Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Women's Health > Menstrual Health > Bacterial Vaginosis: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Bacterial Vaginosis: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Updated on August 3, 2021
6 min read
By Jovanni Neblett-Blackmon, MD | Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Medically Reviewed by Steven W. Tucker, MD, ACGE, FACOG | Obstetrician/Gynecologist

In this article:

  • Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis
  • Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
  • Who Should Get Tested for Bacterial Vaginosis?
  • Treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis
  • Preparing for Diagnosis
  • Diagnosing Bacterial Vaginosis
  • Complications of Bacterial Vaginosis
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Expert Answers (Q&A)
  • Final Word

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of certain bacteria. The vagina normally harbors a balance of different bacteria.

bacterial vaginosis

In most cases of BV, the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis (harmful bacteria) in the vagina causes a decrease in the Lactobacillus (healthy bacteria) population. BV can also be caused by the growth of other bacteria that are capable of replacing the good bacteria. (1)(2)

Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis

what causes bacterial vaginosis?

BV is caused by an imbalance in vaginal microflora. The reason behind the overgrowth of harmful bacteria is not precisely known. However, certain factors can make you prone to the infection, some of which are:

  • Using an intrauterine device (IUD)
  • Smoking
  • Sexual intercourse, especially when you have multiple partners
  • Bathing with perfumed or medicated soaps
  • Taking a bubble bath
  • Douching
  • Using vaginal deodorant
  • Adding antiseptic liquids to your bath
  • Washing your underwear with strong detergents

While sexual intercourse is one of the biggest risk factors for BV, women who haven’t had sex can still get infected. (3)

Advertisements

Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis

Common symptoms of BV include:

  • Itching around the vaginal area
  • Malodor in the vaginal discharge
  • Abnormal discharge from the vagina

These symptoms may worsen after sexual intercourse or after a menstrual cycle.

A “fishy”- smelling, grayish, or yellow vaginal discharge can be observed, which is usually thinner than that caused by yeast infections. (4)

Who Should Get Tested for Bacterial Vaginosis?

If you experience any symptoms of BV, seek medical attention. In the absence of symptoms, screening for BV may be necessary in the following cases:

  • During pregnancy: Get yourself tested if you have vaginal discharge, as BV can increase the risk of preterm delivery.
  • Before gynecological operations: BV can increase the risk of infection after surgery.

Treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis

BV can be treated with prescription medications in the form of gels, creams, and pills. Antibiotic pills, creams, and capsules are prescribed to stop the growth of harmful bacteria. In pregnancy, antibiotic pills are the only option. (5)

The antibiotics that are generally prescribed include:

Advertisements
  • Clindamycin: Cleocin
  • Metronidazole: Flagyl or MetroGel-Vaginal (6)

Note: Do not consume alcohol for 24 hours after taking metronidazole.

BV symptoms subside within 3–5 days of starting the treatment. However, it is necessary to complete the treatment to prevent a relapse of the infection.

Preparing for Diagnosis

Before being tested, you need to take the following preparatory measures:

  • Avoid using vaginal irritants such as sprays.
  • Do not insert anything, such as a tampon, in your vagina.
  • Schedule your appointment on your non-menstruating days.
  • Avoid douching or using any vaginal medication for at least 3 days.
  • Do not have sexual intercourse for 24 hours before the test.

Diagnosing Bacterial Vaginosis

how is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?

Diagnosing BV begins with a medical history, a physical examination, and lab tests by a medical provider to check the discharge and presence of malodor if any.

Samples of vaginal fluids are collected for the following laboratory tests for the diagnosis of BV:

  • Wet mount
  • Vaginal pH
  • Whiff test

It is recommended to get checked for STIs, as they may occur at the same time as BV.

Complications of Bacterial Vaginosis

BV can give rise to the following complications:

Advertisements
  • The harmful bacteria may increase the risk of infection in the fallopian tubes or uterus, including pelvic inflammatory disease.
  • There is an increased risk of contracting infections after operations, such as a cesarean section or surgery of the uterus, in patients suffering from BV.
  • BV can also cause premature birth or early labor. (7)(8)

When to See a Doctor

It is recommended to see a doctor as soon as you experience any symptoms associated with vaginal infections. A proper diagnosis is needed to differentiate between BV and other infections.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have a vaginal discharge along with lower abdominal pain and a high fever (above 101°F).

What you may ask your doctor
  • What could be the reason behind my infection?
  • Should I get tested for sexually transmitted infections?
  • Do I need to take medications?
  • Can I have sexual intercourse without developing any complications?
  • How long will it take for the infection to subside?
What your doctor may ask you
  • When was the last time you had sexual intercourse?
  • Have you had bacterial vaginosis before?
  • Do you drink or smoke?
  • Have you had an infection before?
  • What products do you use for cleaning your vagina?

