Types of Vaginal Bacteria

The human body is full of bacteria. Bacterial flora is especially concentrated in the gut and intestinal tract but occurs naturally in cell lining and in places like the mouth and vagina. A healthy body has a balance of the good and bad bacteria, keeping overgrowths of infection-causing bacteria at bay. The vagina hosts several strains of bacteria, overgrowths of which can cause infections resulting in itchiness, smelly discharge and painful intercourse. Bacterial infections should not be confused with a vaginal yeast infection, which is caused by a fungal overgrowth in the vagina.

Streptococcal

• According to Women's Health Resource, the vagina has three strains of streptococcal bacteria, with strep vaginitis arising predominantly from two common strains, and severe but rare cases from a third strain. When an overgrowth of streptococcal occurs in the vagina, you experience symptoms like vaginal discharge, redness and itching. For pregnant women, strep overgrowth can be dangerous for the baby and can cause preterm labor.

Gardnerella Vaginalis

• Gardnerella vaginalis is a type of bacteria that commonly exists in the vagina. Overgrowths of the bacteria are a leading cause of bacterial vaginosis (also called bacterial vaginitis), or BV, an infection causing malodorous discharge and slight vaginal irritation. According to Health Scout, one of the leading diagnostics of gardnerella-related vaginosis is when a swab of discharge from the vagina reacts with a clinically formulated alkaline soap to cause a pungent fishy odor. This is a sign the woman may have an overgrowth of gardnerella vaginalis.

Lactobacilli

• Lactobacilli are the ‘good’ bacteria present in the vagina. These bacteria help to maintain healthy pH levels in the vagina—a pH greater than 4.5 is symptomatic of bacterial imbalance, according to Medicine Net. Yogurt also contains lactobacilli, which is the reason yogurt is used orally and topically in treating bacterial vaginitis.

Bacteroides

• Bacteroides are common to the gut and intestines of all human beings, and are also naturally present in the vagina. Bacterial anaerobes like bacteroides don’t normally cause harm unless there is an imbalance of the "good" bacteria, which gives the bacteroides the space to grow out of normal proportions.

Mobiluncus

• According to Wrong Diagnosis, mobiluncus bacteria is found predominantly in the vagina, and overgrowths of the bacteria are a leading cause of bacterial vaginitis. Mobiluncus combines with other anaerobes and gardnerella to form bacterial infections in the vagina.

Mycoplasma

• Mycoplasma are bacteria found in the vagina and other parts of the body, such as the lungs. Mycoplasma do not have a cell wall and are thus impervious to the effects of many common antibiotics. Mycoplasma are a strain of anaerobic bacteria in the vagina that combine with other anaerobes to form bacterial vaginitis infections.