There are a lot of different ailments that women may face, and one of the common issues that they face is that of bacterial vaginosis. This is a malady that causes inflammation in the vagina. This effects over 3 million women in the United States alone, and in some cases, it can seem to be a precursor to larger issues. For some, the symptoms may seem like the beginning of HIV aids. Understanding the bigger issue here, the root cause, and how it’s treated may help understand the problem on a bigger level. It may also help with understanding how to deal with recurrence.
What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Vaginosis is an inflammation of the vagina. This is something that can occur due to frequent douching, as well as unprotected sex. Whenever the vagina’s pH balance is shifted, due to a variety of issues, there could be a problem that leads to vaginosis. This doesn’t always appear with symptoms, as some individuals may not see any issue for some time. That is what makes this issue somewhat difficult to manage, and understand.
Understanding the symptoms is important, as they may appear after some time. With that in mind, you’ll need to understand that some symptoms start coming through immediately, and others it takes a bit more time. You may find that the most common symptoms that come around includes vaginal discharge, foul odor, burning, and even itching. Redness may also come through as well. It’s important to understand that these do not all come at once, and may be isolated. They may also take time to manifest, as there may be no preliminary signs. These can all come through in pairs, or isolated, and may even recur after treatment.
Treatment Routes
There are several treatment routes that you can pursue. If you were to go to a doctor, they would prescribe a topical solution, or a round of antibiotics. They will help with removing this issue within a few days. However, you’ll find that recurrence may occur within a year, which is not uncommon. If you have a recurrence, and you see or smell symptoms coming through, it may seem like you have a sexually transmitted disease, but it may not be. A doctor can differentiate the two.
What About HIV Aids?
Getting vaginosis can lead to a higher risk of contracting HIV aids. The condition causes bacterial overgrowths in the vagina, and a person may be at a higher risk of getting aids if they are having sex with a person that has HIV. Condom use can greatly reduce the risks. However, unprotected sex with someone that has HIV, during bacterial overgrowths can cause problems, and a higher risk of HIV. If a recurrence of this issue occurs, it is not indicative of HIV infection.
At the end of the day, it’s best to get a helping hand with understanding what this issue is, with the help of a doctor. A doctor will be able to figure out what is going on, and what the main cause or issue may be. They can also see if the issue is connected to HIV infection, which isn’t always the case.