Itching, burning and rounds of antibiotics with no relief! It makes you want to scream. Is it a yeast infection? A bladder infection?
Maybe it’s BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS…
Is Your Itchy Genital Infection Yeast Or Bacteria?
If you currently have something strange going on in your genital area, you may have a common type of infection. Yeast and bacteria are the usual suspects, and the symptoms of these different types of infection are so similar that it is often difficult to make a proper diagnosis without your doctor’s help.
Making the wrong diagnosis could put your health in danger. yeast infections are usually quite harmless, even though they itch and often cause an irritating discharge. Unless your immune system is compromised, you have little to fear from a yeast infection, other than the temporary discomfort.
Bacterial infections, on the other hand, are considerably more serious. Some can be sexually transmitted to your partner, and some can cause damage to your reproductive organs, resulting in infertility. You can see, then, why it’s so important to know if you infection is from yeast of one of the more dangerous germs.
Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are:
Itching and burning in the vagina and around the vulva
A white vaginal discharge. It may look like cottage cheese, and may smell like bakers’ yeast or beer
Pain during sexual intercourse
Swelling of the vulva
Unfortunately, symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are almost exactly the same. The discharge may smell fishy instead of yeasty, and may be stronger after sex or after washing with soap. You will also itch or burn, and the discharge can be either white, gray or yellow.
Other infections that can have very similar symptoms are caused by the sexually transmitted parasite called tricomoniasis, and by the STD’s called Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. All these infections must be treated by your doctor.
If you have a vaginal discharge along with a fever, nausea, chills, upset stomach or vomiting, and/or abdominal pain, you may have a much more serious type of infection. Yeast does not cause these symptoms. You may have a kidney infection, appendicitis or pelvic inflammatory disease, and urgent or emergency care may be needed. Get yourself to a doctor.
Are male infections easier to diagnose? Not necessarily.
A male yeast infection shows up as an itching, red rash on the penis. The rash will look red and flat, with sharp scalloped edges. You may see small pustules around the edges of the rash, and it may itch or burn. A rash around the anus may be white or red, and will itch.
Men who have a thin whitish discharge from the penis with pain or burning during urination may have Tricomonas or Gonorrhea. You don’t want either of these infections, and you certainly don’t want to share them with your partners, so head over to your doctor’s office or clinic for proper care. The symptoms often go away on their own, but the infection is still there, causing internal damage and waiting to infect your next partner.
yeast infections are so common that we often assume that our discharge, itching, pain or rash is being caused by yeast, but remember that if you do have an infection yeast may not be causing it. It’s always safest to see your doctor so you can know for sure.
By: Jonni L Good
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Jonni Good is the author of the definitive guide to vaginal, male, skin and oral yeast infection. Yeast may often be the cause of your symptoms, but "false yeast infections" can be even more dangerous, so the author’s book includes a detailed account of the symptoms and dangers of these other conditions. Find out more at www.YourYeastInfection.com
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Facts On Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis, commonly referred to as Gardnerella Vaginitis is an abnormal vaginal condition or imbalance of vaginal bacteria that is caused by an overgrowth of one of several organisms that are normally present in the vagina.
When a woman’s ‘bad’ bacteria outweighs her ‘good’ bacteria, Bacterial Vaginosis is typically the culprit. This type of vaginal infection is not necessarily sexually related but tends to be more prevalent in sexually active women with new or multiple sexual partners. However, virgins or women that have never had sexual intercourse can also experience Bacterial Vaginosis.
When a women suspects Bacterial Vaginosis, she typically experiences a strong fishy odor that is more obvious during and after sexual intercourse. In addition, she may also experience a white or grayish discharge and burning or itching sensations.
If you suspect that you may have Bacterial Vaginosis, you should seek a diagnosis from your physician. To diagnose this condition, she will perform a pelvic examination and will evaluate your vaginal lining and cervix for tenderness. She will also evaluate a sampling of your vaginal fluid and take a look at your ‘clue cells’ under the microscope. This test will help her determine if you have Bacterial Vaginosis, a yeast infection, a sexually transmitted infection like Trichomonas, or if you’re in the clear.
Lastly, she will perform a ‘whiff test’ in which she combines your fluid with potassium hydroxide and then takes a whiff of it to see if it smells fishy. If it does smell fishy then you likely have Bacterial Vaginosis. If you do have Bacterial Vaginosis, you’ll likely receive a round of antibiotics like Metronidazole that can be taken orally or a gel that can be applied vaginally. Another option will be Clindamycin cream that you will insert vaginally.
If you suspect that you have Bacterial Vaginosis, you should seek a diagnosis from a qualified medical professional. She will utilize various methods to diagnose you and will give you some antibiotics to help rid you of your infection once and for all!
