What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) in Women ?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that happens when there is too much of certain bacteria in the vagina, causing an imbalance.
BV is the most common vaginal condition in women ages 15-44. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV. Researchers do not know the cause of BV. However, we do know the condition most often occurs in those who are sexually active. BV is a result of an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria in a vagina. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV. We also do not know how sex causes BV. There also is no research to show that treating a sex partner affects whether someone gets BV. Having BV can increase your chances of getting other STDs. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV. BV rarely affects those who have never had sex. You cannot get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools. Healthcare providers and scientists do not completely understand how BV spreads or know how best to prevent it. The following basic prevention steps may help lower your risk of getting BV: Treating BV during pregnancy is very important. If you are pregnant and have BV, your baby is more likely to be born early (premature) or at a low birth weight. Low birth weight means having a baby that weighs less than 5.5 pounds at birth. Many people with BV do not have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may notice: A healthcare provider will examine your vagina for signs of discharge. They also can test a sample of vaginal fluid to determine if BV is present. A healthcare provider can treat BV with antibiotics. If you have symptoms, you should be checked and treated by a healthcare provider. It is important to take all the medicine your provider prescribes, even if your symptoms go away. Treatment also may reduce the risk for getting other STDs. BV can return even after treatment. Male sex partners of women with BV do not need treatment. However, BV can spread between female sex partners. At times, BV will go away without treatment. However, treatment can help avoid the increased chance of some serious health risks associated with BV, including: How common is BV?
How it spreads
How does BV spread?
Prevention
How can I avoid getting BV?
I’m pregnant. How does BV affect my baby?
Treatment and recovery
How do I know if I have BV?
How will my healthcare provider know if I have BV?
Is there a cure for BV?
What happens if I don’t receive treatment?