Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Bacterial vaginosis is a condition which occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina becomes disrupted.

This can result in an over-growth of certain bacteria, which can be accompanied by unpleasant symptoms.

It is a very common condition and can affect any woman and person with a vagina.

It is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is easily treated with antibiotics.

Having bacterial vaginosis increases your risk of acquiring HIV and STIs including genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

What causes the imbalance of bacteria in the vagina which leads to bacterial vaginosis is not fully understood. Since you can develop bacterial vaginosis without having ever had sex it is not classified as an STI, but sexual activity appears to increase the likelihood of developing it.

These activities can increase the likelihood of developing bacterial vaginosis:

  • having a new sexual partner or several sexual partners
  • washing the vagina (douching) and using soap or vaginal deodorant
  • using strong detergents to wash your underwear
  • smoking
  • being given oral sex (licking of the vagina)
  • using bubble bath, shower gel, scented soaps or antiseptic washes

Bacterial vaginosis is common during pregnancy.

These activities can reduce the risk of developing bacterial vaginosis:

  • Using condoms and dental dams during sex.
  • Not using perfumed soaps, body washes.
  • Not cleaning inside the vagina. The vagina is self cleaning.
  • Using an oral contraceptive pill
  • Having showers rather than baths.
  • Studies have also shown a reduced risk of bacterial vaginosis in women whose male sexual partners are circumcised.

When they do occur, symptoms can include changes to vaginal discharge, including turning grey or whitish, watery or developing a fishy smell. This may be worse after sex.

If you think you have bacterial vaginosis, you can go to your GP or a sexual health clinic. A doctor or nurse will examine you to look for signs of bacterial vaginosis. They can diagnose BV by symptoms or by the use a swab to collect a sample from your vagina. This shouldn’t be painful but can feel a little uncomfortable.

Sexual health screens are freely available from NHS genitourinary medicine (GUM) and sexual health clinics. Many HIV clinics also provide sexual health screens and tests for bacterial vaginosis as part of their routine care.

Treatment:

Bacterial vaginosis sometimes goes away by itself as the balance of bacteria in the vagina corrects itself. If bacterial vaginosis is not bothering you, it is not always necessary to have it treated.

Treatment is with antibiotics. It can be given as tablets (a single larger dose or doses over seven days) or a vaginal gel over five to seven days.

It is important that you take all the treatment prescribed to you. The vaginal gel can weaken latex, so you will need to use non-latex condoms while using this treatment.