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The vagina normally has a balance of mostly “good” bacteria and fewer “harmful” bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis, known as BV, develops when the balance changes. With BV, there is an increase in harmful bacteria and a decrease in good bacteria. BV is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age.
Not much is known about how women get BV. Any woman can get BV. But there are certain things that can upset the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina, raising your risk of BV:
BV is more common among women who are sexually active, but it is not clear how sex changes the balance of bacteria. You cannot get BV from:
Women with BV may have an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Some women report a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex. The discharge can be white (milky) or gray. It may also be foamy or watery. Other symptoms may include burning when urinating, itching around the outside of the vagina, and irritation. These symptoms may also be caused by another type of infection, so it is important to see a doctor. Some women with BV have no symptoms at all.
There is a test to find out if you have BV. Your doctor takes a sample of fluid from your vagina and has it tested. Your doctor may also see signs of BV during an examination of the vagina. To help your doctor find the signs of BV or other infections:
BV is treated with antibiotic medicines prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may give you either metronidazole (met-roh-NIH-duh-zohl) or clindamycin (klin-duh-MY-sin). Generally, male sex partners of women with BV don’t need to be treated. However, BV can be spread to female partners. If your current partner is female, talk to her about treatment. You can get BV again even after being treated.
All pregnant women with symptoms of BV should be tested and treated if they have it. This is especially important for pregnant women who have had a premature delivery or low birth weight baby in the past. There are treatments available at any stage of your pregnancy. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
In most cases, BV doesn't cause any problems. But some problems can arise if BV is untreated.
Experts are still figuring out the best way to prevent BV. But there are steps you can take to lower your risk.
Practicing safe sex is also very important. Below are ways to help protect yourself.
For more information on bacterial vaginosis (BV), please call womenshealth.gov at 1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:
CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN), CDC, HHS
Phone number: (800) 458-5231
Internet address: http://www.cdcnpin.org
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC, HHS
Phone number: (800) 232-4636
Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/std
American Social Health Association
Phone number: (919) 361-8400
Internet address: http://www.ashastd.org
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Phone number: (800) 230-7526
National Women’s Health Resource Center
Phone number: 877-986-9472
Internet address: http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/bacterialvaginosis
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Phone number: 202-638-5577
Internet address: http://www.acog.org
Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
Phone number: 202-466-3825
Internet address: http://www.arhp.org/
All material contained in the FAQs is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services; citation of the source is appreciated.
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Content last updated September 23, 2008.
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