Bacterial Vaginosis Fact Sheet
About Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis, or "BV," is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age, affecting nearly one-third of women in the United States. BV is one of the main causes of the 10 million doctor visits for vaginitis in the country annually. BV is caused by an imbalance of bacteria levels in the vagina. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if left untreated, BV can increase a woman’s susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV, if she is exposed to these diseases. The untreated bacteria also may infect other female organs and cause serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and cervicitis. In pregnant women, BV is associated with an increased risk of early pregnancy loss, premature delivery, and delivery of a low-birth-weight baby.
Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis
The causes of BV are not fully understood. Although any woman can develop BV, sexually active women are at higher risk. Some activities or behaviors can alter the normal balance of vaginal bacteria and therefore increase a woman’s risk of developing BV. Such activities or behaviors include:
- Having a new sexual partner or multiple sexual partners
- Douching
- Using an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Not using a condom during sex
Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
Many women may not experience symptoms, but still have BV. If symptoms are present, they can often be confused with those of a yeast infection, and may include:
- Gray or white vaginal discharge, usually with an unpleasant odor
- A fish-like vaginal odor, often worse following intercourse
- Discomfort or pain during urination
- Itching in the genital area
Although BV can sometimes clear up without treatment, all women with symptoms of BV should be tested and treated to avoid medical complications.
Incidence and Prevalence1
In the United States, BV affects almost one-third of women (29.2 percent). BV is more common among black, non-Hispanic women (51.6 percent) and Mexican women (32.1 percent) than it is among white, non-Hispanic women (23.2 percent).1 Prevalence in women ages 14-19 is 23.3 percent, while prevalence in women over 20 years of age is estimated between 28-31 percent. Sixteen percent of pregnant women have BV.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- A health care provider must perform both a pelvic examination and an examination of vaginal fluid to diagnose BV.
- BV can be treated with oral prescription drugs or with prescription vaginal creams and gels. Unlike intravaginal treatments, oral therapies treat the entire reproductive tract, including the upper tract where BV has been shown to migrate in recent studies.
- Men may be carriers for BV; because they do not experience symptoms, they may unknowingly pass it on to their partners.
- Having BV once does not protect a woman from getting it again. Following successful treatment, women are susceptible to re-infection.
For More Information About Bacterial Vaginosis, Please Visit:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (800) 232-4636, www.cdc.gov/std
- American Social Health Association, (919) 361-8400, www.ashastd.org
- www.tindamax.com
1. J.E. Allsworth, J.F. Peipert. "Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis: 2001–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data," Obstetrics and Gynecology 2007; 109(1): 114-120.
Now approved for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, the most common vaginal infection among women of childbearing age in the United States.
