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Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
This type of vaginitis results from the overgrowth of one of several organisms normally present in the vagina, upsetting the natural balance of vaginal bacteria. Usually, "good" bacteria outnumber "bad" bacteria in your vagina but if bad bacteria become too numerous, they upset the balance and bacterial vaginosis results. This type of vaginitis can spread during sexual intercourse, but it also occurs in people who aren't sexually active. Women with new or multiple sex partners, as well as women who douche or use an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control, have a higher risk of bacterial vaginosis.
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Bacterial vaginosis is the most common type of vaginitis, accounting for more than 50% of all vagina related health visits. About half of all women with BV have no obvious symptoms. More than one in six pregnant women in the United States has bacterial vaginosis, though many aren't aware of it.
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The most common symptom of B.V. is an abnormal thin, white to light grey discharge with an offensive "fishy" like smell. The odor is strongest when the discharge is exposed to any alkaline substance and this includes soap and semen. It will therefore be at its strongest and most obvious after cleaning or sex.
Although previously considered a mere nuisance infection, untreated bacterial vaginosis may cause serious complications. Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with antibiotics - however, there is a high rate of recurrence.
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We discuss various treatment options for BV on our BV Treatments page.
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