Bacterial vaginosis (BV) also known as Gardnerella vaginalis or Gardnerella vaginitis is a common ailment among women in the reproductive age. It can be explained as an infection caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring vaginal bacteria of the Gardnerella vaginalis strain. Bacterial vaginosis infection is not dangerous and, in most cases, it heals by itself. Bacterial vaginosis symptoms include foul-smelling vaginal discharge of white or grey colour, which is thin and watery in consistency.

Very few women with bacterial vaginosis have symptoms of infection. Upon observation, doctors have identified some signs of Bacterial Vaginosis. Some of the common bacterial vaginosis symptoms in women include –

• A thin and watery grey or white vaginal discharge
• A burning sensation while urinating
• Fish-like foul smell in the vaginal area, especially after sex
• Pain, itchiness or burning in the vagina
• Itchiness outside and around the vagina

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please seek immediate medical help.

Medical science does not explicitly state any bacterial vaginosis causes. But some factors that may put you at risk of Bacterial vaginosis include

• Use of antibiotics
• Vaginal douching (Washing the vaginal area with excessive soap/ perfumed soap and water)
• Change of sexual partner
• Having multiple sexual partners
• Washing underwear with strong detergents
• Smoking
• Using an IUD or contraceptive device

To reduce the likelihood of getting bacterial vaginosis and to maintain good vaginal hygiene in general, here are a few dos and don’ts

Bacterial vaginosis treatment usually includes a short course of antibiotics. Most doctors prescribe metronidazole which is an antibiotic drug for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

There is a wide range of antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis treatment. Some of the medications usually prescribed by doctors are well known around the world as bacterial vaginosis cures. They are –

• Metronidazole
• Canesbalance Bacterial Vaginosis Vaginal Gel
• Zidoval

Apart from the above, there are several bacterial vaginosis over-the-counter treatments available. It is not recommended to use any over the counter treatment for bacterial vaginosis without physician’s advice.

The course of the bacterial vaginosis treatment must be duly completed as prescribed by the doctor.

One of the most common ways of diagnosing bacterial vaginosis involves testing a sample of the patient’s vaginal discharge. Doctors recommend the below listed bacterial vaginosis tests –

• Wet Mount Test – A sample of the vaginal discharge is tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells, and clue cells. If clue cells are detected in the discharge sample, it means the patient has bacterial vaginosis.
  
  
• Whiff Test – A sample of vaginal discharge is checked to see if it emits a strong fishy odour when a specific solution is added. A fishy odour means the patient has bacterial vaginosis.
  
  
• Vaginal pH – In this test, the pH of a sample of vaginal discharge is measured. If the patient has bacterial vaginosis the pH will be higher than normal.
  
  
• Oligonucleotide Probe – In this test, a sample of vaginal discharge is tested for genetic material or DNA. This is the least used bacterial vaginosis test.

1. Can bacterial vaginosis go away on its own?
   
   Yes, in some cases bacterial vaginosis can go away on its own. In many cases, women can have bacterial vaginosis without even noticing it and the female body restores the natural balance of bacteria on its own, thus healing Bacterial vaginosis by itself.
   
   
2. Is bacterial vaginosis a sexually transmitted disease?
   

   Bacterial vaginosis is not an STD or sexually transmitted disease. Here are a few good to know facts –

   - If a patient diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis has a same-sex (female) partner – the partner can have contracted the infection too.
   - Men cannot be infected with bacterial vaginosis.
   - Women with multiple sexual relationships are more likely to get bacterial vaginosis.

3. What does bacterial vaginosis smell like?
   
   If you have bacterial vaginosis you may experience a strong fish-like odour in your vaginal area. The smell is because of the thin and watery grey or white discharge from the vagina. The bacterial vaginosis smell is often strongest after sex or during menstruation.
4. How can I stop the bacterial vaginosis smell?
   The best thing to do is to seek medical advice. You could also try to keep your vaginal area clean using plain soap and water. Avoid washing with perfumed soaps and the use of vaginal deodorants.
   
   
5. What happens if bacterial vaginosis goes untreated?
   
   In case bacterial vaginosis is left untreated, it increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea. It also increases the risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease and infection of reproductive organs such as the uterus or the ovaries, which causes infertility. Some women also experience bacterial vaginosis bleeding in prolonged cases of infection.
   
