What kind of disease is bacterial vaginosis? How to treat bacterial vaginosis - scheme. Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy

– gynecological infectious non-inflammatory disease. The disease usually occurs as a result of sexual intercourse. According to statistics, vaginosis affects 20% of women of reproductive age. The disease is characterized by changes vaginal environment and flora, production decreases lactic acid and the pH of the vaginal environment decreases. Thus, the resulting neutral environment does not interfere with the development of various microbes, including trichomonas .

The vaginal microflora can be represented as mobile ecosystem. In normal condition, the vagina contains lactobacilli , which play a protective function. Lactobacilli processing glycogen (in women of reproductive age, vaginal epithelial cells contain large quantities of glycogen) into lactic acid, thereby reducing the acidity of the vagina. In addition, lactobacilli are capable of forming. Hydrogen peroxide and the acidic environment of the vagina suppress the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria ( streptococci , staphylococci , anaerobic bacteria , coli , Mobiluncus spp. , Gardnerella vaginalis .). Which are found in small quantities in the vaginal microflora of the vast majority of women.

If the proportion of lactobacilli in the body decreases, then instead of them they occupy opportunistic bacteria(Gardnerella vaginalis primarily). The latter contribute to the release of volatile amines, which have an odor comparable to the smell of rotten fish.

Bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted because it is not venereal disease. The bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis (primarily Gardnerella vaginalis) can be transmitted through sexual contact. But their transmission from woman to woman cannot be the main cause of the disease. Since in small quantities these microbes are part of the vaginal microflora of the vast majority of women.

Unprotected sex, however, may play a role in the development of bacterial vaginosis. The whole point here is not about infectious infection, but about the fact that sperm of sexual partner or several sexual partners cause changes in the vaginal microflora.

The main cause of the disease is not simply the presence of bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis (they are present in almost every woman in small quantities), but a change in the proportions of opportunistic microbes (which cause bacterial vaginosis) and lactobacilli. The proportion of lactobacilli in bacterial vaginosis decreases, and the proportion of pathogens increases. Therefore, bacterial vaginosis in medicine is called vaginal dysbiosis.

The occurrence of bacterial vaginosis can be caused by both internal influences of the body and external influences, the so-called exogenous And endogenous factors . These may be changes in hormonal levels, decreased immune defense, disturbances in intestinal function, in particular microbiocenosis . The disease can also be caused by reasons such as the use of immunosuppressants, as well as previous inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.

The bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis are not dangerous for men. Men who have been diagnosed with Gardnerella vaginalis, as well as sexual partners of women with bacterial vaginosis, do not need treatment.

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis has no specific symptoms. The disease is characterized by some clinical manifestations, these are abundant creamy discharge from the vagina. They are uniform, grayish-white in color, and often stick to the walls of the vagina. Due to the breakdown of amines produced by bacteria, vaginal discharge often has an unpleasant, so-called “fishy” odor. The discharge causes symptoms of bacterial vaginosis such as burning and itching in the vagina. Often this becomes the cause of inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs, sometimes unpleasant and painful sensations during sexual intercourse.

There are several types of vaginitis, each of them has its own symptoms:

Aerobic vaginitis– appears as a result of contact with the mucous membrane of aerobic microflora, during a one-time decrease in the normal lactoflora of the vagina.
Trichomonas vaginitis– is one of the most common types of vaginitis.
Candidal vaginitis– an inflammatory fungus, the main causative agents of which are yeast-like fungi Candida .
Allergic vaginitis- is one of the types of genital diseases, which is caused by the use of drugs to prevent unwanted pregnancy or treat diseases of the genital organs.
Desquamative inflammatory vaginitis- one of the types of nonspecific vaginitis.

Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out in several stages. First of all, a laboratory examination of smears is carried out for the presence of key cells. When a smear is stained with methylene blue, one can detect flat epithelial cells to which gardnerella , which is why the cells take on a peppered appearance. In addition, laboratory analysis of smears includes amine test. During examination, vaginal discharge is diluted with a 5-10% solution potassium hydroxide . The resulting smell, fishy or, more precisely, an amine smell, indicates the presence of a disease.

Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis also includes determining the pH level of the vaginal microflora. To do this, directly during an examination on a gynecological chair, the doctor inserts pH paper into the secretion of the vaginal vault using tweezers. The presence of the disease is determined at pH 4.5.

