Understanding BV
Many different kinds of bacteria and other organisms exist naturally in your vagina. When certain bacteria grow more than they should, they may create a pH imbalance that can lead to BV.
What are the symptoms of BV?
Some women don't experience any symptoms, but those who do normally notice:
- Thin, white or gray discharge
- Discharge that may have a fishy odor
- Vaginal itching
- Burning while peeing
How is BV different from a yeast infection?
BV | Yeast Infection | |
---|---|---|
Discharge | Thin, with a fishy odor | Thick and usually odorless |
pH | Rise in your pH | No change in pH |
Treatment | Prescription medication | Prescription |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone with a vagina can get BV, but it all depends on a change in your unique microbiome (vaginal environment).
Non-Hispanic Black and Mexican American women are more likely to get BV than Asian and White women. One in 4 pregnant women are also affected by it.
Sexual activity: Having multiple or new partners and/or unprotected sex can increase your risk of BV.
Cigarette smoking: Smoking has been shown to put some women at a higher risk for BV.
Douching: Douching disrupts the balance of healthy bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to overgrowth of BV causing bacteria in the vagina as well as a change in the vaginal pH.
58% of women that get BV will get another BV infection within the next year.
This can happen for many reasons, including reinfection.
Yes, 1/3 of BV cases normally go away on their own.