Causes and Risk Factors of Bacterial Vaginosis
BV happens when there’s an imbalance between good (healthy) and bad (disease-causing) bacteria in the vagina.
Duration of Bacterial Vaginosis
Complications of Bacterial Vaginosis
If left untreated, BV can increase your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV.
RELATED: A His-and-Hers Sexual Health Issue
Racial Disparity in Bacterial Vaginosis
Resources We Love
To learn more about BV, check out the following websites.
Planned Parenthood
A reliable source of information about reproductive and sexual health and healthcare, Planned Parenthood provides vital facts about women’s health and wellness, sexually transmitted infections, birth control, pregnancy, and more.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
ACOG is a go-to source for research-supported information about women’s reproductive health issues, including fertility, conception, pregnancy, and best practices for each of these issues.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
- Bacterial Vaginosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnant Persons to Prevent Preterm Delivery: Screening. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. April 7, 2020.
- What Is Bacterial Vaginosis? Planned Parenthood.
- Ramjet E, Raghubanshi B, Maskey S, et al. International Journal of Microbiology. March 2018.
- Brookheart R, Lewis W, Peipert J, et al. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. January 2019.
- Mehta SD, et al. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. August 4, 2020.
- Bacterial Vaginosis. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.
- Bilardi JE, Walker S, Temple-Smith M, et al. PloS One. September 2013.
- Bacterial Vaginosis. National Health Service UK.
- Bacterial Vaginosis. CDC 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines.
- Bradshaw C, Morton A, Hocking J, et al. Journal of Infectious Diseases. June 2006.
- Faught B, Reyes S. Journal of Women’s Health. September 2019.
- Koumans EH, Sternberg M, Bruce C, et al. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. November 2007.
- Fettweis J, Brooks J, Serrano M, et al. Microbiology. October 2014.
- Bacterial Vaginosis Statistics. CDC.
- Ness RB, Hillier S, Ritcher S, et al. Journal of the National Medical Association. April 2003.