The presence of all these signs, as well as the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, accurately confirm the diagnosis. The disease can also be diagnosed by isolating a pure culture of bacteria, but such diagnostics is ineffective. This is due to the fact that more than 58% of healthy women have high levels of germs Gardnerella vaginalis in vaginal secretions.

Treatment of bacterial vaginosis

The disease requires conservative treatment. Antibiotics are prescribed, such as,. They are produced in preparations for oral and vaginal use. This , metrogel , cleocin , Tindamax . Vaginal medications are more effective and are often included in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. They cause fewer side effects, but the risk remains.

The best treatment for bacterial vaginosis is metronidazole (for example,) take 500 mg orally for 7 days, 2 times a day. Sometimes the drug is difficult to tolerate (may cause nausea). Completely incompatible with alcohol. But systemic treatment can reduce the likelihood of complications caused by bacterial vaginosis.

Reserve drugs:

Clindamycin ( , climycin ) for 7 days, 2 times a day, 300 mg orally. Clindamycin inhibits the growth of more than just bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis, but also lactobacilli ( Lactobacillus spp.). Clindamycin is prescribed in case of intolerance to metronidazole by patients.

Clindamycin cream , with a concentration of 2% ( dalacin ) is inserted into the vagina using the supplied applicator for 5 days, 1 time per day (at night). Of course, local treatment is much better tolerated, but less effective systemic treatment reduces the risk of complications of bacterial vaginosis.

Gel Metronidazole , 0,75% ( , flagyl ) is inserted into the vagina using the supplied applicator for 5 days, 2 times a day. As with the previous drug, local treatment is much better tolerated, but less effective systemic treatment reduces the risk of complications of bacterial vaginosis.

There is another treatment for bacterial vaginosis, its system consists of two stages. First, it is necessary to suppress reproduction pathogens . For these purposes, irrigation with solutions of boric and lactic acids is used, but there are also more modern medical preparations. Namely, the drug - an antiseptic medicine with a wide spectrum of effects - is used intravaginally once (one tablet) for 6 days.

It is worth noting that this drug can be used during pregnancy to sanitize the birth canal. It is performed according to the same scheme, the beginning of therapeutic treatment is 6-7 days before the PDR.

At the second stage, restoration is carried out vaginal biocenosis. For these purposes they are used locally eubiotics , medicinal products containing strains of lacto- and bifidobacteria.

Complications of bacterial vaginosis: unpleasant odor of discharge, discomfort, itching; development (after cesarean section, post-abortion, postpartum); risks of premature birth and late pregnancy.

Many women at least once in their lives have to face the diagnosis of bacquaginosis. What is this? This is the name given to a specific type of vaginal inflammation caused by an overabundance of bacteria. Microorganisms themselves are not dangerous; they always live in the vagina and perform useful functions. However, exceeding their normal amount leads to a disruption of the natural balance of microflora, and subsequently to bacterial vaginosis.

Most often, this pathology is detected, although the imbalance can be diagnosed in everyone. The causes of the disorder are still unknown to science; Only certain ones can be identified - for example, unprotected sexual intercourse or frequent douching. Taking certain medications can also trigger bakvaginosis.

Symptoms

In women of all ages, the disease manifests itself equally. Contact your gynecologist if you are concerned about:

watery grey, white or from the vagina;
unpleasant from the vagina;
itching in the groin;
burning sensation during urination.

In some cases, bacterial vaginosis is asymptomatic.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment at a clinic or medical center if:

Vaginal discharge looks new or unusual, has a foul odor, or is accompanied by a fever. A gynecologist will help identify the cause and diagnose the disease based on signs and symptoms.
You have treated vaginal infections before, but this time the discharge has a different color and consistency.
You have had sex with multiple partners or have recently changed partners. Sometimes the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases are similar to those of bacterial vaginosis.
You tried to treat a yeast infection yourself with over-the-counter medications, but you ended up with bacterial vaginosis, the symptoms of which don't go away.

Causes

The inflammatory process in the vagina begins as a result of excessive growth of several types of bacteria that live in the female body. In a normal microflora state, beneficial lactobacilli outnumber “harmful” microorganisms (anaerobes). But if there are more anaerobes, the natural balance is disrupted and leads to a disease called “baquaginosis”. Is this an accident or a pattern generated by poor personal hygiene? Unfortunately, medicine is not yet able to give a definite answer to this question.

