Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsOther ConditionsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Other Conditions
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)is the most common vaginal infection for women ages 15–44.It occurs from an imbalance of the “good” and “bad” bacteria that usually live in the vagina. The most common symptom of bacterial vaginosis is a “fishy” foul-smelling discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis does not cause bumps, rashes, or lesions (sores). If you are experiencing these symptoms, you could have asexually transmitted infection (STI)and should see a healthcare provider.
This article reviews symptoms, similar conditions, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bacterial vaginosis.
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Risk Factors For Bacterial VaginosisThe following factors increase your risk of BV:Douching regularlyHaving multiple sex partnersNot using condomsSmokingHaving vaginal sex with women (typically, both women get the infection)PregnancyBV is also more prevalent in Black and Hispanic populations.
Risk Factors For Bacterial Vaginosis
The following factors increase your risk of BV:Douching regularlyHaving multiple sex partnersNot using condomsSmokingHaving vaginal sex with women (typically, both women get the infection)PregnancyBV is also more prevalent in Black and Hispanic populations.
The following factors increase your risk of BV:
BV is also more prevalent in Black and Hispanic populations.
Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms
Some women don’t realize they have bacterial vaginosis because they do not have symptoms. For others,symptomsmay be intermittent (come and go). When symptoms are present, the most common include:
Less common symptoms include:
What Other Conditions Could It Be?
Vaginitisis an inflammation of the vagina that causes vaginal discharge or irritation. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common type of vaginitis.
Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Causes
Diagnosing Bacterial Vaginosis
Your healthcare provider will start with a medical history, physical, and vaginal exam todiagnose BV. This is similar to apelvic examandPap smear(exams you get during routine gynecological wellness checks).
During the exam, they use a cotton-tipped applicator (a long Q-tip) to get a sample of vaginal discharge. They test the pH (acidity) of the discharge and look at it under the microscope or send it to a lab.
Three of the four criteria must be met to diagnose bacterial vaginosis:
A Guide to Regular STI Screenings
How to Prepare for Your AppointmentBefore you have a vaginal exam, healthcare providers will likely give you instructions to help make sure you receive the most accurate diagnosis. Instructions typically include:Try not to schedule your exam while you are on your period.Do not have sexual intercourse for at least 24 hours before the exam.Do not douche for 24 hours before your exam (most healthcare providers don’t recommend douching at all).Try not to use any vaginal sprays or other irritants.Do not use tampons or put anything in your vagina (like a menstrual cup) before your appointment.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Before you have a vaginal exam, healthcare providers will likely give you instructions to help make sure you receive the most accurate diagnosis. Instructions typically include:Try not to schedule your exam while you are on your period.Do not have sexual intercourse for at least 24 hours before the exam.Do not douche for 24 hours before your exam (most healthcare providers don’t recommend douching at all).Try not to use any vaginal sprays or other irritants.Do not use tampons or put anything in your vagina (like a menstrual cup) before your appointment.
Before you have a vaginal exam, healthcare providers will likely give you instructions to help make sure you receive the most accurate diagnosis. Instructions typically include:
It’s important to see your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. Even if the infection is mild, treatment is essential to reduce the risk of complications or contracting STDs.BV is typically treated with one of the following antibiotics:
Your healthcare provider may also consider:
Your healthcare provider may prescribe these medications as pills taken orally or as vaginal creams or gels. Sometimes, they will prescribe oral and vaginal medicines for you to take simultaneously, especially if it’s a recurring infection.
Recurring InfectionsAbout 50% of women get another infection within 12 months. If you are experiencing a recurring infection, your provider may increase the dose and amount of time you take the medications. They may also prescribe a maintenance dose of vaginal cream to prevent it from returning.
Recurring Infections
About 50% of women get another infection within 12 months. If you are experiencing a recurring infection, your provider may increase the dose and amount of time you take the medications. They may also prescribe a maintenance dose of vaginal cream to prevent it from returning.
You must finish the medication anytime you are prescribed antibiotics, even if symptoms go away. Stopping medication early can cause the infection to return or cause you to build upresistanceto that antibiotic.
