Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis

What are Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms?

If you find itching or burning sensation in your vagina, don’t assume you have bacterial vaginosis. There are plenty of infections that have similar signs and symptoms. So, it’s best to let your physician examine you and conclude whether they’re the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis.

Understanding Bacterial Vaginosis

Since, symptoms may vary from person to person, it’s important to know the bacterial vaginosis cause. Pregnant women are more prone to this infection because of hormonal changes that disturb the vaginal environment, encouraging yeast overgrowth.

Those who regularly use oral contraceptives for birth control are also more susceptible to this infection. Even those using steroids and antibiotics are known to succumb to this condition. A weakened immune system or diabetes can also make you a likely candidate.

Bacterial vaginosis symptoms

It may surprise you to know that no two women display the same symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. This may range from no symptoms to the most severe ones, as in chronic bacterial vaginosis.

There are certain symptoms that may not occur in all or occur rarely. That’s why it’s important to get yourself examined by a physician for getting the correct diagnosis of your condition. Let’s see what these symptoms are:

a. No symptoms:

Almost fifty percent of women afflicted with bacterial vaginosis are devoid of symptoms of this infection. This makes it all the more difficult to diagnose the condition through physical examination. So, the physician will usually diagnose it by testing the vaginal fluid.

b. Vaginal discharge:

The amount of vaginal discharge considered normal varies in women. Therefore, in case it seems abnormal for a particular woman, it should be evaluated. Generally, the vaginal discharge in those afflicted is usually thin and cloudy, varying in color from gray to yellow to white. It may also stick to the vaginal walls.

c. Vaginal odor:

Vaginal odor is most noticeable after sexual intercourse. However, the good part is it’s not unpleasant and may have fishy or musty odor.

There are certain other symptoms that may occur rarely. Let’s see what they are:

a. Vaginal itching and irritation:

This is a rare occurrence in most suffering from bacterial vaginosis. Some women, however, may experience burning during urination or itching around the outside of the vagina, or both.

b. Vaginal redness:

This usually is the result of itching. If there’s no itching, possibility of vaginal redness is that much less.

c. Vaginal tenderness:

This is a rare condition and fallout of vaginal itching. If the itching is not there, you won’t have tenderness.

d. Painful intercourse:

In most cases, those suffering from this infection won’t have any pain during intercourse. But, sexual intercourse may be one of the main reasons of bacterial vaginosis in man and a good reason for getting it back from them!

Although, chronic bacterial vaginosis can be plain misery to most women who suffer from it, those without these symptoms remain unaware they’re infected until they’re diagnosed during a pelvic exam and Pap smear.

Whatever, be the case, if you do suspect something, don’t hesitate to get yourself examined by your physician. However, it’s important you don’t use vaginal douches during the few days preceding your visit to the physician, as douching can hide signs of infection and may make bacterial vaginosis infections worse.