Risk factors

There are circumstances that increase the risk of developing pathology. These include:

Frequent change of sexual partners or relationship with a new sexual partner. Doctors do not fully understand the connection between sexual activity and bacterial vaginosis, but the disease is more often diagnosed in women who have entered into a relationship with a new man. Representatives of non-traditional sexual orientation are at even greater risk.
Douching. The practice of cleaning the vagina with water or cleanser (douching) disrupts the natural balance of the vagina. This can lead to the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which, in turn, threatens the development of pathology. Since the vagina is capable of self-cleaning, douching is not necessary.
Lactobacilli deficiency as an individual characteristic of the body. Sometimes completely healthy women who do not change sexual partners and do not douche are diagnosed with bakvaginosis. What kind of scourge is this and why does it develop, seemingly out of nowhere? In fact, there are times when a woman's vagina is naturally unable to produce enough lactobacilli. The lack of “good” microorganisms over time leads to the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.

Complications

Usually this inflammatory process does not entail complications. In rare cases, the following are noted:

Premature birth. Bakvaginosis during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery and the birth of a child with low weight and height.
Sexually transmitted infectious diseases. If a woman does not take any measures to alleviate her condition, her body becomes more vulnerable to HIV, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia and gonorrhea. If the patient has HIV, there is an increased risk of transmitting the virus to a partner.
Risk of infection after surgery. Untreated disease increases the risk of post-operative infection after procedures such as hysterectomy or dilation and curettage of the uterus.
Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. Bakvaginosis, the causes of which remain a mystery, in some cases causes inflammatory processes in the pelvis (usually the uterus and fallopian tubes are affected), which can, in turn, lead to infertility.

Diagnostics

To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor:

Ask questions about your medical history. The specialist will ask if you have had vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases before.
During this test, the doctor examines the vagina for signs of infection and places two fingers inside while pressing on the abdomen with the other hand to check if the pelvic organs are healthy.
Take a sample of vaginal discharge for analysis (smear). This procedure is performed to detect an excess of anaerobic bacteria in the vaginal microflora. The specialist will examine the discharge under a microscope, looking for "clue cells" - vaginal cells covered in rod-shaped microbes.
Check the pH level in the vagina. The acidity of the vagina is checked by placing a special test strip inside. If the pH reaches 4.5 or higher, the doctor diagnoses bakvaginosis (photo).

Treatment

Use only those medications prescribed by your gynecologist. To treat the inflammatory process in the vagina, the following is usually used:

Metronidazole. This medication is convenient because it comes in tablets - you can simply drink the tablets with water. It is also available in the form of a topical gel, a small amount of which is placed in the vagina. To avoid side effects from taking the pills (which may include upset stomach, abdominal pain, or nausea), avoid drinking alcohol during therapy. It is also advisable to refrain from drinking alcohol for 24 hours after completing the course of treatment.
Clindamycin. This product comes in the form of a vaginal cream. It should be borne in mind that this drug has a destructive effect on latex condoms - both during treatment and for at least three days after the end of therapy.
Tinidazole. This drug comes in tablet form and has properties similar to those of metronidazole, the most common medication used to treat bakvaginosis. What does it mean? Follow the instructions for use and remember that you should also not drink alcohol during the course of tinidazole.

If the infected woman's sexual partner is a man, he usually does not require treatment. The situation is different for representatives of non-traditional sexual orientation; they are recommended to undergo diagnostic examinations and, if inflammation is detected, to begin a course of therapy. Timely treatment is of particular importance for pregnant women, as bacterial vaginosis can lead to premature birth.

Take medications or use a cream or gel strictly for the period prescribed by your gynecologist, even if the symptoms disappear earlier. Terminating therapy prematurely may increase the risk of relapse.

Relapse

Even if you asked your doctor exactly how to treat bakvaginosis and strictly followed his recommendations, the disease can recur after a period of three months to a year. Research is currently underway into methods to prevent recurrent vaginal inflammation. Be sure to consult a doctor if symptoms of infection recur; You may be given an additional course of metronidazole.

There is a scientifically unsubstantiated but widespread belief that eating foods rich in lactobacilli helps restore the natural balance. Proponents of this point of view suggest that women suffering from recurrent bacterial vaginosis add more natural yogurt and other foods containing probiotics to their daily diet. Although this assumption may have a rational basis, scientists cannot yet give a definite answer to the question of the usefulness of menu changes.

