Why is bacterial vaginitis so painful?

Written by Zhang Hui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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Bacterial vaginosis is a mixed infection caused by the imbalance of normal vaginal flora, and it is a relatively common gynecological disease. Bacterial vaginosis can damage the vaginal mucosa, primarily characterized by increased secretions and consequent irritation, causing pain. It is recommended to seek medical attention at a local tertiary hospital or gynecological clinic. Treatment should be conducted under the guidance of clinical physicians. During treatment, maintain cleanliness and hygiene of the vulva, wear loose, breathable underwear, consume a light diet, avoid spicy and other irritant foods, and abstain from sexual activity.

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Written by He Jing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 5sec home-news-image

Does bacterial vaginitis have any relation to cervical cancer?

Bacterial vaginosis is not closely related to cervical cancer. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance of vaginal flora, leading to an increase in vaginal discharge, which can have a fishy odor and be thin and watery. This condition can be diagnosed through routine vaginal discharge tests. Subsequent treatment, under a doctor’s guidance, may include the oral administration of metronidazole. During treatment, it is advised to avoid sexual intercourse to prevent impacting the effectiveness of the treatment. The development of cervical cancer is mostly related to prolonged infection with high-risk HPV viruses, or factors such as early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, and unhygienic sexual practices. Generally, it is not significantly related to the presence of vaginal inflammation. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)

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Written by He Jing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can a minor bacterial vaginitis undergo an abortion?

It is advised not to undergo an abortion when suffering from vaginitis, as the procedure involves manipulation of the uterine cavity. If there is vaginitis, the bacteria in the vagina can ascend, leading to inflammation of the uterine lining, and potentially causing pelvic inflammatory disease, fallopian tube adhesion, obstruction, and secondary infertility. Moreover, the body is generally weaker after an abortion, making it prone to inflammatory infections. Therefore, when experiencing vaginitis, it is recommended to first carry out a routine vaginal discharge test. Based on the results of this test, appropriate treatment is generally administered for about three days. A follow-up examination of the vaginal discharge can then be conducted. If the vaginal discharge test results are normal, the abortion procedure can proceed.

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Written by Ding Ying Bo
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does bacterial vaginitis affect menstruation?

Most bacterial vaginitis has no significant effect on menstruation. Because when women have bacterial vaginitis, it does not affect the ovarian secretion of estrogen, so it does not affect menstruation. Sometimes women develop bacterial vaginitis before menstruation and choose vaginal medication. Because the endometrial lining is relatively thick and menstruation is approaching, local medication may cause irritation, leading to the shedding of the endometrium. This is caused by local medication stimulation, not by affecting women's menstruation. Most cases of bacterial vaginitis are likely to recur after menstruation is over, so it is recommended that women undergo consolidation treatment for bacterial vaginitis after their periods are clean. In some women with bacterial vaginitis, particularly those with poor immunity, it might lead to acute cervicitis, and potentially further develop into endometritis. These conditions may cause women to experience prolonged menstrual bleeding, although this is relatively rare.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What is bacterial vaginosis?

Women can suffer from bacterial vaginosis, which is more commonly seen in women who have frequent sexual intercourse, or in postmenopausal women. It is not caused by an infection of a specific pathogen in the vagina, but rather by an imbalance of the normal flora that naturally resides in the vagina. Normally, the female vagina has a self-cleaning capability. What this means is that there are large quantities of lactobacilli in the vagina, which can create an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of other bacteria. However, under certain pathological conditions, such as too frequent sexual activity, this balance can be disrupted, leading to a reduction in the number of lactobacilli. Consequently, the numbers of other pathogenic bacteria may increase, causing bacterial vaginosis. During this condition, there is no inflammatory alteration in the vaginal walls or cervix.

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Written by Ding Ying Bo
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to treat pain during urination caused by bacterial vaginitis?

Bacterial vaginitis refers to when the pathogen in the vagina is Gardnerella and is associated with a disruption of the vaginal flora. This can result in an increased amount of discharge, with a foul odor. An increased amount of vaginal discharge can irritate the vulva, leading to severe vulvitis, and possibly cause pain during urination. If pain during urination is accompanied by urinary urgency and frequency, it should be considered that there might be a urinary tract infection, and a urinalysis could be conducted. If a urinary tract infection is confirmed, it is necessary to drink more water, urinate more frequently, and take oral levofloxacin. If tests confirm that there is no urinary tract infection and the symptoms are only due to local irritation, using a 1:5000 potassium permanganate sitz bath daily for 15 minutes can significantly alleviate the pain during urination. Additionally, systemic medication should be administered to treat bacterial vaginitis. Only after the vaginitis is cured, which would significantly reduce the discharge, can the vulvitis and pain during urination be relieved. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a physician.)