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Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Discharge Pics: Infection Vaginitis

As Few of the BV discharge pics are graphical and so they maybe inappropriate to some audiences. We have embedded these pictures in different links. Viewers Discretion is Advised.

Click on the links below to see the images of BV discharge in different stages and conditions

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a form of Vaginal infection, affecting the women mostly during their reproductive age. Though it affects women by causing them unusual, foul smelling vaginal discharge, BV is very common and doesn’t cause much pain or harm in most cases.

However, in fewer cases untreated BV in a woman who undergoes hysterectomy or abortion can lead to infection at surgical site.

1/3rd of women have a recurrence of BV within 3 months, and more than 50% have a recurrence of symptoms within 12 months.

Causes of Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

BV happens due to the disturbance in vaginal flora.

Overgrowth of the vaginal flora namely gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, and various anaerobes due to sexual act causes BV in women

Other causes of BV are Idiopathic douching or multiple sex partner in women can overgrow the gardnerella causing BV.

What are the symptoms of Bacterial vaginosis?

  • Vaginal itching and or vulvar irritation and fishy smelling discharge or Malodorous discharge.
  • BV doesn’t usually causes pain
  • On the Vaginal wall you can see collecting the posterior fornix 
  • Elevated pH (>4.5pH)

Why is pH value higher during BV?

Also, Elevated vaginal PH (>4.5pH) can be observed. This happens because as we know due to the disturbance in vaginal flora(during BV), this vaginal flora is predominanted by a bacterial species known as lactobacillus that takes glycogen and ferments it into lactic acid and thus is responsible for the elevated pH.

BV Discharge pics

Discharge description: Discharge is gray, silky and homogenous, adherent to vaginal wall, little to no vulvar inflammation

Is BV an STD?

No, it is not an STD even though the act of sexual penetration is involved as the cause of BV, but this has not got to do anything with the sexual partner. Just the act of penetration in women can overgrow the gardnerella (vaginal flora) causing BV.

 

How is Bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?

As mentioned earlier, the presence of clue cells is the indication of Bacterial Vaginosis and so the test of “Saline Prep” for revealing clue cells is carried out.

  • Positive KOH “whiff” test
  • Vaginal pH is also checked

Upon microscopic examination the presence of clue cells can be noticed. Clue cells are vaginal epithelial cells that are stippled by the actual Gardella of bacteria and both of these are supportive of diagnosis.

Also, due to the similarities in the nature of symptoms the testing for others diseases too such as Cervicitis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia is recommended.


Which group is vulnerable to Bacterial Vaginosis?

The women indulging in the following activities or conditions are vulnerable to BV

  • Women having oral sex with other women.
  • Women who often have vaginal douching
  • Women having sex during menses
  • Women in multiple sex partners
  • Women from early age of sexual intercourse
  • Women with IUD placement
  • Women involved in too much of Smoking
  • Back women are more vulnerable to BV as compared to the women of other races.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) treatment

  • The treatment is going to be metronidazole. 
  • Patient can do the PO or topical
  • Clindamycin is a cream that can be used inside the vagina at bedtime for 7 days

BV in pregnant women

A thin white or gray discharge is typically observed in the discharge of the Pregnant women with BV. A pregnant lady with BV may even feel burning sensation while urinating

Bacterial Vaginosis in pregnant women can increase your risk for premature birth and low birthweight.

BV can increase your risk for pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause problems if you’re trying to get pregnant


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References

BV in Pregnant women: Section A, Annexure 5, article 4 click here

Bacterial Vagnosis: Library section B, article 9: click here