The physical symptoms are painful itching and burning that doesn't get relief even with the creams, powders or douches. No matter how hard you try to keep clean and fresh, that disgusting fish odor lingers.
The emotional impact of BV is stressful - even in a committed relationship. After all, how can you feel sexy when your finest perfume is mixed with vaginal body odor?
It occurs when the normal bacteria found in the vagina is overtaken by unfriendly bacteria. You might say it's an imbalance of bacteria. This isn't even an unusual condition.
Before getting embarrassed by something that is a medical issue, keep this in mind: having BV does not imply that a woman engages in any unusual sexual practices.
Any woman of childbearing age is potentially at risk for BV. Even women who are not sexually active can get it.
What does Bacterial Vaginosis feel like? How can you recognize the symptoms? Here are the basic ways to recognize BV:
• Vaginal discharge that is thicker and lasts longer than normal
• Vaginal discharge smells sour or fishy, particularly after intercourse
• The color of the discharge is white or gray
• Painful burning sensation when urinating with no other indications of a urinary tract infection
• Itching or burning sensation in the vaginal area
One or more of these symptoms would certainly tell you that treatment is needed. But here's an oddity about BV that differs from yeast infection: Some women who have chronic BV have NONE OF THOSE SYMPTOMS.
For them, the infection has months to years to build up in the body without challenge. The long-term consequence are devastating as well as the ongoing discomfort.
A basic test used by the physician to make a diagnosis is the pH level. This is a chemical measurement that determines the level of acid or alkaline which is an important factor in knowing whether the conditions are right to sustain Bacterial Vaginosis.
As part of the pelvic examination, the doctor removes a small sample of fluid from the vagina to use for this test. The procedure is quick and painless.
Even a healthy woman has bacteria in the vaginal fluid, which cause no problems. If Bacterial Vaginosis is present, the fluid sample will show an increase in certain microorganisms such as Gardnerella, Bacteriodes, Mycoplasma and Mobiluncus. Over time these harmful bacteria destroy the useful bacteria.
A woman has no idea that this war between good bacteria and harmful bacteria is happening unless she experiences obvious symptoms. As irritating as the discharge and order can be, it's an ideal early warning system telling her to get a checkup.
The pH is a healthy vagina ranges from 3.8 to 4.5 (WebMD). When Bacterial Vaginosis is present, the pH count rises about 4.5. A fluid sample may also be viewed under a microscope with a bold dye added.
The testing for Bacterial Vaginosis involves both chemistry and a good nose for bacteria. The gram-positive (harmful) bacteria turn bright purple while the gram-negative (healthy) bacteria look pale to pink. Gardnerella, gram negative bacteria, is often found with BV.
The good nose aspect of Bacterial Vaginosis testing is that when vaginal fluid is exposed to the test fluid, the trademark strong fish odor is released. The test technician literally sniffs the test sample to identify that odor which has become all too familiar to a woman who has Bacterial Vaginosis. Granted this does not sound like a pleasant job, but fortunately some people have the training to apply this process needed in making the diagnosis.
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