Perhaps one of the most disturbing things about bacterial vaginosis is the fact that so many women don’t even realize that they have it. Either they don’t have any symptoms, or they think that the symptoms that they are experiencing are simply just normal for them. Either way, they are putting themselves at risk for more serious health concerns, and for those who are living with symptoms can find bacterial vaginosis debilitating.
For those women who do experience symptoms, the most common is an unusually strong or “fishy” odor. For some this is quite minor, and only they notice, while a small number of women unfortunately experience a profuse discharge, and the odor is very strong and very obvious. The only upside to this is that these women will seek medical attention immediately, and can avoid bacterial vaginosis leading to a more serious medical condition.
Along with the odor, a change in discharge can appear. Unlike with a yeast infection, where the discharge will appear thicker, white and curd-like in appearance, vaginal discharge in the case of bacterial vaginosis will take on a thinner, milk-like whitish grey appearance. For many women, this is the only symptom the have to indicate bacterial vaginosis.
One symptom of bacterial vaginosis that can’t be identified by sight is pH level. Women with bacterial vaginosis will have a vagina that has a much higher pH level than normal. Your doctor can either diagnose this for you, or pH testing strips are available for purchase from medical supply stores.
Whatever the symptoms might be, it is best to go to the doctor no matter how insignificant you might think they are. Bacterial vaginosis should be treated as soon as possible to avoid complications and more serious conditions that can occur. Trying to treat it yourself without a proper diagnosis will not work, and can even worsen the condition.
