Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesGeneticsLifestyle Risk FactorsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Bacterial Vaginosis GuideHow Bacterial Vaginosis Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Genetics
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Bacterial Vaginosis Guide
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive ageand one of the most misunderstood.
BV is associated with the same risk factors as the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) chlamydia, gonorrhea, andtrichomoniasis. In fact, scientists aren’t even entirely sure which mechanisms give rise to BV or why some women are prone to the infection and others aren’t.
What is known is that, whatever the underlying cause, BV is the result of an imbalance in the vaginal flora, the bacteria that live inside the vagina. When an imbalance occurs, healthy bacteria are depleted, allowing unhealthy ones to overgrow.Some of the possible triggers are sexual practices, genetics, and general/vaginal health.
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BV infection occurs when certain “bad” bacteria commonly found in the vagina are given the opportunity to thrive.
It is not clear whether BV should be considered an STI, but some believe thatGardnerellacan be transmitted from one partner to another.
Testing Your Vaginal pH at Home
The risk of BV is highest among people with a vagina between the ages of 15 and 44. This age group tends to be more sexually active than younger or older people. Bacterial vaginosis is rare in people who have never been sexually active.
In addition to BV, women can develop what is called a mixed infection, the presence of two different enzymes.Mixed infection occurs when the vagina is exposed to anaerobic bacteria commonly found in the vagina as well as aerobic bacteria that are foreign to the vagina. Examples of aerobic bacteria includeStaphylococcus aureusandEscherichia coli(E. coli).
While the research is nowhere near conclusive, there is evidence that certain genetic mutations may affect the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which plays an important role in regulating immunity andinflammation.Scientists believe that abnormalities in CRH production may affect vaginal tissues and trigger an imbalance in bacteria populations, especially during pregnancy.
A number of CRH-related genetic mutations have been identified in black women that are less common in white women. This may help explain, in part, why black women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with BV than their white counterparts.
Sexual practices, vaginal health, and general health all play a part in establishing your personal risk of bacterial vaginosis.All of the following factors are modifiable, meaning that you can change them and reduce your risk of infection:
Sexual Risk Factors
While bacterial vaginosis is not an STI, it shares many of the same characteristics of infections that result from sexual activity. Key among these are:
Other Risk Factors
Among thepractices or conditions most associated with a BV infection:
By better understanding the risks of bacterial vaginosis, you can find the means to prevent it and avoid other, more serious sexually transmitted infections.
BV affects all people with vaginas. However, people with penises can cause the bacterial imbalance, without becoming infected.
Unlike some infections, BV can recur. In some cases, it can be a chronic condition. If you have symptoms, it’s a good idea to seek treatment and take the full course of antibiotics to clear the infection.
How Bacterial Vaginosis Is Diagnosed
16 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.
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Brotman RM, He X, Gajer P, et al.Association between cigarette smoking and the vaginal microbiota: a pilot study.BMC Infect Dis. 2014;14:471. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-471
Madden T, Grentzer JM, Secura GM, Allsworth JE, Peipert JF.Risk of bacterial vaginosis in users of the intrauterine device: a longitudinal study.Sex Transm Dis. 2012;39(3):217-22. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31823e68fe
Brotman, R.; He, X.; Gajer, P. et al. Association between cigarette smoking and the vaginal microbiota: a pilot study.BMC Infect Dis. 2014; 14:471. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-14-471.Madden, T.; Grentzer, J.; Secura, G. et al. Risk of Bacterial Vaginosis in Users of the Intrauterine Device: A Longitudinal Study.Sex Trans Dis.2012; 39(3):217-22. DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31823e68fe.Ryckman, K.; Simhan, H.; Krohn, A. et al.Predicting risk of bacterial vaginosis: the role of race, smoking and corticotropin-releasing hormone-related genes.Mol Hum Reproduction.2009; 15(2):131-137. DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gan081.Taheri, M.; Baheiraei, A.; Foroushani, A. et al. Treatment of vitamin D deficiency is an effective method in the elimination of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis: A placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.Indian J Med Res.2015; 141(6):799-806. DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.160707.Turner, A.; Carr Reese, P.; and Fields, K. A blinded, randomized controlled trial of high-dose vitamin D supplementation to reduce recurrence of bacterial vaginosis.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2014;211(5):479.e1-479.e13. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.06.023.
Brotman, R.; He, X.; Gajer, P. et al. Association between cigarette smoking and the vaginal microbiota: a pilot study.BMC Infect Dis. 2014; 14:471. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-14-471.
Madden, T.; Grentzer, J.; Secura, G. et al. Risk of Bacterial Vaginosis in Users of the Intrauterine Device: A Longitudinal Study.Sex Trans Dis.2012; 39(3):217-22. DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31823e68fe.
Ryckman, K.; Simhan, H.; Krohn, A. et al.Predicting risk of bacterial vaginosis: the role of race, smoking and corticotropin-releasing hormone-related genes.Mol Hum Reproduction.2009; 15(2):131-137. DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gan081.
Taheri, M.; Baheiraei, A.; Foroushani, A. et al. Treatment of vitamin D deficiency is an effective method in the elimination of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis: A placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.Indian J Med Res.2015; 141(6):799-806. DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.160707.
Turner, A.; Carr Reese, P.; and Fields, K. A blinded, randomized controlled trial of high-dose vitamin D supplementation to reduce recurrence of bacterial vaginosis.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2014;211(5):479.e1-479.e13. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.06.023.
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