Vaginal bacterial infections are very common in women and more than 80 percent of women experience these kinds of vaginal infections at some point in their lifetime. There are many kinds of vaginal infection and bacterial is one of the kinds. Vaginal infections occur when the balance of the bacteria present in the vagina get disturbed. Usually, we have the good bacteria and the bad bacteria present in the vagina naturally. The good bacteria keep a check on the overgrowth of the bad bacteria, but when this balance is disrupted because of some reason, the bad bacteria overgrow causing infection. In some cases, infection is caused by a fungus instead of bacteria.
Bacterial vaginosis can be sexually transmitted or caused by other factors like douching and use of IUDs. Most women may not show any signs or symptoms of this infection, others who experience symptoms may have itching, redness, soreness, pain and irritation. Discharge from the vagina with foul odor is also a common symptom of vaginal bacterial infection in most women. This is not a very serious problem but can display disturbing symptoms which can be confused with yeast infection or trichomoniasis infection.
The main cause of this condition is due to overgrowth of the bacteria present naturally in the vagina. Under normal circumstances, the good bacteria outnumber the bad bacteria, but in this condition the bad bacteria outgrow, it disturbs the natural balance present and results in vaginal bacterial infections. Women who are at higher risk of getting this infection are women with multiple partners, women who practice douching, who use IUDs and who have lack of lactobacilli bacteria. Douching can upset the natural balance of the vaginal environment which leads to over growth of anaerobic bacteria. The use of IUD device for birth control also creates this condition and lack of lactobacilli bacteria or the good bacteria develops into bacterial vaginosis. Having vaginal bacterial infections makes one susceptible to sexually transmitted disease and in pregnant women; it is related to premature deliveries.
The doctor may do a pelvic examination or take vaginal secretions as a sample for testing to diagnose the problem. Treatment for vaginal bacterial infections may be medications, gels, creams as required by your condition. It is essential to complete the whole treatment as prescribed and not to stop in between as that may cause a recurrence. The treatment medications may be as follows:
1. Metronidazole: This medication may be taken orally as a tablet. It is also available in the form of a gel that is to be inserted in the vagina. Avoid consumption of alcohol while using this medication.
2. Tinidazole: This is taken orally as a pill.
3. Clindamycin: This medication is in the form of a cream which is to be inserted into the vagina for a week.
Apart from these, it is important to maintain hygiene, always clean from front to back so as to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina, avoid douching, keep the vaginal area clean and dry, wear cotton underwear and not tight nylon clothes, avoid perfumed products near that area and always practice safe sexual lovemaking.
Read about Excessive White Vaginal Discharge Treatment. Also know about Vaginal Tightening Cream.