Complications Associated With BVThough some cases of BV will go away on their own, treatment decreases the risk of seriouscomplications, including:Preterm delivery (if you have BV while pregnant)Increased risk of STIs, includinghuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)InfertilityIncreased risk of infection after gynecologic surgeries
Complications Associated With BV
Though some cases of BV will go away on their own, treatment decreases the risk of seriouscomplications, including:Preterm delivery (if you have BV while pregnant)Increased risk of STIs, includinghuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)InfertilityIncreased risk of infection after gynecologic surgeries
Though some cases of BV will go away on their own, treatment decreases the risk of seriouscomplications, including:
The following guidelines can prevent or reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis:
Though bacterial vaginosis isn’t sexually transmitted, it is linked to sexual activity. The following tips can help decrease the risk of bacterial vaginosis related to sexual activity:
Summary
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal infection resulting from an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria in the vagina. Though it is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it is linked to sexual activity. BV does not cause bumps, sores, or rashes.
BV is typically treated with oral or vaginal antibiotics. Healthcare providers may also include probiotics or boric acid. Prevention includes avoiding douching or introducing products that cause an imbalance of pH (acidity) in the vagina and using precautions during sexual intercourse.
A Word From Verywell
Sometimes, women don’t know they have BV because they don’t have symptoms, and it resolves on its own. If you have symptoms, it’s best to see a healthcare provider to get antibiotics. Treatment is usually five to seven days, and it typically gets rid of the infection.
The most common symptom of BV is a strong fishy smelling vaginal discharge that is thin (and sometimes foamy), gray, greenish, yellow, or white. It is often the strongest after vaginal sexual intercourse or menstruation.
8 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.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).Bagnall P, Rizzolo D.Bacterial vaginosis: A practical review.J Am Acad Phys Assist.2017;30(12):15-21. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000526770.60197.faCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: Bacterial vaginosis.Planned Parenthood.What is bacterial vaginosis?Ibrahim AN.Comparison of in vitro activity of metronidazole and garlic-based product (tomex®) onTrichomonas vaginalis.Parasitol Res. 2013;112(5):2063-2067. doi:10.1007/s00436-013-3367-6Sim M, Logan S, Goh LH.Vaginal discharge: Evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH).How do healthcare providers diagnose bacterial vaginosis (BV)?Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y.Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: A meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. doi:10.3390/ijerph16203859
8 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.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).Bagnall P, Rizzolo D.Bacterial vaginosis: A practical review.J Am Acad Phys Assist.2017;30(12):15-21. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000526770.60197.faCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: Bacterial vaginosis.Planned Parenthood.What is bacterial vaginosis?Ibrahim AN.Comparison of in vitro activity of metronidazole and garlic-based product (tomex®) onTrichomonas vaginalis.Parasitol Res. 2013;112(5):2063-2067. doi:10.1007/s00436-013-3367-6Sim M, Logan S, Goh LH.Vaginal discharge: Evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH).How do healthcare providers diagnose bacterial vaginosis (BV)?Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y.Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: A meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. doi:10.3390/ijerph16203859
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.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).Bagnall P, Rizzolo D.Bacterial vaginosis: A practical review.J Am Acad Phys Assist.2017;30(12):15-21. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000526770.60197.faCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: Bacterial vaginosis.Planned Parenthood.What is bacterial vaginosis?Ibrahim AN.Comparison of in vitro activity of metronidazole and garlic-based product (tomex®) onTrichomonas vaginalis.Parasitol Res. 2013;112(5):2063-2067. doi:10.1007/s00436-013-3367-6Sim M, Logan S, Goh LH.Vaginal discharge: Evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH).How do healthcare providers diagnose bacterial vaginosis (BV)?Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y.Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: A meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. doi:10.3390/ijerph16203859
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Bagnall P, Rizzolo D.Bacterial vaginosis: A practical review.J Am Acad Phys Assist.2017;30(12):15-21. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000526770.60197.fa
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: Bacterial vaginosis.
Planned Parenthood.What is bacterial vaginosis?
Ibrahim AN.Comparison of in vitro activity of metronidazole and garlic-based product (tomex®) onTrichomonas vaginalis.Parasitol Res. 2013;112(5):2063-2067. doi:10.1007/s00436-013-3367-6
Sim M, Logan S, Goh LH.Vaginal discharge: Evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH).How do healthcare providers diagnose bacterial vaginosis (BV)?
Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y.Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: A meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. doi:10.3390/ijerph16203859
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