The most frequent type of vaginitis is called bacterial vaginosis. Bacteria cause almost 45% of all vaginal infections.

The bacterial vaginial infection is called bacterial vaginosis. Bacteria is normally found in a woman's vagina. Normally the helpful bacteria in a women's vagina protects her from both yeast and bacterial vaginitis. The name of the helpful bacteria is lactobacillus. The job of lactobacillus is maintain the pH of the vagina.

Not so helpful bacterial can grow out of control when the lactobacillus is overwhelmed. No one knows why or how this happens.

Like other vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis causes a vaginal discharge. The discharge may have a fishy smell especially after sex. The color of the discharge is variable. Some would be clear, grey or milky. The discharge can be either thick or thin.

Why Should You Care About Bacterial Vaginosis? By traveling up the vagina into the cervix and the fallopian tubes the bacteria can start an infection elsewhere. These infection can cause sterility and other problems.

If a woman is pregnant bacterial vaginosis can cause:

In addition, if a woman is pregnant bacterial vaginosis can cause:

Early delivery or miscarriage

'Water breaking' earlier

Medical studies have shown bacterial vaginosis in the first trimester can double the incidence of miscarriage in the second trimester

According to medical studies bacterial vaginosis in the first trimester of pregnancy can double the rate of miscarriages in the second trimester.

Tests and Treatment Of Bacterial Vaginosis

When testing for bacterial vaginosis the healthcare provider puts some of the discharge on a slide. She then puts a drop of saline on the slide. If it is bacterial vaginosis the cells will clump. The clumped cells are called clue cells. This type of test is called a bacteria wet smear.

Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics. No over the counter is capable of treating bacterial vaginosis that is active. Remember to call your healthcare provider if you have, or think you have bacterial vaginosis.

Natural and medical treatment of bacterial vaginois may be considered as bacterial vaginosis occurs frequently.