Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection that typically does not cause sores. While BV has distinct symptoms, open lesions or sores on the genitals are not among them. This article clarifies what BV entails and identifies other conditions that can result in sores.
Understanding Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the natural bacterial balance in the vagina is disrupted. Beneficial bacteria, like lactobacilli, become outnumbered by other types, leading to an overgrowth. Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing BV.
Risk factors for BV include sexual activity, new or multiple sex partners, and practices like douching, which disrupt the vagina’s natural bacterial balance. Although sexual activity is a risk factor, BV is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), though it can increase the risk of acquiring STIs.
Symptoms of BV often include an unusual vaginal discharge that may appear thin, gray, or white. This discharge is frequently accompanied by a strong, “fishy” odor, which can become more noticeable after sexual intercourse. Other symptoms include vaginal itching or irritation and a burning sensation during urination. BV does not cause bumps, rashes, or sores on the genitals.
Conditions That Cause Genital Sores
While bacterial vaginosis does not cause genital sores, several other conditions do. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a common cause of such lesions, requiring different approaches to diagnosis and treatment compared to BV.
Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), typically manifests as small, painful blisters that may break open, forming shallow, open sores on or around the genitals, anus, or mouth. These sores often crust over before healing and can recur periodically.
Syphilis, a bacterial infection, presents with a characteristic sore known as a chancre during its primary stage. This chancre is typically a firm, round, and often painless ulcer appearing at the site where bacteria entered the body, commonly on the genitals, mouth, or anus. The chancre usually heals on its own within weeks, even without treatment, though the infection persists.
Chancroid, another bacterial STI, causes painful genital sores. These sores often start as tender bumps that quickly develop into open ulcers with ragged, undermined edges, and may bleed easily. Unlike the painless chancre of syphilis, chancroid sores are typically quite painful. Other causes of genital sores include allergic reactions, contact dermatitis from irritants like soaps, or folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles that can appear as pimple-like bumps).
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seeking medical attention is important if any unusual vaginal symptoms arise, including changes in discharge, persistent odor, itching, burning, or the presence of new sores, bumps, or lesions in the genital area. Self-diagnosis of genital symptoms can be unreliable and may lead to incorrect treatment or delayed care for a more serious underlying condition.
A healthcare professional can perform a thorough examination and conduct appropriate tests to determine the precise cause of symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for receiving the correct treatment, whether for bacterial vaginosis or a condition that causes genital sores. Early diagnosis and management can help prevent potential complications and promote better health outcomes.