Do bacterial vaginosis cause abdominal pain, vaginal pain, back pain and anal pain?

Bacterial vaginosis is a condition wherein the vagina produces excessive discharge. This discharge is brought about by an imbalance of bacterial fauna in the vaginal area.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is not considered as a sexually transmitted disease. It is a common condition experienced by at least 29% of women in the United States. It usually occurs in women of childbearing age.

Women who have multiple sex partners or a new sex partner are at a greater risk to have this condition. Aside from that, those who constantly douche and use strong cleansing agents are also at risk. Strong chemicals can upset the balance in the vagina hence causing this condition.

The following are the symptoms commonly experienced when a person has BV:

1. As aforementioned, the main distinctive symptom of this condition is abnormal vaginal discharge. It can either be thin, gray, green, yellow or white discharge. This discharge can occur at any time of a woman’s cycle. However, it may become more noticeable after sexual intercourse or menstrual period.
2. Aside from the vaginal discharge, it is accompanied by a foul-smelling odor. The odor is usually ‘fishy’.
3. Itching around the area is also a huge tell-tale sign of this condition.
4. In more chronic cases, a burning sensation can be felt during urination.
5. In extreme cases, pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) can also be experienced.

However, to address the question, “do bacterial vaginosis cause abdominal pain, vaginal pain, back pain and anal pain?” Bacterial vaginosis should not cause any pain in the abdominal, back and anal area. Pain in such areas may already be a symptom of another infection or disease.

A lot of people confuse bacterial vaginosis with other vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases. Vaginal yeast infection, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis are some of the diseases which most women confuse with bacterial vaginosis.

Trichomoniasis is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Women with this STD also experience abnormal vaginal discharge, irritation, and itching around the vaginal area and a foul-smelling odor. Local pain is a common symptom of this disease. Hence, if abnormal vaginal discharge is experienced, accompanied with local pain either in the abdominal, back or anal area, it could be trichomoniasis.

On the other hand, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a complication of sexually transmitted disease like chlamydia and gonorrhea. PID is also characterized by almost the same symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. However, people with this condition may experience pain around the abdominal and back area.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) can also cause pain in the stomach and lower back. Urinary tract infection is a disease caused by bacteria. As its name suggests, it affects mainly the urinary system specifically the bladder, kidney and tubes. UTI is caused by diabetes, poor personal hygiene, bowel incontinence, and sexual intercourse.

In conclusion, the answer to the question do bacterial vaginosis cause abdominal pain, vaginal pain, back pain and anal pain, bacterial vaginosis should not cause abdominal pain, back pain and anal pain. However, for extreme cases, women may experience pain in the vaginal area after intercourse.