Off Balance?
Different types of bacteria live naturally in the vagina;
normally the bacteria present in the largest numbers are
lactobacilli (‘good bacteria’), producing lactic acid which
maintains the normal low pH of the vagina, protecting against
infection. If the numbers of bacteria and therefore the amount of
lactic acid is reduced, pH levels rise, encouraging the growth of
other ‘bad bacteria’. This imbalance can result in embarrassing
odour, abnormal discharge and discomfort in the vagina. The growth
of the unwanted ‘bad bacteria’ is an extremely common condition
known as Bacterial Vaginosis or BV.
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"BV is the most common
vaginal infection and affects 15-20% of adult women in the UK at
any one time." Dr Phillip Hay:consultant
in genitourinary (GU) medicine. St George's Healthcare Trust.
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Symptoms of BV
If the normal balance of the bacteria in the vagina is disrupted
then you might notice the following symptoms:
- Embarrassing vaginal odour (sometimes described as smelling
‘fishy’)
- Abnormal discharge (often thin and white-grey in
colour)
- Discomfort (normally irritation or soreness in and around the
vagina)
What causes BV?
The vagina is normally quite acidic (pH
3.8-4.5). Certain things can cause the acidity to be reduced, which
makes it hard for the healthy bacteria to survive, and encourages
the overgrowth of unwanted bacteria.
The main contributing factors are:
- Prolonged menstruation
- Use of intra-uterine contraceptive devices (IUDs), commonly
known as the coil
- Frequent douching (washing out unwanted organisms along with
the normal harmless bacteria)
- Use of perfumed products in intimate areas
- Sex without a condom (semen has a higher pH level than the
vagina)
Other contributing factors include having a
new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, same-sex sexual
partners, the menopause and hormone imbalances.