Bacterial vaginosis causes a great deal of embarrassment and discomfort for nearly 700,000 women in the United States every year. Some estimates suggest that roughly 1 in 3 women in the U.S. will get bacterial vaginosis (BV) at some point in their lives.

What are the symptoms of BV? The two most common symptoms are an unpleasant “fishy” odor and that is often accompanied by vaginal discharge. These two symptoms can lead to a good deal of embarrassment for many BV sufferers. Bacterial vaginosis can also be accompanied by more severe symptoms, such as vaginal irritation, itching, and cramping.

Before the main bacterial vaginosis causes are addressed, it is important to know why BV occurs. Bacterial vaginosis develops when there is a reduction of the healthy bacteria (primarily the Lactobacillus species) in the vagina. These healthy bacteria are the predominant bacteria in the vagina and thrive in an oxygen-rich environment.

As the healthy bacteria begin to decrease, other bacteria, such as Bacteroides and Gardnerella vaginalis, become more prevalent. These “other” bacteria, which thrive in an environment with less oxygen, are always present in the vagina but are less predominant in normal, healthy vaginal conditions. It is when these series of events take place that BV actually occurs, and the symptoms then become noticeable.

What are the main bacterial vaginosis causes? There are a variety of things that can potentially lead to a reduction of the healthy bacteria in the vagina, and in turn can cause bacterial vaginosis. They are:

• Multiple sex partners

• Female sex partners

• Use of an intrauterine device for birth control

• Not using a condom

• Use of a douche

• Smoking

The list above includes the most widely accepted activities which can potentially lead to BV, but there are a several other potential causes of bacterial vaginosis that are not as prevalent but still may be something for you to consider. These bacterial vaginosis causes include a deficiency of iron while pregnant, the wearing of a “thong” as an undergarment (a thong can potentially introduce germs from the anus, due to a recent bowel movement, into the vagina by way of a rubbing and moving thong), and in younger girls, BV has been known to develop due to the strep virus, as well as poor hygiene (improper wiping) after bowel movements.

Outside of the embarrassing symptoms of unpleasant odors and vaginal discharge, as well as the discomfort that sometimes (not always) accompanies a case of bacterial vaginosis, there are three important risk factors that bacterial vaginosis causes. First, for pregnant women, BV increases the risk of a miscarriage and/or preterm labor. Second, bacterial vaginosis has been associated with the onset of PID. This usually only occurs in women who have BV and undergo a serious pelvic or vaginal procedure. Finally, bacterial vaginosis increases the likelihood of contracting a sexually transmitted disease when someone with BV is exposed to one.

Bacterial vaginosis is in many cases simply an inconvenience and embarrassment, yet, as has been mentioned, it can also lead to serious health risks. The bottom line is BV can be a nuisance and much more. Women should do their best to take note of the bacterial vaginosis causes, take the necessary precautions, and seek treatment when necessary.

Quick Treatment Facts:

In ¼ of the women who get BV it goes away on its own. Bacterial vaginosis treated with antibiotics often times comes back shortly after treatment if it goes away at all. Many women who seek traditional treatment are left frustrated after the ineffective results they experience, and look for alternative methods of treatment.

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Bacterial Vaginosis A Womans Scourge
If you are like me then you really just wanted the power to wish a bacterial vaginosis problem away because it seems so hard to get rid of.

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