BV: Bacterial Vaginosis- A common infection your doctor might miss

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Bacterial Vaginosis:

What Your Doctor

Might Not Tell You

It's a common infection - and can lead to infertility. But your doctor might not offer you treatment. Find out why - and what you can do.

Chances are you've already experienced at least one episode of the burning, itching V zone irritation known as vaginitis - the single most common health problem affecting women today. One reason it is such a frequent diagnosis is that vaginitis is a broad term used to describe a variety of different vaginal conditions .

Indeed, everything from simple irritations caused by bath products or lubricants, all the way up to complex infections that can seriously jeopardize your health have been called vaginitis.

However, for many women in their reproductive years, a diagnosis of vagnitis commonly means an infection known as bacterial vaginosis or BV - an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of micro organisms that, once inside the vagina can cause a number of different types of infections.

HOW BV OCCURS:

Tissue lining a normal, healthy vagina produce a certain level of natural acids that help keep certain micro-organisms from growing out of control . When, however something occurs that causes the acid levels in the vagina to drop, the bacteria normally present in small amounts, begins to reproduce, causing the symptoms we associate with BV ( see below ).

But what causes the acid level to drop in the first place ? While there can be many reasons - including the use of certain hygiene products such as douches - one of the newest studies points to a " vagina virus" as the cause. Sexually transmitted, it appears to reside dormant in a man's body - but when transferred to a woman during sex, may cause the changes in acid levels responsible for BV.

Remember, however, the vagina virus is only linked to bacterial vaginitis, and not other types of non-bacterial vaginal irritations.

YOUR SYMPTOMS:

There are four major signs that you can look for to indicate the possible presence of a BV infection :

Vaginal discharge - It is likely to be thin, watery, milky- white or grey in color, and may feel somewhat sticky.

There may also be more wetness than you normally have.

Vaginal odor - Look for a foul smell, or sometimes

a " fishy" odor.

Odors or discharge that grow worse after intercourse

Occasionally there may also be itching or burning.

WHAT' MISSING: : Obvious signs of inflammation such as redness or a rashy appearance. In BV, you won't have these outward indications of infection.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:

Identifying all forms of vaginitis requires a least two tests :

A pH test, which measures the level of acid in your vagina - very important for identifying the presence of a BV infection .

A discharge test , which analyzes actual samples of your vaginal discharge under a microscope, to also help identify organisms involved in your infection.

HOW THE TEST ARE DONE :

Both simple in nature, the pH test requires that your Nedoctor swab the inside of your vagina and place the fluids on a special paper designed which will change color in response to the level of acid in your fluids.

A pH reading of higher than 5.5 ( indicating a low acid level) usually favors a diagnosis of BV. If acid levels are high, indicated by pH reading of 4.5 or lower, you probably don't have BV .

The second test also involves swabbing samples of fluid from your vagina and placing them on microscopic slides where they are mixed with a special fluid. If the sample gives off an odor, BV could be your problem . To make a definite diagnosis, however, the slides must then be diagnosed under a microscope for the presence of a particular type of cell that is present only in BV.

RED FLAG : Make certain your doctor performs both tests before rendering a diagnosis - and never accept that your problem is BV via a diagnosis rendered over the phone, or with only an " on-site" exam.

YOUR TREATMENT OPTIONS :

Oral metronidazole - far and away the most common prescription for BV. Often administered in 500 mg pills taken two times a day for seven days.

ALTERNATE OPTION : A single 2 gram dose - easier to take since you only need one pill. However if you do have a sensitivity reaction or side effects they may be more difficult to control since you can't reverse the action or

"stop" the medication as you could would a multi-dose regimen

Metronidazole cream ( 2 % strength) - A 5 gram application in a pre-measured applicator once a day for seven days may be all you need.

Metronidazole gel ( .75% strength) - Applied vaginally twice a day, five days of treatment should do the trick.

Clindmycin cream - ( 2%) - A full applicator ( 5 grams) intravaginallly once a day at betime for seven days if the full treatment here.

RED FLAG: Never drink alcohol while taking any medication for BV . Also, try to avoid intercourse and if you do have sex, always use a condom. Do not use tampons while using a topical treatment for BV since they will absorb much of the drug and decrease effectiveness.

For a list of side effects common to drugs for BV , click here

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW :

An active BV infection can cause you to have a false-positive PAP smear result. If you do receive a positive PAP result, particularly if you have even slight symptoms of BV, talk to your doctor about treatment with one of the above mentioned drugs before you resort to more invasive cervical testing. After treatment is concluded re-take your PAP smear. If all is clear, arrange for a second test in 6 months to re-confirm you are okay.

TO REDUCE YOUR RISKS OF BV TRY :

Cotton underwear

Avoid panty hose

Wear loose fitting shorts or workout clothes

Wash your vulva everyday with soap and water;

rinse and dry well.

Avoid genital sprays, deodorants and perfumes,

particularly during an active infection

Don't sit in a wet bathing suit for any length of time

Change sanitary pads frequently ; avoid tampon use during an active infection

From The V Zone by Colette Bouchez

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