Bacterial Vaginosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition resulting from an imbalance in the natural balance of bacteria present in the vagina. A healthy vagina contains beneficial bacteria (especially lactobacilli) that maintain an acidic environment protecting it, and when this balance is disturbed and the beneficial bacteria decline in favor of other bacteria types, bacterial vaginosis occurs. It is among the most common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age.

The most distinctive sign of bacterial vaginosis is thin-textured vaginal discharge, gray or grayish-white in color, with a characteristic unpleasant odor described as fishy, and this odor becomes more noticeable after intercourse. This may be accompanied by some mild itching or burning, but many cases have mild or even no symptoms. It is important to know that bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection in the traditional sense (it is not caused by a single organism transmitted by infection), but it is associated with some factors that disturb the vaginal balance, such as vaginal douching, multiple partners, smoking, and a lack of beneficial bacteria.

Although bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous in most cases, its diagnosis and treatment are important, because its symptoms (discharge and odor) may resemble other infections with different treatment (such as a yeast infection or some sexually transmitted diseases), and because it may slightly increase the risk of some complications especially during pregnancy or before gynecological procedures. It is diagnosed by gynecological examination and examination of the discharge. The main treatment is antibiotics (topical or oral) prescribed by the doctor, with completing the full course. It is important to know that bacterial vaginosis tends to recur in some women, so some of them may need a follow-up plan. For prevention, avoiding vaginal douching and internal scented products that disturb the vaginal balance, not repeated self-treatment without diagnosis, and seeing a doctor for any persistent abnormal discharge are advised.

• Thin gray or grayish-white vaginal discharge.
• A characteristic unpleasant (fishy) odor that increases after intercourse.
• Sometimes mild itching or burning.
• Many cases have mild or no symptoms.

• An imbalance of the natural bacteria in the vagina (decline of beneficial bacteria).
• Associated factors: vaginal douching, smoking, multiple partners.
• (Not a sexually transmitted infection in the traditional sense.)

• Gynecological examination and examination of the discharge.
• Distinguishing from yeast infection and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Special evaluation during pregnancy or before gynecological procedures.

Antibiotics

• Topical or oral antibiotics prescribed by the doctor with completing the full course.

With recurrence

• A follow-up plan for those in whom the condition recurs.

Confirming the diagnosis rather than repeated self-treatment is advised. This content is educational and does not replace medical advice.

• A slight increase in the risk of some complications during pregnancy.
• Increased susceptibility to some other infections.
• Recurrence of the condition in some women.

• Avoiding vaginal douching and internal scented products.
• Not repeated self-treatment without diagnosis.
• Seeing a doctor for any persistent abnormal discharge.