The vagina is actually an ecosystem containing numerous species of bacteria. In a healthy woman, those bacteria are primarily lactobacilli. Lactobacilli are useful bacteria that make lactic acid and peroxide. These are byproducts of their normal metabolism that help to keep the vagina at a slightly acidic pH of around 4, which protects against infection. Most STD bacteria are actually killed at pH 4, as are sperm. When a woman has bacterial vaginosis, the lactobacilli are replaced by a mix of other bacteria, including various types of gardnerella, mobiluncus, bacteroides, and mycoplasma. These bacteria do not produce lactic acid, and so the vaginal pH increases to above 4.5. Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners and douching can upset the balance of bacteria in the vagina and put women at increased risk for getting BV.
Bacterial vaginosis is more common in women who are sexually active. But it can occur if you are not sexually active as well.BV is not considered an STD, but having BV can increase your chances of getting an STD.
Risks of getting BV
- Bacterial vaginosis increases the risk that women with HIV will transmit the virus to her sex partner.
- Increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases or STDs such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Increased risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease during hysterectomy, abortion, and other types of pelvic procedures or surgeries.
- Increased risk of complications when BV occurs during pregnancy.
Women who are at risk of getting BV are:
- Women who douche
- Women with a new sex partner or multiple sex partners
- Women who use IUDs as their primary form of contraception
- Recent antibiotic use
- Decreased estrogen production of the host
Symptoms
- Mildly to moderately increased vaginal discharge
- Smelly vaginal discharge. It may look grayish white or yellow. A sign of bacterial vaginosis can be a “fishy” smell, which may be worse after sex.
- Vulvar irritation (less common)
- However about half of women who have bacterial vaginosis do not notice any symptoms.
Test Options
BV Panel: specific tests for determination of BV by comparing concentration of three organisms
STI-9: Tests for Gardnerella in a panel that screens for 9 STI’s
Learn more about Bacterial Vaginosis
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/bacterialvag/Pages/default.aspx
http://std.about.com/od/bacterialstds/a/bvoverview.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/bacterialvaginosis/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/tc/bacterial-vaginosis-topic-overview