By: Mishaun Taylor
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Mishaun Taylor is an author and infopreneur. For additional information about Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis, please visit www.bacterialvaginosisrecurrent.com
R.N shows you how to get rid of BV naturally
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What Causes Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial Vaginosis
If you’ve never suffered from bacterial vaginosis then it might be difficult to comprehend just how painful and distressing it can be. Although this is not what some people might term to be a serious condition, bacterial vaginosis can be something of a burden to many women.
Bacterial vaginosis, or a yeast infection as it is also known, can have distressing symptoms and it can even be a great hurdle in many women’s lives. This is due to the fact that the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis simply can’t be ignored.
Things like unbearable itching, a burning sensation of the irritated area, painful sexual intercourse, pain during urination, yeasty smelling or cottage cheese-like discharge, and a rash are all indications that you might be suffering from a yeast infection, or bacterial vaginosis.
It doesn’t have to follow of course that what you have is a yeast infection, but these are all good indicators. If you feel that you might have a yeast infection, there are a few things that you might want to do first.
Consulting a trained medical physician should be the first order of the day if this is the first time you have ever had a yeast infection. If your bacterial vaginosis is recurrent then you always have the option of treating it yourself through one of the many home remedies.
Another thing that you might want to look into doing if you believe that you have bacterial vaginosis is to abstain from sexual intercourse as your partner might also contract this infection. Although bacterial vaginosis isn’t a sexually transmitted disease, it can be transferred from one partner to the other through sexual intercourse.
Since bacterial vaginosis can be recurrent in some women, it’s always best to know what the causes are of this particular infection. By knowing this information you then have the option of being able to take preventative measures and steps to help stop the recurrence of a yeast infection.
Causes of bacterial vaginosis can include hormonal imbalance and things leading to a hormonal imbalance like pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation. All of these can lead to a bodily imbalance which in turn can lead to bacterial vaginosis.
There are also those factors which can throw the pH balance of the vagina out of synch. When this happens the yeast inducing bacteria can have free reign to thrive in the vagina.
These factors include the use of douches or feminine sprays, the use of scented feminine hygiene products, the use of spermicides, and prolonged contact with semen.
There are also other factors to take in such as the prolonged use of antibiotics, birth control pills, stress, and even certain types of clothing such as too-tight jeans and wet bathing suits.
As you can see bacterial vaginosis can arise as a result of many factors, but if you take care to avoid most of these, you should be able to prevent bacterial vaginosis from occurring or even recurring.
By: Bakhru
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comAuthor’s Sites: Home Remedies , Herbal Remedies and Natural Home Remedies for Heartburn & Acid Reflux
The best treatment for BV is the natural way. Here is the story of how a Registered Nurse cured herself without drugs or antibiotics:
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Natural Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis and Pregnancy
Vaginal bacterial infections are not only unpleasant but they can be frustrating. Plus, if you are pregnant, they can actually cause some serious health concerns for you and your unborn baby. In fact, there is a close association between Bacterial Vaginosis and premature labor as the early breaking of the waters can inevitably lead to premature labor and complications for the mother and baby. Additionally, this could also lead to an infection of the amniotic fluids, placenta, and even your baby. Scary isn’t it? Yes, it is but according to a1999 article by Hammill H, ‘Over 15% of pregnant women have Bacterial Vaginosis.’ Wow. Let’s discuss this condition a bit more.
Bacterial Vaginosis, commonly known as BV, is a general vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. With this type of untreated vaginal infection, a mother can experience early labor and complications such as the premature breaking of her water/amniotic fluid. In fact, it is estimated that around 4% of newborn babies who are born prematurely will experience serious health complications.
Therefore, if you are currently pregnant, your doctor will likely test you in the first and third trimester for BV. To do so, they will give you a routine pap smear and then evaluate your vaginal secretions via a special probe. They will carefully examine your vaginal fluid sample for signs of infections and evaluate your PH levels to determine if the are elevated. If they are, then a Bacterial Vaginosis infection is likely. Typically this examination is done at your first prenatal and after the 16th week of pregnancy. If you’re found to have a BV infection, you will likely be given a medication that has been proven effective and safe for pregnant women.
In conclusion, although Bacterial Vaginosis is a common vaginal infection that affects many women, it can cause specific concern for unborn babies and their moms. Therefore, if you suspect that you have Bacterial Vaginosis, tell your physician right away and get tested. After all, your baby is counting on you.
