This is sometimes accompanied by a fishy odour caused by bacterial breakdown of amino acids. There may be vulvar irritation also. A particular feature of bacterial vaginosis is the reduction or absence of lactobacilli in the vaginal flora. Other sources of lactobacilli are freeze-dried capsules. The principal is that this restores vaginal lactobacillus and hence pH levels, thus making it difficult for the unwanted organisms and symptoms to persist.
Antibiotics are a more conventional way of treating vaginal infection.
Defining a cure There are a number of standard ways of generating a clinical diagnosis of vaginal infection. Vaginal pH above 4.5. Presence of clue cells on a smear. Positive test for amines. If three or more are positive, then vaginosis is present.