Signs and symptoms

• Abnormal, foul smelling, white vaginal discharge (especially after sex) with an unpleasant fishy odor.

• Discharge sticks to the walls of the vagina, and without irritation, itching, and pain or erythema

• Abdominal pain with lower back ache

Amsel criteria for bacterial vaginosis

• Thin, white, yellow, unpleasant discharge.

• Clue cells on microscopic examination.

• PH of vaginal fluid is more than 4.5.

• Release of a fishy odor on adding alkali-10% potassium hydroxide.

At least 3 out of the 4 criteria should be present for a confirmed diagnosis

Causes of bacterial vaginosis

• Bacterial vaginosis are occurs more in sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 44, usually after contact with a new partner.

• Although bacterial vaginosis is associated with sexual activity, there is no evidence that the disease is sexually transmitted.

• Virgins get easily infected with bacterial vaginosis.

• Bacterial vaginosis is a disturbance between the chemical balance and biological balance of the normal vaginal flora

• Pregnant women and women with STIs are at high risk for getting this infection. Vaginosis may affect women even after menopause

Tests and diagnosis

• Microscopic examination- demonstration of clue cells

• Whiff test is positive

Differential diagnosis of Vaginosis

Complications

• Increased susceptibility to STDs including HIV/AIDs

• PID- Pelvic inflammatory disease

Treatment

Bacterial vaginosis is treated with anaerobic antibiotics such as Metronidazole/Tinidazole/Ornidazole or Clindamycin, either by vaginal route or oral route.

However, there is a high rate of recurrent attacks

Home based remedies

• Eliminating unwanted bacterial flora- tea tree oil products helps to eliminate these bacteria

• Adding buffer/acids to lower the vaginal ph. Ex- RepHresh

• Adding lactic bacteria- Fem-dophilus is a lactobacillus which specifically to helps to  maintain healthy vaginal flora