Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina
What is bacterial vaginosis?
When healthy, the environment and bacteria inside the vagina are in balance. Naturally occurring ‘good’ bacteria, or lactobacilli, are dominant and the vaginal environment is slightly acidic thanks to lactic acid they produce.
However, in BV, the balance is altered and the good bacteria in the vagina are reduced in number, vaginal pH becomes raised, and the ‘bad’ (BV-causing) bacteria dominate.
The ‘bad’ bacteria are able to grow by attaching to the vaginal lining and forming a ‘biofilm’ that helps sustain them and protect them as they grow and reproduce.
How do I know if I have BV?
The most obvious bacterial vaginosis symptom that women describe is a ‘fishy’ odour, most often accompanied by a white of grey watery vaginal discharge. BV is the most common vaginal infection, so while you might find it embarrassing, you are not alone. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if a BV treatment such as Fleurstat is right for you.
Fleurstat BVgel is the over-the-counter treatment specifically for BV. Learn more here.