Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBacterial VaginosisSymptomsPreventionWhen to See a ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Bacterial Vaginosis
Symptoms
Prevention
When to See a Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
BV is a common type of vaginal infection that develops when the mix of normally occurring bacteria in the vagina (the vaginal flora) becomes imbalanced, and one type overgrows. Research suggests about 80% of people with BV experience a recurrence of the infection within three months of treatment.
Still, it can help to take steps to lower your risk of a recurrence. This article will discuss potential causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent bacterial vaginosis infections.
What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the healthy balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina is disrupted. This leads to one type of bacteria growing out of control.
Sometimes, the growth of helpful bacteria is interrupted, and other types may overgrow. Common bacteria that may cause BV includeGardnerella vaginalis,Atopobium,Ureaplasma,andMycoplasmaspecies.
Causes
Often, the exact cause of BV is unclear. Still, there are some known risk factors for developing BV, including:
Causes and Risk Factors of Bacterial Vaginosis
What Are the Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis?
Some people with bacterial vaginosis won’t experience any symptoms. About 50% of people with bacterial vaginosis do experience symptoms, which may include:
Bacterial Vaginosis: Symptoms and Complications
How Is Bacterial Vaginosis Prevented?
You may not be able to completely prevent an infection from happening. Still, there are a few ways to lower your risk of BV.
Practice Vaginal Hygiene
Practicing good vaginal hygiene can help lower your risk of infection.You don’t need to do a lot to keep your vaginal area clean. Typically, all that’s needed is warm water and possibly a mild, unscented soap in the genital area. Soap should not be used in the vagina.
Here are a few other recommendations for good vaginal hygiene:
Consume Probiotics
The good strains of bacteria, likeLactobacillus, are essential for maintaining a healthy vaginal flora and preventing infections. Multiple research studies have shown probiotics (strains of “friendly” bacteria normally found in the body) help reduce the risk of recurring BV.
Probiotic supplements can betaken orally, or you could try a vaginal probiotic suppository. Both oral and vaginal probiotics appear to reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis.
Eating a healthy diet containing some probiotic foods also supports a good balance of bacteria. Foods that are fermented contain probiotics, such as:
Supplements for Vaginal Health
Wear Breathable Underwear and Loose Clothing
The material your underwear is made from may impact your vaginal health.
Tight-fitting clothing and non-breathable materials around the vagina may increase temperature, moisture, and pH. This can change the environment of the vagina, make it easier for bacteria to overgrow, and cause an infection.
Try to wear loose-fitting silk or cotton underwear. And try to limit the amount of time you wear tight-fitting clothing.
Consider Boric Acid Suppositories
Boric acid suppositoriesmay support a healthy pH balance in the vagina. Some research shows using these suppositories may help treat and prevent recurrent BV and yeast infections.
Boric acid suppositories are available over the counter. Be sure to read the label and follow the instructions. Don’t use the product more than recommended. Avoid using it if you have an open sore around the vagina. Be sure to discuss using boric acid suppositories with your healthcare provider before you start.
If you notice any burning, irritation, redness, rash, or unusual discharge after starting a boric acid suppository, stop using it immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
Use Condoms
Using condoms during sexual intercourse can prevent more than just unwanted pregnancy. It also helps protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and disruptions in vaginal flora.
A 2013 study found that the consistent use of condoms was associated with higher levels ofLactobacillus.This suggests using condoms protects the balance of helpful bacteria and may lower the risk of bacterial vaginosis.
How to Use a Condom Correctly
Stress Management
While you can’t completely eliminate stress from your life, finding ways to manage your stress may help prevent recurring BV.
There may be a link between the stress hormone cortisol and vaginal health. Cortisol is associated with increased glycogen (sugar) in vaginal tissue, which may increase the risk for bacterial overgrowth.
A few ways to manage stress may include:
9 Stress Management Ideas You’ll Feel Confident About
Maintain a Healthy pH Balance in the Vagina
The pH of the vagina is naturally acidic, but if it’s thrown off and becomes too high (less acidic) it can lead to an increase in unhealthy bacteria, discomfort, and bacterial vaginosis. Each of the tips above are natural remedies that can helprestore pH balance in the vagina. Other things that can help with pH balance include staying hydrated and reducing sugar intake.
Other Home Remedies
You may hear about other home remedies like tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, and apple cider vinegar washes. However, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to prove these options work. And they could be harmful to vaginal tissue or make infections worse.
Be careful when considering using home remedies for BV, since some may not be safe. If you suspect you have BV, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider for treatment.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Contact your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing the symptoms of BV, such as:
Your healthcare provider will be able to assess your symptoms and give you the right treatment to help your symptoms as soon as possible.
Summary
While not all infections can be prevented, there are ways you may be able to lower your risk. Practices like wearing breathable underwear, using condoms during sex, consuming probiotics, and managing stress may help prevent recurring BV.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIn some cases, bacterial vaginosis may go away on its own within a few days. However, it often requires treatment to clear the infection, and untreated BV can lead to health complications. Speak to your healthcare provider for treatment if you think you have an infection.The stress hormones released in response to high stress levels could increase the risk of BV. Cortisol is associated with changes in vaginal tissue that could lead to BV infections.During a BV infection, vaginal discharge usually becomes thin, white, or dull gray.
