Should I Talk to My Doctor About My BV Symptoms?
BV, otherwise known as Bacterial Vaginosis or Gardnerella Vaginalis, is a bacterial infection that commonly causes a fishy vaginal odour. BV is not an STD and often gets better using natural remedies, however, a common query is when you need to seek medical advice from a health professional about your BV symptoms.
In this blog we are going to discuss when, if infected with bacterial vaginosis should you visit your doctor. So, ideally, when should you visit a medical practitioner about BV symptoms? If you are experiencing recurring, persistent, or serve symptoms of BV and/or you are pregnant with BV it is important to visit a sexual health clinic and talk to a medical professional to confirm your symptoms and rule out other possibilities.
Continue reading to find out further details about BV, its symptoms, and its potential complications.
Should I Talk to My Doctor About My BV Symptoms?
BV is caused by a PH imbalance, and the body usually corrects the imbalance over time. Often symptoms go unknown, as 50% of women with bacterial vaginosis exhibit no symptoms, and in this case, no treatment is required.
However, when it comes to recurring, persistent, or severe symptoms of BV, it is advised for you to visit a sexual health clinic or doctors to confirm your symptoms. This is to ensure you do not have any other infections such as an STI.
Therefore, despite the many natural remedies on the internet which can be effective in treating BV you should book an appointment at your sexual health clinic. Moreover, you shouldn’t worry if you test positive for BV there are many over-the-counter remedies and other antibiotic medications which can ease symptoms and cure the infection.
Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnancy
BV in pregnancy is not a major cause of concern, but if you are pregnant, it is critical that you go to a sexual health clinic or book an appointment with your doctor/midwife. The chances are few but if you get bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy, you run the risk of issues like early birth or miscarriage.
As a result, if you develop BV during pregnancy, you will almost always be provided with treatment.
As previously stated, BV is closely related to STIs and it is crucial for pregnant women to visit a doctor or midwife, as a result, we’ve detailed the most frequent BV symptoms.
Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
- Thin grey, white, or green vaginal discharge
- Unpleasant “fishy” vaginal odour
- Vaginal itching
- Burning during urination
Read more about the symptoms of BV on our comprehensive Everything You Need to Know About Bacterial Vaginosis page.
Can you Pass BV on to a Partner?
BV can only be transmitted to a female sexual partner as men rarely get BV. However, men can carry BV-related germs on their penis. If your male spouse exhibits symptoms similar to BV, it is likely related to another ailment, such as an STI.
We have explained further ways you can contract BV below.
- Sexual Intercourse
- New partner
- Contraception devices such as IUD
- Perfumed products used in or around your vagina
Testing for Bacterial Vaginosis
As mentioned above, if you are suffering symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, you should visit a sexual health clinic or your doctor. Unfortunately, many patients find a bacterial vaginosis test to be overwhelming, yet, a check is necessary to ensure that there are no other issues or infections associated with your BV.
There are several ways to test for bacterial vaginosis, so if a vaginal swab examination makes you uncomfortable, you can choose another test. We have listed the ways below.
Swab – A swab is the most commonly used BV testing method, in which a sexual health practitioner swabs the inside of your vagina for any discharge.
Urine – A urine test is an excellent alternative for those suffering from BV symptoms who do not want to undergo a swab test.
Bacterial Vaginosis Testing at Your Sexual Health
At Your Sexual Health, we provide a variety of comprehensive profile tests, including testing for BV. We have tests available that use a urine or swab sample, so you can choose what works best for you. We are committed to providing you with a dependable and trusted service. We provide quick turnaround times, a completely confidential service, and discreet outcomes.
