What is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis. Pay good attention here. Because out of all the diseases we have looked at in this series, there is none that so closely resembles what women call “toilet infection” like this one.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection of the vagina that occurs when there is an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria living there. Normally, most of the bacteria in the vagina are friendly (Lactobacillus spp.), but sometimes harmful anaerobes take over. This shift causes symptoms such as abnormal discharge, itching, and that telltale fishy odour.
Who Gets Bacterial Vaginosis?
This disease is fairly common—affecting almost a third of women worldwide. So don’t be fooled by the fancy name. One out of every three women you know will have bacterial vaginosis at some point in her lifetime.
Risk factors include:
- Sexual intercourse: Frequent sex, unprotected sex, or having multiple partners increases the risk of BV. However, BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) since it can affect virgins too. Still, sex alters the vaginal environment in ways that favour bad bacteria.
- Douching: Washing the vagina heavily with water, soap, or cleansing products wipes out good bacteria. This clears the way for harmful bacteria to multiply. Even frequent tub baths can have the same effect.
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs): While effective for contraception, IUDs can increase the risk of BV.
- Other vaginal infections: Having an STI or another infection changes the natural bacterial balance and can trigger BV.
Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
BV often mimics other vaginal conditions, which is why women confuse it with “toilet infection.” Common symptoms include:
- Vaginal discharge that is thin, grey, white, or green
- Vaginal itching and irritation
- A foul-smelling, fishy odour
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Swelling of the vulva
Diagnosis and Treatment
You can see that BV shares symptoms with other genital infections, so self-diagnosis is risky. If you notice any of these signs, consult a doctor.
Your doctor may ask questions, examine you, and test a sample of vaginal discharge. In many Nigerian clinics, diagnosis is often made using a syndromic approach—asking questions and examining you without lab tests. This is still a WHO-approved method.
Treatment is simple and effective. Antibiotics in pill or gel form are prescribed, usually for 1–7 days. Common medications are metronidazole or clindamycin. Always mention if you have drug allergies.
Complications of BV
The good news: BV is easily treated.
The bad news: if neglected, BV can lead to serious complications such as:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Infection spreads to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, causing pain and possible infertility.
- Pregnancy complications: Untreated BV can trigger preterm births or low birth weight in babies.
- Increased risk of STIs: BV makes it easier to contract infections, including HIV and hepatitis.
Conclusion
This concludes our series on “toilet infection.” Here’s the truth: you don’t actually have a toilet infection. What you may have is bacterial vaginosis, an STI, or even a urinary tract infection (UTI). All are treatable—but dangerous if ignored, especially in pregnancy.
So next time you notice abnormal vaginal symptoms, don’t rush for self-treatment or assume it’s “toilet infection.” Visit your doctor, get the right diagnosis, and receive proper treatment.