By: Jacqueline Harris
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For additional information and tips about Bacterial Vaginosis or Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis, please visit www.bacterialvaginosisrecurrent.com
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Natural Cures For Bacterial Vaginosis
Any woman can develop a case of Bacterial Vaginosis or BV. BV is not an infection. It is an inflammation which occurs in the vagina when there is an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria and an organism called Gardnerella. If you are amongst the people who suffer from it, you may wonder what you should take to take away the irritating itch or the unbearable burning sensation or the unpleasant musky vaginal odor. Maybe you have tried every possible medical and prescribed treatment but you just can’t seem to find the right cure for it. Have you ever thought about the option of seeking natural cures for BV?
Here are some reasons why you should consider curing your BV naturally:
a) BV is conventionally treated with a prescription antibiotics taken either orally or vaginally and may include Ampicillin, Ceftriaxone, Clindamycin, Tetracycline or Metronidazole. These antibiotics tend to kill all the bacteria in the vagina including the good bacteria. While the initial success rates are pretty good for these antibiotics, there is approximately a 30% chance that it will have recurrence within six months of treatment. On the other hand, natural cures for BV which involved making some changes to one’s diet, the use of vitamin supplements, herbal products and home remedy methods have proven equally effective but with very few or no recurrence at all.
b) Repeated use of these antibiotics may cause the bacteria in the vagina to develop resistance to the drugs and this may give rise to some strains of highly resistant bacteria. Once this happen, the effectiveness of the antibiotics will be reduced and recurrence of BV will occur more frequently. This may subsequently cause more complications and even lead to infertility or into some other forms of more serious infection. Such scenario will not happen if it is treated using natural treatment, products or cure.
c) Medical treatment of BV, which normally includes the consultation, vaginal cream or gel, and antibiotic capsules, will cost you anything between $250 to $500 for a complete antibiotic treatment. This is not a small amount by any standard. Repeated treatments due to recurrences of the BV will further strained your financial situation. This situation will not happen if it is treated naturally. The herbal products and home remedy methods used to treat it will cost you only a few dollars to purchase or prepare.
BV affects between 10% to 64% of the female population at any given time. If it is left untreated, it can cause more serious symptom and even lead to infertility or a potentially serious condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Hence its is better for you to treat your Bacterial Vaginosis early than to regret later.
By: bizlink08
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Lester Lee is the webmaster of www.CauseTreatmentCure.com, a popular site that provides useful advice and latest tips on Natural Cures For Bacterial Vaginosis. Visit our site today for more helpful information on Natural Cures For Bacterial Vaginosis and other similar topics.
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If you are unfortunate enough to have suffered from Bacterial Vaginosis, then you have lived the nightmare of constant doctors visits and doses of antibiotics that seem to give little long-term relief. Worse still, many women with Bacterial Vaginosis feel embarrassed, ashamed and self conscious, to the extent that they spend all their time worrying about it. The medical fraternity will do little than prescribe some pills; after all, that is what most people expect the doctor to do. Did you kn Read more…
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Bacterial Vaginosis and Men
Men Bacterial Vaginosis and Other Misconceptions
By Todd Massey 
Bacterial vaginosis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD) since women who have never engaged in sexual activity can develop BV.
BV is simply caused by a reduction of good bacteria that normally live within the vaginal environment helping to protect it. Followed by an increase in bad bacteria that (which also normally live within the vaginal environment in reduced numbers) cause the major symptoms of increased discharge and sometimes a fishy vaginal odor.
A man cannot get bacterial vaginosis. It is generally thought that men cannot transmit bacterial vaginosis but they can play a role in aggravating the condition. Treating a boyfriend or treatment for a male partner is unnecessary.
It is suspected that women involved in sexual relations with another woman (or lesbian relationships) can spread or initiate BV in other women they are having intimate contact with.
You cannot spread bacterial vaginosis simply by kissing. BV by its nature is strictly limited to the vaginal region but the infection can spread up into the fallopian tubes causing difficulties with pregnancies or future attempts at pregnancy.
If you have an infection of the mouth it may likely be what is commonly called thrush (in children) or is related to a yeast infection. A yeast infection is different from bacterial vaginosis. A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of yeast within the body or a particular area and BV is an overgrowth of bad bacteria within the vaginal environment.
Food cannot cause BV and contracting the infection is not based on hygiene or other normal methods of keeping yourself clean, but it is thought that douching and other feminine products can play a role in upsetting the balance of the vaginal environment, leading to bacterial vaginosis.
There should be not lesions or sores if all you have is bacterial vaginosis. It may be possible to develop some irritation or inflammation or that scratching the area excessively may cause sores. But any sores are not directly related to BV and if you have sores you probably have some other condition and should see a doctor.
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Posted: January 8th, 2009 |