Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

• What It Is
• Symptoms
• Long-Term Effects
• Treatment

What It Is

Every woman normally has some the bacteria in her vagina, but sometimes there is too much, causing an infection called Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).

This can happen for many reasons, such as:

• Hot weather (sweating in the vaginal area)
• Poor hygeine
• Too much douching
• A new sex partner
• Having more than one sex partner
• Sex with someone who has unclean hands or penis
• Using an IUD

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Symptoms

Women may have these signs:

• A fishy-smelling discharge from your vagina
• A heavy or milky discharge
• Itching in or around the vagina

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Long-Term Effects

BV can be cured with medicine, but if you don’t get treated, the following could happen:

• Your tubes and uterus can get infected.
• You may have a higher chance of getting or spreading HIV or other STDs.

If a woman has BV while she is pregnant, her baby could be born too soon or too small.

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Treatment

To cure BV:

• You must take pills or use a medicine that you put in your vagina.

If you think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor before you get treated.

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