Bacterial vaginosis (vaginal catarrh)

Bacterial vaginosis (vaginal catarrh)

Bacterial vaginosis is a condition where you get a foul-smelling (fishy) discharge from the vagina due to a change in the bacterial flora in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth.

What is bacterial vaginosis (vaginal catarrh)?

Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal catarrh caused by an imbalance in the bacterial flora in the vagina. The condition is characterized by less of the usual lactic acid bacteria in the vagina, which are important for keeping the vagina healthy, and more of other bacteria from the vaginal flora.

Causes of bacterial vaginosis

Only women get bacterial vaginosis, and the condition is seen somewhat more often in those who change sexual partners often and/or have frequent intercourse. Bacterial vaginosis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease in heterosexual relationships. The condition can be transmitted through sex between women, and also occurs in women who are not sexually active.

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (vaginal catarrh)

• Thin greyish/white discharge

• Foul-smelling (fishy) discharge

Other abdominal complaints that can be confused with bacterial vaginosis

Fungal infection of the vagina can be confused with bacterial vaginosis. The main differences are that with a fungal infection the discharge is thicker (cottage-cheese-like) and many experience a stronger itch and burning from the abdomen. Other conditions that can also lead to increased discharge include chlamydia infection.

Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy

Bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of, among other things, miscarriage and premature birth. If bacterial vaginosis is detected early in pregnancy, it should be treated. Contact a doctor if you are pregnant and suspect that you have bacterial vaginosis.

Self-test for bacterial vaginosis

If you are unsure whether you have contracted bacterial vaginosis, you can take a self-test at home. The Dynamic Code self-test for fungal infection and bacterial vaginosis is easy to use and gives you a safe diagnosis. The test is carried out at home, and then sent for analysis. Within a couple of days you will receive an answer to your test. In the case of proven bacterial vaginosis, this can be treated with antibiotics.

Treatment of bacterial vaginosis (vaginal catarrh)

Many people who have bacterial vaginosis do not experience any symptoms, and the condition can go away without treatment. About 30% of those who get bacterial vaginosis find that the condition returns, even if they have received treatment. Only those who have symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are treated with medication.

Bacterial vaginosis is treated with tablets, vagitories ("suppositories for the vagina") or with cream/gel. The active substances (substances that exert the effect you want to achieve) in the medicines used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis are metronidazole or clindamycin. Both active substances work against the bacteria that you get too much of in the vagina with bacterial vaginosis.

Metronidazole should not be combined with alcohol, read more about alcohol and medicines here. You should not have intercourse until the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are gone.

If you have bacterial vaginosis, it is recommended not to have intercourse until the symptoms have disappeared. Some studies have shown that treatment with lactic acid bacteria can prevent bacterial vaginosis if you have had it in the past.