Bacterial Vaginosis And Menopause Link Treatments For Abnormal And Irregular Bleeding During And After Menopause
Millions of women today will start to feel symptoms associated with vaginosis. This is an illness that is common amidst women that are of childbearing age. However, it can occur before and after menopause as well, as the hormonal shift during that time frame could very well cause an issue to form. In some cases there is a link between menopause and vaginosis. There are some women that may also have abnormal or irregular bleeding, which needs to be looked at by a doctor to diagnose, and seek a stable treatment option overall.
What Exactly Is Bacterial Vaginosis?
The first thing to understand about bacterial vaginosis is that its common. Its an issue that occurs with a pH balance shift within the body. A woman will have this issue for some time, without any symptoms, then symptoms will appear solitary or with a variety of different other symptoms. Common symptoms include redness, discharge, bleeding, odor, and itching. These do not all come at the same time, and may be isolated in some instances. Its important to realize that, and find a solution that is going to help reverse this. Whenever the bacteria in the vagina has overgrowth or has inflammation, this can occur. IN relationship to causes, there are a few issues that can be looked at. This can include over douching, sexual intercourse without protection, and bacterial infection.
The Link Between Vaginosis and Menopause
Healing Vaginosis
What Is Candida Or Yeast Infections
Yeast infections, as they are commonly called, are caused by one of the many species of fungus known as candida. It normally lives in the vagina in small numbers. Candida can also be present in the mouth and digestive tract in both men and women.
Yeast is normally present and well-balanced in the vagina. Infection occurs when something upsets this normal balance. For example, taking an antibiotic to treat another infection may upset this balance. In this case, the antibiotic kills the bacteria that normally protects and balances the yeast in the vagina. In turn, the yeast overgrows, causing an infection. Other factors that can cause imbalance include a weak immune system, pregnancy, and diabetes.
How Can I Prevent Pid
Getting tested for STDs is one of the best ways to prevent PID, because PID is usually caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea. Most people with chlamydia or gonorrhea dont have any symptoms, so testing is the only way to know for sure if you have one of these infections.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics and the sooner you get tested and treated, the lower your risk is for developing PID. You can also help prevent these and other STDs by having safer sex and using condoms every time you have sex.
And hormonal birth control does NOT prevent sexually transmitted infections, so even if youre using birth control youre at risk for STDs. So its a good idea to use a condom with your birth control to prevent STDs that can turn into PID.
Douching is generally not healthy for your vagina, and can cause irritation and infections. Douching may also lead to PID, because it pushes bacteria deeper into your body. So dont douche!
PID is really common, and its easy to develop PID without knowing it. Thats why its so important to get tested for STDs and see a doctor if you notice any symptoms of PID.
Read Also: Is Aleve Good For Back Pain
Treating A Yeast Infection
If you know that it is a yeast infection from past experience and are familiar with the symptoms, you want an effective and convenient medicine – one that works at the site of the infection. Try MONISTAT®, the #1 OTC antifungal.
MONISTAT® comes in 3 doses: highest dose MONISTAT® 1, regular strength MONISTAT® 3, and low dose MONISTAT® 7. Regardless of which product you choose, you should begin to experience some symptom relief after 3 days, and complete relief in 7 days.
Highest Dose MONISTAT® 1 may be the perfect solution for busy women with active lifestyles. This powerful single-dose product is available in the Ovule® form for use day or night and will stay in place during daily activities, even during exercise.
Regular Strength MONISTAT® 3 is a great option for women who want a less concentrated treatment that provides consistent treatment and relief at moderate dosage levels.
Low Dose MONISTAT® 7 has smaller doses of the active ingredient evenly distributed throughout the week at bedtime. Only 7-day topical yeast infection treatments are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the treatment of yeast infections in pregnant and diabetic women .
Can Bv Make You Feel Nauseous Or Have Diarrhea
Bacterial vaginosis as troubling and disturbing as it is can always present itself in many different ways and bring about various complications. Women who suffer from this infection usually have various wired accounts to recount. Some women do complain that bacterial vaginosis make them feel nauseous and have diarrhea. Other women have various other complications which they usually want to link to BV. In this article will be talking about some of these complications which may come about due to BV, but more importantly we will be talking about the relationship that Diarrhea and Nauseous has with bacterial vaginosis.
Does Bacterial Vaginosis Make Anyone Feel Nauseous Or Have Diarrhea?
If you are wondering about diarrhea and nauseous caused by BV and keep asking does bacterial vaginosis make anyone feel nauseous or have diarrhea, here you can find the solution. Bacterial vaginosis doesn’t cause you to feel nauseous or to have diarrhea. What can cause you the two conditions are the adverse effects you get from pharmaceutical treatment for BV?