Expert Answers (Q&A)

Answered by Dr. Candice Fraser, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Is boric acid helpful in treating bacterial vaginosis?

Boric acid is beneficial in treating recurrent BV. (9) Gynecologists may recommend several different treatment regimens. I usually recommend a 21-day course after treatment with the standard antibiotic.

Boric acid suppositories can be obtained from a compounding pharmacy, but there are now some reputable over-the-counter brands that supply the recommended 600 mg dose.

Is probiotic yogurt helpful in dealing with bacterial vaginosis?

Yogurt with live lactobacilli has been shown to have benefit in the treatment of BV. However, there is no definite recommendation on how much yogurt needs to be taken. (10)(11)

To be most effective, the yogurt should contain live Lactobacillus acidophilus. There are some recommendations that eating 8 oz of yogurt daily for a week can be helpful.

What happens if bacterial vaginosis is left untreated?

If left untreated, BV may resolve on its own, but it is more likely to cause more irritation and discomfort. The most concerning thing about untreated BV is that it increases the risk of contracting an STD if one has sex with an infected partner.

What precautions or measures can be taken to prevent bacterial vaginosis?

To protect against BV, practice “less is more.” In general, the vagina is able to maintain its pH balance, being colonized by lactobacilli. To keep this balance, avoid soaps and douches in the vagina, wear cotton underwear, change out of wet underwear and pants as soon as possible, and wear condoms if feasible.

Additionally, keep the vagina dry when possible. Incorporating a probiotic with live lactobacilli, either in yogurt or a supplement, can also be effective in preventing recurrences.

About Dr. Candice Fraser, MD: Dr. Fraser is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the founder of Trinity Medical Care NY PLLC.

Dr. Fraser’s passion is to provide excellent, comprehensive health care to the women of New York City. She loves developing relationships with her patients, allowing them to actively participate in their medical care.

Dr. Fraser is interested in mentoring children and youth and participates in career development forums and activities that empower and uplift.

Show more
Show less

Final Word

Bacterial vaginosis is a common reason many women seek medical attention. Women with BV should be tested for other sexually transmitted infections as well. If pregnant, any abnormal discharge or itching should be evaluated.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingHome Remedies and Self-Care Tips to Manage Bacterial Vaginosis
References
  1. Turovskiy Y, Sutyak Noll K, Chikindas ML. The aetiology of bacterial vaginosis. Journal of applied microbiology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072448/. Published May 2011.
  2. Kumar N, Behera B, Sagiri SS, Pal K, Ray SS, Roy S. Bacterial vaginosis: Etiology and modalities of treatment-A brief note. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249696/. Published October 2011.
  3. Ranjit E, Raghubanshi BR, Maskey S, Parajuli P. Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis and Its Association with Risk Factors among Nonpregnant Women: A Hospital Based Study. International journal of microbiology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5859802/. Published March 5, 2018.
  4. Bautista CT, Wurapa E, Sateren WB, Morris S, Hollingsworth B, Sanchez JL. Bacterial vaginosis: a synthesis of the literature on etiology, prevalence, risk factors, and relationship with chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. Military Medical Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4752809/. Published February 13, 2016.
  5. Bradshaw CS, Sobel JD. Current Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis-Limitations and Need for Innovation. The Journal of infectious diseases. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4957510/. Published August 15, 2016.
  6. Menard J-P. Antibacterial treatment of bacterial vaginosis: current and emerging therapies. International journal of women’s health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181210/. Published 2011.
  7. Hay P. Bacterial vaginosis. F1000Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5621139/. Published September 27, 2017.
  8. Shimaoka M, Yo Y, Doh K, et al. Association between preterm delivery and bacterial vaginosis with or without treatment. Scientific reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6345902/. Published January 24, 2019.
  9. JD; ROARS. Boric Acid Addition to Suppressive Antimicrobial Therapy for Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis. Sexually transmitted diseases. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19704395/.
  10. Bodean O, Munteanu O, Cirstoiu C, Secara D, Cirstoiu M. Probiotics–a helpful additional therapy for bacterial vaginosis. Journal of medicine and life. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4034315/. Published 2013.
  11. Homayouni A, Bastani P, Ziyadi S, et al. Effects of probiotics on the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis: a review. Journal of lower genital tract disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24299970. Published January 2014.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements

You Might Also Like

Nutrition

10 Natural Sweeteners and Sugar Alternatives

By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics

Read more

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health
  • Web Stories

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health
  • Web Stories

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.