In some cases, bacterial vaginosis may go away on its own within a few days. However, it often requires treatment to clear the infection, and untreated BV can lead to health complications. Speak to your healthcare provider for treatment if you think you have an infection.
The stress hormones released in response to high stress levels could increase the risk of BV. Cortisol is associated with changes in vaginal tissue that could lead to BV infections.
During a BV infection, vaginal discharge usually becomes thin, white, or dull gray.
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.Coudray MS, Madhivanan P.Bacterial vaginosis - a brief synopsis of the literature.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2020;245:143-148. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.12.035Miller EA, Beasley DE, Dunn RR, Archie EA.Lactobacilli dominance and vaginal pH: why is the human vaginal microbiome unique?.Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1936. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01936Chen Y, Bruning E, Rubino J, Eder SE.Role of female intimate hygiene in vulvovaginal health: global hygiene practices and product usage.Womens Health (Lond Engl). 2017;13(3):58-67. doi:10.1177/1745505717731011Abou Chacra L, Fenollar F, Diop K.Bacterial vaginosis: what do we currently know?Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022;11:672429. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.672429Powell A, Ghanem KG, Rogers L, et al.Clinicians’ use of intravaginal boric acid maintenance therapy for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis.Sex Transm Dis. 2019;46(12):810-812. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001063Mount Sinai.Boric acid poisoning.Ma L, Lv Z, Su J, et al.Consistent condom use increases the colonization of Lactobacillus crispatus in the vagina.PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e70716. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070716Amabebe E, Anumba DOC.Psychosocial stress, cortisol levels, and maintenance of vaginal health.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:568. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00568
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.Coudray MS, Madhivanan P.Bacterial vaginosis - a brief synopsis of the literature.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2020;245:143-148. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.12.035Miller EA, Beasley DE, Dunn RR, Archie EA.Lactobacilli dominance and vaginal pH: why is the human vaginal microbiome unique?.Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1936. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01936Chen Y, Bruning E, Rubino J, Eder SE.Role of female intimate hygiene in vulvovaginal health: global hygiene practices and product usage.Womens Health (Lond Engl). 2017;13(3):58-67. doi:10.1177/1745505717731011Abou Chacra L, Fenollar F, Diop K.Bacterial vaginosis: what do we currently know?Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022;11:672429. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.672429Powell A, Ghanem KG, Rogers L, et al.Clinicians’ use of intravaginal boric acid maintenance therapy for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis.Sex Transm Dis. 2019;46(12):810-812. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001063Mount Sinai.Boric acid poisoning.Ma L, Lv Z, Su J, et al.Consistent condom use increases the colonization of Lactobacillus crispatus in the vagina.PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e70716. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070716Amabebe E, Anumba DOC.Psychosocial stress, cortisol levels, and maintenance of vaginal health.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:568. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00568
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.
Coudray MS, Madhivanan P.Bacterial vaginosis - a brief synopsis of the literature.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2020;245:143-148. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.12.035Miller EA, Beasley DE, Dunn RR, Archie EA.Lactobacilli dominance and vaginal pH: why is the human vaginal microbiome unique?.Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1936. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01936Chen Y, Bruning E, Rubino J, Eder SE.Role of female intimate hygiene in vulvovaginal health: global hygiene practices and product usage.Womens Health (Lond Engl). 2017;13(3):58-67. doi:10.1177/1745505717731011Abou Chacra L, Fenollar F, Diop K.Bacterial vaginosis: what do we currently know?Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022;11:672429. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.672429Powell A, Ghanem KG, Rogers L, et al.Clinicians’ use of intravaginal boric acid maintenance therapy for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis.Sex Transm Dis. 2019;46(12):810-812. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001063Mount Sinai.Boric acid poisoning.Ma L, Lv Z, Su J, et al.Consistent condom use increases the colonization of Lactobacillus crispatus in the vagina.PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e70716. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070716Amabebe E, Anumba DOC.Psychosocial stress, cortisol levels, and maintenance of vaginal health.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:568. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00568
Coudray MS, Madhivanan P.Bacterial vaginosis - a brief synopsis of the literature.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2020;245:143-148. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.12.035
Miller EA, Beasley DE, Dunn RR, Archie EA.Lactobacilli dominance and vaginal pH: why is the human vaginal microbiome unique?.Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1936. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01936
Chen Y, Bruning E, Rubino J, Eder SE.Role of female intimate hygiene in vulvovaginal health: global hygiene practices and product usage.Womens Health (Lond Engl). 2017;13(3):58-67. doi:10.1177/1745505717731011
Abou Chacra L, Fenollar F, Diop K.Bacterial vaginosis: what do we currently know?Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022;11:672429. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.672429
Powell A, Ghanem KG, Rogers L, et al.Clinicians’ use of intravaginal boric acid maintenance therapy for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis.Sex Transm Dis. 2019;46(12):810-812. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001063
Mount Sinai.Boric acid poisoning.
Ma L, Lv Z, Su J, et al.Consistent condom use increases the colonization of Lactobacillus crispatus in the vagina.PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e70716. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070716
Amabebe E, Anumba DOC.Psychosocial stress, cortisol levels, and maintenance of vaginal health.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:568. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00568
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