Bacterial vaginosis is a very common problem; yet many women are unaware of it, know its causes and prevention

Bacterial vaginosis is a common type of infection that occurs in the vagina. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine states that 1 in 3 women in the world is affected by it. In such a situation, Dr. Pooja Ghori, Obstetrics and Gynecologist from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, explains how this common infection becomes a cause of trouble for you and how it can be avoided.

What is bacterial vaginosis?

This is an infection caused by the overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. In a healthy vagina, bacteria are present and work to balance each other. Sometimes the number of "bad" bacteria increases and they start dominating the "good" bacteria. In this situation, the balance of bacteria in the vagina gets disturbed and the problem of bacterial vaginosis occurs.

This problem is common

This is a common problem in women aged 15-44 years. This usually occurs in sexually active women. Sometimes bacteria can grow naturally in large numbers in some women and they are at risk of developing bacterial vaginosis.

They are at greater risk

• to pregnant women
• Those who do not use condoms
• have an IUD placed in the uterus
• Those with more than one sex partner
• For those who use douches
• if you are taking any antibiotics

How to identify

About 84% of cases of bacterial vaginosis do not have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Cloudy, grey discharge from the vagina
• Strong fishy smell from the discharge
• Itching or discomfort in the vagina
• Burning sensation during urination

protect yourself like this

• Take care of cleanliness
• Avoid douching
• Take plenty of probiotics
• Wash your vagina thoroughly with an unscented soap
• Clean the vagina and anus from front to back
• Change pads frequently during periods
• Don't stay in sweaty clothes after a workout
• Use a condom during sex
• Wear breathable undergarments
• Limit the number of sex partners
• Don't use scented menstrual products
• Avoid using public washrooms

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