At What Point Should You See A Doctor Or Other Healthcare Provider
Although BV infections are often mild with some cases resolving on their own, its still a good idea to see a healthcare professional if you notice any symptoms.
This is especially true if youre pregnant, as theres a small risk of the infection causing complications.
A healthcare provider will be able to examine your vagina and test any fluid or discharge.
And if your BV recurs, they can help you identify any triggers and tweak the antibiotic treatment.
What Should I Do If I Have Bv
BV is easy to treat. If you think you have BV:
- See a doctor or nurse. Antibiotics will treat BV.
- Take all of your medicine. Even if symptoms go away, you need to finish all of the antibiotic.
- Tell your sex partner if she is female so she can be treated.
- Avoid sexual contact until you finish your treatment.
- See your doctor or nurse again if you have symptoms that don’t go away within a few days after finishing the antibiotic.
What Is A Bacterial Vaginosis Test
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection of the vagina. A healthy vagina contains a balance of both “good” and “bad” bacteria. Normally, the good type of bacteria keeps the bad type under control. A BV infection happens when the normal balance is upset and more bad bacteria grow than good bacteria.
Most BV infections are mild and sometimes go away on their own. Some women get BV and recover without even knowing they were infected. But BV infections can be more serious and may not clear up without treatment. Untreated BV may increase your risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease , such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV.
If you are pregnant and have a BV infection, it can increase your risk of having a premature delivery or having a baby with a lower than normal birth weight . Low birth weight can cause serious health problems in a baby, including infections, breathing difficulties, and troubles with feeding and gaining weight.
A BV test can help you get diagnosed and treated so you can avoid these serious health problems.
Other names: vaginal pH test, KOH test, wet mount test
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How Do You Get Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of various germs. It is not one infection, caused by one type of germ.
The vagina normally has a mix of germs , including anaerobic bacteria and lactobacilli, but in bacterial vaginosis the balance changes. As a result, the anaerobic bacteria multiply and thrive much more than usual. In other words, they are bacteria which are normally present, just not in the same balance.
BV is not caused by poor hygiene. In fact, excessive washing of the vagina may alter the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina even more, which may make BV more likely to develop or worsen.
We don’t really know what triggers the bacterial balance to ‘swing’ away from normal. We know that it’s more likely to happen if something disturbs the acidity of the vagina, , which then allows the anaerobic bacteria to overgrow.
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When Can I Have Unprotected Sex After Chlamydia Treatment
Even if your chlamydia infection has been cured, its not recommended to practice unsafe sex. Having your STD treated doesnt guarantee that the infection will never come back. In fact, many people become infected with STDs multiple times because they continue to have unprotected sex with partners who have untreated STDs.
If you have a regular sexual partner, tell them about your infection so they can get treatment as well. Once youre sure you both got treated, you have to wait until the treatment has had time to be effective before you start having unprotected sex again.
Can Bv Not Go Away With Antibiotics
Around a third of women who take antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis find that the problem recurs within the next two to three months. Some strains of BV organisms may have resistance to some antibiotics. You should return to your healthcare provider and describe the problems you are having.
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Can Chlamydia Be Cured
Yes, chlamydia can be cured with the right treatment. It is important that you take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to cure your infection. When taken properly it will stop the infection and could decrease your chances of having complications later on. You should not share medication for chlamydia with anyone.
Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. You should be tested again about three months after you are treated, even if your sex partner was treated.
Symptoms Of Ectopic Pregnancy
The symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are often difficult to spot early on, and sometimes it might not be obvious until they become more serious.
You might have an ectopic pregnancy if youve missed a period, or if you have a positive pregnancy test and notice:
- vaginal bleeding
- shoulder tip pain
- pain or discomfort when using the toilet
If you have a positive pregnancy test and notice any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
If an ectopic pregnancy gets too big it can cause a rupture or tear in the fallopian tube. This is an emergency and surgery is usually needed to repair the area. The signs of a rupture are:
- sudden and severe stomach pain
- lightheadedness or dizziness
- fainting
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Can You Get Chlamydia In Mouth
Can you get chlamydia in your mouth?
Though it is less common to get chlamydia in your mouth and throat, it is possible.
Chlamydia may be transmitted when someone performs oral sex on someone who has genital chlamydia It is also possible for someone who has chlamydia in the throat to give it to another person via oral sex.
Chlamydia is most commonly spread through unprotected anal, vaginal and/or oral sex.
