While bacterial vaginosis is typically not considered an STD, the medical condition increases your risk of contracting various STDs, such as HIV, genital and oral herpes, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia. Hence, it is highly recommended not to leave it untended or delay getting treated.
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacteria vaginosis is a bacteria infection in the vagina caused by Gardnerella vaginalis. The infection typically develops in women who are sexually active. However, it can also develop in virgins, though not as common.
Bacterial vaginosis commonly affects women between ages 15 to 44 years old. While it remains unknown how exactly the bacteria infection develops, it typically happens when there is an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome. There have been studies proving the association between reduced hydrogen peroxide and lactobacilli bacteria production, which causes the pH level in the vagina to rise, causing an overgrowth of ‘bad’ bacteria in the vagina.
What are some signs of a bacterial vaginosis outbreak?
The thing about bacteria vaginosis is that at least 50 to 70 per cent of women with bacterial vaginosis display no symptoms. In other words, they are asymptomatic. However, on the rare occasion where symptoms surface, the other 30 to 50 per cent might experience the following:
- Painful urination
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Burning, painful, and itchy sensation in the vagina
- Grey-whitish, watery, and thin vaginal discharge
- Fishy smell vaginal odour, which worsens even further after unprotected sex or during menstruation
Recurring bacterial vaginosis
Unfortunately, up to 30 per cent of women who have undergone bacterial vaginosis treatment can experience recurrence within three months. Recurring bacterial vaginosis refers to a woman having chronic or recurring symptoms that require long-term and even multiple treatments.
Some factors that affect the chances of a recurrence include:
- Using intrauterine contraceptive devices
- Smoking
- History of douching (cleaning out or washing the inside of the vagina)
- History of having multiple sexual partners
Can I contract bacterial vaginosis from a female or male partner?
Yes, to both. Women with female sexual partners are at a higher risk of contracting bacterial vaginosis as vaginal fluids are ideal carriers of the bacterial infection. Other factors, such as dental dams and condoms, as well as the sharing of sex toys, can further increase the risk.
Additionally, while bacterial vaginosis is not considered an STD, a woman can also develop the infection after sex with her male partner. This is because the vagina microbiome may be disrupted through sexual intercourse. Interestingly enough, Gardnerella Bacteria can be passed to men too. While they may develop into a colony within the male urethra, the infected male does not develop any signs, and treatment is often not necessary.
What will happen if I leave bacterial vaginosis untended?
Bacterial vaginosis increases your risk of contracting STDs as well as developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and uterus infection, which, if left untended in the long run, leads to chronic complications, such as lower abdominal and pelvic pain, increased risk of developing ectopic pregnancy, or worse still, infertility.
If you develop bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy, the risk of a premature delivery or miscarriage increases.
How to treat chronic bacterial vaginosis?
The typical three-point approach method is employed by many doctors to reduce your risk of developing recurring bacterial vaginosis.
1. Treating the overgrowth of ‘bad’ bacteria: Antibiotics treatment.
2. Maintaining the right vaginal pH: A normal vaginal pH is about 3.8 to 5. In the case of bacterial vaginosis, it can cause the pH to rise up to 6. Hence, lactate gel treatment in the form of vaginal applicators or pessaries is administered.
3. Promote long-term colonisation of ‘good’ bacteria: Probiotic treatment in the form of pessaries or tablets.
How to reduce the risk of developing or contracting bacterial vaginosis?
You can reduce the risk of developing or contracting the bacterial infection by:
- Using condoms correctly
- Not douching
- Limiting the number of sexual partners
- Abstaining from having sex
Conclusion
Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection that certainly affects your overall sex life and causes severe complications if left untended. While it infects mostly sexually active women, it can sometimes affect virgins or non-sexually active women, and sometimes men too. Because there is a link between bacterial vaginosis and STDs, it is vital that you conduct an STD test when either you or your partner has bacterial vaginosis.
Here at Elyon Clinic, we specialise in STD-related care as well as men’s and women’s health. If you are experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms, do not hesitate to contact us for further testing and treatment.
