Bacterial Vaginosis

There are many different kinds of bacteria growing in your vagina. These bacteria are completely normal and actually protect the vagina. However, bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance of these different kinds of bacteria. The most common is an overgrowth of gardnerella vaginalis.

BV is the most common vaginal infection in people of childbearing age. BV is also very common among pregnant people. This can be dangerous because BV during pregnancy has been linked to higher rates of miscarriage (particularly in the first trimester). BV is also associated with premature delivery, low birth weight, and pelvic inflammatory disease. For all these reasons, it is important to talk to a health care professional if you think you may have BV. You can get tested for BV at your local Planned Parenthood health center.

Sometimes BV has no symptoms at all. Other times, bacterial vaginosis symptoms may include:

• thick, frothy discharge that is usually white or grey
• a strong fishy smell, especially after sex
• itching, burning, or other pain

BV can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your health care provider. These antibiotics are an easy and painless way to treat BV.

Although BV can go away on its own, treatment is important because having BV can increase your susceptibility to:

• HIV infection
• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea

Treatment is also particularly important for pregnant women to avoid complications during pregnancy.