What should I do if bacterial vaginitis has a fishy odor?

Written by He Jing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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The normal vaginal flora is dominated by lactobacillus. If the pH in the vagina increases, this can disrupt the vaginal microecology, and the excessive growth of other microorganisms can lead to bacterial vaginosis, accompanied by an increase in vaginal discharge and a foul odor. Initially, a routine vaginal discharge test can be conducted. If the test indicates the presence of clue cells, a definitive diagnosis can be made.

In the treatment process, oral metronidazole is primarily used as it is effective for symptomatic treatment. Alternatively, metronidazole suppositories can be used locally for symptom relief, typically curing the condition in about a week. During treatment, avoid sexual intercourse, wearing tight clothing or long-term use of panty liners, as these can interfere with treatment effectiveness. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Why is bacterial vaginitis so painful?

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 Ding Ying Bo
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Why does bacterial vaginitis turn into fungal vaginitis?

Women with bacterial vaginitis need to be treated with metronidazole, which can be either taken orally or applied as metronidazole vaginal effervescent tablets. Some women may experience recurrent bacterial vaginitis, which leads to a longer duration of medication use, potentially causing an imbalance in the vaginal flora. Yeast naturally exists in the vagina, but the environment is usually stable due to the predominance of lactobacillus, which inhibits the growth of yeast. However, if the treatment period for vaginitis is extended, it can disrupt the vaginal environment, reduce the amount of lactobacillus, and consequently, yeast can proliferate and lead to yeast-based vaginitis.

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Written by He Jing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Luo Chun Yan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can mild bacterial vaginitis heal on its own?

Mild bacterial vaginitis generally does not heal by itself and needs timely treatment. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by a disruption of the vaginal flora and an increase in the pH value of the vagina, leading to a mixed infection dominated by anaerobic bacteria. This condition results in an increase in vaginal discharge, which is relatively thin but has a distinct fishy odor, and may cause itching of the vulva. The relationship between bacterial vaginosis, endometritis, and pelvic inflammatory disease is very close. Therefore, even mild bacterial vaginosis should be treated promptly. Treatment can be administered orally or locally via the vagina, mainly using anti-anaerobic agents. If not treated promptly, it may lead to ascending infections, causing endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease, which can result in infertility. Thus, even mild bacterial vaginosis should be treated in a timely manner; it generally does not heal on its own.