It is an infection of the vagina caused by a large number of bacteria that change the usual balance of the vaginal bacterial flora.
It is more frequent in women between 15 and 45 years of age.
There is no clear cause for it to appear, although there have been described favoring factors: having a new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, vaginal douching, etc.
It is not considered a sexually transmitted disease.
In many cases, the affected woman has no symptoms. When it does manifest itself in the form of a whitish or gray vaginal discharge, with a very unpleasant fishy odor. The fishy odor increases after sexual intercourse. It may be accompanied by itching in the genital area and a burning sensation during urination.
It is diagnosed by clinical history and gynecological examination, where a sample of vaginal secretions will be collected for laboratory analysis.
Treatment is based on the administration of antibiotics orally or in the form of vaginal gel. It is not necessary to treat the asymptomatic sexual partner.
It is not considered a medical emergency, but it is highly recommended to consult a gynecologist once it is suspected.
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