does bacterial vaginosis cause cervical cancer?
Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at
7:28 am
how long is it too long to wait because i went to the doctor and they gave me the metrocazinole gel thing but didnt go away fully, should i go back to the doctor? what other complications can come from it?
Filed under: Bacterial Vaginosis Causes
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Bacterial Vaginosis – Cause
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance of the organisms (flora) that naturally exist in the vagina. Normally, about 95% of vaginal flora are lactobacillus bacteria. (These types are unique to humans, different from the lactobacillus in yogurt.) These lactobacilli help keep the vaginal pH level low and prevent overgrowth of other types of organisms. Women with bacterial vaginosis have fewer lactobacillus organisms than normal and more of other types of bacteria. Experts do not yet understand what causes this imbalance.1
Although the specific cause isn’t known, a number of health and lifestyle factors have been linked to bacterial vaginosis. For more information, see the What Increases Your Risk section of this topic.
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/tc/bacterial-vaginosis-cause
BV (bacterial vaginosis) is simply an overload of lactobacilli (a type of bacteria commonly found in the vagina). It can take over in the same way yeast can (think yeast infection) and cause discharge, horrible fishy smell, and itching and uncomfotable pain. It is usually treated with an antibiotic and goes away fairly quickly. It is not a big deal if treated in a timley manner. But if you wait and wait and don’t get treated it can cause fertility issues and a host of other problems. But it does not cause cervical cancer, however it can cause PID(pelvic inflammatory disease). So if you have it make sure you get treated ASAP!!
EDIT: To JG if you had read the causes paragraph of the wikipedia entry you posted it says very plainly that 2 types of Lactobacillus are most likey to cause BV. And yes Lactobaccillus is a good bacteria but have you ever heard the term "to much of a good thing" even good bacteria’s can over grow downstairs and cause problems. Yeast is a good thing too we actually need it to balance out the flora in the vagina but if you overload with it you get a yeast infection. Read your references before you post here people other wise (open mouth insert foot)
bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginal dischage caused by loss of the normal vaginal lactobacilli
However, no studies have been done with conclusive evidence that it causes cervical cancer
it does lead to a wide variety of other health issues tho
please read this blog for more info
http://medicalresourcesforfree.blogspot.com/search/label/lung%20cancer
I believe krazegurl is wrong about the type of bacteria that causes BV, lactobacilli is the good bacteria. Other than that I have no idea if it causes cancer.
I would definitely suggest you go back to the Dr. Not just because you think it could cause cancer, but because I’m sure you probably don’t want to walk around with a vaginal infection. What really sucks is that even if you do get rid of it, it can easily come back.
The microorganisms involved in BV are very diverse, but include Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus, Bacteroides, and Mycoplasma.
Nope! Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of HPV (human papilloma virus). Other types of HPV cause genital warts. I think bacterial vaginosis is just an overgrowth of the normal bacterial flora in the vagina. You should be sure to take your meds regularly and completely. If, after following doctor’s orders, it still hasn’t gone away yet, then it would be best to consult with your doctor again. Perhaps there was something he/she missed? Or maybe you just need a higher dose or longer regimen?
Two strains of Human Papiloma Virus are known to be responsible for 70% of all diagnosed cervical cancers. That still leaves 30% being caused by other reasons or other strains of HPV. I am not aware of any known direct link to cervical cancer from vaginosis. There are other health risks for untreated infections such as fallopian tube scaring and pelvic inflamatory disease. Gardnerella vaginalis is a common cause of bacterial vaginosis but not the only bacteria or organism that causes it. Your drug…metronidazole (Flagyl or Metrogel Vaginal Gel) not only works against some bacteria but also protozoa infections (one celled animals as compared to bacteria which are plants) Since your doctor chose this drug then I have to assume he thought it would cover what he thought you have but that is not always the case. Gardnerella responds best to clindamycin either orally or in a vaginal cream. Other non-specific vaginosis infections respond to Doxycycline alone or in combination with metronidazole. By the way…. lactobacilli are extremely resistant to metronidazole. No one would order that drug for a lactobacilli infection if that’s what they thought was the cause.
If you are still having symptoms then yes …. of course you want to go back to your doctor and get it taken care of.
The reality is one of the following:
1. You have had sex since being treated and have the infection again from your partner since he can reinfect you if he was not treated for it too. Especially if it is a chlamydia or trichomonas protozoa infection that metronidazole works to kill.
2. You have a mixed infection of more than one organism not susceptible to the same antibiotic and the treatment of one leaves the other to flourish.
3. The infection you have is resistant to the drug chosen or isn’t the best anti-infective for your specific problem or was not used long enough to be effective.
there is no link between cancer and bv.
i got rid of my vaginosis with help of a bv cure – to check ouy my story pls visit http://www.my-bv.cures.info