Bacterial vaginosis is an infection caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli, staphylococci, and lyophilized bacteria in the vagina. It may also develop in combination with vaginal trichomoniasis.
Many kinds of residing bacteria live in the vagina. These exist on a daily basis in the body of a healthy person, and between 95% of these bacteria are good lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria break down sugar to produce lactic acid, and keep it in the vagina strongly acidic to prevent bacteria from entering.This is called "vaginal self-cleansing action", but it becomes easy to develop when its less acidic because of poor health or stress. The main symptoms are itching, tingling pain, and increased vaginal discharge. The vaginal discharge is often gray-white, but some may be yellow, yellow-green, and may have a bad smell. However, there are also people who are asymptomatic.

Route of infection and prevention

Bacterial vaginosis can occur during sexual activity by touching the pubic area with dirty hands or putting your fingers in the vagina. Oral sex can also be the cause.
Even if the fingers seem to be clean, there are many germs.
The prevention of bacterial vaginosis is to wash your fingers well with soap and running water before sex.

Bacterial vaginosis is more likely to occur in sexual activity due to the close proximity of the vagina and anus. It is also important for women to keep their vulva clean, such as taking a shower before and after sex. However, if you wash too much, lactic acid bacteria that protect the vagina will also be washed away, so clean it for a short time with lukewarm water. If you wash the vagina frequently with a disposable bidet, the self-cleaning action of the vagina can get weaker.
In addition to sexual activity, the use of IUD (intrauterine contraceptive device) and the contamination of the vagina by stool due to diarrhea can also be a risk of developing bacterial vaginosis. Try to keep the vagina clean by washing after defecation and wearing clean underwear on a daily basis.

Testing

If you are infected with bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal discharge sample and checked under a microscope for the presence of bacteria.
You will be assessed for itching or tingling pain in the vagina, whether discharge of gray-white to yellow has increased, or there is a smell in the vaginal discharge.

Treatment

For treatment, intravaginal cleansing and nitroimidazole-based antibacterial drugs are used. Depending on the type of drug used, the duration of treatment is about 3-6 days. You may also use an oral medicine.
If treatment is not completed, there is a risk of relapse, so be sure to get a medical examination to confirm that you are treated completely.
Even if you're completely cured, bacterial vaginosis may repeat due to sexual activity in unclean conditions.