Bacterial Vaginosis: Understanding The Risk Factors!

Bacterial Vaginosis is a vaginal disorder, which is caused due to a bacterial infection, and is characterized by abnormal vaginal discharges and foul vaginal odor. This is a mild disorder, which persists for only a few days and it happens when the bad vaginal bacteria outnumber the good vaginal bacteria.

The common risk factors of Bacterial Vaginosis are:

1. Multiple sex partners: If a woman has multiple sex partners or has intercourse with a new sex partner, she may be at a higher risk of contracting the disease. This happens because frequent intercourses disrupt the balance between the good and bad vaginal bacteria.
2. Lack of good bacteria: Lactobacilli bacteria is a type of good bacteria that helps to maintain an overall acidity (pH) balance of the vaginal environment. This type of bacteria is produced by the vagina itself. Thus, if there is a lack of this type of bacteria, the risk of getting bacterial vaginosis will increase tremendously.
3. Douching: Douching refers to the activity of externalized cleaning of the vagina by rinsing it with water or some cleansing agent. The vagina is a self-regulatory organ, which can keep itself clean and there is no need to use external measures to clean the vagina.
4. Smoking: It is a proven fact that smoking also leads to bacterial vaginosis. Smoking tends to add external harmful agents to your body, which indirectly affect the vagina by forcefully altering its acidity (pH) balance.
5. Unprotected intercourse: Many times, sexual intercourse without a condom also leads to the disease. Under such a situation, the vagina comes in close and constant contact with external body parts of the partner and, thus, leads to the transmission of bacteria. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!