Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is a disease affecting the vagina, characterized by symptoms like itching and an unusual vaginal discharge, which often has a distinctive smell, similar to fish. With that being said, according to the National Health Service, around 50 percent of all women with BV do not experience any symptoms.
This potential lack of symptoms, combined with the embarrassing nature of the disease, means that many cases of BV are left untreated, or the treatment is delayed. Although the infection can clear up on its own, leaving it to do so is not recommended, and a failure to treat the condition properly can lead to unwanted and unpleasant complications.
Possible Complications
While bacterial vaginosis is commonly regarded as merely an annoying inconvenience, the complications associated with failing to detect it, or leaving it untreated, are varied and potentially very serious.
Pregnancy-Related Issues
The most serious complications that may arise from leaving BV untreated are often linked to pregnancy. For example, research shows that pregnant women with the disease are at an increased risk of experiencing issues such as late miscarriage or premature delivery, while babies may be more likely to be delivered with a low birth weight.
Pregnant women with untreated BV could also be more likely to experience post-pregnancy issues, such as infections or postpartum endometritis. However, the NHS stresses that all pregnancy-related complications are rare, and most pregnant women with the condition will not experience any serious problems.
Increased Risk of STDs
Another complication that can arise from failing to treat BV swiftly is an increased chance of catching certain sexually-transmitted diseases. In particular, a fact sheet from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights chlamydia and gonorrhea as two examples of STDs that you could find yourself more at risk of contracting.
More worryingly, the disease has also been associated with increasing the infection rates of HIV/AIDS. This means that you will increase your chances of catching HIV if you have sex with someone who is infected, and it also means you become more likely to pass on the virus to sexual partners if you are carrying it too.
Problems Related to Fertility
Finally, if you do not treat BV, you could also potentially develop fertility problems. One of the issues here is the fact that bacterial vaginosis can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is an infection of the fallopian tubes and uterus and, according to the NHS, approximately one in 10 women with it become infertile.
On top of this, BV is also known to have a detrimental impact on in vitro fertilization (IVF). It is believed that BV impacts on IVF implantation rates and increases the risk of early pregnancy loss. In simple terms, this means that IVF treatment is less likely to result in a successful pregnancy if you have the disease and do not treat it.
Effective Treatments
Antibiotics are the primary treatment for bacterial vaginosis, and while oral tablets are the most common form, it is also possible to treat the condition with tablets that are inserted into the vagina itself. Furthermore, antibiotic creams or gels are available and these can be applied to the affected area for a more targeted approach.
There is some evidence to suggest that probiotics may be beneficial, especially when used over a prolonged period. Additionally, symptoms can be helped, and the chances of re-occurrence reduced, by using plain soap to clean the area daily, and by avoiding the use of perfumed soaps and other scented products in or around your vagina.
The Last Word
BV, or bacterial vaginosis, can be embarrassing but also asymptomatic, meaning many women do not treat the condition, or delay doing so. While serious consequences are relatively rare, failure to treat the infection can lead to fertility problems, an increased risk of catching and passing on STDs, and can even lead to major pregnancy complications.
