Vaginal Odor Facts

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common type of vaginal infection, although you may not have heard as much about it as you have heard about yeast infections.  It is widely believed to be even more common than yeast infections.  Bacteria vaginosis is vaginal condition that can produce vaginal discharge and results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina.  Bacterial vaginosis is typically characterized by an abnormal vaginal discharge with a pungent unpleasant odor.  BV is not dangerous, but it can cause disturbing symptoms.

Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms

The most common symptom of BV is an increase in a grayish white vaginal discharge, unlike normal vaginal discharge.  A fishy odor on the whiff test usually means bacteria vaginosis is present.  Symptoms may include:A thin, gray or white discharge that sticks to the walls of the vagina, an unpleasant fishy or musty odor, burning when urinating, vaginal itching, and irritation during or after sex.  If you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor about what to do. However, keep in mind, up to 50% of women diagnosed with BV do not have symptoms.

BV Causes

The exact cause of bacterial vaginosis is unknown.  The causes of bacterial vaginosis are relatively poorly understood. However, the following activities have been associated with a greater risk of infection: having a new sex partner, having multiple sex partners, douching and using an intrauterine contraception device (IUD).  It is not clear what role sexual activity plays in the development of bacterial vaginosis, but it is more common among women who have had vaginal sex.  Researchers today are unable to find just one cause, which causes bacterial vaginosis, but have found it to be caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina.  This condition used to be called Gardnerella vaginitis, because Gardnerella is a type of bacteria that sometimes causes the infection.

Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment

Treatment is usually 7 days with oral and 5 days with a topical cream.  Treatment of bacterial vaginosis is simple and involves taking antibiotic tablets.  Bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 2 or 3 days with antibiotics, but treatment goes on for 7 days.  Treatment of bacterial vaginosis: A comparison of oral metronidazole, metronidazole vaginal gel, and clindamycin vaginal cream.  Bacterial vaginosis is treated with oral metronidazole (given either as asingle dose or a seven-day course) or clindamycin.  When considering treatment for bacterial vaginosis, ask your doctor whether you should:Use oral medicine or medicine inserted into the vagina.

For most women, vaginosis is simply a nuisance, and the goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms.  BV is often under diagnosed because many women assume they have a yeast infection and treat symptoms with over-the-counter medications.  Since BV is the most common type of vaginitis, it is nothing to be ashamed about if you acquire this infection.  Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common reasons for women to visit their doctor or gynecologist.