Diarrhea and the feeling of being nauseous is an offshoot of using medicine including over the counter medicines for bacterial vaginosis. The chemical ingredients from these medicines may not work compatibly with your body systems and therefore you experience nausea and diarrhea as side effects. Bacterial vaginosis is not a direct cause of diarrhea and nausea.
Rate this Article
Read Also: Will Naproxen Help Back Pain
How Do You Diagnose Pelvic Pain There Are Different Ways To Diagnose The Source Of Pelvic Pain:
Is Bacterial Vaginosis Sexually Transmitted
No – BV can affect any woman, including those who do not have sex. However, BV is more common amongst sexually active women than amongst non-sexually active women.
A woman can’t ‘catch’ BV from intercourse with a man, but BV is more likely to develop after a change in sexual partner, as – for reasons we don’t really understand – this can affect the balance of normal germs in the vagina.
Women who have sex with other women can pass each other the condition. This is probably because the anaerobic bacteria on the body of the woman with BV have become particularly good at overwhelming the lactobacilli, and are able to take the opportunity to spread further..
Recommended Reading: Is Aleve Good For Lower Back Pain
What Are The Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis
Up to 84% of people with bacterial vaginosis dont have symptoms. If you do, you may have:
- Off-white, grey or greenish color vaginal discharge .
- Discharge that smells “fishy.”
- “Fishy” smell that is strongest after sex or during the menstrual cycle.
- Rarely, an itchy or sore vagina.
BV symptoms are similar to other infections. Its important to visit your healthcare provider to determine if what you have is BV or another vaginal infection.
What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of Bv
There are some symptoms of BV that are very common and occur in over half of women who have the infection. These include:
A strong fishy odour that may get worse after sexual intercourse
Discharge thats an off-white or grey colour
Discharge thats thin and watery
If you notice any of these symptoms, you may have a bacterial infection. Its also worth noting that around half of women dont experience any symptoms of BV at all. However, the infection may still be present, and it shouldnt be left as it could get worse. For example, it could even develop into cervicitis. This is an inflammation of the cervix that can cause bleeding in between periods and pain during intercourse.
BV can also increase your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection . This is because the good bacteria in your vagina that are usually able to fight off infections have been outgrown by the bad bacteria. Even if you dont have any symptoms of BV, you should have a regular check-up with a doctor or gynaecologist. They will be able to look at your vaginal health and determine if there are any problems.
You can treat BV at home using a specially designedBV gel. Simply apply this to the area according to the manufacturers instructions and see if your symptoms get better. If the infection still doesnt go away, consult your doctor who will be able to advise a suitable course of treatment.
Don’t Miss: Is Advil Good For Back Pain
When To See Your Doctor
If you are experiencing symptoms of an infection, but think that it might not be a yeast infection, use the Vaginal Health Test from MONISTAT® CARE to help determine if you need to see a doctor.
Make an appointment with your doctor if:
- It’s your first yeast infection
- You’re under 12 years of age
- You get an abnormal result from the Vaginal Health Test from MONISTAT® CARE
- You have missed a period, are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have or suspect you may have diabetes
- You’re taking the prescription drug Warfarin
- You have a weakened immune system
- You have recurring yeast infections
- You may have been exposed to HIV
- You develop other symptoms such as rash, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, lower abdominal, back or shoulder pain
- You have foul-smelling or greenish-grayish vaginal discharge
- You’re using MONISTAT® and there is no improvement in symptoms within 3 days
- You’re using MONISTAT® and symptoms last more than 7 days
If you are unsure of what to ask or uncomfortable speaking with your doctor regarding yeast infection concerns, download our
What Medicine Treats Bacterial Vaginosis And Reccurent Bv Can Antibiotics Cure It
Bacterial vaginosis can be cured with antibiotics. Even after a woman has been cured, however, BV often recurs. The second course of antibiotics is necessary if a woman experiences recurrent bacterial vaginosis that produces symptoms.
Antibiotics are the recommended treatment for bacterial vaginosis. A few antibiotic remedies are routinely used and include:
- metronidazole taken by either oral form or vaginal metronidazole gel . Oral metronidazole can cause some minor but unpleasant side effects but is believed to be the most effective treatment. The gels do not typically cause side effects, although yeast vaginitis can occur as a side effect of the medication.
- vaginal clindamycin cream
- tinidazole is an antibiotic that appears to be effective in treating bacterial vaginosis and may have fewer side effects than metronidazole.
Recurrence of bacterial vaginosis is possible even after successful treatment. More than half of those treated experience recurrent symptoms within 12 months. It is unclear why so many recurrent infections develop. With recurrent symptoms, a second course of antibiotics is generally prescribed.
