Is bacterial vaginitis caused by men?

Written by Zhang Hui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 06, 2024
00:00
00:00

Bacterial vaginosis is a common gynecological condition characterized by an increase in vaginal discharge that is grayish-white and thin in consistency, and may be accompanied by itching or burning of the vulva. It is not caused by a single pathogen, but rather a combination of various pathogens. However, the exact cause of changes in the vaginal flora is not clear. It may be related to unhygienic sexual practices with men or frequent sexual activity. It is advised to visit a gynecology outpatient clinic at a reputable local hospital to determine the specific cause. Under the guidance of a clinical doctor, standardized treatment should be administered.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
41sec home-news-image

How is bacterial pneumonia treated?

Bacterial pneumonia is a common respiratory disease. After contracting it, patients often experience fever, coughing, chest pain, and chest tightness. Lung imaging can reveal exudative shadows in the lungs. So, how should bacterial pneumonia be treated? The first step is to use antibiotics to which the bacteria are sensitive, commonly including penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones. Additionally, symptomatic treatment is employed, such as antipyretic analgesics for fever, cough suppressants if there is little sputum, and expectorants for thick and sticky sputum.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Jing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
56sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Is bacterial vaginitis sexually transmitted?

Bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted. The occurrence of bacterial vaginosis is mainly due to changes in the vaginal environment, which leads to an imbalance of bacteria normally present in the vagina. Some bacteria become dominant, leading to the development of bacterial vaginosis. Most cases of bacterial vaginosis are due to low immunity in women, reduced body resistance, or long-term use of vaginal medications which disturb the vaginal environment, resulting in bacterial vaginosis. It is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease. For bacterial vaginosis, if there are obvious symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge or external genital itching, treatment with metronidazole or clindamycin can significantly relieve discomfort. In addition to medication, attention should be paid to the hygiene of the external genitalia and improving one’s immunity, as many cases of bacterial vaginosis can heal on their own. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Jing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Can bacterial vaginitis be treated during menstruation?

Bacterial vaginitis can only be treated with oral metronidazole during menstruation, and external genitalia can be cleaned with a wash, but vaginal suppositories cannot be used during bleeding periods to avoid causing infections. However, the standard treatment for bacterial vaginitis is recommended to better start after the menstruation ends. At that time, you can choose the appropriate external washes and vaginal suppositories for combined treatment, which will be more effective. During the treatment, avoid intercourse, frequently change underwear, maintain genital hygiene, avoid wearing tight clothing, consume fresh vegetables and fruits, exercise more, and enhance resistance.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Jing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 2sec home-news-image

Why is there tofu-like discharge in bacterial vaginitis?

Bacterial vaginitis may have cottage cheese-like discharge, which requires consideration of bacterial and fungal co-infection. It is advisable to visit a hospital for routine vaginal discharge tests. If these tests indicate the presence of fungi, the diagnosis can be confirmed as fungal vaginitis with a concurrent bacterial infection. Therefore, the appearance of the discharge may change to resemble cottage cheese, but at this point, treatment becomes complicated as it requires addressing both bacterial vaginitis and fungal vaginitis simultaneously. The treatment methods for these two conditions are actually opposite. Under a doctor's guidance, considering vaginal insertions of nifuratel-nystatin capsules for symptomatic treatment may be advisable. Observing the treatment response or, if the effect is not apparent, considering treating the fungal infection first, followed by the bacterial infection.