Bacterial Vaginosis: Teen Version

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an overgrowth of a certain type of bacteria in the vagina (birth canal). It is a common condition that may or may not cause symptoms.

How does it occur?

It’s normal to have some bacteria in the vagina, but sometimes there are too many of certain types of bacteria. Doctors don’t know what causes this imbalance of bacteria. One possible cause is vaginal douching (cleaning out the vagina with water or other fluids).

Most cases of bacterial vaginosis happen in sexually active women. Women who have more than 1 sexual partner have a greater risk of this problem. However, women who are not sexually active can also have vaginosis.

What are the symptoms?

Many women don’t have any symptoms. When women do have symptoms, the most common symptom is a discharge from the vagina. The discharge may be gray or yellowish and smell bad. For example, it may smell fishy, especially after sex. You may also have itching around the opening of the vagina.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will give you a pelvic exam and get a sample of vaginal discharge for lab tests.

How is it treated?

Bacterial vaginosis is treated with an antibiotic. The medicine may be taken by mouth or it may be a cream or gel put into the vagina.

How long will the effects last?

Untreated bacterial vaginosis sometimes goes away on its own. It should be treated to avoid complications. The symptoms usually go away within a few days after you start treatment.

Complications from BV could occur, such as soreness and burning in the vagina that do not go away.

How can I take care of myself?

Call your healthcare provider during office hours if:

• Your symptoms get worse or last longer than 1 week.
• You start having an itch or a thick white discharge while using the antibiotic to treat BV. This could be a yeast infection.
• You have other questions or concerns.

How can I help prevent bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is not completely understood by scientists, and the best ways to prevent it are not known. However, your chances of having BV are greater when you have a new sex partner or more than 1 partner.

To help lessen the risk of an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina:

• If you are sexually active, have just 1 partner who has no other partners.
• Do not douche.