Vaginitis Gardnerella - The Bad Bacteria!
Statistics show that 60% of of all vulvovaginal infections are bacterial vaginosis.
While sexually active women of childbearing age are the most at risk, anyone can contract it - even children.
Besides sexual behaviors, there are other factors that can lead to vaginitis gardnerella.
When the natural environment of the vagina is altered, the balance of bacteria can change as well, leading to overgrowth of "bad" bacteria.
Things like bubble baths, which alter the pH of the vaginal environment, constrictive clothing, synthetic underwear, and even broad-spectrum antibiotics can allow overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria.
Douching can cause more harm than good, as the vagina is a self-cleaning part of the body, and douches can, again, throw the pH balance of the area off.
Keeping tampons in for too long, diaphragms, IUDs, and contraceptive sponges can all cause problems, as can products that use the common spermicide nonoxynol-9.
About half of all women have gardnerella vaginalis in their vaginal tract, and as long as the balance in the vaginal environment is maintained, everything is fine; however, when it goes out of whack, for whatever reason, things can go awry.
Vaginitis Gardnerella can cause symptoms such as odor (usually a fishy odor), irritation, discharge or itching.
These can often be mistaken for a yeast infection, which might delay treatment when a woman treats for yeast with over-the-counter products which won't have an effect on the bacteria.
While vaginitis gardnerella doesn't often cause complications, it can, in fact, lead to some that are quite serious.
The increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an issue that shouldn't be overlooked; PID is a leading cause of female infertility.
In addition, infection in a pregnant woman can lead to premature labor and delivery, infants with low birth weight, and premature rupture of the membranes.
BV can also increase the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV; the tissues of the vagina are irritated and broken, and provide a much easier route for infectious agents to enter.
Vaginitis gardnerella is one of the most common forms of bacterial vaginosis in women of childbearing age.
Thankfully, it is easily treated; if you think you might be infected, a trip to your doctor will take care of the problem.
While sexually active women of childbearing age are the most at risk, anyone can contract it - even children.
Besides sexual behaviors, there are other factors that can lead to vaginitis gardnerella.
When the natural environment of the vagina is altered, the balance of bacteria can change as well, leading to overgrowth of "bad" bacteria.
Things like bubble baths, which alter the pH of the vaginal environment, constrictive clothing, synthetic underwear, and even broad-spectrum antibiotics can allow overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria.
Douching can cause more harm than good, as the vagina is a self-cleaning part of the body, and douches can, again, throw the pH balance of the area off.
Keeping tampons in for too long, diaphragms, IUDs, and contraceptive sponges can all cause problems, as can products that use the common spermicide nonoxynol-9.
About half of all women have gardnerella vaginalis in their vaginal tract, and as long as the balance in the vaginal environment is maintained, everything is fine; however, when it goes out of whack, for whatever reason, things can go awry.
Vaginitis Gardnerella can cause symptoms such as odor (usually a fishy odor), irritation, discharge or itching.
These can often be mistaken for a yeast infection, which might delay treatment when a woman treats for yeast with over-the-counter products which won't have an effect on the bacteria.
While vaginitis gardnerella doesn't often cause complications, it can, in fact, lead to some that are quite serious.
The increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an issue that shouldn't be overlooked; PID is a leading cause of female infertility.
In addition, infection in a pregnant woman can lead to premature labor and delivery, infants with low birth weight, and premature rupture of the membranes.
BV can also increase the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV; the tissues of the vagina are irritated and broken, and provide a much easier route for infectious agents to enter.
Vaginitis gardnerella is one of the most common forms of bacterial vaginosis in women of childbearing age.
Thankfully, it is easily treated; if you think you might be infected, a trip to your doctor will take care of the problem.
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