have you heard about bacteria vaginosis?

 

Have you heard of Bacteria vaginosis? Do you know that Bacteria vaginosis is  common in sub-Saharan Africa region, this region accidentally has higher incidence for HIV virus, also most African rural regions as a result of their  It is estimated to affect more than 10% of the females of reproductive age worldwide, I’m sure you must have heard someone complain of watery and thin vaginal discharge, that may turn grey or white, and it may have a strong (fishy) smell, some women may experience a dunning sensation when urinating, and itching around the outside of the vagina, most women of about 84% has no symptoms, the signs and symptoms of Bacteria vaginitis  are mostly similar to other common vaginal infection. So what excalty is bacteria vaginitis join me let’s find out.

Bacterial vaginisis is under the common types of vaginitis it’s an inflammation of the vagina resulting from an infection characterized by itching burning abnormal discharges and pain on severe occasions. Oh well there are other types of BV, we have Atrophic vaginitis, trichomonas vagininalis, candida albicans, lastly Bacterial vaginitis. Then what is BV? Do you know that the female genital has peculiar smell? Do you know that every lady has their own peculiar flora? Oh yeah if you’ve never noticed please learn to observe your body from today it would help a lot, lets continue. Bacteria vaginosis (BV) is simply the interruption of that special normal vaginal flora that is called Lactobacilli so when this strange bacteria comes in the normal flora is then replaced by anaerobixc microorganisms such as gardneralla vaginalis and prevotella and other bacteria, basically BV distrupt the predominat vaginal bacterial called lactobacili spp. this  lactobacilli found in the vagina helps to keep the vagina healthy by metabolizing glycogen secreted by the vaginal epithelia producing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and other substances that  hinder the growth of yeast infection and other unwanted organisms, let’s not go too deep before I bore you all out(lol). Before then have it in mind that the vaginal is slightly acidic with a pH level of 3.5-4.5. when this level of acidity is interrupted by an infection is paves way for common bacterial to invade the vaginal as it is more open exposed, a lady can easily contract all forms of Sexually transmitted diseases. Some people would say what if I’m not sexually active do I also have to worry? Yes you also have to be worried let’s look at few things that would make you prone to having this infection.

There are several risks factors associated with bacterial vaginosis, ranging from personal hygiene, different washing style of the vaginal, you could read about vaginal douching here multiple sex partner, wearing of  certain type of clothing like tight fitted trousers, shorts, underwear like G-string panties are not totally healthy, we know it’s a thin piece of material that goes in between the anal canal,  making it easier to pass infections from the sins to the vaginal, majority of these underwear’s are not cotton material hence it serves as a breeding ground for bacterial growth and development.

There are several risks factors associated with bacterial vaginitis, smoking, douching, contraceptive devices, sexual activity, pregnant women.

1.Smoking: Smoking Suppresses the immune system, making it weak by increasing susceptibility to infection and reduces the level of some protective antioxidants in the blood that is supposed to help fight against infection.

2.Vaginal douching: some women practice intense washing in and out of the vaginal, going beyond washing with water, rather sitting over steams filled with different oils and fragrance that may change the normal vaginal flora

3.Contraceptive devices (intrauterine devices)

The usage of intrauterine device is common among women over 30 years that are likely to make use of this contraceptive method for family planning, but it doesn’t prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, IUD don’t protect against STIs they don’t protect against STIs, they increase your chance of getting infections, intrauterine devices are inserted inside the vaginal, containing chemicals that may disrupt the normal vaginal flora, since secretions comes from the cervix region. It can’t protect against infections of any kind.

4.Sexual activity

Having multiple sex partners increases the risk for having bacterial vaginitis as a result of changes that occurs in the vaginal environment by having a different sexual partner as it may disrupt the woman's already established vaginal flora, the semen has a Ph. level of 7.1-8 that can elevate the vaginal normal level as the semen is alkaline, having too many sexual partners possess a risks. Bacterial vaginitis increases the body vulnerability to other sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and HIV.

5.Pregnant women

Research has showed that pregnant women are vulnerable to having bacterial vaginitis, as a result of their increased level of oestrogen during pregnancy creating a climate for the growth of bacteria.  It is common for a woman to have more discharge during pregnancy, it is usually harmless, vaginal discharge comes from the cervix that is the neck of the womb (uterus) more are produced during pregnancy due to increased blood circulation to the area. In some cases, this infection can move up to the cervix, uterus and Fallopian tubes, causing a painful condition that may pose pelvic inflammatory disease.  It can lead to blockage of the Fallopian tubes.  In some rare cases bacterial vaginitis during pregnancy may cause premature labor, late miscarriage as it was observed that pregnant women in their second trimester had higher percentage of the infection. And premature rupture of membranes.  Hence regular visits for antenna is advised to treat this infection during pregnancy to avoid serious complications.

CAUSES

1. Unprotected sex be it vaginal, anal

Having sexual intercourse without protection increases susceptibility of having bacterial vaginosis, using the same condom for both anal and vaginal penetration, increases the disruption of the normal vaginal floral, as bacterial from the anal canal, can easily enter the vaginal.

