| BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS (BV) |
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Where does it come from? |
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the main causes are ‘gardnerella’ and ‘anaerobic vaginosis’ |
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at present it is uncertain whether or not they are sexually transmitted |
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How do I get it? |
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it is the result of an imbalance of the conditions in the vagina |
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it is considered by some to be a sexually transmitted infection |
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some women notice a regular pattern to the increase and decrease of their symptoms – due to changing hormone levels throughout their menstrual cycle |
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the vaginal conditions after termination of pregnancy (abortion) hysterectomy (removal of the womb) or other gynaecological treatment can become imbalanced and BV can then develop. |
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What might I notice? |
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Women |
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you will probably notice an increase in vaginal secretion |
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the discharge often looks like a runny, grey coloured ‘flour paste’, which will probably smell ‘fishy’ |
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you will probably feel embarrassed by the odour – which will often ‘show up’ or smell worse, when you have sex |
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your partner may notice it before you do |
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you may not notice anything or be bothered by the discharge |
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there may be slight itching and inflammation ‘down below’ |
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Men |
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you may notice nothing at all |
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sometimes the head of the penis may be inflamed and sore |
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What tests would I have? |
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special ‘swab’ test’ but it takes 1-2 weeks for the results to grow and show in the laboratory, hence the delay |
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What treatment is there? |
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antibiotics – the course must be completed and no alcohol taken whilst on these tablets – they don’t mix and would probably make you sick |
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What should I do after I finish the treatment? |
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return to normal |
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if you are someone who keep getting these attacks, you may try using condoms – to prevent possibility of re-infection |
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your partner should be tested and treated |
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the symptoms can come in women who are not sexually active |
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it seems to recur of its own accord in many people, so different treatments may be suggested |
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What about my partner? |
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in persistent cases, they should be checked at a GUM Clinic even if they do not have any symptoms |
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What about sex? |
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be advised by the doctor treating you |
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What complications can come from having BV? |
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it can be a contributory factor in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) |
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for many women with recurrent infection, there can be relationship and sexual problems because the associated odour |
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pregnant women with BV are more at risk of miscarriage or giving birth prematurely |
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How can I avoid getting BV? |
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the reason for its occurrence is not fully understood but the use of condoms may help to prevent recurrence |
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it is a common cause of vaginal discharge in developed countries |
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it can develop in women who are not sexually active. |
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in some women, it goes away on its own |
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