One of the common issues that women of childbearing age face is that of bacterial vaginosis. This is a problem with overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. That causes an imbalance of pH levels, and usually leaves a variety of issues as a result. There are symptoms that can come together or just be solitary. In some instances, you’ll find that symptoms may not even appear at first, which is something that most do not understand at first glance. There are a few things that you should know about this issue, especially if you want to ensure that you can help heal this, and prevent it from happening down the line.
Considering The Root Causes of Vaginosis
There are a few root causes that can be associated with bacterial overgrowths in the body. The main causes are often linked to unprotected sex, douching too often, hygiene, type of underwear, age, and hormonal imbalances. Women that are going through menopause or have recently gone through it, may also get this malady.
The symptoms associated with this issue vary. As stated above, there may be no symptoms at first, but they may come through with a few clearly defined problems. Some of the common symptoms that you may want to look for include itching, redness, rash, discharge from the vaginal, and a foul odor. These things are not going to go away on their own, and showering will not assist it. There are a few treatments that will be needed to help with this.
Could Bacterial Vaginosis Cause A False Positive Pregnancy Test?
Women that are trying to get pregnant or think they are pregnant will no doubt reach for a pregnancy test. These are commonplace. However, they may strike a false positive due to a variety of reasons. One of the reasons is of course vaginosis. This is due to the pH balance being different, and causing the test to read it as abnormal. This can be frustrating, but it’s something that can occur. The balance of the bacteria in the vagina must be at a certain level to be “normal”, otherwise the test will read a positive, instead of negative.
Treating Vaginosis Overall
The first thing to know about treatments for this bacterial issue is that it can be done with lifestyle change. Many times, yogurt is a go to treatment. Eating this on a regular basis can introduce healthy probiotics into the body, allowing for things to return to proper pH levels in a short span of time. Another option is found with prescription medications. There are topical creams that can be used, or oral medications that can be taken twice a day. Either route requires a professional opinion to ensure that a person is not pregnant, but rather has vaginosis. A doctor will help with this, and prescribe the right treatment, and medication.
Vaginosis is not something that is deadly. It does not cause a great deal of pain, but it can be uncomfortable. Getting treatment may be required. Getting a doctor’s opinion on a pregnancy test, can rule out whether or not take-home tests show a false positive, etc. When in doubt, ask a doctor.
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