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Sexually
Transmitted Diseases > Bacterial
Vaginosis > The Facts
THE FACTS
HOW CAN I LOWER MY RISK FOR BV?Scientists do not fully understand BV and do not know the best ways to prevent it. However, it is known that having a new sex partner or having more than one sex partner increases your risk of getting BV. To lower your risk of getting BV:
How do women get BV?Doctors don't fully understand how people get BV. The disease may spread between women who have sex with women. Any woman can get BV, but you're at higher risk of getting it if:
Women do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools or from touching objects around them. Women who have never had sex rarely get BV. How can I find out if I have BV?A doctor must examine you and take a sample of fluid from your vagina to determine if you have BV. What are the symptoms of BV?Some women with BV don't know they have it because they have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might notice:
When should I be tested?You should be tested for BV if you have any symptoms (like a vaginal discharge) or if your female sex partner has BV or symptoms that could be BV. Can I get BV again after I've been treated?Yes, you can get BV again. What happens if I’m pregnant?If you’re pregnant and have BV:
How is BV treated?
What happens if I don't get treated?
If I have BV, what does that mean for my partner?Male partners do not need to be treated for BV, but BV may spread between women who have sex with women. This means that if you have BV and you have a female sex partner, your partner may have BV too. A message for everyone PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER. Talk openly and honestly with your partner about STDs. For more information
Download all three files to take to a commercial printer (see download instructions). Page last modified: April 22, 2008 Page last reviewed: April 22, 2008 Content Source: Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention |
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