Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms

Bacterial vaginosis results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in vaginal discharge. There are a number of bacteria that naturally live in the vaginal area. When different types of bacteria grow in excess and are imbalanced in the woman’s discharge they create a problem.

Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous; however it causes some annoying symptoms. If you have unusual discharge that you feel is not normal at all, you should have it examined by a doctor to rule out some serious infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

The causes of bacterial vaginosis have not been successfully diagnosed by researchers at this time. One thing we know for sure is that bacterial vaginosis is triggered by a combination of multiple bacteria that represent in the vaginal area and when they’re together and imbalanced, they seem to develop into this condition.

Although, doctors could determine the condition without much trouble, deciding on the treatment option is not as simple as diagnosing bacterial vaginosis. The reason is because bacterial vaginosis often shows a reduction in the amount of the normal hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli in the vagina. At the same time, there is an increase in concentration of other kinds of bacteria, especially anaerobic bacteria, which usually grows easily in the absence of oxygen.

The most common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are vaginal discharge and foul odor. One thing you need to take a note is that the discharge is usually thin and grayish white. It is also more noticeable after sexual intercourse.

Other than what’s been discussed above, in most cases, there are no other symptoms associated with this condition. What’s considered normal vaginal discharge varies from woman to woman. Therefore, any amount of discharge that you suspect is not normal need to be taken seriously for further evaluation by a physician.

If you suspect that you may be dealing with bacterial vaginosis, you should see your doctor to rule out possible infections and treat your condition.