Conditions
Bacterial Vaginosis
This unfortunate but by no means unusual condition can leave a lady’s downstairs smelling like a fishmarket. The cause is simple enough – it’s all down to an imbalance of naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina. The vagina should have a certain amount of lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria), which makes the vagina slightly acidic and prevents other bacteria from growing in the area. If the vagina is not as acidic as it should be, you can get an abnormal discharge and an unpleasant, fishy smell coming from the area. The type of discharge usually associated with Bacterial Vaginosis is watery and grey or white in colour. However, for around half of the women with the condition it is symptomless.
Bacterial Vaginosis has been linked to an increased risk of getting STIs, and also premature births among pregnant women. Antibiotics are the main treatment, but in a quarter of cases the condition can recur, so sufferers may have to be patient and try a couple of different types. Your GP may ask you to take tablets or use a cream to be applied directly to the vagina, or a combination of the two. Between 12 and 30% of women in the UK will have bacterial vaginosis at some point in their lives, and it’s important to remember that if you have the condition it doesn’t mean you are dirty or unclean. In fact, washing the area too much can make the problem worse.
Watch the Live from the Clinic interactive case video on bacterial vaginosis >
Comments and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
Iam 27, everytime i open my leg wide either during sex or sitting in the toilet, i could smell very strong vaginal smell. Its been like this for many years. Its making me feel really embarassed when having sex with my partner, he too complain of strong smell from the vagina.i have been to the doctor but nothing is found in the swab test but i feel there is something wrong down there, could any one tell what i can do.
Hi I just wanted to check the syptoms asbout my virgina I have a strong smell of fish but I have been checked and I havent got any infections I just wondered if u can help to find out wat it is
i have a really smelly discharge, i can smell it even with clothes on. its that strong that it dyes black knickers white! i get itchy around my vagina and inside my stomach and behind my belly button. please help!
Hi ive had bv for 3 years since having my son, ive took the tablets and everything and it still comes back. I dont find it smells at all its like a thick yellow discharge and feels like ive wet myself slightly... i have to change my underwear up to 4 times a day. I have tried wearing pads but it makes it worse... its so itchy at times and get inflamed too, to the point where i cant walk because of the friction. Its hard how can you not scratch an itch?? I do think its down to stress because i can tell when its slowly coming back and it starts all over again. If anyone has the same symptoms please help!!!
I've had this on and off since I was 15 the antibiotics only seem to work for a short while as the acid in the vagina is affected by antibiotics. I've done a lot of research into this as the doctors seem to have no answers!! Apparently taking folic acid and acidophius tablets daily are meant to help control the acid in the vagina. Folic acid I got in the supermarket for a few pounds and the acidophius tablets from holland and Barrett. I'm only on my first week of trying this and so far no flair up, but if anyone is trying this and has results let us know :)
I think i have BV. I find that i smell even straight after a shower. The discharge i get sometimes makes me feel as though i have wet myself slightly. Its making me not want to have sex with my partner because i feel the smell is too embarrassing. A bit embarrassed to go to the doctors too. Is there anything that can be purchased from a chemist for this condition or am i best plucking up the courage to go to my GP? Please help
im 23 and i have only just been told i have bv i had never heard of it before until i saw the it on the show last week and i went to the gp to get checked for this and also a general sti check...everything else was clear. Can you tell me is bv defiantly not able to be passed to a partner and can it effect becoming pregnant in anyway?
I keep gettin BV and its really gettin me down nw cause i've been gettin it 4 bout 2yrs nw and even thou it goes after takin antibiotics within a month or so its bk again. i am 21 and 18wks pregnant and just wondered if u could help me cause its really gettin me down :(
I am 24 and in a lesbian relationship i end up getting BV after every period and every time i have sex, i have been to my doctors numerous times about it but all they do is give me anti biotics. I know it isnt a majour condition but i am getting down with the fact that i am pretty much always on anti biotics or have an infection. Is there anything that can be done about this??
i have been treated with bv with metronidazole and it then caused me to have brown discharge i have had an sti check and it was clear it is ruining my sex life can u help me please i am embarrassed to get sexuall with my partner.
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