Bacterial vaginosis is a common occurrence for women of childbearing age. This occurs in over 3 million women in the United States alone, and many more across the world. The issue is due to pH imbalance in the vagina. Bacterial overgrowth happens through a variety of root causes, and will need treatment to return to normal. While there are some symptoms that mark this issue, there are some women that will not have any symptoms for some time. It’s important to see a doctor if the symptoms get worse, or start when pregnant.
What Are The Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis
The most common causes of this problem include unprotected sex, douching too often, and even some medications. The symptoms associated with this issue do not always come up fast, which is why some women will not even know that they have this problem. However, there are some issues that can come through. These include discharge from the vagina, redness, odor, and pain. These can get worse over time, they can appear solitary, or they can appear all at once. Either way, it’s an issue that millions of women will face off against.
Treatments Used For Vaginosis
There are a variety of different solutions that can be used to heal this problem. Many options can be used over the counter. For instance, you’ll find that many women can start a lifestyle change. Eating yogurt, for instance, can be helpful. This helps introduce the correct bacteria into the body. As the bacteria flows into the body, it can help reverse the bacterial infection outright. However, if this doesn’t work, or perhaps the odor or the discharge is difficult to manage, a doctor will be needed for a proper diagnosis.
How Doctors Treat Vaginosis
When you contact a doctor, they will administer a pelvic exam. That exam is going to cover the issue and will be able to tell if the issue is associated with bacteria, or something else. In some instances, you may mistake this issue for a sexually transmitted disease, and vice versa. It should be noted that vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted illness, but it can be caused through sexual contact.
Doctors will administer a pelvic exam, and then prescribe antibiotics. These are either orally taken or applied as a gel on the body. Either one can work, and the most common options are azithromycin 250mg and metronidazole 500mg. Both azithromycin 250mg and metronidazole 500mg can work to help inflammation, bacterial growth, and more. Taken properly, it will help reduce the overall cause of the issue, and will help things from recurring down the line. They are the most commonly prescribed options for vaginosis, and they can help with eradicating the issue.
There are some women that will have a reoccurrence of vaginosis due to the antibiotics given. If that occurs, a doctor can prescribe a different solution and monitor the issue so that it doesn’t return. If pregnant, it’s imperative not to wait, but get help with the issue, before it gets worse, or causes problems with the pregnancy and uterine lining.
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