Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the name of a condition in women where the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria. It is sometimes accompanied by increased discharge, a foul or fish-like odor, pain, itching, or burning. Some of these symptoms can be very mild.

Transmission

BV is not considered sexually transmitted so any woman can get it. However, some activities or behaviors can put women at increased risk including: having a new sex partner, multiple sex partners, or douching.

Complications

Having BV makes women more susceptible to STIs (sexually transmitted infections) such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia and herpes. Having BV while pregnant may put a woman at increased risk for pre-term delivery and low birth weight infants.

Treatment

Although BV will sometimes clear up without treatment, all women with symptoms should be evaluated and treated with antibiotics to avoid complications. Male partners generally do not need to be treated. However, BV may spread between female sex partners.