Health A-Z

What Is Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection of the vagina. It results from a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria.

BV usually doesn't cause any other health problems. But it can lead to issues, especially when you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms

About half of the time, women with BV have no symptoms. But they can include:

• Burning feeling when you pee

• Fishy smell that gets stronger after sex

• Itching

• Thin white, gray, or green discharge

It isn’t the same as a yeast infection. Those often have a thick white discharge that doesn’t smell.

Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment

The doctor can prescribe antibiotics (metronidazole, clindamycin, tinidazole) to treat BV. This could be a tablet you take by mouth or a cream or gel you put into your vagina. You'll need to take most treatments for 5 to 7 days. Finish all your medicine, even if the symptoms go away. If you stop early, the infection could come back.

Since BV can be spread through sex, don’t have sexual contact until you're done taking your medicine and your symptoms are gone. If your partner is another woman, they may want to see their doctor to find out if they need treatment.

Even after BV is treated and goes away, it often returns. If that happens, you'll probably need to take antibiotics again for a longer time.

If you use an IUD and BV keeps coming back (recurrent BV), you may want to talk to your doctor about a different type of birth control.

Bacterial Vaginosis Complications

Bacterial vaginosis has been tied to a higher risk of other health problems, including:

• A bacterial infection, if you have a hysterectomy or other surgery on your female organs while you have BV

• A premature or low birth weight baby

• A sexually transmitted disease like herpes, chlamydia, or gonorrhea, or passing HIV to your partner

• Less success with fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Bacterial Vaginosis Causes

A type of bacteria called lactobacillus keeps your vagina slightly acidic so bad bacteria don't grow well. If your lactobacillus levels drop, more bad bacteria move in, and you get BV.

Bacterial Vaginosis Diagnosis

The doctor will:

• Ask about your medical history

• Do an overall physical exam

• Do a pelvic exam

• Check your vagina’s pH or acidity level

• Take a sample of discharge from your vagina to look for cells covered with bacteria