Bacterial vaginosis symptoms in women. Causes of vaginosis. General preventive measures

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.

Read also on the topic

Treatment of nonspecific colpitis in women

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.

Bacterial vaginosis is a pathological condition in which the normal composition of the microflora of the female vagina is disrupted, both in terms of its quantity and quality. According to statistics, vaginosis is diagnosed in more than 15% of all women aged 17 to 45 years. Moreover, the problem does not always have a clear clinical picture, and it is sometimes simply impossible to notice disorders without the help of a doctor.

Vaginosis in women

When a woman notices the first signs of vaginosis, often the disease has already fully progressed, and the normal microflora of the vagina has already undergone numerous pathological changes. It is important to know that in the case of vaginosis, a timely visit to a gynecologist does not always help to get rid of the disease quickly. Therapy and its duration depend on many factors, including the stage of the disease, the patient’s age and the presence of concomitant diseases that occur in a chronic form.

The normal vaginal microflora is a unique environment in which different types of fungi and bacteria continuously grow, develop and die. The vital activity of these microorganisms is controlled by several systems of the woman’s body, including hormonal and immune. If this control is disrupted, the composition of the microflora consequently changes.

In women, vaginosis can occur in different ways. Often the clinical picture is blurred, there may be no symptoms of vaginosis at all, or, on the contrary, heavy foul discharge, burning and discomfort during intercourse may be disturbing.

A pathological condition in which the normal composition of the vaginal microflora is disrupted is diagnosed in approximately every 4-5 women who bear a fetus. This fact is due to a significant decrease in the functioning of the immune system.

Vaginosis during pregnancy is treated comprehensively. Most often, medications with metronidazole are prescribed and in most cases they are recommended in the form of suppositories or a special gel, which is administered using a convenient syringe. The course of therapy is on average 6-8 days. Also, for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis during late pregnancy, doctors recommend using Metrogyl, Ornidazole and Trichopolum. Before 22 weeks of pregnancy, drugs containing metronidazole are prescribed extremely rarely.

In addition to antimicrobial treatment of vaginosis, products containing lactobacilli are recommended, which have a restorative effect on the vaginal microflora. Therapy during pregnancy should be prescribed only by treating gynecologists.

Vaginosis in men: is it possible?

When applied to men, the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is incorrect, because it is, in fact, an imbalance of the vaginal microflora. Vaginosis in men as a statement is sometimes used in practice, especially if a representative of the stronger sex has received an infection that appeared in a partner due to an imbalance in the vaginal microflora.

Treatment of the partners of a woman diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis is not mandatory.

Risk factors

Among the existing risk factors for the development of bacterial vaginosis, the following should be highlighted:

• use of intrauterine devices for a long period of time, oral contraceptives;
• gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature in the anamnesis;
• uncontrolled use of antibacterial drugs;
• background pathological processes on the mucous membrane of the cervix;
• operations in the pelvic area;
• history of several abortions;
• menstrual irregularities of various types.

The level of significance of the transmission of bacterial vaginosis through sexual contact has not been determined today, but one thing can be said for sure - bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted disease.

Of course, during intimacy, pathogenic microflora living in the vagina can be transmitted to the partner. But, for example, the same Gardnerella vaginalis cannot cause vaginosis in a healthy woman, because this microbe is often an integral part of the normal vaginal microflora.

But, despite all the above-mentioned data, protected sexual intercourse plays an important role in the appearance and development of vaginosis. And the point here is not infection, but the fact that constant change of partner contributes to the imbalance of vaginal microflora.

Causes of vaginosis

Among the main and most significant causes of vaginosis are hormonal imbalance, deterioration of the immune system and the use of certain medications. The cause of vaginosis is not the presence of pathogens, but a change in the ratio of pathogens that provoke the appearance of vaginosis and lactobacilli. Bacterial vaginosis is often called vaginal dysbiosis.

It is worth considering each of the causes of vaginosis in more detail.

• When diagnosing most gynecological diseases and those diseases that are associated with the endocrine system, hormonal imbalance can be traced. Hormonal imbalance leads to disorders associated with the renewal of epithelium in the vagina. But in order to eliminate the cause of vaginosis, in this case a comprehensive and thorough diagnosis is needed under the strict guidance of a competent specialist.
• When the immune system malfunctions, an imbalance occurs in the vaginal microflora. The activity of the production of secretory antibodies and immune cells decreases.
• If the bacterial composition of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) changes, then this fact also affects changes in the vaginal microflora. Consequently, dysbiosis in the intestines can cause vaginosis.
• The development of vaginosis can be affected by taking antibacterial drugs, because the effect of these drugs on certain types of bacteria is not selective. So, for example, when treating pneumonia, antibiotics can destroy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in the vagina.

The risks of vaginosis increase in cases where a woman does not adhere to basic rules of personal hygiene, often douches, constantly washes herself with antiseptic solutions, is promiscuous, has some malformations of the reproductive system and often uses tampons during menstruation. The risks are also high after surgical interventions on the genitourinary system.

Bacterial vaginosis: symptoms

The entire clinical picture is ambiguous, and if one patient has discharge, itching, and burning, the other does not have any symptoms at all. The signs of vaginosis depend on numerous factors, so making a diagnosis based on the symptoms yourself is incorrect.

When considering bacterial vaginosis, the symptoms are primarily associated with discharge. They may have an unpleasant odor and a whitish-grayish tint. Sometimes they appear abundantly, and in some cases they appear extremely rarely and almost unnoticeably.

According to statistics, discharge from vaginosis appears on average in amounts of up to 20 ml per 24 hours. When the condition becomes chronic and is observed in a woman for 2-4 years, the mucus secreted from the genital tract can acquire a more specific character - become thick, foamy, with a greenish tint.

The volume of discharge in a woman with vaginosis can be different, and this depends on numerous nuances, including age, the presence of concomitant diseases and the level of activity in the sexual sphere. Also, discharge may vary in consistency and volume depending on the day of the menstrual cycle.

Sometimes a woman with vaginosis may complain to the doctor about pain during sexual intercourse or urination. Often the discharge is accompanied by itching.

If a woman seeks help from a competent medical specialist, then with vaginosis the inflammatory process on the vaginal mucosa is most often not traced. Even with colposcopy, tissue swelling and redness are not observed, although more than 30% of all patients are diagnosed with pathological changes in the cervix, or more precisely in its vaginal part. These can be erosions and scars.

You can also add to the description of the clinical picture the adhesion of the labia minora, which is caused by copious vaginal discharge. All signs of vaginosis are: discharge, itching, burning, discomfort during intercourse and/or emptying the bladder.

Diagnosis of vaginosis

The microbiocenosis of the vagina undergoes changes with bacterial vaginosis. The number of lactobacilli decreases, and bacteroides, mycoplasmas, and gardnerella begin to predominate in the vaginal microflora.

Disturbances in the vaginal microflora are determined based on the results of laboratory tests, a gynecological examination in a chair and taking into account the patient’s complaints. It is not difficult for a competent doctor to identify bacterial vaginosis. A gynecological examination reveals mucopurulent discharge, but there is no inflammation of the mucous membrane.

If the attending physician discovers additional diseases, then, most likely, consultations with different specialists will be needed. This could be a venereologist, a mycologist, or an endocrinologist. It is possible that pelvic ultrasound diagnostics, biochemical blood tests, hormone tests, etc. will be prescribed.

It is also important to know that when diagnosing a patient, the doctor must differentiate vaginosis from trichomoniasis, nonspecific vaginitis and gonorrhea. It is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis, so if there is the slightest doubt, the specialist will prescribe a set of additional diagnostic procedures.

If vaginosis is suspected, the doctor will make a smear for microscopic examination. The effectiveness of this diagnosis is extremely high. Confirming vaginosis, if present, is not difficult.

Bacteriological laboratory testing is an ideal option if the doctor suspects an infectious lesion accompanying bacterial vaginosis. An amino test and determination of the acidity level of vaginal secretions may also be recommended. Tests for vaginosis are extremely important, because without their results it is impossible to accurately determine the problem and prescribe an adequate and effective solution.

If a woman suspects she has vaginosis, she should go to a gynecologist immediately. Unfortunately, the symptoms of such an imbalance of the vaginal microflora are non-specific, so the signs can be confused with other diseases, including infectious ones.

Vaginosis: treatment

Therapy for bacterial vaginosis is carried out in stages. Therefore, all causes of the development of imbalances in the vaginal microflora are initially eliminated. It is possible that they will stimulate the immune system, correct hormonal levels, etc. Next is the stage of using antibacterial agents and restoring the balance of the vaginal microflora. But the patient does not always need treatment for bacterial vaginosis. Sometimes the doctor may opt for a wait-and-see approach, especially if the woman does not experience any discomfort and does not report pronounced symptoms of vaginosis.

Preventive therapy for vaginosis is necessary before abdominal surgery or invasive gynecological procedures.

Combination therapy for vaginosis can be as follows:

• Metronidazole tablets for 5-7 days.
• Metronidazole in the form of a gel for intravaginal use.

The effectiveness of therapy is determined by several factors, including the results of repeated laboratory tests. Dynamic changes in signs of vaginosis are taken into account.

After starting treatment for bacterial vaginosis, approximately 2 weeks later the patient must undergo a follow-up laboratory examination.

Treatment of vaginosis during pregnancy

During pregnancy, vaginosis is quite insidious and even if the results of smears indicate an increased number of pathogenic microorganisms, the woman may not complain of any symptoms. In this case, the attending physician will most likely not prescribe medication, but will only monitor the dynamics of the development of the condition.

If vaginosis during pregnancy is clinically pronounced, then therapy is selected individually and may include antibacterial drugs and eubiotics. More than one specialist will not be able to tell you exactly and unambiguously at the first appointment how to treat bacterial vaginosis. In any case, a comprehensive diagnosis is needed.

For vaginosis, complex therapy is used, aimed at eliminating the causes of disturbances in the vaginal microflora, as well as antimicrobial drugs and eubiotics.

The final stage of treatment for bacterial vaginosis requires special attention - this is restoring the balance of the vaginal microflora. In addition, this is one of the most difficult therapeutic stages, and achieving positive results is not so easy even for a competent doctor.

You need to know that the use of only vaginal suppositories of eubiotics is rarely considered by the attending physician. Preference is given to complex treatment using both internally and locally. Thus, a specialist can recommend Linex, Hilak Forte or, for example, Baktisubtil.

Antibiotics for vaginosis

When treating vaginosis, antibacterial medications are prescribed.

• This could be Metronidazole, an antiprotozoal and antimicrobial agent. Moreover, when treating bacterial vaginosis, as a rule, this drug is prescribed at a dose of 0.5 g several times a day for 1 week.
• Povidone-iodine suppositories are a good antibiotic prescribed for vaginitis. Use suppositories several times a day for 1 week.
• Ornidazole is one of the most common drugs for vaginosis. Take the antibiotic several times a day for 5 days.
• Another effective antibacterial drug is Clindamycin. Use the drug for vaginosis for 1 week several times a day.

Suppositories for bacterial vaginosis

Suppositories are one of the most common dosage forms successfully used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. The doctor may prescribe different suppositories, depending on the clinical picture and age of the patient.

• Neo-penotran is an excellent drug with antibacterial and antifungal effects. This medication can be prescribed even during pregnancy, mainly after 20 weeks. The course of treatment for vaginosis with Neo-penotran is 10 days.
• Hexicon is a suppository for bacterial vaginosis with an excellent antibacterial effect, and this medication does not affect the activity of lactic acid bacteria.
• Metronidazole is a well-established medication for the treatment of vaginosis. In addition, this remedy is also effective for vaginosis, the development of which is caused by the proliferation of Trichomonas in the vaginal environment. The average course of treatment is 6 days.
• Clindamycin is a drug with an antibacterial effect. These are good suppositories for bacterial vaginosis, used at different stages of development of the condition.
• Bifidumbacterin is a good drug that helps restore vaginal microflora. These suppositories are prescribed 1 per day for 7-10 days.
• Ecofemin - this product restores the vaginal microflora. The therapeutic course is about 7-10 days.

All presented suppositories for bacterial vaginosis cannot be used without consulting a doctor. Only a competent specialist will determine the causes of vaginal microflora disorders and select medications on an individual basis.

For the treatment of vaginosis, folk remedies are used quite often, since they can be used to complement effective drug therapy. It is important not to change the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor and continue therapy until the problem is completely eliminated, which should be confirmed by appropriate tests.

Additionally, bacterial vaginosis can be treated with tinctures of medicinal plants, which should be taken orally. Among them, the most effective are the following: Leuzea root, sweet clover, cudweed, lavender flower, elecampane root, birch leaves, licorice, thyme, geranium leaves, meadowsweet, etc.

Tinctures from all of these mixtures are prepared and used according to the same principle. You need to mix certain ingredients in equal parts. Then 2 tbsp. spoons of the resulting mixture are steamed with boiling water (1 liter). After 5-7 hours, you can drink the tincture 1/2 glass 3 times a day, always before meals. The course lasts 2-3 months, which the attending physician will definitely tell you.

In addition to internal use for vaginosis, folk remedies (decoctions of medicinal plants) are used for baths. In addition, your doctor may prescribe douching. For this you may need the following mixtures:

• blueberry (berry), birch leaves, tansy color, Greek;
• oak bark, geranium leaves, wormwood, chamomile blossom, violet blossom, etc.

These mixtures are prepared and used as follows. The necessary ingredients are taken in equal parts. The resulting mixture (2 tablespoons) is steamed with boiling water (1000 ml) and infused for approximately 7-8 hours. Then the tincture is filtered and used for douching. For one douching you will need 1 glass of decoction.

But before you take into account information about douching, it is important to take into account the fact that such therapy is permissible for use only under the strict recommendations of a specialist. The fact is that incorrect or frequent douching changes the level of acidity and further disrupts the balance of the vaginal microflora.

Washing with herbal infusions is also practiced for vaginosis. This can be a prepared solution from walnut and sage leaves, chamomile flowers, or oak bark. Another common recipe is a mixture of coltsfoot leaves and juniper (fruits).

When treating vaginosis, folk remedies are sometimes recommended for use in baths. To do this, pour 2 cups of a pre-prepared decoction of specific medicinal herbs into water at a comfortable temperature (10 liters) and mix. The procedure lasts from 15 to 25 minutes. It should be noted that such baths bring very good results in cases where bacterial vaginosis is accompanied by severe itching.

Before treating bacterial vaginosis with tinctures for internal use, you should think about individual intolerance to one or another ingredient. If there is none, it will not be difficult to cure vaginosis with folk remedies and medications if used correctly and regularly, but only under the guidance of a doctor.

Traditional medicine requires serious consideration. Self-medication or correction of the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor is unacceptable. It is important to know that incorrectly selected or used infusions and decoctions of herbs can aggravate the situation with vaginosis and provoke the development of side effects and allergies.

An imbalance of vaginal microflora increases the risk of developing various diseases of the genitourinary system, including inflammatory processes associated with the uterus and appendages. Bacterial vaginosis can cause premature birth and provoke complications during pregnancy.

Vaginosis and vaginitis: the difference

As mentioned in the information presented above, vaginosis is not accompanied by an inflammatory process on the vaginal mucosa, which cannot be said about vaginitis.

With vaginitis, a clear clinical picture can be seen: liquid discharge, itching and burning, as well as pain during intercourse. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. This could be a medicinal antiseptic or/and some traditional medicine recipes with sage and chamomile. For recurrent disease, antibacterial agents are recommended. In addition, vaginitis can be different - gonorrheal, trichomonas, mycoplasma, chlamydia, candidiasis.

It is safe to say that the prevention of a disease such as vaginosis is aimed at achieving one goal: to eliminate, as much as possible, all factors that can provoke the problem. Based on this, preventive measures against bacterial vaginosis are as follows:

• It is necessary to maintain a high level of immunity, and, therefore, to eat properly, fully and balancedly and adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
• It is necessary to ensure comprehensive and complete treatment of all concomitant diseases (among other things, they reduce immunity, as a result of which bacterial vaginosis can develop).
• It is necessary to maintain the intestinal microflora at the proper level in order to prevent intestinal dysbiosis (especially while taking antibiotics, which destroy not only harmful, but also beneficial microorganisms and can thus provoke their deficiency in vaginosis).
• To normalize hormonal levels, gynecological and endocrine diseases, if any, should be comprehensively treated.
• Be sure to maintain personal hygiene. It's not just about keeping your body clean and changing your underwear every day. People are not allowed to use towels, washcloths and other bath and toiletries at the same time. Every person should have their own personal body care products! Under no circumstances should you wear someone else’s underwear, and in public baths or toilets, never sit on surfaces without protection. Experts strongly do not recommend using cosmetic soap: it should be replaced with special care products with an appropriate pH value. You should also not douche without first consulting your doctor.
• You should not abuse alcohol-containing drinks (it is best to reduce their consumption to a minimum or abandon them altogether). Any bad habits - smoking, taking drugs - are unacceptable. They can lead not only to vaginosis, but also to many other, sometimes very serious problems.
• Women who are sexually active need to be extremely careful when choosing a sexual partner. It is necessary to avoid indiscriminate relationships and contacts with several men. The best solution is to have an intimate relationship with only one partner.
• When changing partners, do not forget about condoms. This method of contraception will not only protect against infection, but also prevent unwanted pregnancy. Meanwhile, it is worth knowing that in some cases the use of condoms and other means of vaginal contraception is not allowed (you should consult your doctor about this).
• If there is a problem, you should not self-medicate by taking antibiotics or any antimicrobial medications. Before treating bacterial vaginosis or using any medications, you should consult your doctor.
• If your doctor prescribes hormonal medications for diabetes, you must undergo a gynecological examination at least twice a year and take appropriate tests.

By following all preventive measures, you can avoid the disease and never know how to treat bacterial vaginosis. Health is the most important thing, and you should always monitor it.

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:

1. 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.
2. Homogeneous discharge that adheres to the walls of the vagina is endowed with a foul odor.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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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.

Causes and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis in women, as well as methods of treatment with drugs and folk remedies.

Intimate health problems in women are always a pressing issue. Even bacterial vaginosis - a disease that, at first glance, is not terrible - can cause a lot of problems and troubles. It is dangerous due to complications, and therefore requires mandatory treatment.

What is bacterial vaginosis?

The vaginal microflora of a healthy woman consists of 95-98% lactobacilli, which maintain constant acidity. Normally it is 3.8-4.5. This level of acidity prevents pathogenic bacteria and microbes, which make up the remaining 2-5%, from multiplying.

As a result of various unfavorable factors, the number of lactobacilli may decrease. This entails a decrease in acidity and the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. This is the nature of the development of bacterial vaginosis.

This disease is not inflammatory in nature, it is a violation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the vaginal microflora. It is a purely female disease and does not relate to sexually transmitted infections. Occurs in 80% of women of reproductive age.

Causes of the disease

The causes leading to the development of the disease are divided into internal and external.

Internal:

• hormonal system disorders;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• endocrine diseases;
• damage to the inner lining of the vagina;
• weakened immunity;
• polyps and cysts in the vagina.

External:

• long-term treatment with antibiotics;
• abuse of douching;
• neglect of personal hygiene;
• consequences of radiation therapy;
• long-term use of an intrauterine device, contraceptive diaphragm, ring;
• taking oral contraceptives for a long time without interruption.

Symptoms of the disease

Bacterial vaginosis is often asymptomatic, especially in the early stages of the disease. Sometimes, with minor disturbances in the microflora, the body itself is able to regulate the deviations.

A distinctive symptom of the disease is vaginal discharge - leucorrhoea. They are usually white or with a grayish tint, liquid with an unpleasant, stale odor. Their number may vary, but in any case exceeds the volume of daily secretions.

If the symptoms of the disease do not decrease in manifestations against the background of the treatment received, chronic bacterial vaginosis occurs. In this case, periods of exacerbations are replaced by remission, and the disease becomes protracted.

With chronic bacterial vaginosis, the leucorrhoea becomes denser, stickier, and has a green or yellow tint. In addition, the following symptoms are noted:

• itching, burning;
• discomfort during sex;
• pain when urinating.

Does the disease affect conception and pregnancy?

Bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted. The diagnosis does not prohibit sexual relations, except in cases where the disease becomes acute. In such situations, having sex can bring discomfort and unpleasant sensations.

This gynecological disease is not an obstacle to conception, but it poses a danger to future pregnancy. Pathogenic microflora from the vagina can enter the uterus and damage the fetus. The so-called intrauterine infection will provoke growth retardation and pathology in the development of the fetus.

Bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of postpartum complications, especially if the birth ended with surgery. The likelihood of such consequences is extremely low, but during pregnancy this disease requires mandatory monitoring and treatment.

