Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis: What are we missing?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an imbalance of vaginal bacteria that can cause a foul odor and increased discharge. Women who experience frequent recurrences of BV are not just inconvenienced; they are tormented. It impacts their self-esteem, as well as their health. Researchers have recently discovered bacteria that better diagnose BV than the bacteria detected on traditional tests. Screening swabs are already available to detect these newly recognized bacteria. However, these bacteria offer more than a new way to diagnose BV. They help explain why certain women have recurrence and why typical antibiotics for BV fail. The bacteria are also found in male partners, which may contribute BV recurrence in those women. The new screening swabs provide enough information for some to have more targeted treatment. The CDC guidelines used by most physicians have not yet caught up to the forefront of this BV research.
The basics about bacterial vaginosis and its treatment:
Symptoms:
Symptoms of BV include a foul or fishy odor, a thin or milky grey-white discharge, vaginal irritation, cramping, or spotting.
Cause:
Normally several types of healthy bacteria, mainly Lactobacilli species, populate the vagina. Lactobacilli keep the vagina healthy by producing acids and…
