To successfully treat and prevent recurrence of bacterial vaginosis we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow bacterial vaginosis to develop?"
Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind bacterial vaginosis consists of three steps:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Low Estrogens | 94% | Confirm |
Low Progesterone | 20% | Unlikely |
Lupus (SLE) | 3% | Ruled out |
Have you had vaginal infections that were NOT caused by yeast? Symptoms, if any, may include discharge, a foul odor, irritation and itching.
Possible responses:
→ No / don't know→ In the past, but none for over a year → Possibly / It has been suggested in the past year → Yes, 1 to 3 within the past year → Yes, ongoing problem / more than 3 in past year |
Lupus patients are at an unusually high risk for contracting candida (yeast) infections.
Yeast infections are more common among women with increased levels of estrogen. This is seen in those who use estrogen-containing birth control pills and among women who are pregnant. The increased hormone level causes changes in the vaginal environment that make it a media for fungal growth and nourishment.