Diagnosis of the disease

An experienced gynecologist can suspect bacterial vaginosis during an examination. Abundant discharge on the walls of the vagina in the absence of an inflammatory process, an unpleasant smell of mucus indicate this disease. To clarify the diagnosis, the following tests are performed:

1. Measuring acidity level using an indicator strip.
2. Reaction with potassium hydroxide solution, which enhances the smell of stale fish inherent in the discharge.
3. Smear microscopy.

It is the smear microscopy that shows which bacteria and microbes predominate in the vaginal microflora and how much the number of lactobacilli has changed. This analysis allows us to determine the presence of “key” cells - elements of the exfoliated vaginal epithelium. Their presence, even in small quantities, indicates the severity of the disease and the duration of its course.

Based on laboratory tests, examination, complaints and interviews with the patient, treatment is prescribed.

Treatment of gynecological disease

In each individual case, the treatment regimen and dosage of drugs are individual.

Important! Self-treatment and incorrectly selected doses lead to the development of drug resistance in bacteria and complicate further treatment.

Treatment is aimed at sanitizing the vagina from pathogenic microorganisms and increasing the number of lactobacilli. Consists of two stages.

At the first stage, antibacterial drugs are prescribed that suppress the proliferation of pathogenic microbes and bacteria. In most cases, this is . They have an advantage over tablets because they are inserted directly into the vagina and have no side effects on the organs of the digestive system. At the second stage, probiotics with lactobacilli are prescribed to quickly restore normal vaginal microflora.

To relieve itching and burning, antihistamines are prescribed ( Zodak, Tsetrin). To restore the correct acidity of the vagina - lactic acid preparations ( Femilex).

Folk remedies for bacterial vaginosis

In the early stages of the disease, with mild symptoms, you can use folk remedies. These include douching and baths with herbal decoctions. Such treatment will require persistence and patience, since the minimum course is 2-3 weeks.

To obtain the effect, the procedure must be repeated 2-3 times a day. All decoctions are prepared the same way: 2 tbsp. l. herbal mixture, pour 1 liter of hot water and let it brew for 5-6 hours. For one douching procedure you will need 1 tbsp. (200 ml) of the finished decoction. The following herbal mixtures can be used:

• oak root, geranium, chamomile, violet;
• marshmallow root, St. John's wort, calendula, dandelion and blueberry leaves, .

These recipes can be used for sitz baths. For this, 2 tbsp. The finished broth is dissolved in 10 liters of warm water. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes.

Disease prevention

Bacterial vaginosis is a common disease. Following simple rules will allow you, if not to avoid this disease, then at least to reduce the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms. For prevention purposes, you should:

• maintain personal hygiene;
• treat sexually transmitted infections in a timely manner;
• rational use of antibiotics;
• use hormonal contraceptives correctly;
• do not abuse douching;
• be regularly observed at the antenatal clinic.

Bacterial vaginosis is a violation of the natural microflora of the vagina caused by infectious diseases. In other words, a woman has vaginal dysbiosis. If you follow the statistics, this disease is most often observed in young girls (18–27 years old) and in women during menopause.

Etiology

The main provoking factors for bacterial vaginosis are the following:

• long-term use of antibiotics;
• douching;
• wearing synthetic, tight underwear;
• lack of personal hygiene;
• use of contraceptives of questionable quality;
• use of contraceptive suppositories.

Bacterial vaginosis develops most actively in those women who often change sexual partners. Also at risk are women who are often in stressful situations, have hormonal imbalances and weakened immunity. In fact, there are quite a few reasons for the development of the infectious process.

Symptoms

Bacterial vaginosis has pronounced symptoms. But you can begin to treat such a disorder only after an accurate diagnosis by a gynecologist. Self-medication is unacceptable, as it can only worsen the course of the disease.

As bacterial vaginosis develops, the following symptoms may be observed:

• sharp, unpleasant odor from the vagina;
• burning, especially when urinating;
• itching and burning during sexual intercourse;
• pain in the lower abdomen.

The discharge is quite abundant (up to 30 mg per day). They have a sharp fishy smell, grayish color and liquid consistency. Symptoms and discharge are especially intensified after sexual intercourse.

It is also worth noting that in some cases the disease may not show any symptoms at all, which greatly complicates diagnosis.

At the same time, it is important to understand that the presence of such symptoms is not always a harbinger of bacterial vaginosis. Symptoms of this nature may also indicate other ailments of a woman’s genitourinary and reproductive system.

