Bacterial Vaginosis 101: What You Need To Know About This Condition

Usually, a mother’s daily routine will include preparing meals for the entire family, driving themselves to work, and looking after the overall condition of their homes. Moms usually live a very hectic lifestyle, but this doesn’t mean that they should disregard their health. On the contrary, they should pay attention to their bodies so they can continue to look after their family.

Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal condition common among women who are in their reproductive years but can still affect women of any age. The cause of bacterial vaginosis isn’t completely understood, but according to research, certain activities such as frequent douching, cigarette smoking and unprotected sex can increase a woman’s risk to develop such health conditions. Although bacterial vaginosis isn’t dangerous, this condition can cause disturbing symptoms, such as:

• Burning sensation around the vulva during sexual intercourse and urination;
• Foul-smelling vaginal odor even with frequent wash;
• Gray, green or white vaginal discharges; and
• Severe vaginal itching.

Experiencing all of these symptoms should prompt you to look for available treatment for chronic bacterial vaginosis, especially if you have been noticing these signs for weeks already. Individuals who have vaginal discharge associated with high and recurring fever and those who have multiple sex partners should also immediately see their doctors.

Over time, these symptoms can adversely affect your productivity during the day, damage your relationships, and lessen your body image and self-esteem. In the end, it’ll be challenging to meet your daily responsibilities if you’re always experiencing these symptoms.  

Bacterial Vaginosis 101: What Are The Complications?

One of the biggest misconceptions people have when it comes to bacterial vaginosis is that this condition will go away on its own. This is completely false because this disease can actually worsen and trigger other health conditions that also affect other parts of the body. The longer you leave bacterial vaginosis untreated, the more severe its complications will be to the human body.

Listed below are some of the conditions linked to bacterial vaginosis:

1.  Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID is characterized by an infection of the uterus or womb, tubes, and ovaries. This health condition is often caused by a severe bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics once diagnosed early. You can also prevent any type of vaginal yeast infection by eating healthy meals from blog Winnow and other related blogs.

However, women with untreated cases of pelvic inflammatory diseases can suffer from infertility (not being able to conceive or have children even with medications), ectopic pregnancy (the fetus grows outside of the mother’s womb) and chronic pelvic pain.

2.  Preterm Birth

Pregnant women are at high risk of developing bacterial vaginosis. In fact, this condition can even cause pregnant women to give premature deliveries and give birth to underweight babies. Babies who were born from mothers with bacterial vaginosis can have weak immune systems, making them more and more susceptible to illnesses and diseases as they age.

3.  Sexually Transmitted Infections

A woman who has bacterial vaginosis is at higher risk of developing sexually transmitted infections, namely chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes simplex virus. When left untreated for a long period, sexually transmitted infections can lead to urinary tract infections, infertility, and even can cause cancer of the vagina, vulva, and cervix. On the other hand, sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS can result in sudden death.

4.  Infection Risks After Undergoing Gynecologic Surgery

Gynecologic surgery pertains to any surgery that involves the female reproductive organ. Depending on the health condition of the patient, this kind of surgery can be performed for cosmetic or elective purposes. Some of the most common types of gynecologic surgeries include the removal of benign and cancerous tumors, and treating cases of infertility. Although these procedures are safe as they are facilitated by professionals, women with bacterial vaginosis are at high risk of developing infections after the surgery.

Talk To Your Doctor

If you believe you are suffering from bacterial vaginosis, visit your doctor and ask for a professional diagnosis right away. Your doctor will look into your medical history, test your vaginal pH, take a sample of your vaginal secretions, or recommend you for a pelvic exam.

Accomplishing these tests might require time and effort from you, but if it’s for your health and wellness, you should be willing to do it because it’ll be challenging for you to perform your duties as a mother or woman if you’re always experiencing the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis.