Do You Have Vaginal Discharge With Fishy Smell – It Might Be Bacterial Vaginosis!

If you suspect to have vaginal infection, it is necessary for you to have an appointment with your primary care physician to confirm.

Depending on the condition, the diagnoses may include normal vaginal discharge, Candidiasis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and bacterial vaginosis (BV).

If you have vaginal discharge, especially after sex with unpleasant smell or vaginal itching, then you might have bacterial vaginosis, but most of the women do not show any such symptoms. Samples of fluid and cells from vagina will be taken to see if the vaginal infection is present.

Laboratory Studies Confirms Bacterial Vaginosis!

Laboratory studies, which help to detect the bacterial vaginosis include:

Whiff Test. In this method, potassium hydroxide solution (few drops) is added to the sample of vaginal discharge. Production of strong fishy odor confirms bacterial vaginosis.

Vaginal pH. If the patient has bacterial vaginosis, this test causes rise in vaginal pH above 4.5 (normal vaginal pH is 3.8-4.5). If the vaginal pH is more than 4.5, then it confirms BV.

Wet Mount. Normal saline (salt) solution is mixed to the sample of vaginal discharge after placing on a microscope slide. This is examined under microscope to identify the presence of bacteria, to look for WBCs, which indicates infection, and to look clue cells (indicator of bacterial vaginosis).

Oligonucleotide probes. This testing is very accurate to determine the presence of BV, but it is not available in most of the labs. This test detects the genetic material of bacterial vaginosis bacteria.

Gram stain. In this method, the sample of vaginal discharge will be placed on microscope slide and a special dye is applied to the slide. It causes the change in color to purple shade for Gram-positive bacteria and pink shade for Gram-negative bacteria.

Since Gram-negative bacterial like Gardnerella vaginalis is very common in bacterial vaginosis, it changes to pink shade confirming the infection.

Pap Test. Routine Pap testing can also detect bacterial vaginosis although this is not considered to be a standard test to diagnose bacterial vaginosis.

Boric Acid Aids In Curing Bacterial Vaginosis!

Boric acid (antifungal agent) is a safe substance and has been used for many years. Boric acid acidifies the vagina. Boric acid plus yeast arrest has also been using successfully to treat different difficult cases of bacterial vaginosis and vaginal yeast infections.

Boric acid has some mild antiseptic properties. Inserting boric acid capsule into the vagina is considering as best home treatment.

In recent study, it has been proved that 98% of the women with bacterial vaginosis are treated successfully with boric acid capsules inserting into the vagina two times a day for four weeks.

Other than boric acid, there are many over-the-counter products to treat BV. RepHresh (vaginal gel) is a product to regulate the pH level. Lactobacillus supplements are also helpful in treating BV, which maintains healthy vaginal flora.

Don’t delay proper treatment by misdiagnosing bacterial vaginosis as a yeast infection. It is necessary to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect having vaginal infection, as over-the-counter drugs are not always claims to treat infection.