Pathogenesis

Every woman's vagina has its own set of bacteria, which is called microflora. The main bacteria in a healthy microflora are lactobacilli.

When a foreign infection enters the microflora, lactobacilli are replaced by anaerobic microorganisms. As a result of this, an infectious process begins to develop, that is, bacterial vaginosis or. An earlier name for this pathology was .

As official medical statistics show, today bacterial vaginosis is diagnosed in 20% of the entire female population of the planet. Age group – from 18 to 50 years.

Diagnostics

To accurately diagnose bacterial vaginosis, symptoms alone are not enough, even if they are pronounced. A complete diagnosis of the disease is carried out through a personal examination by a gynecologist, clarification of medical history, and analysis of symptoms. Based on this, the doctor writes a referral for laboratory tests. Only after completing all the procedures described above can an accurate diagnosis be made and the correct treatment for vaginal dysbiosis be prescribed.

Laboratory research methods include the following procedures:

• vaginal smear;
• study of infectious cells.

It is worth noting that diagnostics is aimed not only at confirming the diagnosis, but also at identifying the number of infectious cells and establishing the true cause of the formation of the pathological process.

Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy

It is necessary to treat bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. And the sooner, the better for both mother and child, because... Illness during pregnancy can lead to complications such as:

• infection of the fetus in the womb;
• premature contractions;
• premature birth;
• rupture of amniotic fluid ahead of schedule.

Pathogenesis during pregnancy

Microflora bacteria are a catalyst for the biochemical reaction between the fetus and the biological mother. As a result, the production of a substance called prostaglandin begins. Its composition is very similar to hormones, which leads to premature contractions. In addition, such a disturbance in the microflora can cause infection of the amniotic fluid and the fetus itself. The consequences of this can be the saddest - from severe pathology of the child to death.

Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy requires immediate treatment and constant monitoring by a doctor. In the early stages, treatment of vaginal dysbiosis is effective and if done correctly, no complications develop.

Treatment

Before you begin treatment for bacterial vaginosis, you must accurately determine the cause of the disease. Treatment is usually carried out in two stages. First of all, therapy is carried out aimed at eliminating pathogens that provoked the onset of the infectious process. At the second stage of treatment of bacterial vaginosis, the microflora is populated with healthy lactobacilli.

The basis of drug treatment is the use of suppositories - metronidazole and clindamycin. Such antibiotics in the form of vaginal suppositories give good results even at the first stages of use. Pain and burning almost completely disappear after the introduction of 2-3 suppositories. But this does not mean that the disease has completely receded. Treatment should not be interrupted under any circumstances.

It is also worth noting that vaginal suppositories can only be used for vaginal dysbiosis as prescribed by a doctor. The dosage and duration of taking tablets and suppositories is prescribed only by a gynecologist, taking into account the general condition of the patient and the severity of her illness.

Treatment of bacterial vaginosis can lead to the progression of other underlying diseases. Most often this is . Therefore, along with suppositories, against vaginal dysbiosis, drugs are prescribed to prevent thrush.

If, after a course of treatment, bacterial vaginosis makes itself felt again, the symptoms become more pronounced, you should undergo a re-examination and repeat the course of treatment.

It is also important to review your diet during treatment. Proper nutrition in combination with drug therapy gives good results. The diet should include the following foods:

• biokefir;
• yogurt;
• sauerkraut.

It is also important to give the body the necessary vitamins to strengthen the immune system.

During treatment, you should completely avoid sexual intercourse, even with a condom. If you still have sex, you should take into account the following - vaginal suppositories destroy the condom. Therefore, it is better to use birth control pills during this period.

Forecast

Violation of the vaginal microflora is not a life-threatening disease. But if left untreated, it can cause serious complications. Women who have suffered from the disease are more susceptible to inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system and infections. But, if drug treatment is started in a timely manner and completed, there can be no complications.

Prevention

It is almost impossible to completely exclude a disorder of this kind. But you can minimize the risk of its formation. To do this, you need to apply the following rules in practice:

• examination by a gynecologist at least 2 times a year;
• You cannot wear tight, synthetic underwear;
• you need to take care of personal hygiene;
• It is advisable to completely eliminate frequent changes of sexual partners.

If you have any symptoms, you should seek medical help, and not resort to the advice of friends, forums, or self-medicate.