Bacterial Vaginosis

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• Bacterial (bak-TEER-e-ull) vaginosis (vah-jin-O-sis) is an infection (in-FEK-shun) of the vagina. It is also known as "BV" and is one of the most common vaginal infections that affect women. BV is one type of a condition called vaginitis (vaj-i-NI-tis). Vaginitis is an inflammation (in-flah-MAY-shun) (swelling) of the vagina. A bacterial vaginosis infection is usually gone in five to seven days with treatment. You can get this infection more than once.
  
  
• The bacteria that causes BV can sometimes infect the uterus (U-ter-us) (womb) and fallopian (fah-LOH-pee-an) tubes. This can lead to more serious infections that can affect pregnancy, or make it harder for you to get pregnant. If you are pregnant, BV can cause you to have your baby early or with a low birth weight. BV can also cause you to have a miscarriage (lose your baby).
  
  
• BV can increase a woman's chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) like chlamydia (klah-MID-ee-ah) or gonorrhea (gon-oh-REE-ah). BV can also increase your chance of getting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) if you have been exposed to the virus.

Causes:

• It is not known for sure what causes BV. The healthy vagina normally has many kinds of "good" germs. With BV, the number of good germs is changed. Bad germs may then move in and cause an infection. Many things can change the balance of germs in a healthy vagina.
  
  
• You are more likely to get BV if you are sexually active. Women who are not sexually active may also get BV. Douching and using an intrauterine (in-trah-U-ter-in) device (IUD) may also increase your risk for BV.

Signs and Symptoms: You may have a thin white, gray, or yellow-colored vaginal discharge with a "fishy" smell. You may notice the smell more after having sexual intercourse (sex). Other signs and symptoms may include itching and burning around the outside of the vagina. Some women may not have any symptoms at all.

Care:

• Antibiotic (an-ti-bi-AH-tik) medicine may be used to treat this infection. Unlike other vaginal infections, your sex partner may not need to be tested and treated.
  
  
• You should not use condoms if you are being treated for BV with a cream medicine. Cream medicine can weaken condoms. Talk to your caregiver about using condoms while being treated for BV.
  
  
• Do not douche unless your caregiver tells you. Douching upsets the germs that normally live in the vagina, and will not prevent or clear up vaginal infections.
  
  
• Use plain, unscented soap and always rinse soap from your vaginal area to prevent irritation from soap.
  
  
• Follow all of your caregiver's orders about what medicines to use, and when and how to use them.
  
  
• Do not drink alcohol while being treated. Alcohol may cause you to have a medicine reaction to certain medicines used to treat BV. Talk to your caregiver about drinking alcohol while using medicine for BV.
  
  
• Drink at least eight (8 ounce) cups of water or other liquids every day.

Prevention: The best ways to prevent BV are unknown. There are some basic steps that you can take to keep a healthy balance of germs in the vagina. Below are some ways to reduce your risk for BV:

• Use a latex condom. This helps prevent another infection and keeps your partner from getting the infection.
  
  
• Do not douche.
  
  
• Use all the medication that your caregiver prescribed for BV, even if your signs and symptoms are gone. Use the medicine exactly as ordered by your caregiver.
  
  
• Avoid the use of feminine sprays and powders, detergents and fabric softeners. These products may also cause vaginitis.
  
  
• Avoid using scented tampons or sanitary pads which can irritate your vaginal area.
  
  
• When you bathe, rinse soap from your vaginal area to prevent irritation from soap.
  
  
• Wear underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch, and do not wear underwear to bed.
  
  
• Keep your vaginal area clean and dry. Always wipe from front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement (BM).

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about having bacterial vaginosis. You can then discuss choices with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what choices may be best for you. You always have the right to refuse and make your own decisions.

Link to this page

Printable Version

Email Page