Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that causes vaginal inflammation due to a bacteria imbalance. This condition can be diagnosed through a series of questions, pelvic exams, samples of vaginal secretions, and testing your vaginal pH. Fortunately, bacterial vaginosis can be treated quickly and easily. Ways to prevent bacterial vaginosis include protecting yourself against sexually transmitted infections, minimizing vaginal irritation, and staying away from douching products.

Many women with bacterial vaginosis don’t display any symptoms. Women who do experience symptoms of untreated BV may experience the following:

• White, green, or gray vaginal discharge
• Vaginal odor
• Vaginal itching
• Burning sensation when urinating

At this time, there are no known exact causes of bacterial vaginosis. However, there are a few risk factors that may make you more likely to develop this type of inflammation. It can occur in women at any age, but the chances are much greater during the reproductive years. The three most common risk factors for developing bacterial vaginosis include:

• Sexual Activity
There is a strong link between sexual activity and developing bacterial vaginosis. Typically, women who develop bacterial vaginosis have a new sex partner or multiple sex partners. It is more common for women who have frequent sex with other women to get bacterial vaginosis.

• Douching
Another way women can develop bacterial vaginosis is through frequent douching. Rinsing out your vagina with cleansing agents can lead to an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Douching isn’t necessary to have a clean vagina as the vagina is self-cleaning.

• Lack of Lactobacilli bacteria in the vagina
If your vagina doesn’t naturally produce a bacteria called lactobacilli, you’re at a much higher risk of developing bacterial vaginosis. This makes it much easier for a bacterial imbalance to occur.

Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with medications such as Metronidazole, Tinidazole, Clindamycin, or Secnidazole.

Metronidazole: This type of medication can be taken orally in pill form or as a topical gel that is inserted directly into the vagina.
 
Tinidazole: This type of oral medication is an antibiotic specially created to treat infections of the vagina, including bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.
 
Clindamycin: Clindamycin is a cream that can be inserted into the vagina for the relief of uncomfortable symptoms.
 
Secnidazole: These antibiotics are only taken once in the form of granules. You can pour these granules onto a piece of food for proper absorption.
 
For further information about bacterial vaginosis treatment at PrimeHealth Urgent Care, please don’t hesitate to give our front desk a call to book you in with one of our professionals as soon as possible. Our team will make sure you receive the health care you need to get back to your normal routine without any pain or discomfort. Bacterial vaginosis can become a recurring concern that causes a plethora of uncomfortable symptoms. You deserve to have these symptoms treated and cleared right away. We have convenient locations to serve you. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Parrish FL, Bradenton FL, Sarasota FL, Lithia FL, Lehigh Acres FL, Estero FL, Ellenton FL, Port Charlotte FL, West Bradenton FL, Palmetto FL, Lakewood Ranch FL, Foxleigh FL, Venice FL, Fruitville, FL, Wimauma FL, Balm FL, Harbour Heights FL, Murdock FL, Fort Myers FL, Westminster FL, El Dorado Acres FL, Cascades FL, West Samoset FL, Memphis FL, and surrounding cities.