Its also important to note that contact with chlamydia bacteria from one location to another can lead to the transmission. For example, it would be possible to get anal chlamydia if a person living with vaginal or penile chlamydia used toilet paper in an infected area and then later wiped a non-infected area.
Oral sex is a less common route of transmission, or in other words, chlamydia is less likely to be transmitted during oral sex. The bacteria associated with chlamydia generally targets warm and moist environments such as the genitals. Chlamydia bacteria is more likely to thrive in the genital areas.
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Untreated Chlamydia In Men
Chlamydia can mostly go unnoticed in men as most of them are asymptomatic. The most common symptoms include discharge from the penis, pain on urination and swelling of testicles. Chlamydia also goes undetected in men like in women that might lead to complications in men too. Untreated Chlamydia can cause internal scarring of genitals, low sperm count with decrease in fertile sperms and also can lead to additional health conditions. These can be prevented with antibiotic treatment.
Untreated Chlamydia can lead to infertility in men by interfering with the sperm count and also abnormalities with genetic material. It causes damage to the sperms and causes scarring of the reproductive tract and may lead to permanent infertility. Men infected with Chlamydia have shown sperms with 80% more physical abnormalities and 10% less motility in 10%. Also males infected with Chlamydia are at increased risk of developing rheumatological conditions, conjunctivitis, urethritis , epididymitis and sexually acquired reactive arthritis . Reactive arthritis causes inflammation of the joints, eyes and urethra. There is no cure of SARA, but it improves over a period of few months and is symptomatically treated with NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen.
Thus, one should avoid high risk sexual behavior and should follow up regularly with a doctor for STD testing, and if detected positive should complete antibiotic course.
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How Can I Know If I Have Chlamydia
If you think you have chlamydia, or any STI, contact your healthcare provider. He or she will examine you and perform tests, if necessary, to determine if you have an STI.
To check for chlamydia, a woman is given a pelvic exam. A sample of fluid is taken from the vagina. In men, a sample of fluid may be taken from the penis. The fluid is sent to a laboratory for testing. The cultures can also be taken from a urine test. Your provider will discuss which way is the best way to check for an infection in your particular situation.
Clinical Manifestations And Complications Of Chlamydial Infection In Male Genitourinary Tract
C. trachomatis is a bacterium whose sexually transmitted strains D-K cause genital tract infections in women and men . However, chlamydia is known as a silent pathogen because about three-quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms . Symptoms of chlamydia, if present, include discharge of mucopurulent or purulent material, dysuria, urethral pruritus, urinary frequency or urgency, and lower abdominal or pelvic pain and show up about 1 to 3 weeks after being infected. One of the most common symptoms for in cases of chlamydia in men is a painful urination. In the worst cases chlamydia infection can, without treatment, lead on to other problems such as epididymitis or orchitis if the infection has made it to the testicles. This is particularly worrisome because it can occasionally cause a man to become sterile.
Other C. trachomatis strains, L1, L2 and L3 cause lymphogranuloma venereum. This tropical sexually transmitted infection is currently responsible for outbreaks of ulcerative proctitis mainly affecting homosexual men in various European countries and the US .
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Does Bv Gel Treat Trichomoniasis
Although metronidazole gel is used for treating BV, topical therapy is not recommended for trichomoniasis because reservoirs of infection may exist in the perivaginal glands and urethra. Therapeutic levels are not adequate to treat these areas and are considerably less efficacious, with failure rates approaching 50%.
What Should I Do If I Have Chlamydia
Chlamydia is easy to treat. But you need to be tested and treated as soon as possible.
If you have chlamydia:
- See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible. Antibiotics will treat chlamydia, but they will not fix any permanent damage to your reproductive organs.
- Take all of your medicine. Even if symptoms go away, you need to finish all of the antibiotics.
- Tell your sex partner so they can be tested and treated. If they are not tested and treated you could get chlamydia again.
- Avoid sexual contact until you and your partner have been treated and cured. Even after you finish your antibiotics, you can get chlamydia again if you have sex with someone who has chlamydia.
- See your doctor or nurse again if you have symptoms that dont go away within a few days after finishing the antibiotics.
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What Is The Treatment For Recurrent Bv How Is It Treated During Pregnancy
Bacterial vaginosis can resolve completely without complications after treatment. No special follow-up is necessary if the symptoms disappear.
Women with bacterial vaginosis are at increased risk for contracting HIV infection as well as other STDs including genital herpes, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia.
In pregnancy, bacterial vaginosis has been linked to premature labor, but the exact relationship is still not clear. BV has also been linked to miscarriages and other problems, so treatment during pregnancy is advised.
