Can Ovarian Cysts Lead to Cancer?
If you’re ovulating, the odds are good that your ovaries have developed a few cysts and will continue to do so until menopause. Given that reality, should you be concerned about ovarian cancer? Likely not.
Vaginal Itching or Pain? It Could Be Bacterial Vaginosis
One of the most common issues that women face is called bacterial vaginosis — a condition that’s reported to affect more than a third of women, though we suspect that this number is higher due to under-reporting and lack of symptoms.
While bacterial vaginosis may not be all that serious from a medical point of view, it can be highly uncomfortable and disruptive. From vaginal itching to foul smelling vaginal discharge, especially after sex, the symptoms are ones you can really do without.
At Kinwest OBGYN in Dallas and Irving, Texas, Dr. Jose F. De Leon and our team have helped many women to find relief from bacterial vaginosis through quick-and-easy treatments. Here, we take a look at some key information about bacterial vaginosis (BV), including signs and treatment.
Bacterial vaginosis basics
Your body is full of bacteria, and some of the bacteria support good health while others lead to health issues and infections. Ultimately, a good bacterial balance is what you should be aiming for.
Bacterial vaginosis is a perfect example of a bacterial imbalance where the bad bacteria outnumber the good.
Who gets bacterial vaginosis?
This condition is incredibly common and affects women of all ages. Certain factors can place you more at risk for BV, such as:
- Menopause
- Pregnancy — bacterial vaginosis affects one in four pregnant women
- Having multiple sex partners
- Having a new sexual partner
- Using an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Douching
What each of these has in common is that they can influence the bacterial environment around your vagina. For example, sexual activity isn’t a direct cause of BV, but it does introduce foreign bacteria that can create an imbalance in your vagina.
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis
If the bacterial imbalance in your vagina isn’t too great, you might have bacterial vaginosis without symptoms, and this occurs in many women.
Should the balance tip too far in favor of the bad bacteria, you can experience symptoms that include:
- Vaginal itching, especially around the outside of your vagina
- Irritation in your vaginal canal
- Abnormal discharge that’s usually cloudy in color
- Foul, fishy smelling discharge, often after sex
- Burning pain during urination
While BV is more uncomfortable than it is dangerous, the bacterial imbalance can leave you vulnerable to more serious issues, such as sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
It’s also not a great idea to leave bacterial vaginosis unchecked if you’re pregnant.
Treating bacterial vaginosis is easy
The good news in all of this is that BV is one of the easier health issues to deal with — usually a quick course of antibiotics, which you can take orally or topically, is enough to clear out the excess bad bacteria to restore balance.
If you suspect that you might have bacterial vaginosis and you’d like some relief from symptoms like itching and foul-smelling discharge, we can help you in minutes. To get started, please contact Kinwest OBGYN to make an appointment with one of our team members.
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