subject: Symptoms of Vaginosis - What Are the Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis and What To Do About It [print this page] You suspect you have bacterial vaginosis infection. What can you do about it? In this article, I will explain the symptoms of vaginosis, and what options are available to treat it.
The symptoms of vaginosis include vaginal itching, burning and irritation. You may have a greater amount of discharge than usual. If it is bacterial vaginosis, this discharge be a thin, greyish white color with a fishy odor. You may have one or all of these symptoms. Some women do not show any signs at all.
When you are experiencing symptoms of vaginosis, the best thing to do is to see a doctor. A doctor can make a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis by conducting a special test. It will consist of taking a long cotton swab and taking a sample of vaginal fluid. This sample is then placed on a microscopic slide, where potassium hydroxide is added to it. If the sample gives off this fishy smell, a so-called "whiff test", it is considered positive. There are other clues provided by the sample, such as the loss of acidity , and the presence of bacteria such as Gardinerella..
You will be given a course of antibiotics to take, the most commonly prescribed being Metronidazole. This antibiotic is available in pill for, and should be taken for the advised amount of time. There are also antibiotic creams or gels available to treat BV, that have to be inserted directly into the vagina.
What many women don't know is that there is a pretty good chance that your symptoms of vaginosis will return. A repeat bacterial vaginosis infection is extremely common. You can keep repeating treatment, but the long term use of antibiotics and their continued effectiveness is debatable.
There are other options known to treat symptoms of vaginosis that consist of a more natural approach. Many women turn to this alternative form of treatment when they are seeking to move away from the use of antibiotics, especially when they don't seem to be effective anymore.
Symptoms of Vaginosis - What Are the Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis and What To Do About It