Prevention

It is better not to treat, but to prevent bakvaginosis. Reviews of special intimate hygiene products will help you make your choice - buy mild, unperfumed liquid soap and tampons or pads without fragrances.

It is not recommended to resort to douching, since the vagina does not need special cleaning - just taking a bath or a regular shower is enough. Frequent douching disrupts the balance of microflora in the vagina and increases the risk of developing infectious diseases. In addition, deliberately “cleaning” the vagina will not help in any way to calm down the inflammatory process that has already begun.

Avoid contracting sexually transmitted infections. Use male latex condoms, limit the number of sexual partners you have, or temporarily abstain from sexual activity to minimize your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

One of the most common reasons for visiting a gynecologist is the clinical manifestations of bacterial vaginosis. However, cases of erased forms of the disease are not uncommon. Women do not observe pronounced symptoms and do not consult a doctor. Vaginosis that is not treated in time entails a number of unpleasant consequences. There are many factors that cause the disease, and sometimes they are harmless.

Cause of illness

Bacterial vaginosis, or dysbiosis, occurs in women aged 15 to 50 years. The disease is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, but it is transmitted through sexual contact.

The microflora of a woman’s vagina contains a set of microorganisms. Normally, lactobacilli predominate. They convert glycogen into lactic acid. As a result, the acid-base balance decreases, and the female body prevents an increase in the number of anaerobic microorganisms, gonococci, gardnerella, staphylococci, trichomonas and others.

If the volume of lactobacilli decreases, they cannot cope with their protective function, and the number of harmful microbes increases. Among them is gardnerella, the causative agent of bacterial vaginosis.

Risk factors

The following factors can provoke an increase in the number of opportunistic bacteria:

Taking antibiotics. Medicines destroy harmful and beneficial bacteria.
Long-term use of intrauterine contraceptives.
Hormonal disbalance.
Decreased immunity.
Poor hygiene or washing out lactobacilli by douching.
Multiple changes of sexual partners.
Medical procedures - termination of pregnancy, curettage.
Disturbance of intestinal microflora, which causes dysbacteriosis.
Radiation therapy.
Wearing synthetic underwear, pads and tampons. This prevents oxygen from entering.
Diet limited in fermented milk products.

Bacterial vaginosis does not appear from going to the pool, contact with bedding or toilet seats.

Symptoms

The disease is not accompanied by an inflammatory process at the initial stage. For bacterial vaginosis, the characteristic symptoms are light-colored liquid discharge that causes itching and discomfort. If you do not contact a gynecologist at the first signs, the discharge acquires a thick consistency, becomes viscous and foamy. The amount increases before the start of the menstrual cycle or after sexual intercourse.

With the further course of the disease, urogenital infections and pyogenic microbes are added. At this stage, inflammation develops and the discharge changes. They acquire a green tint, a uniform consistency with streaks of blood. A characteristic sign of vaginosis is the smell of “rotten fish.”

Why is bacterial vaginosis dangerous?

Vaginosis not only worsens the quality of life, but also weakens the immune system. Women are at risk of contracting more serious illnesses.

Among patients there is a predisposition to inflammatory processes of the genital organs and cervical dysplasia. Vaginal dysbiosis can provoke an unfavorable pregnancy outcome and problems during recovery. Creates a favorable environment for the development of sexually transmitted diseases: HIV infection, papillomavirus infection, hepatitis. Infectious complications after gynecological procedures occur more often in women with untreated vaginosis.

When overcoming infertility, the likelihood of successful fertilization of an egg outside the mother's body decreases in patients with bacterial vaginosis.

Vaginal dysbiosis negatively affects women's reproductive health. At risk are young girls, expectant mothers or women in labor, as well as women who are infected with sexually transmitted diseases.

Diagnostics

Having discovered the characteristic symptoms of vaginosis, you need to visit a gynecologist. Already during the examination, the doctor will preliminarily evaluate the microflora of the vagina. However, an accurate diagnosis can only be made with an integrated approach. To do this, the patient’s complaints, the condition of the vagina during a gynecological examination are taken into account, and laboratory diagnostics are performed.

