Bacterial vaginosis is triggered by an imbalance of bacteria in the body. The most common symptoms include an unpleasant odour and unusual vaginal discharge.
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Bacterial vaginosis occurs because of an overgrowth of one of several bacteria naturally found in your vagina. Usually, if there are too many anaerobic bacteria, they upset the natural balance of microorganisms and cause bacterial vaginosis. This causes the normal pH of your vagina to rise, which results in a pale discharge and a strong smell. This is only the case for half of affected women though; 50% of women with bacterial vaginosis don’t get any symptoms.
Bacterial vaginosis isn’t sexually transmitted but it is linked to sexual activity. It can occur more often in women who have multiple sex partners or a new sex partner.
Anyone with a vagina can develop bacterial vaginosis; pre-pubescent, child-bearing, and post-menopausal women are all at risk. However, the condition is slightly more common in sexually active people.
Many bacterial vaginosis cases are caused by the upset pH balance of the vagina, which, more often than not, is a result of using too much perfumed soap or topical treatments containing plastics and chemicals.
Bacterial vaginosis is the number one cause of all unusual vaginal discharge in pre-menopausal women. It’s most common in sexually active women, and it can vary in severity. It may be symptomless too, so sometimes it’s difficult to detect.
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The cause of bacterial vaginosis is the disturbance of the regular bacterial environment in the vagina. There are lifestyle choices and other factors that can alter the bacteria in the vagina, which include:
While half of people with bacterial vaginosis won’t experience any symptoms, the other half will usually notice a discharge which ranges in texture, from a thin mucus to a thicker substance, and in colour (either white, pink, beige, or greyish). The discharge produces a strong fishlike smell which usually signals an overgrowth of bacteria.
The best way to prevent developing bacterial vaginosis is to use condoms regularly when you have sex, especially when having sex with new partners. Sexual activity changes the microbiome of the vagina, as you introduce new bacteria from another partner. Other preventative actions you could take include adopting a healthier lifestyle: by stopping smoking and choosing a healthier diet, coupled with regular exercise, you may reduce your vulnerability. It might be worth reviewing your method of contraception, too, if you are currently using a copper IUD. Research suggests that the copper IUD puts you at an increased risk of bacterial vaginosis, as it changes the microbiome of your vagina and leads to heavier bleeding.
Bacterial vaginosis does not directly lead to other health concerns. But it does increase our vulnerability to developing other infections, particularly sexually transmitted ones like chlamydia or other bacterial infections.
All bacterial infections are serious if left untreated, and it’s especially important to treat any found in pregnant women as such infection can threaten the pregnancy as well as endangering the mother. Contracting bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy risks premature birth and a low birth weight. Bacterial vaginosis can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which causes problems if you are trying to get pregnant.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Acceptability of and treatment preferences for recurrent bacterial vaginosis-Topical lactic acid gel or oral metronidazole antibiotic: Qualitative findings from the VITA trial. PloS one, 14(11).
Finding a Balance in the Vaginal Microbiome: How Do We Treat and Prevent the Occurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis?. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland), 10(6), 719.
A generic antibiotic tablet. Taken twice daily. One week course.
Antibiotic cream for bacterial vaginosis. Applied once a day, works in 3-7 days.
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