Bacterial vaginosis is caused by changes in the levels of bacteria in your vagina. When there are more harmful bacteria present in your vagina than good bacteria, bacterial vaginosis can cause symptoms such as burning urination, vaginal itching, irritation, and inflammation, and unusual or foul-smelling discharge.
Since these symptoms can be similar to other health problems such as a yeast infection, you will have to be tested at the doctor to determine whether you actually have bacterial vaginosis. Once you are diagnosed, it is fairly easy to treat the condition with antibiotic medications prescribed by your doctor. However, it is very common for bacterial vaginosis to recur within three to twelve months.
This is especially important for pregnant women to be aware of, since bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of premature birth and low infant birth weight. So how do you lower your risk for developing bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial Vaginosis Risk Factors
There are certain factors that increase your risk for bacterial vaginosis. It is important to be aware of these factors because it gives you the ability to make the changes that are necessary to lowering your risk. Risk factors include:
- Douching: This involves rinsing out your vagina with a cleansing agent. Even though it is intended to clean the vagina, it ends up having the opposite effect. Douching makes you more susceptible to infection because it disrupts the natural balance of your vaginal environment.
- Multiple sexual partners: Bacterial vaginosis tends to occur more often in women who have multiple sexual partners or who have recently started having sex with a new partner.
- Natural lack of lactobacilli bacteria: Some women’s bodies are unable to naturally produce enough lactobacilli bacteria, which are the “good” bacteria in your vaginal environment. If this is the case, you will be more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial Vaginosis Prevention
The best way to lower your risk for developing bacterial vaginosis is to avoid the factors that increase your risk. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself against bacterial vaginosis.
- Keep your vaginal bacteria balanced: Instead of using scented soaps or deodorant sprays to clean the outside of your vagina, use only warm water, as even mild soaps can lead to irritation and inflammation. It is also helpful to wear cotton underwear that allows your vagina to breathe.
- Avoid douching: Since douching removes the normal bacteria that protect your vagina from infection, this practice will increase your risk for bacterial vaginosis. For this reason, doctors do not recommend douching under any circumstances.
- Practice safe sex: Since having a sexually transmitted infection can increase your risk for developing bacterial vaginosis, there are some steps you can take if you are sexually active to better protect yourself. First of all, always make sure to use condoms with male partners. If you have female sexual partners, use dental dams to protect yourself. Also, make sure that you and your partner are both tested for sexually transmitted infections and treated before having sex. The best way to protect yourself is to be monogamous, as your risk for both bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections goes up the more partners you have.
