In brief...
Bacterial vaginosis, BV, is a very common condition. Having sex does not cause it but you may notice the symptoms after unprotected sex. BV is a vaginal discharge with a fishy smell caused when some types of vaginal bacteria grow more strongly than others. It is easy for us to test for BV and treat it.
Why did I develop it?
BV is not sexually transmitted it is an imbalance in the normal bacteria that are found in small numbers in the vagina. We don't know very much about why some people get it.
Can I give it to my partner?
Men can't catch BV from a girl or woman who has the condition.
What are the symptoms?
If you get BV, the symptoms are an increase in vaginal secretions, discharge, which can have a slight fishy smell, and which might be more noticeable after sex. You can have BV without any symptoms in which case it usually doesn't need to be treated. If you have had a preterm, early, birth or a miscarriage, we would usually recommend, if you become pregnant again, that you are checked for BV and treated if needed.
What tests can you offer?
We can easily test for BV by taking a sample of vaginal secretion using a cotton-wool swab and looking for the bacteria under the microscope.
What treatment can you offer?
We can treat BV easily with metronidazole, an antibiotic that is taken by mouth, or by using a vaginal cream, clindamycin.
If you are taking metronidazole it is important that you avoid drinking alcohol because the combination might make you feel very ill. We will tell you how long you should avoid alcohol.
Some girls and women have several bouts of BV, which we can help to treat.
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