Bacterial Vaginosis

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is a common inflammation of the vagina caused by bacteria.

How does it occur?

Bacterial vaginosis appears to be caused by an overgrowth of several types of bacteria. It is normal to have these bacteria in the vagina. However, too many of them in the vagina can cause unpleasant symptoms.

It is not known what causes the overgrowth of bacteria. Most cases of bacterial vaginosis occur in sexually active women. And women who have more than one sexual partner have a greater risk of developing the problem. However, women who are not sexually active can also have bacterial vaginosis.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom is a discharge from the vagina. The discharge may be gray or yellowish. It often has a fishy odor. You may also have itching around the opening of the vagina.

The bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis are sometimes found in the tips of men's penises. However, men do not usually have any symptoms.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will give you a pelvic exam and get a sample of vaginal discharge. The discharge will be examined in the lab.

How is it treated?

Your health care provider may prescribe a medicine called Flagyl that you take by mouth. Or your provider may prescribe a medicine for you to put into your vagina. If there is a possibility that you may be pregnant, tell your health care provider. Do NOT take Flagyl. Flagyl should not be used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. It can be used AFTER the first 3 months of pregnancy if it is clearly needed.

How long will the effects last?

Bacterial vaginosis needs to be treated because it increases your risk of becoming infected with HIV if you are exposed to the virus. In addition, if you also have a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia, the risk that the infection will spread into the uterus is higher when you have bacterial vaginosis.

The symptoms usually go away within a few days after you start treatment.

How can I take care of myself?

If you are taking Flagyl, do not drink any alcohol until 2 days after you finish the medicine. Drinking alcohol while you are taking Flagyl may cause severe nausea and vomiting.

If you have sexual intercourse while you are taking the medicine, make sure you use a latex or polyurethane condom so you do not become reinfected.

Call your health care provider during office hours if:

• Your symptoms get worse or last more than 1 week. Return to your health care provider's office to determine whether you need additional treatment.
• You have other questions or concerns.

How can I help prevent bacterial vaginosis?

The cause is not known, so there is no sure way to prevent bacterial vaginosis. Because it may be sexually transmitted in some cases, there are ways that you can try to prevent this infection. Having just one sexual partner is the best way. Always using condoms is also important because they can help protect against sexually transmitted infections.