According to the Amsel criteria, bacterial vaginosis is diagnosed if 3 out of 4 signs are present:

Amine test. With dysbacteriosis, the discharge has a “rotten fish” smell. If they are mixed in equal proportions with potassium hydroxide and the stench intensifies, then the amine test is considered positive. This laboratory method accurately determines the disease in 94% of patients.
Homogeneous discharge that adheres to the walls of the vagina is endowed with a foul odor.
The pH of vaginal secretions is above 4.5. To carry out pH measurements, indicator paper with a standard scale or various modifications of pH meters are used.
Identification of “key” cells by examining Gram-stained smears of vaginal discharge.

Bacterioscopy of smears is performed. If epithelial cells predominate over leukocytes, less than 5 lactobacilli are detected during enlargement with immersion, the accuracy of the study is close to 100%.

A diagnosis based on one of the criteria is inaccurate. Among all methods, the most sensitive is the detection of “key” cells.

Treatment of bacterial vaginosis

The success of therapy depends on timely and correct diagnosis of the disease. The goal is to stop the proliferation of harmful microbes and restore the balance of the vaginal microflora. How to cure bacterial vaginosis without relapse is an incompletely studied topic. The proposed medications do not always help.

Complex therapy includes treatment with antibacterial drugs and eubiotics. The action of antibiotics is aimed at eliminating dangerous microorganisms that cause vaginosis.

Metronidazole quickly fights bacteria. The drug enters the pathogen cell, contacts DNA, and stops the connection of nucleic acids. Metronidazole is effective in single doses and in 7-day courses of treatment. Oral use of the medicine may cause adverse reactions: allergic manifestations, disorders in the digestive system, metallic taste in the mouth. Studies have shown that the vaginal route of treatment with metronidazole does not cause unwanted side effects. Sometimes doctors recommend combining oral and vaginal administration of tablets.

Clindamycin actively fights the disease. Used topically and orally.

After a course of antibiotics or at the same time, eubiotics are prescribed. They restore favorable vaginal microflora and stimulate the growth of their own lactobacilli. The most common are acylact, lactobacterin, bifidumbacterin. Eubiotics reduce the likelihood of relapse by increasing the protective functions of the vagina.

While taking medications, it is advised to abstain from sexual intercourse or use barrier contraception. After completing treatment, the effectiveness of therapy can be assessed after 14 days.

ethnoscience

Folk remedies will help speed up recovery.

To restore the acidic environment of the vagina, douching is used. The procedure is carried out 1-2 times a day. This requires 200 ml of the prepared composition.

There are many douching recipes, here are some of them:

1 tbsp. oak bark is poured with 1 glass of boiling water;
2 tbsp. chamomile and cinquefoil are poured with a liter of boiling water;
1 tbsp. Bird cherry fruits are poured with 2 cups of boiling water.

To reduce itching and burning, use a tampon. It is soaked in a mixture of aloe juice and olive oil. After which it is placed in the vagina for 7 hours.

Teas and decoctions with birch leaves, lavender flowers, thyme, and geranium leaves strengthen the immune system - recovery occurs faster. Contraindicated for use in case of individual intolerance. Before use, you should consult your doctor.

Prevention

If a woman has encountered bacterial vaginosis, it is recommended to complete the prescribed treatment, otherwise relapses are inevitable. Infections of the genitourinary system provoke the development of the disease. Therefore, they need to be treated on time, without waiting for complications.

It has been proven that people who regularly consume probiotics rarely experience dysbiosis. This happens because probiotics consist of living beneficial bacteria that restore the normal microflora of the vagina and digestive system.

Maintaining intimate hygiene, avoiding promiscuity and hypothermia are the main preventive measures, and strong immunity increases the body's resistance to an increase in the number of harmful bacteria.

If dysbiosis develops, you should not self-medicate. Only the doctor can determine how to treat vaginosis. Otherwise, complications are likely to occur.

Pregnant women are less likely to suffer from bacterial vaginosis. The disease can cause the following problems:

early spontaneous abortion;
early birth, before 37 weeks of pregnancy;
early rupture of membranes;
postpartum infection of uterine tissue.

To avoid complications, the expectant mother must visit a gynecologist who will prescribe the correct treatment. Until the 20th week of pregnancy, local therapy is prescribed. This is due to the fact that medications can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

In the second half of pregnancy, the doctor may resort to systemic therapy.

A diet containing fermented milk products increases the effectiveness of treatment. Moderate physical activity, strengthening the immune system and good mood help normalize the vaginal microflora.

Bacterial vaginosis in men

Men become infected with vaginosis from a sexual partner. A woman may not know that she has dysbiosis. After all, symptoms do not always appear, and gardnerella is present in the vaginal microflora and is safe with minimal content.