2. Having multiple sex partners

Having multiple sexual partners increasing susceptibility to shift in the normal vaginal floral, the vaginal is slightly acidic while the semen is alkaline in nature, having too many sexual partners changes the environment more often.

3. Sharing sex toys (among lesbians) and other multiple sex

Sharing of un-sterilized sex toys, increase risks of spreading bacterial from one person to another while having sexual intercourse, lesbians are used to sharing of sex toys among each other, using the same one for both anal and vaginal penetration. Without taking adequate protective measures during the process.

   4.Douching 
       Douching is a common cultural practice among women, many who practice        
 it do not know the advert effects it has on the vaginal, they believe they             
are washing away dirty. Moreover the vaginal has it’s own natural way of           

cleaning it’s self,  the use of soaps, perfumes, special vaginal wash, vaginal        

steaming practice, all Disrupt the natural process of cleaning leading to              
bacterial growth/ bacterial vaginosis and other common vaginitis infections. 

      5. Smoking

Women who smoke have lowered immune system, the body is unable to function well and fight against any foreign body invading. But smoking makes the body too weak to fight against infections.

6. Wearing of tight underwear

Certain materials used for underwear are not good, it causes breeding ground for this bacterial vaginosis. Materials like lace, latex ate not advised to be wore.

 

Bacteria vaginitis has different symptoms, it is a condition in which the vagina’s normal balance of naturally occurring microorganisms in the vaginal flora has changed, the supposed Good bacteria are reduced and the harmful bacteria increase. About 50% of all females with bacterial vaginosis are asymptomatic meaning they have no symptoms.

If Bacterial Vaginitis symptoms do appear, they may include a watery and thin vaginal discharge, the discharge can become grey or white, and it may have a strong (fishy) smell. Less commonly, some women may experience a dunning sensation when urinating, and itching around the outside of the vagina, most women of about 84% has no symptoms, the signs and symptoms of Bacteria vaginitis  are mostly similar to other common vaginal infection.

1.      Grayish white or yellow vaginal discharge

This is an abnormal discharge, the normal vaginal discharge is white,  and not just another color, this can also be a symptom for other vaginal infection, hence test is required to confirm the infection.

2.      Fishy smell

Bacterial vaginitis infection is uniquely categorized by a smelly fishy odor that get worse after having sexual intercourse

3.      Burning pain.

Burning sensation while urinating, Is also an abnormal feeling a lady feels when urinating

It is also a sign of infection.

4.      Vaginal

Vaginal itching, redness and swelling is likely to occur when having bacterial vaginitis , the vaginal lips begin to have abnormal sizes.

5.      Pain during sexual intercourse

DIAGNOSIS

 1. pelvic scan/exam

2. Ph. test to check for vaginal acidity

3. Microscopic evaluation of vaginal secretions

TREATMENT

 Antibiotics are the standard treatment for bacterial vaginitis, no vaccination is required but specific antibiotic drugs.

• Metronidazole 500 milligrams taken orally
• Metronidazole 0.75% applied to the vaginal
• Clindamycin 2.0% vaginal cream applied during bedtime

 This antibiotics may have slight side effects depending on the individual, infects like nausea, runny nose, cough etc. Plain unsweetened yogurts when taken can help correct the normal vaginal floral if it’s still at the early stage, or help fasten up healing, as yogurts contains Basic probiotics. You can read more on healthy fruits good for the vaginal here

Prevention they say is better than cure abi? Why put your self at risk of having an infection when you can totally prevent it from happening by doing the following

1.      Usage of protection during all types of sex including condoms and dental dams for oral sex.

2.      Avoid washing of the vagina from inside out, usage of all sort of vaginal wash, vaginal fragrance should be avoided.

3.      Avoid vaginal steaming, here seating over hot water baths infused with different herbs, it distrust the normal vaginal floral, it has not been medically /scientifically proven to cure vaginal infections.

4.      Avoid cleaning your vaginal from back to front after using the toilet, to avoid spread of infections from the anus to the vaginal.

5.      Avoid IUDs contraceptive devices if you have had recurrent bacterial vaginitis or a severe infection in the past.

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Author: Ngodigha Ruth
            health_blogger2

I’ll love to reference where I got some of my materials from

1.Sexual Risk Factors and Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Katherine A. Fethers Christopher K. Fairley Jane S. Hocking Lyle C. GurrinCatriona S. BradshawClinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 47, Issue 11, 1 December 2008, Pages 1426–1435,https://doi.org/10.1086/592974 Published:01 December 2008 2. Causes, symptoms, and treatment of vaginitis By Christian Nordqvist |Reviewed by University of Illinois-Chicago, School of Medicine Last updated Mon 29 Oct 2018.  Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/175101.php,3.HIV – Bacterial Vaginosis Linked To Greater Female-to-Male TransmissionBy Petra Rattue | Published Sat 30 Jun 2012. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247292.php4.Vaginal discharge in pregnancy approved by the Baby centre Advisory Board Retrieved from https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a270/vaginal-discharge-in-pregnancy