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| |  Survey Finds 80% Of Women Don't Know Signs Of Most Common Vaginal Infection NEW YORK, NY -- June 23, 1998 -- Eighty-percent of women don't recognise the signs of bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common and potentially serious vaginal infection and 70 percent self-treat vaginal infections with over-the-counter (OTC) medications before calling a health professional, according to a new survey released today by the American Social Health Association and the 3M National Vaginitis Association. In a survey of 301 women who had experienced at least one vaginal infection in the past three years, 80 percent could not describe the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, although it affects as many as 25 percent of women in ob-gyn clinics in the United States and is more common than yeast infection. Moreover, unlike yeast infections, clinical evidence associates BV with health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease -- which has been linked to infertility -- cervicitis, pregnancy complications and post-operative infection. Recent studies show that many women with bacterial vaginosis incorrectly self-diagnose their symptoms, mistaking them for a yeast infection. Consequently, inappropriate self-medication with over-the-counter antifungal products is common. These treatments have no utility against BV, which can only be treated with prescription medication. The most commonly prescribed treatment for BV is metronidazole, administered intravaginally or orally. Clindamycin is another treatment. "Because of the potential for confusing symptoms of BV with yeast, we urge women to see their health care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment," said Linda Alexander, Ph.D., FAAN, president and CEO of the American Social Health Association. Yeast infection presents with a white curd-like, odourless discharge and itching. The most common symptoms of BV, however, include a foul or fishy vaginal odour and an excessive white or grey vaginal discharge with a milk-like consistency. These symptoms are variable and may not be present at all times. The presence of bacterial vaginosis can only be confirmed through an examination by a health care professional. "Because health care providers may not test for bacterial vaginosis during routine examinations, it is essential that women understand the signs and symptoms and take the initiative in communicating any unusual symptoms to their providers, so that proper tests can be administered and appropriate treatment provided," said Dr. David Soper, director of the division of benign gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina and advisor to the 3M National Vaginitis Association. Only one-half (152) of the survey respondents reported that their health care providers screened for vaginal infections during routine examinations. In addition, approximately one-third of total survey respondents said that during routine examinations their health care providers did not inquire about unusual vaginal discharge (35 percent) or odour (40 percent), two typical signs of infection. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by a disruption in the bacterial flora of the vagina. Women with the disease have mixed, predominantly anaerobic bacteria, including 100 to 1,000 times more bacteria than in a healthy vagina, which is usually dominated by lactobacilli that protect against infection. The survey was designed to evaluate women's knowledge of common vaginal infections as well as their behaviour and experience regarding diagnosis and treatment of these infections.
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