The Burden of Bacterial Vaginosis: Women’s Experience of the Physical, Emotional, Sexual and Social Impact of Living with Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis

Abstract

BackgroundBacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection, causing an abnormal vaginal discharge and/or odour in up to 50% of sufferers. Recurrence is common following recommended treatment. There are limited data on women’s experience of bacterial vaginosis, and the impact on their self-esteem, sexual relationships and quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and impact of recurrent bacterial vaginosis on women.MethodsA social constructionist approach was chosen as the framework for the study. Thirty five women with male and/or female partners participated in semi-structured interviews face-to-face or by telephone about their experience of recurrent bacterial vaginosis.ResultsRecurrent bacterial vaginosis impacted on women to varying degrees, with some women reporting it had little impact on their lives but most reporting it had a moderate to severe impact. The degree to which it impacted on women physically, emotionally, sexually and socially often depended on the frequency of episodes and severity of symptoms. Women commonly reported that symptoms of bacterial vaginosis made them feel embarrassed, ashamed, ‘dirty’ and very concerned others may detect their malodour and abnormal discharge. The biggest impact of recurrent bacterial vaginosis was on women’s self-esteem and sex lives, with women regularly avoiding sexual activity, in particular oral sex, as they were too embarrassed and self-conscious of their symptoms to engage in these activities. Women often felt confused about why they were experiencing recurrent bacterial vaginosis and frustrated at their lack of control over recurrence.ConclusionWomen’s experience of recurrent bacterial vaginosis varied broadly and significantly in this study. Some women reported little impact on their lives but most reported a moderate to severe impact, mainly on their self-esteem and sex life. Further support and acknowledgement of these impacts are required when managing women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

Impact of Educational Program about Self-care Practices on the Reliving of Vaginal Infection among High Risk Women in Ismailia City

“…Hamed, (2015) [18] and [14] further supported this idea that women were less likely to consider their symptoms a disease state and often were completely unaware of available intervention. Furthermore, Bilardi, (2013) [19] reported that most of patients with vaginal infection do not seek help due to embarrassment and unawareness that help is available.…”

Australian general practitioners views and practices in the management of bacterial vaginosis: A pilot qualitative study

“…Adverse sequelae associated with BV include pre-term labour, miscarriages, low-birth weight [5,6], and an increased risk of HIV and other STIs [7,8]. Previous studies have also shown BV has significant psychosocial impacts on women's quality of life, in particular their self-esteem and sex lives [9].…”

“…Clinicians also often view BV as a trivial condition [17] and do not recognise the psychosocial impact it can have on women's lives [9]. Women's concerns with BV management in primary care include GPs' poor knowledge of its aetiology, disparities in management advice and insensitive attitudes [18].…”

Women View Key Sexual Behaviours As the Trigger for the Onset and Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis

“…[5], BV has been associated with serious sequelae including miscarriage, preterm delivery and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV [6][7][8]. Symptoms of BV commonly include a 'fishy' vaginal odour and an increased discharge [9,10] which have been shown to significantly impact on women's quality of life, in particular their self-esteem and sex lives [11].…”