In many cases, a woman may have a bacterial vaginal infection without realizing it. These infections only seem to cause obvious symptoms in some women. However, when symptoms do occur, they usually include an abnormal vaginal discharge, an unpleasant odor, and itching or irritation of the vagina. In some cases, a woman with a bacterial vaginal infection will also experience pain during intercourse and urination, as well as spotting between normal menstrual periods. If complications from a bacterial infection occur, a woman may also experience pain in other parts of the body, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
The symptoms of bacterial vaginal infection usually depend on the type of bacteria that caused the infection. For example, a woman may develop bacterial vaginosis, which is characterized by itchy, milky-white or grayish discharge from the vagina, and an unpleasant odor that is often described as having a fishy odor. The types of bacteria that can cause bacterial vaginosis include Gardnerella vaginalis , Gardnerella mobiluncus Y Mycoplasma hominis . Women often don't seek treatment for this condition because they don't experience symptoms or they mistake them for a yeast infection.
Chlamydia is another type of bacterial infection that affects the vagina. Symptoms of bacterial vaginal infection caused by chlamydia include an abnormal discharge and itching or burning in the vaginal area. A woman may also experience pain in the lower back or abdomen, nausea, fever, and bleeding between menstrual periods with this disease. Also, some women may experience pain during intercourse. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis .
Sometimes the symptoms of bacterial vaginal infection are caused by a condition called gonorrhea. This condition, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae , may not be accompanied by any symptoms. When it does cause symptoms, they can include an abnormal discharge from the vagina, painful urination, and bleeding between menstrual periods.
In some cases, the symptoms of bacterial vaginal infection never develop, or are very mild, and the infection is not treated. In such a case, a woman may develop a complication of the disease called pelvic inflammatory disease. This is characterized by infection of the pelvic organs and can lead to serious illness and infertility. To avoid this, a woman may well see a doctor if she believes she has been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease or if she has symptoms of a bacterial infection. Also, women who have unprotected sex outside of a monogamous relationship may benefit from frequent testing.