination as well as after sex; and an itching inside and around the vagina. In a lot of cases, however, women with BV report no signs or symptoms at all.
BV occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in a woman’s vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria.
Although you might be inclined to douche during this time to alleviate the symptoms described above, it is advisable not to until you are diagnosed by a doctor. Douching may hide the signs of infection and can also worsen the condition. A doctor may see the signs of BV during an examination, however, only a lab test of the vaginal fluid can confirm this.
Getting diagnosed is your best bet since women who do have BV are more susceptible to be exposed to the HIV virus; it also increases the chances that an HIV-infected woman can pass HIV to her sex partner(s). Complications of untreated BV include an increased risk of contracting and passing along HIV and other STDs after exposure to them during sexual activity. Complications also include the development of pelvic inflammatory disease and an increased risk of post-op infection after vaginal or pelvic surgery, such as hysterectomy and abortion. In pregnant women, untreated bacterial vaginosis can lead to preterm labor and preterm delivery.
Our bodies are like luxury high end automobiles – we have to listen to the signs and symptoms and troubleshoot the problem before we let the mechanic (gyno) under the hood (so to speak).