   A bacterial vaginosis pregnancy stands the risk of complications such as pre-term birth or a low-birth-weight baby due to the infection.
6. Can bacterial vaginosis turn into chlamydia?
   

   Bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of getting chlamydia. Research studies say that women who have bacterial vaginosis are 13% more likely to contract chlamydia.

   However, this does not mean that every woman diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis will surely get chlamydia as well. It only increases the risk factor. Timely medication and vaginal hygiene can help cure bacterial vaginosis and eliminate the subsequent risk of chlamydia.

7. Can other people smell the bacterial vaginosis smell?
   
   The bacterial vaginosis smell is usually strongest after sex or during menstruation. No, other people cannot smell the bacterial vaginosis smell, unless they are in close proximity to your vaginal area. Such as during a medical examination or during sex. 
   
   
8. Is bacterial vaginosis caused by poor hygiene?
   
   No, bacterial vaginosis is not caused by poor hygiene
   
   
   
9. Is bacterial vaginosis painful?
   
   Bacterial vaginosis does not usually cause any pain. It is known to cause itching and redness in the vaginal area, and in some cases, bacterial vaginosis can cause abdominal pain.
10. How long does bacterial vaginosis last?
    
    Mild infection of bacterial vaginosis can recede within a few days without any symptoms or treatment. However, in case of a serious infection that causes symptoms such as fishy-smelling thin and watery grey or white discharge – it does not heal on its own and you need to get medical attention.
    
    Such a case of bacterial vaginosis also does not last more than two to three days when treated with antibiotics. However, the course of medicines is usually seven days and should be taken as prescribed even after the symptoms stop showing.
    
    
11. Why am I always wet down there and smelly?
    
    A vagina is a mucous membrane; therefore, the skin and tissues of a healthy vagina are always moist. A healthy woman produces 1 to 4 millilitres of vaginal fluid in a day. Increased wetness of your vagina could be due to hormonal changes, fertility status, arousal, and infections.
    
    
    
12. Will my period flush out bacterial vaginosis?
    
    Your periods cannot wash out or cure a bacterial vaginosis infection. BV is caused by hormonal changes and changes in the pH balance of your vagina. Menstrual blood raises the acidity levels of your vagina and disturbs the pH balance, therefore making you more susceptible to infections such as bacterial vaginosis.
    
    
13. What does bacterial vaginosis look like?
    
    The most common symptom of bacterial vaginosis is a fishy-smelling thin, watery grey, or white vaginal discharge. This vaginal discharge could be white, dull grey, greenish, and foamy in some cases. Women also see redness in the vaginal area with itchiness and a burning sensation while urinating.
14. Can sperm cause bacterial vaginosis?
    
    Sperm discharge in the vagina during sexual intercourse can impact the pH level in the vagina. This may be one of the triggers of bacterial vaginosis. 
15. How can I cure BV fast at home?
    

    There are a few known bacterial vaginosis home treatments. Some of them are:

    - Include probiotics in your diet
    - Eating garlic or garlic supplements
    - Irrigating the vagina with one ounce of hydrogen peroxide daily for one week helps heal a bacterial vaginosis infection.
    - Cotton underwear

16. What foods to avoid when you have BV?
    
    If you have bacterial vaginosis, it is best to avoid the following foods –
    
    - Packaged foods
    - Sugar
    - Processed Meats
    
    
17. How can I stop recurring BV?
    
    Recurrent bacterial vaginosis is usually treated by prescribing a course of antibiotics. In some cases, doctors recommend lifestyle changes like:
    
    - Diet changes – eating a well-balanced diet
    - Abstinence from sexual activity until completely cured
    - Taking vitamin and probiotic supplements
    - Avoiding douching and use of antibiotic bath products
    
    
18. How do you know if BV has gone away?
    
    Bacterial vaginosis is known to recede within two or three days after the start of antibiotic medication. The absence of symptoms such as bacterial vaginosis discharges, itching, and redness in the vaginal area are signs of the infection being cured.
19. What is the best probiotic for BV?
    
    One of the most researched probiotic strains for bacterial vaginosis is Lactobacillus acidophilus. It is known to help maintain the vaginal pH balance by preventing the growth of bad bacteria and promoting the growth of good bacteria. However, doctors recommend eating whole foods with probiotic properties more than depending on probiotic supplements for good vaginal health.