Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection of the vagina. It occurs when there are too many bacteria that are normally present in the vagina. It is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age.
What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis often causes a thin, milky discharge from the vagina that is described as having a “fishy” odor. This odor may be more noticeable after sexual intercourse. Redness or itching of the vagina is not common. In fact, some women with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms at all.
In addition, having bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of getting other sexually transmitted diseases. The condition has also been associated with pelvic inflammatory disease.
Bacterial vaginosis is thought to be associated with preterm labor and preterm birth.
What are the treatments for bacterial vaginosis?
A health care provider can prescribe an antibiotic to treat bacterial vaginosis. The medication will bring the level of bacteria in the vagina back into a healthy range. There are no over-the-counter treatments for bacterial vaginosis. -->