Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

BV is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in women during their reproductive years. It is not an infection. Rather, BV develops when the normal balance of bacteria that colonize in the vagina gets thrown off by overgrowth. While there is not a definitive answer about what causes BV, a few factors are known to raise risk including having a new or multiple sexual partners, using vaginal douches, having an IUD, and failure to practice safe sex by not using a condom during every act of sexual intercourse. The most common symptom of BV a fish -like vaginal odor, as well as an abnormal vaginal discharge that is white or gray and that can be either watery or foamy.

What is Bacterial Vaginosis?

Although ‘yeast’ is the name most women think of when they think of vaginal infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a very common type of vaginal infection in women of reproductive age. BV is caused by a combination of several bacteria. These bacteria seem to overgrow in much the same way as Candida do when the vaginal balance is upset. The exact reason for this overgrowth is not known.

BV is not transmitted through sexual intercourse but is more common in women who are sexually active. It is also not a serious health concern but can increase a woman’s risk of developing other sexually transmitted infections and may increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following surgical procedures such as abortion and hysterectomy. BV may increase the risk of early labour and premature births in women who have the infection during pregnancy.

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis

Up to 50% of women who have bacterial vaginosis do not have any symptoms, but if symptoms do appear, they can include:

• white or discoloured, often grey, discharge
• discharge that smells “fishy”, that is often strongest after sex
• pain during urination
• itchy and sore vagina.

Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis

Your doctor can tell you if you have BV. He or she will examine you and will take a sample of fluid from your vagina. The fluid is viewed under a microscope. In most cases, your doctor can tell immediately if you have BV.

Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis can be treated with medicine prescribed by your doct or. The most common medicines prescribed for BV are antibiotics called metronidazole and clindamycin . These may be taken orally or used as a vaginal cream or gel.

Prevention of Bacterial Vaginosis

Ways to prevent BV are not yet known. It is possible to reduce the risk of developing BV by not douching and not using scented soaps or vaginal deodorants.