Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a DoctorFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Bacterial vaginosis(BV), sometimes called vaginitis, is an inflammation or infection of the vagina that is common during the reproductive years. BV develops when too much of certain types of bacteria grows in the vagina. This bacteria exists normally in your vagina, and the inflammation only occurs if you have an imbalance.
If you have BV, you may or may not have symptoms. Bacterial vaginosis is usually mild and doesn’t cause any health concerns, but it can occasionally lead to complications if left untreated.
Read on to learn more about what BV signs to watch out for.
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Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms
Bacterial vaginosis can goundetected, but some people do experience symptoms. They are similar to those ofyeast infections, but the underlyingcauseis due to an overgrowth of bacteria rather than yeast.
Some common symptoms of BV include:
BV vs. Yeast Infection SymptomsThe primary difference in symptoms between bacterial vaginosis and a yeast infection is in the discharge. In BV, the discharge is thin; in a yeast infection, it is thick. BV tends to have a fishy odor, and a yeast infection does not. Another difference is that BV does not typically cause as much pain while urinating as a yeast infection.
BV vs. Yeast Infection Symptoms
The primary difference in symptoms between bacterial vaginosis and a yeast infection is in the discharge. In BV, the discharge is thin; in a yeast infection, it is thick. BV tends to have a fishy odor, and a yeast infection does not. Another difference is that BV does not typically cause as much pain while urinating as a yeast infection.
Complications of Bacterial Vaginosis
While there are only a few severe complications of bacterial vaginosis, you should be aware that it can lead to:
If you have had BV in the past, be sure to inform your healthcare provider so they can assess any future risk.
When to See a Doctor for BV
If you have symptoms of BV and they are becoming bothersome, contact your healthcare provider.
If you are pregnant and have symptoms, you should also contact your OB-GYN (a doctor who specializes in women’s health and childbirth), because BV is sometimes linked to pre-term birth or other complications when left untreated.
Bacterial vaginosis can also make you more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections.
To treat BV, your healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics in pill or topical form. The most common options include:
If your BV recurs, you should contact your healthcare provider.
What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Summary
Bacterial vaginosis is an inflammatory infection of the vagina. The primary symptoms include vaginal discharge (white or grey), vaginal odor, vaginal itching, and pain when urinating. In rare instances, BV can lead to complications, so if you experience these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider.
A Word From Verywell
Bacterial vaginosis can be an uncomfortable condition. Unfortunately, it is quite common. If you experience BV symptoms that don’t go away, contact your healthcare provider, especially if you are pregnant. Treatment options available for BV can help clear up the infection and relieve symptoms.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe cause of the imbalance that leads to bacterial vaginosis is unclear, but it is most common among people who are sexually active. Other risk factors include being pregnant, using an IUD, douching, and obtaining new or multiple sexual partners.Bacterial vaginosis is not contagious. However, if you have BV, you are more susceptible to getting other sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis, which can be passed on to others.BV will often go away on its own within a few days, but it also tends to come back. If you take antibiotics to treat BV, the symptoms may disappear within a day or two, but it’s important to take the full course of pills, which is usually seven days.Generally, bacterial vaginosis doesn’t cause other health problems. However, if you don’t treat it, you are more likely to get a sexually transmitted infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, or have complications during pregnancy.
The cause of the imbalance that leads to bacterial vaginosis is unclear, but it is most common among people who are sexually active. Other risk factors include being pregnant, using an IUD, douching, and obtaining new or multiple sexual partners.
Bacterial vaginosis is not contagious. However, if you have BV, you are more susceptible to getting other sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis, which can be passed on to others.
BV will often go away on its own within a few days, but it also tends to come back. If you take antibiotics to treat BV, the symptoms may disappear within a day or two, but it’s important to take the full course of pills, which is usually seven days.
Generally, bacterial vaginosis doesn’t cause other health problems. However, if you don’t treat it, you are more likely to get a sexually transmitted infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, or have complications during pregnancy.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis: CDC fact sheet.Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.Allsworth JE, Peipert JF.Severity of bacterial vaginosis and the risk of sexually transmitted infection.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 205(2):113.e1-113.e6. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.060US Preventive Services Task Force.Screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant persons to prevent preterm delivery: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. 323(13):1286. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2684Shimaoka M, Yo Y, Doh K, et al.Association between preterm delivery and bacterial vaginosis with or without treatment.Sci Rep. 9(1):509. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36964-2
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis: CDC fact sheet.Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.Allsworth JE, Peipert JF.Severity of bacterial vaginosis and the risk of sexually transmitted infection.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 205(2):113.e1-113.e6. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.060US Preventive Services Task Force.Screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant persons to prevent preterm delivery: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. 323(13):1286. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2684Shimaoka M, Yo Y, Doh K, et al.Association between preterm delivery and bacterial vaginosis with or without treatment.Sci Rep. 9(1):509. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36964-2
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis: CDC fact sheet.Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.Allsworth JE, Peipert JF.Severity of bacterial vaginosis and the risk of sexually transmitted infection.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 205(2):113.e1-113.e6. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.060US Preventive Services Task Force.Screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant persons to prevent preterm delivery: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. 323(13):1286. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2684Shimaoka M, Yo Y, Doh K, et al.Association between preterm delivery and bacterial vaginosis with or without treatment.Sci Rep. 9(1):509. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36964-2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis: CDC fact sheet.
Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial vaginosis.
Allsworth JE, Peipert JF.Severity of bacterial vaginosis and the risk of sexually transmitted infection.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 205(2):113.e1-113.e6. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.060
US Preventive Services Task Force.Screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant persons to prevent preterm delivery: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. 323(13):1286. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2684
Shimaoka M, Yo Y, Doh K, et al.Association between preterm delivery and bacterial vaginosis with or without treatment.Sci Rep. 9(1):509. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36964-2
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