Bacterial Vaginosis Questions And Answers
What is BV?
Bacterial Vaginosis or BV is a common complaint among young women aged 15-44. BV is basically an abnormal overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the vagina which causes vaginal infection.
What are the Symptoms of BV?
Common BV symptoms include:
-Thin, white or gray vaginal discharge
-Vaginal irritation, burning or itch
-Foul smelling, fishy vaginal odor
-Discomfort with urination
Sometimes, there are no symptoms with BV at all. Other times, BV symptoms can be mistaken for other problems such as UTI, yeast infection or other causes of pelvic infections such as Trichomonas, Chlamydia or Gonorrhea.
What causes BV?
BV is a bacterial overgrowth and can be the result of abnormal vaginal pH which causes disruption in the normal bacterial balance in the vagina. Some risk factors for BV include: High blood sugar, excessive sugar intake, alcohol consumption, vaginal wash products, vaginal douching, fragranced body washes or detergents, stress, anxiety, antibiotic use, exposure to semen in the vagina, exposure to saliva in the vagina, hormonal changes, new or multiple sex partners, gut flora imbalance.
Is BV Dangerous?
For most women, BV is not harmful and sometimes resolves on its own. However, BV can cause Pelvic inflammatory Disease which is a severe pelvic infection which can result in infertility. BV can also be problematic for pregnant women because it increases the chances of pre-term delivery.
How is BV treated?
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Will 7 Inches Hit The Cervix
Your cervix is located between your uterus and your vaginal canal. Depending on your anatomy, it could be anywhere from 3-7 inches from the vaginal opening, and its possible to reach through your vagina. Deep penetration with a penis or other object during sexual intercourse could reach and bruise your cervix.
How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Getting Chlamydia
The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting chlamydia:
- Be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results
- Use latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.
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How Do I Protect Myself
You can reduce your risk of spreading bacteria related to BV or other STIs by following a few steps:
- Wear a condom or use protection during vaginal or anal sex. Use a dental dam during oral sex to keep bacteria from getting in your mouth. Learn how to properly use condoms.
- Limit the number of sexual partners you have at one time.
- Keep your penis and genital area cleanto keep bacteria from overgrowing. Make sure you clean the skin beneath your foreskin regularly, too.
- Wear loose, breathable cotton underwear to ventilate your genital area, especially when exercising or doing other things that make you sweat.
Why Do I Keep Getting Bv After My Period
Bacterial vaginosis comes down to an imbalance of your vaginas pH levels. The normal range for your vaginas pH is 3.8 to 4.5. Several things can cause it to be thrown off, making your body an invitation for BV: Your period: Blood has a pH of 7.4, so menstruation temporarily elevates your pH levels.
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How Is Bv Typically Treated
Antibiotics are the recommended treatment for BV. These can come in the form of pills, gels, or creams.
The infection will often clear up within a couple of days, but youll usually be told to take the treatment for a week.
If you develop BV more than twice in 6 months, you may be given a more long-term antibiotic treatment.
Will I Get Bacterial Vaginosis Again
BV often recurs, usually within a few months of treatment – although if any of the behaviours which can trigger it apply to you then it may be less likely to recur if you avoid these things.
BV often returns after it has been treated. No good way has been found yet of preventing this from happening.
If you keep getting BV symptoms, your doctor will do some tests to be absolutely sure you have got BV and not any other infection. If it turns out to be definitely BV, a different antibiotic to the one you have taken previously may be tried. Occasionally regular preventative use of an antibiotic vaginal gel may be advised.
If you are using an IUCD for contraception, it may be advised that you consider having this removed.
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What Can Cause Bacterial Vaginosis
You are more likely to get BV:
- If you are sexually active.
- If you have recently changed your sexual partner. Frequent changes of sexual partner, or having more than one regular partner, increase the likelihood of BV further.
- If you have a past history of sexually transmitted infections .
- If you smoke.
- If you have a copper coil for contraception – an intrauterine contraceptive device .
- If your family has Afro-Caribbean origins.
- If you use bubble bath.
- If you have prolonged or heavy periods.
- Following hormonal changes. In some women BV seems to be triggered by the hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy or the menopause. These are all conditions of changing vaginal acidity.
- Following courses of antibiotics. Courses of antibiotics tend to kill off all our good bacteria .
Other conditions which can upset vaginal pH or lactobacillus health, and which might be expected to increase the risk of BV include:
- Use of sex toys.
- Your partner has had a circumcision.
- You use condoms .
- You have showers, not baths.