Important Vaginal Infection Overlooked
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) causes 45
percent of all vaginal infections and
affects 30 percent of pregnant women.
In 50 percent of women, the condition
is harmless and causes no symptoms.
However, when there are symptoms, it
can easily be mistaken for yeast
infection and treated incorrectly at
home.
During pregnancy, BV may result in
serious complications, and should be
screened for at the first prenatal or
pre-abortion visit, and treated
promptly.
What Is It
The healthy vagina is acidic and has
lots of helpful bacteria called
lactobacillus which protect against
infection. In BV these good bacteria in
the vagina are replaced by a variety of
other bacteria which can be harmful and
the vagina becomes alkaline.
Symptoms when present are increased
whitish vaginal discharge and an
unusual fishy kind of odour and
alkaline PH of the vagina. It can be
easily diagnosed after a sample of
discharge is examined.
Complications In Pregnant Women With BV
- Five times more uterine infections
after C-section.
- Four times more vaginal infections
after hysterectomy.
- Three times more pelvic infections
after abortion.
- Two to three times more late
miscarriage and premature delivery.
Treatment
- If no symptoms no treatment necessary.
- No need to treat the sexual partners.
- If symptoms, oral or vaginal medicines
used.
- Vaginal metronidazole or clindamycin
are as effective as the pills, with
much fewer side effects.