You can get BV without having sex, but BV is more common in women who are sexually active. Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners, as well as douching, can upset the balance of good and harmful bacteria in your vagina. This raises your risk of getting BV. These symptoms may be similar to vaginal yeast infections and other health problems. Only your doctor or nurse can tell you for sure whether you have BV.
BV and vaginal yeast infections are both common causes of vaginal discharge. They have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to know if you have BV or a yeast infection. Only your doctor or nurse can tell you for sure if you have BV. With BV, your discharge may be white or gray but may also have a fishy smell. Discharge from a yeast infection may also be white or gray but may look like cottage cheese.
There are tests to find out if you have BV. Your doctor or nurse takes a sample of vaginal discharge. Your doctor or nurse may then look at the sample under a microscope, use an in-office test, or send it to a lab to check for harmful bacteria. Your doctor or nurse may also see signs of BV during an exam. BV is treated with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. If you get BV, your male sex partner won't need to be treated. But, if you are female and have a female sex partner, she might also have BV.
If your current partner is female, she needs to see her doctor. She may also need treatment. It is also possible to get BV again. Learn how to lower your risk for BV. BV and vaginal yeast infections are treated differently. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter medicines.
But you cannot treat BV with over-the-counter yeast infection medicine. If BV is untreated, possible problems may include: 6. The medicine used to treat BV is safe for pregnant women. All pregnant women with symptoms of BV should be tested and treated if they have it. If you do have BV, you can be treated safely at any stage of your pregnancy. You will get the same antibiotic given to women who are not pregnant.
For more information about bacterial vaginosis, call the OWH Helpline at , or contact the following organizations:. Some other home remedies have been suggested, but, since BV can lead to serious complications, anyone with symptoms should see a doctor. There is no certain way to prevent BV, as the exact causes remain unclear.
However, some tips can help prevent it. Diet, health status, and many other factors can affect the natural odor of the vagina. Different odors suggest different issues. In this article…. One test for vaginitis is called a wet mount. Vaginitis is a term for several issues that involve infection or inflammation of the vagina or vulva.
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Share on Pinterest An imbalance in vaginal bacteria can lead to bacterial vaginosis. Share on Pinterest Oral antibiotics are normally effective against BV. Home remedies. Prevention tips. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.
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Home Reproductive system - female. Bacterial vaginosis. Actions for this page Listen Print. Researchers do not know the cause of BV or how some women get it. We do know that the condition typically occurs in sexually active women. Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners, as well as douching, can upset the balance of bacteria in the vagina. This places a woman at increased risk for getting BV. We also do not know how sex contributes to BV.
There is no research to show that treating a sex partner affects whether or not a woman gets BV. Doctors and scientists do not completely understand how BV spreads. There are no known best ways to prevent it. Pregnant women can get BV.
Pregnant women with BV are more likely to have babies born premature early or with low birth weight than pregnant women without BV. Low birth weight means having a baby that weighs less than 5. A health care provider will examine your vagina for signs of vaginal discharge.
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