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women is recommended to decrease the risk of pregnancy-associated complications related to infection. Treatment prior to Cesarean delivery, total abdominal hysterectomy, and insertion of an IUD are also recommended by most experts.
Don’t Miss: Tylenol Or Aleve For Back Pain
When To See A Doctor About Bv
Because BV symptoms can look like those from other infections, itâs important to find out the cause. See your doctor if you:
-
Have a new vaginal discharge along with a smell or a fever
-
Have more than one intimate partner or a new partner
-
Used an over-the-counter medicine for a yeast infection but still have symptoms
Treatment How Do You Treat Pelvic Pain
If the pelvic pain is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics are needed to be prescribed by your attending physician. If you are diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis and there is a complication which leads you to have PID, Make sure you visit the doctor for prescribed antibiotics. It is very important that you address this issue immediately as it can lead to more complications and other risks that can be life-threatening as well.
Recommended Reading: Aleve Or Advil For Back Pain
How Is Vaginitis Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will take a thorough medical history, complete a physical exam and swab the inside of your vagina to collect a fluid sample. They will send the sample off to a lab where the cells can be checked for signs of vaginitis. Your healthcare provider may check the PH levels of your vaginal fluid to get closer to a diagnosis.
Some providers may ask that you abstain from sex for 24 hours before your appointment.
When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider
- Discharge that changes color or consistency.
- Discharge that smells different than usual.
- Vaginal itching, burning, swelling or soreness.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Although bacterial vaginosis is a mild infection, it can make you vulnerable to more serious conditions. Dont put off seeing your healthcare provider if you notice anything unusual. A simple course of antibiotics could set things straight.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/05/2020.
References
Also Check: Advil Good For Back Pain
Consider Switching Up Your Contraception Method
If you have penis-in-vagina sex and you havent been using protection, condoms might help protect you from recurrent BV as well as unintended pregnancy and STIs. In fact, research suggests condoms could be just as beneficial for stopping BV recurrence as abstaining from sex altogether thanks to the protective barrier they create between you and your sex partner.
Switching up your choice of birth control to a method that contains estrogen may also be helpful, especially if youve noticed that your BV tends to recur when youre on your period. Because menstrual blood has a very high pH, it increases your overall vaginal pH and causes counts of lactobacilli to tank, says Dr. Hemmerling. For this reason, getting your period or experiencing heavier-than-usual periods could increase your risk of recurrent BV if your body struggles to recover healthy amounts of lactobacilli afterwards. In fact, having a copper IUD has been linked to recurrent BV, likely due to the common side effect of increased menstrual bleeding, per a 2020 study in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Think this might be the case for you? Talk to a healthcare provider about hormonal birth control methods. A couple studies show opting for a type of BC that lightens your period or stops it completely might do the trick for recurrent BV.
*Name has been changed
Go here to join Prevention Premium , subscribe to the magazine, or get digital-only access.
Vaginal Acetic And Lactic Acid
Treatment with acetic and lactic acid gels aims to keep the vaginal pH at less than 4.5, to encourage lactobacilli to grow, and to discourage anaerobic bacteria from growing. Some studies have suggested that long-term use of vaginal acidifiers of this type reduces recurrences of BV. However, other studies suggest that this treatment, whilst harmless, is not effective.
Also Check: Is Aleve Or Ibuprofen Better For Back Pain
What Happens If I Dont Get Treated
BV can cause some serious health risks, including:
- Increasing your chance of getting HIV if you have sex with someone who is infected with HIV
- If you are HIV positive, increasing your chance of passing HIV to your sex partner
- Making it more likely that you will deliver your baby too early if you have BV while pregnant
- Increasing your chance of getting other STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. These bacteria can sometimes cause pelvic inflammatory disease , which can make it difficult or impossible for you to have children.
What Are Candida Or Yeast Infections
Most people think of yeast infections when they hear the term vaginitis. Yeast infections are the second most common cause of vaginitis and are caused by one of the many species of fungus called candida. Candida normally live in your vagina, as well as in the mouth and digestive tract of all people, regardless of gender. An infection occurs when the normally occurring candida increases and cause bothersome symptoms.
If yeast is normal in your vagina, what makes it cause an infection? Usually, infection occurs when a change in the delicate balance in your system takes place. For example, you may take an antibiotic to treat a urinary tract infection, and the antibiotic kills friendly bacteria that normally keep the yeast in balance. As a result, the yeast overgrows and causes the infection. Other factors that can upset the delicate balance include pregnancy, which changes hormone levels, and diabetes, which allows too much sugar in your urine and vagina. Another category of medications that may allow overgrowth of candida is immunosuppressives or biologics.
Recommended Reading: Aleve Or Advil For Lower Back Pain
