Bacterial Vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginal discharge. It's actual an overgrowth of the bad bacteria that is normally found in the vagina. Usually, when the vagina is healthy, there is a balance of good and bad bacteria.
In a healthy vagina, there is a balance of good and the bad bacteria. When Bacterial Vaginosis occurs, the good bacteria are lessened or gone and the bad bacteria flourish. BV is most commonly found in women who are sexually active.
The symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis include fishy or musky vaginal odor, a thin white or gray discharge and irritation or itching in the vaginal area. Some minor cases of BV infections may heal without treatment. Nevertheless, if you suspect you have Bacterial Vaginosis, you must see your physician because the infection can cause more serious conditions, for example pelvic inflammatory disease.
Your physician will be able to determine if you have Bacterial Vaginosis by performing a physical examination which entails testing a swab that contains a sample of vaginal discharge. For pregnant women bacterial vaginosis treatment is especially important because the infection can cause premature delivery or low birth weight for the baby. For some pregnant women who have previously had a baby born prematurely, experts often recommend that they be tested and, if necessary, treated for Bacterial Vaginosis.
Every year, more than 800,000 pregnant women are infected with Bacterial Vaginosis in America.
If you have BV, your doctor may prescribe Metronidazole or Flagyl for you. While you're taking Metronidazole, it is important to avoid alcohol, even in small amounts because it can cause nausea and vomiting. Because Metronidazole may interact with other medications so make sure you tell your physician about all the medications you are taking, whether prescribed or not.
Metronidazole is prescribed in oral form or as a vaginal gel. The oral form of Metronidazole is 500 mg and should be taken twice daily for seven days. The gel is applied once daily for seven days or twice daily for five days.
Lactobacillus vaginal suppositories are another treatment option. Lactobacillus is the name of the good bacteria normally found in the vagina. Studies so far have not been conclusive as to whether it actually is giving bacterial vaginosis relief or not. Clindamycin is sometimes prescribed as a cure for bacterial vaginosis.
During a bacterial vaginosis cure, it is recommended that you avoid sexual intercourse and/or if you have multiple sex partners, at least reduce the number of partners until the infection is cured. It is also recommended that you stay away from douching. It is very important that you use all of the medication your doctor has prescribed even if you feel relief before the cure is over.
by Gerd Petersen
In a healthy vagina, there is a balance of good and the bad bacteria. When Bacterial Vaginosis occurs, the good bacteria are lessened or gone and the bad bacteria flourish. BV is most commonly found in women who are sexually active.
The symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis include fishy or musky vaginal odor, a thin white or gray discharge and irritation or itching in the vaginal area. Some minor cases of BV infections may heal without treatment. Nevertheless, if you suspect you have Bacterial Vaginosis, you must see your physician because the infection can cause more serious conditions, for example pelvic inflammatory disease.
Your physician will be able to determine if you have Bacterial Vaginosis by performing a physical examination which entails testing a swab that contains a sample of vaginal discharge. For pregnant women bacterial vaginosis treatment is especially important because the infection can cause premature delivery or low birth weight for the baby. For some pregnant women who have previously had a baby born prematurely, experts often recommend that they be tested and, if necessary, treated for Bacterial Vaginosis.
Every year, more than 800,000 pregnant women are infected with Bacterial Vaginosis in America.
If you have BV, your doctor may prescribe Metronidazole or Flagyl for you. While you're taking Metronidazole, it is important to avoid alcohol, even in small amounts because it can cause nausea and vomiting. Because Metronidazole may interact with other medications so make sure you tell your physician about all the medications you are taking, whether prescribed or not.
Metronidazole is prescribed in oral form or as a vaginal gel. The oral form of Metronidazole is 500 mg and should be taken twice daily for seven days. The gel is applied once daily for seven days or twice daily for five days.
Lactobacillus vaginal suppositories are another treatment option. Lactobacillus is the name of the good bacteria normally found in the vagina. Studies so far have not been conclusive as to whether it actually is giving bacterial vaginosis relief or not. Clindamycin is sometimes prescribed as a cure for bacterial vaginosis.
During a bacterial vaginosis cure, it is recommended that you avoid sexual intercourse and/or if you have multiple sex partners, at least reduce the number of partners until the infection is cured. It is also recommended that you stay away from douching. It is very important that you use all of the medication your doctor has prescribed even if you feel relief before the cure is over.
by Gerd Petersen
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