Is bacterial vaginitis sexually transmitted?

Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 21, 2024
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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.)

Other Voices

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Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
40sec home-news-image

Can bacterial vaginitis heal itself without medication?

Bacterial vaginosis may heal without medication in some women. This is because bacterial vaginosis is a mixed infection caused by the imbalance of the normal vaginal flora. It is generally considered an endogenous infection. When a woman's immune system is strengthened, the vaginal flora can return to its normal environment, maintaining the balance and potentially healing without medication. However, treatment is generally necessary if bacterial vaginosis presents with clear symptoms, such as a significant increase in vaginal discharge, accompanied by itching or a burning sensation in the vulva.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 4sec home-news-image

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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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 Huang Shuai
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can bacterial vaginitis affect conception?

Bacterial vaginosis generally does not have a particularly large or obvious impact on conception, but it can indeed potentially affect the process of conception. This is primarily because when bacterial vaginosis occurs, there are usually a significant number of inflammatory cells in the vagina or the cervix. These inflammatory cells may affect sperm, thereby potentially impacting the process of conception. Of course, when bacterial vaginosis is present, it is generally recommended to treat it before pregnancy. This is mainly because if bacterial vaginosis exists during pregnancy, there may be an increased risk of bleeding, miscarriage, or premature birth. Therefore, it is usually advised to treat bacterial vaginosis before planning to conceive.

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Written by Ding Ying Bo
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 26sec home-news-image

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.)