BACTERIAL
VAGINOSIS : VAGINITIS
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal
infection (vaginitis). For grammatical reasons, some people prefer to call
it vaginal bacteriosis. It is not generally considered to be a sexually transmitted
infection. BV is caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring bacterial flora,
and should not be confused with yeast infection (candidiasis), or infection
with Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis) which are not caused by bacteria.
Symptoms and Signs
The most common symptom of BV is an abnormal vaginal discharge (especially
after sex) with an unpleasant fishy smell. While some women do not experience
symptoms, many women experience intense itching, swelling and irritation (which
is why it is often misdiagnosed by women and even health care practitioners
as a yeast infection). By contrast, a 'normal' discharge will be odourless
and will vary in consistency and amount with the menstrual cycle - a normal
discharge is at its clearest about 2 weeks before the period starts.
Causes
Most cases of bacterial vaginosis occur in sexually active women between the
ages of 15 and 44, especially after contact with a new partner. Condoms may
provide some protection and there is no evidence that spermicide increases
BV risk. Although BV appears to be associated with sexual activity, there
is no clear evidence of sexual transmission.Rather, BV is a disordering of
the chemical and biological balance of the normal flora. Recent research is
exploring the link between sexual partner treatment and eradication of recurrent
cases of BV. Pregnant women and women with sexually transmitted infections
are especially at risk for getting this infection. Bacterial vaginosis does
not usually affect women after menopause. A 2005 study by researchers at Ghent
University in Belgium showed that subclinical iron deficiency (anemia) was
a strong predictor of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. A longitudinal
study published in February 2006 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynecology showed a link between psychosocial stress and bacterial vaginosis
independent of other risk factors.(1)
source (1)
wikipedia