SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION SYMPTOMS: BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS (BV).
The discharge of bacterial vaginosis is usually white to slightly gray in color and is usually not accompanied by significant irritation of the labia or vagina, although there may be mild itching. There is often a strong odor from the vagina, often described as a fishy odor, which can be more prominent after sexual intercourse or during menstruation. The symptoms may sometimes resolve on their own, only to recur again later.
Barbara had not had sex in over a year, so she was surprised when she noticed a discharge from her vagina. The discharge had a fishy odor and was grayish in color. There was a little bit of itching on her labia, but not as bad as when she had had yeast infections in the past. She tried douching, but the odor persisted—if anything, it got worse. She went to see her nurse practitioner, who did a careful pelvic examination and found evidence of bacterial vaginosis after examining vaginal secretions under the microscope. The nurse practitioner explained that bacterial vaginosis is not an STD, although it is more common in women who have been sexually active at some time in their lives.
Barbara was given samples of metronidazole cream to use for five days, and her symptoms went away. She was advised not to douche, because although douching may lessen some of the symptoms, it doesn’t cure vaginal infections. In fact, it may obscure evidence of the problem on examination, making diagnosis more difficult.
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