Almost the same are the reports of bacterial vaginosis. Why do some have symptoms and others do not?
Xiaojun also saw female friends discussing bacterial vaginosis on the internet, some are casual about it while others are deeply affected by it:
Huh? Does bacterial vaginosis have symptoms or not? Can bacterial vaginosis without symptoms heal on its own? What will happen if symptoms are left untreated?
Under normal circumstances, 95% of the vaginal flora is lactobacilli, which maintain the acidic environment in the vagina by producing lactate, inhibit the overgrowth of other harmful microbes, and maintain the balance of normal flora.
When lactobacilli decrease, the pH in the vagina increases, causing vaginal microecological imbalance, leading to the excessive growth of other microorganisms, mainly including Gardnerella, Prevotella, Streptococcus, anaerobic bacteria, and human chlamydia, resulting in bacterial vaginosis.
10%~40% of patients are asymptomatic, and those with symptoms mainly exhibit the conditions shown in Figure B;
Although some individuals have asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis, according to the Amsel clinical diagnostic criteria, if 3 out of the following 4 items are present, it can be diagnosed as bacterial vaginosis.
Under normal circumstances, the vagina of a woman is like soil, where lactobacilli are like green plants on the soil. The thickness, fertility, and compactness of the soil are key factors affecting plant growth.
When this ‘soil’ is fertile and balanced, lactobacilli act like a dense forest, maintaining internal harmony and balance; whereas if the soil environment is disrupted, becoming barren or unbalanced, the growth of lactobacilli will be restricted, affecting overall health.
However, when facing minor environmental fluctuations, like light rain in the forest, and when the body’s disease resistance is good, the weakly acidic environment dominated by lactobacilli in the vagina can gradually restore the soil environment and those with mild symptoms may self-recover.
But not always. Asymptomatic cases might just be the beginning; the majority of patients cannot self-recover, bacterial infections don’t disappear on their own, and untreated cases can lead to complications.
For those with symptomatic bacterial vaginosis, it implies more severe soil destruction in the vagina, with harmful microorganisms potentially proliferating, leading to inflammation and other symptoms. If left untreated, the following issues may arise:
1. Infertility and Miscarriage
Women with bacterial vaginosis have elevated vaginal pH levels, which can affect the motility and penetration of sperm, reducing fertility and potentially causing infertility.
For pregnant women, if they have bacterial vaginosis, pathogens can ascend from the vaginal flora, leading to fetal infections and possible complications such as premature birth, premature rupture of membranes, and miscarriage.
2. Post-gynecological Surgery Infections
Women with bacterial vaginosis are more susceptible to infections during gynecological surgeries, which can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, and other complications.
3. Cervical Cancer
Studies indicate that changes in vaginal microecology can promote HPV infections, playing a role in the progression of cervical cancer. [1]
Because the vaginal secretions of bacterial vaginosis patients contain substances that increase susceptibility to human papillomavirus, it may elevate the risk of cervical epithelial carcinogenesis.
The harm caused by bacterial vaginosis cannot be ignored, so prevention is crucial. When symptoms of bacterial vaginosis appear, it is essential to seek treatment according to medical advice promptly, minimizing the risks and harms of the disease.
【References】
[1] Lin S, Zhou H, Xu Z. “Correlation and Risk Factors Analysis of Cervical Cancer, Cervical Precancer, and Reproductive Tract Infections.” Chinese Primary Health Care.
