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The vagina is a captivating organ. It must maintain a microbiome of various yeasts and bacteria species in order to keep your vagina clean and functional. By sustaining normal flora, the body keeps out pathogens while keeping the good microorganisms in balance. It’s a delicate act to maintain equilibrium. So, what happens when equilibrium is lost?
My Virtual Physician’s team of Las Vegas gynecologists has extensive experience and expertise in understanding a woman’s microbiome and how it works. They know that a disruption to your normal flora can wreak all sorts of havoc. So that’s why this blog post is dedicated to the topic of bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common, and probably the most embarrassing, vaginal affliction in women from puberty up through mid-forties.
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Bacterial vaginosis, or BV for short, is caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria inside a woman’s reproductive system. BV is similar to a yeast infection in that both bacteria and yeast are naturally present in the vagina, and the condition is caused by an overgrowth of one or the other. Both BV and yeast infections can have similar symptoms, so it’s essential that the diagnosis is correct before treatment; otherwise, the condition could get worse.
A bacterial infection can happen with or without having sex, but certain behaviors or factors can increase your risk of BV, including:
Unlike a yeast infection, BV must be treated with prescription antibiotics. My Virtual Physician’s Las Vegas board-certified gynecologists are experienced and qualified in diagnosing and treating vaginal infections quickly online.
Bacterial vaginosis causes some very unpleasant symptoms. That’s your body’s way of alerting you that your natural balance has been disrupted and needs attention. The most distinguishable symptom of BV is abnormal vaginal discharge. With BV, you will notice a change to your discharge. Your discharge may be milk-white, gray, foamy, or watery. A foul-smelling, fishy discharge is a signature indication of a BV infection. Other symptoms of a vaginal bacterial infection can include burning during urination, itching, and irritation.
The only way to treat BV is with physician-prescribed antibiotics. These work by killing and thereby reducing the overgrowth of bacteria in an attempt to restore balance in your vaginal microbiome. It is critical to consider that by killing the bacteria, you may cause another common vaginal imbalance: yeast infections. If you’re prone to yeast infections after taking antibiotics, you can talk to our online Las Vegas OBGYN team about solutions that can return your flora to normal.
Related: Understanding, Treating, & Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections
Getting timely treatment for BV is important, not just for your own comfort, but for your long-term reproductive health. If you have untreated BV, it can increase your chance of contracting sexually transmitted infections, including:
Keeping your delicate vaginal flora in balance can be complicated. Trust the experts at My Virtual Physician to competently diagnose and treat your BV or other vaginal infection today. By utilizing virtual appointment technology, we can get you the quick treatments and healthcare solutions that you need right now. In a matter of minutes, you can be on your way to feeling better today.
