All You Need To Know About BV — Symptoms, Testing, Treatment, And Prevention

Bacterial vaginitis (BV) is an overgrowth of certain bacteria in your vagina. It is a common infection and can happen to anyone, but it is most common between ages 15 and 44 [1]. A BV test at home helps you know if you have this condition. Detecting this condition is an important step, as the treatment is straightforward.

BV symptoms are not severe, but you shouldn't take this infection lightly. It increases your risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and can complicate pregnancy.

Symptoms of BV

Bacterial vaginosis causes no symptoms in half of the women affected [2]. For those who do have symptoms, most often, BV causes a change in the vaginal discharge. It can be of a milky or gray color. Vaginal discharge in BV can be watery or foamy and may have a fishy smell, especially after sex. Other symptoms:

• Burning when passing urine
• Burning in the vagina
• Itching around the vaginal opening

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The symptoms of BV are similar to those of vaginal yeast infection and other disorders. If an at-home test indicates the possibility of infection, you should consult your healthcare provider for further testing, diagnosis, and treatment.

BV during pregnancy can be dangerous. It can cause miscarriages or premature births. If you have BV during pregnancy, your doctor will treat it; the medicines used for this condition are safe during pregnancy [3].

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How to test BV

The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is usually carried at a physician office; however, with at-home testing you can know the signs of BV easily and in a cost-effective manner.

At-Home Test for BV

You can do a BV test at home for convenience and privacy. An at-home bacterial vaginosis test requires you to take a sample from your vagina and test it.

These tests measure your vaginal pH by matching the color on the test strip to a reference color chart. Infections increase the normal acidic pH. Using a kit at home will tell you quickly that you have an infection.

Vaginox is a rapid, dependable, and inexpensive way to detect, at home, the vaginal pH changes that indicate an infection. A change from the normal pH value alerts you to the possibility of infection and the need to consult your health care provider. This bacterial vaginosis test kit that checks the pH of vaginal fluids doesn't need a prescription. The collection swabs and other materials needed are all included in the kit.

In-Office Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine you for any signs, such as bacterial vaginosis bumps around your vagina. They'll take a sample of vaginal discharge and look at it under a microscope. They may also send the sample to the laboratory for diagnosis.

Avoid douching before going to your doctor; it can cover odors that help your doctor reach the diagnosis.

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