Does bacterial vaginitis affect menstruation?

Written by Ding Ying Bo
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 17, 2025
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Most bacterial vaginitis has no significant effect on menstruation.

Because when women have bacterial vaginitis, it does not affect the ovarian secretion of estrogen, so it does not affect menstruation. Sometimes women develop bacterial vaginitis before menstruation and choose vaginal medication. Because the endometrial lining is relatively thick and menstruation is approaching, local medication may cause irritation, leading to the shedding of the endometrium. This is caused by local medication stimulation, not by affecting women's menstruation.

Most cases of bacterial vaginitis are likely to recur after menstruation is over, so it is recommended that women undergo consolidation treatment for bacterial vaginitis after their periods are clean. In some women with bacterial vaginitis, particularly those with poor immunity, it might lead to acute cervicitis, and potentially further develop into endometritis. These conditions may cause women to experience prolonged menstrual bleeding, although this is relatively rare.

Other Voices

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Written by Luo Chun Yan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Has bacterial vaginitis that doesn't smell gone away?

Bacterial vaginosis often does not have an abnormal smell when it is likely improving. Bacterial vaginosis occurs due to a change in the pH level of the vagina, which disrupts the microecological balance, leading to mixed infections. These infections can result in an increase in vaginal discharge and itching in the vulva, although these symptoms are often not very obvious. However, a fishy odor of the discharge is a typical characteristic of this condition. After treatment for bacterial vaginosis, the disappearance of the unpleasant fishy smell indicates a significant improvement in symptoms. The primary treatment for bacterial vaginosis involves local medication in the vagina or oral medication, mainly using metronidazole. It is crucial to treat bacterial vaginosis promptly to prevent complications such as endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease, which can affect women's reproductive and overall health.

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Written by Zhu Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can bacterial vaginitis lead to pelvic inflammatory disease?

Bacterial vaginitis can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Bacterial vaginosis is a mixed infection caused by the imbalance of normal vaginal flora. When bacterial vaginosis occurs, the predominance of lactobacilli in the vagina decreases, leading to the overgrowth of other microorganisms such as Gardnerella, anaerobes, and some staphylococci. The proliferation of these pathogens can compromise the host's defense mechanisms. These pathogens can travel from the vagina to the uterine cavity and then to the pelvic cavity, leading to disturbances in the microecological environment of the pelvis and resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease.

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Written by He Jing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if bacterial vaginitis has a fishy odor?

The normal vaginal flora is dominated by lactobacillus. If the pH in the vagina increases, this can disrupt the vaginal microecology, and the excessive growth of other microorganisms can lead to bacterial vaginosis, accompanied by an increase in vaginal discharge and a foul odor. Initially, a routine vaginal discharge test can be conducted. If the test indicates the presence of clue cells, a definitive diagnosis can be made. In the treatment process, oral metronidazole is primarily used as it is effective for symptomatic treatment. Alternatively, metronidazole suppositories can be used locally for symptom relief, typically curing the condition in about a week. During treatment, avoid sexual intercourse, wearing tight clothing or long-term use of panty liners, as these can interfere with treatment effectiveness. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Huang Shuai
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Can bacterial vaginitis affect conception?

Bacterial vaginosis generally does not have a particularly large or obvious impact on conception, but it can indeed potentially affect the process of conception. This is primarily because when bacterial vaginosis occurs, there are usually a significant number of inflammatory cells in the vagina or the cervix. These inflammatory cells may affect sperm, thereby potentially impacting the process of conception. Of course, when bacterial vaginosis is present, it is generally recommended to treat it before pregnancy. This is mainly because if bacterial vaginosis exists during pregnancy, there may be an increased risk of bleeding, miscarriage, or premature birth. Therefore, it is usually advised to treat bacterial vaginosis before planning to conceive.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
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What is bacterial vaginosis?

Women can suffer from bacterial vaginosis, which is more commonly seen in women who have frequent sexual intercourse, or in postmenopausal women. It is not caused by an infection of a specific pathogen in the vagina, but rather by an imbalance of the normal flora that naturally resides in the vagina. Normally, the female vagina has a self-cleaning capability. What this means is that there are large quantities of lactobacilli in the vagina, which can create an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of other bacteria. However, under certain pathological conditions, such as too frequent sexual activity, this balance can be disrupted, leading to a reduction in the number of lactobacilli. Consequently, the numbers of other pathogenic bacteria may increase, causing bacterial vaginosis. During this condition, there is no inflammatory alteration in the vaginal walls or cervix.