Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an irregular vaginal discharge syndrome that results from an overgrowth of atypical bacteria in the vagina. It is not a true bacterial infection but an imbalance of the bacteria normally found in the vagina. There is no danger of bacterial vaginosis, but it can cause alarming symptoms.
Bacterial vaginosis relief treatment options include topical oral antibiotics, and vaginal gels. One alternative for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis is metronidazole (Flagyl).
Serious complications of bacterial vaginosis can occur during breastfeeding, and recurrence can occur even after treatment is successful.
Scientists have failed to decide exactly what causes bacterial vaginosis. At present, it seems that for bacterial vaginosis to occur, a mixture of several bacteria must be present together. Bacterial vaginosis usually involves a decrease in the number of normal lactobacilli containing hydrogen peroxide in the vagina. At the same time, concentrations of other types of bacteria, especially anaerobic bacteria (bacteria which develop in the absence of oxygen) are that. As a result, the diagnosis and treatment are not as easy as the detection and eradication of a single bacterial type. It is unclear why the bacteria interact to create this unbalance.