Bacterial V*ginosis - CDC Fact Sheet

Any woman can get bacterial v*ginosis. Having bacterial v*ginosis can increase your chance of getting an STD.

What is bacterial v*ginosis?

Bacterial v*ginosis (BV) is an infection caused when too much of certain bacteria change the normal balance of bacteria in the v*gina.
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How common is bacterial v*ginosis?

Bacterial v*ginosis is the most common v*ginal infection in women ages 15-44.

How is bacterial v*ginosis spread?

We do not know about the cause of BV or how some women get it. BV is linked to an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria that are normally found in a woman's v*gina.
We do know that having a new s*x partner or multiple s*x partners and douching can upset the balance of bacteria in the v*gina and put women at increased risk for getting BV.
However, we do not know how s*x contributes to BV. BV is not considered an STD, but having BV can increase your chances of getting an STD. BV may also affect women who have never had s*x.
You cannot get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools.

How can I avoid getting bacterial v*ginosis?

Doctors and scientists do not completely understand how BV is spread, and there are no known best ways to prevent it.
The following basic prevention steps may help lower your risk of developing BV:

• Not having s*x;
• Limiting your number of s*x partners; and
• Not douching.

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STDs & Pregnancy

I’m pregnant. How does bacterial v*ginosis affect my baby?

Pregnant women can get BV. Pregnant women with BV are more likely to have babies who are born premature (early) or with low birth weight than women who do not have BV while pregnant. Low birth weight means having a baby that weighs less than 5.5 pounds at birth.
Treatment is especially important for pregnant women.
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How do I know if I have bacterial v*ginosis?

Many women with BV do not have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may notice a thin white or gray v*ginal discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning in the v*gina. Some women have a strong fish-like odor, especially after s*x. You may also have burning when urinating; itching around the outside of the v*gina, or both.

How will my doctor know if I have bacterial v*ginosis?

A health care provider will look at your v*gina for signs of BV and perform laboratory tests on a sample of v*ginal fluid to determine if BV is present.
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Can bacterial v*ginosis be cured?

BV will sometimes go away without treatment. But if you have symptoms of BV you should be checked and treated. It is important that you take all of the medicine prescribed to you, even if your symptoms go away. A health care provider can treat BV with antibiotics, but BV can recur even after treatment. Treatment may also reduce the risk for STDs.
Male s*x partners of women diagnosed with BV generally do not need to be treated. However, BV may be transferred between female s*x partners.
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

What happens if I don't get treated?

BV can cause some serious health risks, including

• Increasing your chance of getting HIV if you have s*x with someone who is infected with HIV;
• If you are HIV positive, increasing your chance of passing HIV to your s*x partner;
• Making it more likely that you will deliver your baby too early if you have BV while pregnant;
• Increasing your chance of getting other STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. These bacteria can sometimes cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can make it difficult or impossible for you to have children.