Symptoms appear no earlier than a week after sexual intercourse. A man experiences discomfort when urinating. A green discharge with a rotten odor appears on the head of the penis, and the genitals become covered in a rash. If treatment is not started, cystitis, epididymitis, and pyelonephritis cannot be ruled out.

Therapeutic methods in men include taking immunomodulators, antibiotics and bifidobacteria. For effectiveness, instillation into the urethra or a series of physiotherapy procedures are prescribed.

Bacterial vaginosis can be transmitted even through shared hygiene products. To avoid infection, you need to eliminate risk factors.

Bacterial vaginosis is a disease associated with changes in the balance of vaginal microflora. Most often, women aged 25 to 40 suffer from this problem. According to statistics, every eighth girl had to face such a problem. Vaginal dysbiosis does not threaten the patient’s life, but can lead to disruptions in the functioning of the body’s reproductive system. Therefore, treatment for bacterial vaginosis should be started as soon as the first symptoms appear.

Features of the disease

A healthy woman's vagina contains a wide variety of bacteria. They form an acidic environment, which turns out to be unfavorable for the life of pathogenic microflora. Thanks to this, the reproductive system is protected from the development of inflammation.

Under the influence of negative external or internal factors, the number of lactic acid bacteria in the vagina decreases sharply, which leads to a decrease in the acidity of the environment. Thanks to this, pathogens of various diseases, including bacterial vaginosis, are able to actively reproduce.

Sometimes the disease occurs in a latent form. More often it is accompanied by a vivid clinical picture. The severity of symptoms will depend on the ratio of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina. The sooner adequate treatment is started, the greater the chance of quickly restoring health.

The disease does not belong to the group of venereal diseases. However, some pathogens of bacterial vaginosis are transmitted sexually. They do not become the main cause of the disease, but act as an aggravating factor.

Key reasons for the development of the disease

The causes of bacterial vaginosis lie in an imbalance of vaginal microorganisms. It is impossible to identify a specific pathogen that would provoke the development of the disease. More often, the appearance of pathology is affected by the active reproduction of the following microorganisms in the vagina:

Mycoplasmas.
Megaspheres.
Peptococci.
Gardnerellas.
Leptotrichus.
Bacteroides.
Atopobium.

Their entry into the human body does not cause bacterial vaginosis. Only in the presence of provoking factors does their active reproduction occur, which leads to the emergence of a problem.

Factors not related to disease

External factors that are not related to the woman’s health can give impetus to the development of the disease. Among them are:

Excessive hygiene of the genital organs, frequent douching with the use of products that have bactericidal properties. This leads to the death of most of the lactic acid bacteria and, as a consequence, the development of dysbacteriosis.
Use of an intrauterine device as a contraceptive. If the technology for its installation is violated, the risk of the inflammatory process spreading throughout all organs of the reproductive system increases significantly.
Poor nutrition. Eating large amounts of fatty foods, unhealthy foods and alcoholic beverages provokes severe dysbiosis.
Wearing tight synthetic underwear. Unnatural tissues contribute to the creation of a greenhouse effect in the genitals. As a result, an environment favorable for the active proliferation of microbes is formed.
Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules. If the genitals are washed too rarely, pathogenic microorganisms are able to multiply unhindered. It is important for women to toilet the vagina after each bowel movement to prevent infection from the intestines.

Treatment of the disease should begin with the elimination of provoking factors. It is important to accustom yourself to proper hygiene and a healthy lifestyle.

Diseases that cause vaginosis

The causes of vaginosis often lie in the progression of concomitant diseases. They provide comfortable conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. These include:

Hormonal imbalances. Female hormones have a significant impact on the vaginal microflora. Related to this is the fact that dysbiosis often affects girls during adolescence and women who have entered the menopausal phase. Ladies carrying a baby often encounter this problem.
A sharp decrease in immunity. With such a problem, the body loses the ability to resist the vital activity of pathogenic microflora, against the background of which a strong inflammatory process develops.
Damage to the vagina or cervix. This often happens in emergency situations or during difficult births.
Intestinal dysbiosis. Changes in the microflora in the digestive system lead to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the vagina, which gives impetus to the development of the disease.
Diseases for which long-term antibiotic therapy is used. The use of such provokes the death of beneficial bacteria, which stimulates the proliferation of dangerous microflora.

