Women with bacterial vaginosis develop this infection of the vagina because they have low levels of the Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria. This bacteria protects against an overgrowth of various harmful bacteria by keeping the environment of the vagina acidic. The treatment for this infection includes medications, but multiple episodes of infection may be treated with medications or yogurt which contains Lactobacillus acidophilus.
What is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis was once called nonspecific vaginitis or Gardnerella vaginitis. This disorder is the most common cause of a bacterial infection that produces symptoms in women who are in their childbearing years, according to "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology." Bacterial vaginosis is an infection which develops because there has been a change in the bacteria that normally inhabits the vagina. It is a vaginitis, or an infection of the vagina.
Causes
Bacterial vaginosis develops because of a decrease in the Lactobacilli bacteria which make acid and, therefore, keep the pH level low in the vagina, explains "Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology." Before a woman reaches puberty and after she reaches menopause, she has low estrogen levels, few Lactobacilli and a high pH level. The Lactobacilli that increase after puberty and decrease after menopause stop the growth of harmful bacteria. Women with bacterial vaginosis have a decrease of Lactobacilli and an overgrowth of mainly Peptostreptococcus, Prevotella, Mobiluncus and Gardnerella bacteria.
Symptoms and Evaluation
Women will notice a thin, grayish-white vaginal discharge which smells like fish, a mild irritation and itching. A physician will diagnose bacterial vaginosis if three of the following factors exist, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: the lab identifies clue cells, there is a positive whiff test, the pH level of the secretions is more than 4.5 and the discharge is grayish-white. Clue cells describe vaginal cells that are covered with bacteria. A positive whiff test refers to the fishy odor after a solution is placed on a slide of vaginal secretions.
Treatment and Acidophilus
The treatment for women who are not pregnant may include the following medications: metronidazole, clindamycin or ovule. The clindamycin cream is oil-based, so it may weaken a diaphragm or condom. Pregnant women are permitted to take metronidazole or clindamycin. "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology" notes that the treatment for women who have multiple episodes of this infection includes a longer treatment, condoms, yogurt that has Lactobacillus acidophilus or having Lactobacilli inserted in the vagina.
Complications
Bacterial vaginosis can lead to several complications, as described in "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." For example, it can make women more at risk for contracting HIV. If they develop this infection during early pregnancy, they can go into premature labor. They may also develop bacterial infections in the membrane lining their uterus or in their fallopian tubes. This disease can also lead to infections after a hysterectomy.
References
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology"; Alan DeCherney, M.D.; Lauren Nathan, M.D. et al.; 2007
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony Fauci, M.D., Dennis Kasper, M.D., Dan Longo, M.D. et al.; 2008
- "Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology," Warren Levinson, M.D., Ph.D.; 2008
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Vaginitis
