Here's everything you need to know about this relatively common vaginal condition.
If you've recently been experiencing odorous vaginal discharge or itching around the vagina, you may be dealing with a case of bacterial vaginosis, or BV.
While BV may sound worrisome, it is a common condition and can usually be successfully treated with antibiotics.
Learn more about what bacterial vaginosis is, how it's diagnosed and how it's treated.
Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal condition that occurs when too much bacteria forms in the vagina. BV is the most common vaginal condition in women ages 15 to 44. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the condition occurs in roughly 30 percent of women between the ages of 14 and 49.
While BV isn't typically too dangerous, it can increase your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). In some cases, it can also lead to unpleasant symptoms, so it's best to seek diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
The exact cause of bacterial vaginosis is undetermined, but some studies indicate BV may be caused by penetrative sex.
A 2020 study found that when women had sex with men with bacteria in and around their penis (the penile microbiome), they were more likely to contract bacterial vaginosis. You may be at a higher risk of contracting BV if your partner is having sex concurrently with other partners, according to a 2016 study.
The condition rarely occurs in people who have never had sex, which suggests that the condition is linked to penetrative sex. However, women who have not had vaginal, oral or anal sex can still be affected by BV.
Most women (about 84 percent) with bacterial vaginosis exhibit no symptoms at all.
Some women may exhibit symptoms such as the following:
As the exact cause of bacterial vaginosis remains unknown, we don't know exactly how to prevent it. However, the CDC suggests that the following precautions may help to prevent BV:
A doctor usually diagnoses BV by examining your vaginal secretion or discharge microscopically.
Once bacterial vaginosis is diagnosed, you will likely be prescribed an antibiotic tablet, cream or gel to help rebalance the bacteria in the vagina.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, visiting a doctor is recommended to see if you may need antibiotics.
Bacterial vaginosis often comes with no symptoms, so it can be good practice to visit a sexual health clinic regularly for a checkup.
Bacterial vaginosis can happen to women of all ages and ethnicities. However, some women may be more at risk than others:
Some people have used a variety of home remedies to successfully cure BV:
While these home treatments may sometimes help with the symptoms of BV, speaking to your doctor about your treatment plan to make sure it's safe and beneficial is the proper course of action.
Bacterial vaginosis is an extremely common condition for people with vaginas. Most women experience no symptoms, but some women may experience vaginal discharge and discomfort in and around the vagina. The condition usually can be treated quickly and easily with antibiotics.
No, bacterial vaginosis isn't considered a sexually transmitted infection, even though it can sometimes be linked to having sex. BV can, however, increase your chances of contracting an STI.
Untreated bacterial vaginosis can last anywhere from a few days to forever. It is also common for BV to come back after it has been treated.
Left untreated, BV can sometimes go away by itself in a few days. However, for some women, it can stick around for weeks without the help of antibiotics.