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The presence of such pathologies complicates therapy. Long-term complex treatment will be required. It must be carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist.

Symptoms

The characteristic symptoms of bacterial vaginosis help to recognize the development of the disease. Among them are the following:

The appearance of severe itching in the genital area.
Increased urge to go to the toilet. When urinating, an unbearable burning sensation occurs.
Unnatural discharge from the genitals. The secretion is white or has a grayish tint. After sex, their volume increases significantly. The discharge is characterized by a sharp, repulsive odor, reminiscent of slave aroma.
During sexual intercourse, a woman experiences discomfort. Because of this, libido gradually decreases.
In advanced forms of vaginosis, vaginal discharge becomes sticky. They turn yellowish in color, and their consistency becomes denser and thicker.

In the presence of aggravating factors, symptoms of vaginosis appear a day after sexual intercourse with a carrier of pathogenic microflora. If the disease occurs against the background of other pathologies or external factors, then its manifestations will in no way depend on sexual contacts. In 50% of cases, the disease does not reveal itself at all. Regular examinations with a gynecologist help identify its presence.

If acute vaginosis is not treated in a timely manner, the problem becomes chronic. Against this background, significant changes in hormonal levels occur, as well as atrophy of the vaginal mucosa. Therapy in such a situation will be especially difficult.

Diagnostic measures

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are similar to those of other diseases. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis after the patient has undergone an appropriate medical examination. It includes the following activities:

History taking and visual examination. The doctor must study the patient’s medical history and her lifestyle to identify factors that provoke the problem. The condition of the vaginal mucous surfaces, the presence of characteristic symptoms, as well as the consistency and color of the vaginal secretion are assessed.
Examination of a smear from the genital organs. Biological material is collected, which also includes vaginal discharge. It is studied using a microscope and the number of pathogenic microorganisms is assessed.
pH-metry. This test determines the acidity of the vaginal environment. In a healthy woman, this figure can vary from 3.8 to 4.5. When the normative indicators are significantly exceeded, the disease develops.
Amine test. Vaginal discharge is mixed with sodium hydroxide. After this, the smell of the resulting mixture is assessed. If it emits an unpleasant fishy aroma, a conclusion is drawn about the presence of pathology.
Bacteriological research. A smear from the genital organs is placed in a special nutrient medium and left for several days. If there is a disease in the test sample, bacteria begin to actively multiply, forming colonies. They become clearly visible under a microscope.

Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is complemented by studying the sensitivity of the identified pathogenic microflora to modern antibiotics. This allows you to more accurately determine the drugs that will help you quickly cope with the problem.

Drug treatment

As soon as the first symptoms of vaginosis appear, it is necessary to begin treatment. The main method is taking various medications. The following groups of funds are used:

Oral antibiotics. The most commonly prescribed tablets for vaginosis are Metronidazole, Clindamycin, and Tinidazole. They show the greatest activity against anaerobic bacteria. The dosage and duration of taking the drugs is chosen by the attending physician.
Local medications. The use of creams and suppositories for bacterial vaginosis is preferable. Such formulations allow you to quickly deliver the active substance to the site of infection. They have fewer side effects compared to oral medications. Clindamycin cream, Metronidazole suppositories, Neo-penotran, Fluomizin help cure the disease. The suppository is used mainly before bedtime. The cream is injected into the genitals using a special applicator.
Medicines to restore microflora. After defeating pathogenic bacteria, you need to make up for the deficiency of beneficial microorganisms. To do this, a couple of days after finishing taking antibiotics, they start taking probiotics. Linex, Bifiform, Bifiliz are often prescribed. To achieve a quick effect, lactobacilli are used in the form of suppositories.
Medicines to support immunity. Treatment of vaginosis weakens the body's protective properties. The drug Viferon or its analogues helps restore immunity.

Your doctor will advise you on specific treatments for bacterial vaginosis based on your test results. Hospitalization for this disease is not required, since there is no threat to the patient’s life. But therapy should be carried out under the constant supervision of a specialist. Repeated testing will help determine the effectiveness of the chosen regimen. If necessary, medications should be replaced with potent analogues.

The disease is prone to relapse. Even with proper treatment, in 30% of women the problem returns after some time. A multi-stage therapy program helps to avoid this.

If a woman suffers from bacterial vaginosis, then pathogenic microorganisms are found in her regular sexual partner. When they become pathogens of STIs, the man will need appropriate treatment.