Wednesday 16 April 2014

Let's raise awareness of Bacterial Vaginosis Day!

This special day was created to help increase awareness of BV, educating women about the facts and removing the taboos surrounding women’s health. Every year on the 16thApril, women are encouraged to talk about intimate health issues and fertility repercussions, coming together to openly discuss and share something which is normally a subject of avoidance.
It would seem that women’s intimate health is a secretive topic with over a third of women admitting they would feel more comfortable getting health advice online and a fifth saying they were too embarrassed to speak to a GP.

So, have you ever heard of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)? Or, more to the point, have you ever had Bacterial Vaginosis? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. Over 61% of women in the UK are not aware of this common and easily treatable condition, and yet it is the most usual cause of abnormal vaginal discharge.



Reports show an estimated one in three women in the UK are affected by BV, twice as many as Thrush, but two thirds misdiagnose their symptoms.
If you’re trying for a baby, it is crucial to ensure your body is as healthy as possible and vaginal conditions are something which should be checked for during one of the most important times of your body’s life. If you want a happy healthy baby, then brushing up on your vaginal knowledge is one step to helping create this.
Often confused with other vaginal conditions such as Thrush, BV often goes unnoticed or untreated. If left untreated, BV can increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth in pregnant women.
Simply raising awareness of this condition could help save babies lives and reduce the amount of premature births.
 
So let’s talk about the symptoms and causes of BV, BV Symptoms include:
  • a fishy odour not found with Thrush
  • abnormal discharge usually thin and grey
  • vaginal discomfort caused by increased moisture/discharge.

BV is caused by a disruption in the pH of the vagina, when this happens the number of good lactic acid bacteria decreases and the bad bacteria multiply creating the odour, discharge and discomfort found with BV. Put simply, BV is an imbalance in your pH levels and is easily treated,

So what causes BV? Contrary to popular belief, BV is not from poor hygiene, but can be caused by a number of everyday things, which means experiencing regular reoccurrences of BV is very common.
  • having the IUD inserted
  • excessive washing
  • the use of perfumed intimate products
  • antibiotics
  • your period
  • vaginal douching
  • washing with strong scented or fragranced soaps/gels/bubble baths
  • and even semen
No need to worry though, the good news is BV is easily treatable.

When to seek medical advice

See your GP or visit a sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic if you notice any abnormal discharge from your vagina, especially if you are pregnant. It is important to get this checked to rule out other infections and prevent complications.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and they may examine your vagina. In some cases, a small sample of the vaginal discharge will be taken using a plastic loop or swab so it can be examined for signs of BV.

Treating bacterial vaginosis

BV can usually be successfully treated using a short course of antibiotic tablets or an antibiotic gel that you apply inside your vagina.
In most cases, you'll be prescribed antibiotic tablets to take twice a day for five to seven days.
However, it is common for BV to recur. More than half of women successfully treated with BV will find their symptoms return, usually within three months. Women who have frequent episodes of BV may be referred to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) specialist.



You can chat about BV by using #NationalBVDay hashtag.

Disclaimer: Information was kindly provided my Balance Active.

22 comments:

  1. Never heard of BV before. Thanks for sharing this

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  2. I have never heard of BV before or that there was a special day for it. Useful info though, especially the link between pregnancy and miscarriages / premature births.

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  3. Interesting post, like the others I have never heard of it x

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  4. Brilliant topic to blog about and well done for raising awareness...

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  5. Than you for sharing. This is something that I wasn't aware of x

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  6. Wow I have never heard of this before. Good thing you are out spreading the word more women should know about this. Thanks for sharing. Well done for bring awareness to it hunny. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me Week 11. #sharewithme

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  7. Gosh, I had never even heard of this before. Thanks for sharing. #blogclub

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  8. I have heard of this but didnt know its this serious! Thanks for sharing this information. #sharewithme

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  9. very good post - i was horrified when i heard about this a few years ago... but truth be told it's no big deal - just as long as people know all about it! :-)
    Popped over for #sharewithme, would love if you came and said hi back @ carsonsmummy.blogspot.co.uk xx

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  10. Good post, really informative. I bet many women haven't heard of this! #blogclub

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  11. I've not heard of this before, thanks for hi lighting it. Mich x #blogclub

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  12. Never heard of this before, thanks for sharing.

    Sophie
    www.pocockins.co.uk

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  13. Really useful! This is not something I had heard of before. I will definitely look out for symptoms from now on.

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  14. I have heard of BV but did not realise it could have such serious consequences - well done for sharing. #blogclub

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  15. I have heard of it, and the consequences can be so serious, well done for raising awareness x #ShareWithMe

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  16. Like many of those before me, I'd not heard of BV but I'll be finding out more. You may be wondering why on Earth I would be doing that? As the main carer for two daughters I am totally inexperienced in this area but need to know about this stuff 'cos if they catch anything like this it'll be more that carts them off to the doctor for treatment! Very informative post. Thank you #MMWBH

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  17. I've heard and I was a victim of BV my doctors were useless and the internet can be incredibly misleading some people have been told to put garlic in that area. great post though am surprised not a lot of people know about BV.

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  18. Great post, always good to be reminded of and discuss womens health issues. #PoCoLo

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  19. I knew about BV but this is a handy little refresher. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. I sort of know about this condition but definitely not enough :) Such important information to share. Thank you for linking to PoCoLo :) x

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  21. Not heard of this before but so important to raise awareness

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  22. Never heard of BV but its so important to raise awareness about these things. Thanks so much for sharing! #MMWBH x

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