Who Gets Bacterial Vaginosis? (Part 1)
If you are suffering from bacterial vaginosis, you are definitely not alone. BV is extremely common – so much so that almost every single woman will experience symptoms at some point in her life.
It is a popular misconception that yeast infections are the most frequent type of vaginal discomfort. In fact, that dubious honor belongs to BV. Right now, and at any given moment, anywhere from 10 to 60% of women are afflicted with this particularly resistant bacterial infection. So don’t despair – you’re in good company.
Given these astonishing statistics, it’s vital that you arm yourself and the other women in your life with accurate information. One of the biggest areas of confusion where BV is concerned is who is most prone to infection. We’ve gone through a list of possible causes, so you already know that women who use IUDs and wear tight underwear, for instance, are putting themselves at greater risk. But what about other risk factors, ones that have nothing to do with our lifestyle choices and personal hygiene?
The fact is that certain groups are more likely to develop the infection than others. Behaviors such as the ones mentioned above are, of course, contributing factors. But some women are just more prone than others to vaginal infection. The risk for contracting BV has been shown to increase with the onset of menopause. Women with diabetes are also more likely to get a bacterial infection, because diabetics are subject to the kinds of complex chemical imbalances that create an environment conducive to yeast infections. Obese women and those in whom resistance to diseases is lowered or compromised for any reason are also at a higher risk.
