Today I want to talk about something that might make you wince a little – bacterial vaginosis. Nobody really likes to talk about the health of their vagina. However, there is a hidden health condition millions of women suffer from but nobody wants to talk about even more – and that is bacterial vaginosis.

The thing is, when it comes to talking about our vaginas, we usually feel a bit ick talking about it. I mean, so many of us are afraid to say vagina out loud at the best of times. But then what happens when there is actually something wrong with it?

Time to end the embarrassment

Usually, if you are like me, you will quietly will whatever is wrong down there to go away of its own accord – which it pretty much never does. This is until you are forced to go to the doctor, and feel mortified by the fact you have to fess up to the fact that something is not quite right down there.

But here’s the thing – bacterial vaginosis is INCREDIBLY COMMON, and we shouldn’t feel embarrassed about having it, or treating it.

I’ve suffered with bacterial vaginosis (not to be confused by thrush) in the past, and am also a big believer in talking about things out in the open to normalise them. That’s why I have teamed up with Balance Activ™ – a leading women’s intimate healthcare brand, which has a range of gels and pessaries for BV – in this guide to understanding and treating bacterial vaginosis.

Most common symptoms of BV

• Thin, watery, greyish-white discharge that has a fishy odour which gets stronger after sex or abnormally large amount of discharge.
• Occasional discomfort.
• Possible redness and irritation of skin around the vulva.

Separating fact from fiction

• In the UK, 1 in 3 women of childbearing age will get BV in their lifetime and up to 72% will suffer from BV again within 7 months.
• BV is one of the most common vaginal conditions.
• The pH of the vagina should be between 3.5-4.5, the same as a tomato.
• Self-misdiagnosis is common, with 66% of women mistaking BV symptoms for thrush
• The most common symptoms are thin, watery, greyish-white discharge with a fishy odour that will get stronger after sex, occasional discomfort and redness and irritation of the skin around the vulva.

5 common myths about bacterial vaginosis debunked

BV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

There is a huge amount of misinformation telling women that BV is an STI. Let’s end that right here. It is not! BV is a naturally occurring condition and can even occur even if a woman has never had sex.

Women with BV are unhygienic

This is definitely not true and in fact, the exact opposite can be true. BV may actually be caused by over-cleaning the vagina, which disrupts the vagina flora and pH levels so this myth couldn’t be further from the truth.

BV can be caught from toilet seats, bedding and swimming pools

BV isn’t an infection that can thrive and survive on everyday objects such as loo seats, bed linen or in swimming pools. You simply can’t catch BV from any of these things or places.

BV won’t occur when you have your period

Unfortunately, as unpleasant as it may be, these two can coincide. In fact, periods can trigger BV because menstruation makes the vagina less acidic and more prone to pH imbalance, something that I have experienced myself in the past.

BV can only be treated with antibiotics

Although antibiotics are commonly used to treat BV, they can also kill the good bacteria that protect against BV, which means they can actually cause the problem they are trying to treat. Natural and easily available over-the-counter remedies such as Balance Activ™ gel and pessaries can be preferable, especially in recurring cases.

BV or thrush – how can we tell the difference?

I’ve had BV, and I’ve had thrush, and the truth is, it can be very hard indeed to tell the difference, let me tell you. This is something that is backed up by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Shazia Malik on behalf of Balance Activ™, who explains, “Unfortunately, the symptoms are very similar to thrush but the treatments should, yet often aren’t, very different. BV comes with the classic itchiness of a yeast infection, so it’s easy for women to mistake it for thrush.” So if in doubt ladies, get it checked out.

Things that can increase your chances of developing BV

• Taking antibiotics – Antibiotics can put the vagina at risk of other infections and can kill the good bacteria that are there to defend it.
• Using medicated or perfumed soaps – These aren’t quite gentle enough to leave the natural healthy balance of good and bad bacteria alone.
• Having an intrauterine device (IUD) – IUDs cause heavier and longer bleeding during periods, resulting in a pH imbalance which can in turn lead to BV.
• Having unprotected sex – Semen upsets the vagina’s natural acidity which can cause BV to occur.
• Using antiseptics – These are harsh and can irritate the vagina, leaving it vulnerable to infection.
• Douching – The vagina is a self-cleaning organ so internal washing can upset your intimate areas natural balance, leaving you more vulnerable.
• Menstruation – Blood has a neutral pH, making the vagina less acidic so during and after menstruation is a vulnerable time.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding – Both pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause hormone fluctuations that alter the pH of the vagina.

The best way to treat BV

Dr. Shazia Malik warns that although antibiotics are a therapy option for BV, Public Health England launched a campaign in 2018 to support the government’s efforts to tackle antibiotic resistance. She says, “Evidence also suggests that there is a strong link between antibiotic use later causing thrush, as antibiotics may destroy good bacteria. Women are also increasingly favouring alternative and natural remedies, which are easily available OTC, particularly those with recurring conditions.

About Balance Activ™

Balance Activ™ is a natural alternative to harsh antibiotics in the successful treatment of BV. Balance Activ™ gel and pessaries are safe and effective at restoring and maintaining the pH of the vagina and should start to work after just one dose. Use Balance Activ™’s free symptom checker to understand more about your symptoms.

Balance Activ™ products are available nationwide from ASDA, Boots, Morrisons, Tesco, Superdrug and amazon.co.uk

Have you experienced bacterial vaginosis before? Did you know that there are alternatives to antibiotics for treating it? Let us know in a comment below.

Cover picture via Roman Odintsov

The post What is bacterial vaginosis? The hidden health secret no one talks about appeared first on Motherhood: The Real Deal.