Bacterial Vaginosis
Topic Overview
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Bacterial vaginosis is the most common type of vaginal infection. To learn more about other common types, see the topics Vaginal Yeast Infections and Trichomoniasis.
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is a mild infection of the vagina caused by bacteria. Normally, there are a lot of “good” bacteria and some “bad” bacteria in the vagina. The good types help control the growth of the bad types. In women with bacterial vaginosis, the balance is upset. There are not enough good bacteria and too many bad bacteria.
Bacterial vaginosis is usually a mild problem that may go away on its own in a few days. But it can lead to more serious problems, so it’s a good idea to see your doctor and get treatment.
What causes bacterial vaginosis?
Experts are not sure what causes the bacteria in the vagina to get out of balance. But certain things make it more likely to happen. Your risk of getting bacterial vaginosis is higher if you:
- Have more than one sex partner.
- Have a female sex partner.
- Smoke.
- Douche.
You may be able to avoid bacterial vaginosis if you limit your number of sex partners and don't douche or smoke.
Bacterial vaginosis is more common in women who are sexually active, but it is probably not something you catch from another person.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom is a smelly vaginal discharge. It may look grayish white or yellow. A sure sign of bacterial vaginosis is a "fishy" smell, which may be worse after sex. About half of women who have bacterial vaginosis do not notice any symptoms.
Many things can cause abnormal vaginal discharge, including some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). See your doctor so you can be tested and get the right treatment.
How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose bacterial vaginosis by asking about the symptoms, doing a pelvic exam, and taking a sample of the vaginal discharge. The sample can be tested to find out if you have bacterial vaginosis.
What problems can bacterial vaginosis cause?
Bacterial vaginosis usually does not cause other health problems. But it can lead to serious problems in some cases.
- If you have it when you are pregnant, it increases the risk of miscarriage, early (preterm) delivery, and uterine infection after pregnancy.
- If you have it when you have a pelvic procedure such as a C-section, abortion, or hysterectomy, you are more likely to get a pelvic infection.
- If you have it and you are exposed to a sexually transmitted disease (including HIV), you are more likely to catch the disease.
Getting treated with antibiotics can help prevent these problems.
How is it treated?
Doctors usually prescribe an antibiotic to treat bacterial vaginosis. The ones used most often are metronidazole and clindamycin. They come as pills you swallow or as a cream or capsules (called ovules) that you put in your vagina. If you are pregnant, you will need to take pills.
Bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 2 or 3 days with antibiotics, but treatment goes on for 7 days. Do not stop using your medicine just because your symptoms are better. It is important to take the full course of antibiotics.
If you are treated with antibiotics:
- Avoid all alcohol use, including over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol (such as NyQuil), if you are taking metronidazole or tinidazole. Mixing alcohol and metronidazole, or alcohol and tinidazole, can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
- Don't trust condoms or diaphragms if you use clindamycin creams or ovules. These treatments have an oil that can weaken latex. This can cause condoms and diaphragms to fail.
Antibiotics usually work well and have few side effects. But taking them can lead to a vaginal yeast infection. A yeast infection can cause itching, redness, and a lumpy, white discharge. If you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor about what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about bacterial vaginosis:
Being diagnosed:
Getting treatment:
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| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: March 17, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease | |
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