Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal infection (vaginitis). The commonest symptom of BV is an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant fishy smell. However, half of all women with BV don't notice any symptoms.

A healthy vagina normally contains many microorganisms, one of the common ones being Lactobacillus acidophilus. Lactobacillus appears to help prevent other vaginal microorganisms from multiplying to a level where they cause symptoms. The microorganisms involved in BV include Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus, Bacteroides, and Mycoplasma. For reasons not well understood, the numbers of these organisms increase with BV while the number of lactobacillus organisms decreases.

Most cases of bacterial vaginosis occur in sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 44, especially after contact with a new partner. Condoms do not appear to provide protection, but use of spermicides increases BV risk somewhat. Although BV appears to be associated with and triggered by sexual intercourse, it does not appear to be transmitted from one partner to another. Rather, it is a disordering of the chemical and biological balance of the normal flora. Pregnant women and women with a sexually transmitted disease are especially at risk for getting this infection. Bacterial vaginosis does not usually affect women after menopause.

Bacterial vaginosis can be cured by antibiotics.

See also

• Vulvovaginal disorders
• Sexually transmitted diseases

External Links

• Vaginitis/Vaginal infection fact sheet from the National Institute of Allergies and Infections