Bacterial vaginosis
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Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis
Some people with BV might not have any symptoms, but if you do, you might notice a change in your discharge. This includes changes to:
- The smell – your discharge might have a strong fishy smell, especially during sex, after sex or during your period
- The colour – your discharge might be greyish-white
- The consistency – it might become thin and watery
There isn’t normally any itching or irritation. If you’re unsure if your symptoms are BV, make sure to speak to your doctor for more advice. We’ve also broken down everything you need to know about vaginal discharge and when to see your GP.
What causes bacterial vaginosis?
There are many different bacteria and fungi that are naturally present in the vagina, including bacteria called lactobacilli. These can stop other bacteria from growing in the vagina and help to prevent infections. If you have BV, the balance of these bacteria can change. BV can’t be passed on, but it’s more common in people who are sexually active.
Things that can increase your risk of getting BV include:
- Smoking
- Receiving oral sex
- Using strong detergents to wash your underwear
- Using vaginal deodorant or vaginal washes
- Douching (washing or cleaning out the vagina with water or other fluids)
- Putting antiseptic liquids in the bath
- Using perfumed bubble baths or scented soaps
- Having multiple sexual partners
- Having a new sexual partner
- Not using condoms correctly or consistently
- Having an IUD (intrauterine device) – a type of contraception
How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?
If you think you have BV, make sure to speak to your GP or go to a sexual health clinic. If you have symptoms, your GP or sexual health clinic will want to rule out any STIs.
During the consultation with your GP or sexual health clinician, you’ll probably be asked about your symptoms and your sexual history, and a doctor or nurse might look at your vagina. Sometimes you might be diagnosed right away because of how the discharge looks, but in some cases, your doctor or nurse might ask to wipe a cotton bud over the discharge. This will allow them to test for bacterial vaginosis or other infections that might be causing your symptoms.
Intimate examinations can be difficult, so it’s important to remember that you can ask for a chaperone (an adult who’s present during an intimate examination). You can choose to have a partner, relative or friend with you.
You also have the right to ask for a chaperone to be provided by the hospital. This can be helpful if you want extra support but would prefer not to have your partner, relative or friend in the room. There are also self-tests available that can help to identify common vaginal infections like BV. These normally test the vaginal pH as this can be linked to symptoms.
Treatment & products
BV is normally treated with antibiotic gels, tablets or creams which can be prescribed by a GP or sexual health clinic. If your partner also has a vagina, or if you've had any recent sexual partners with a vagina, they might also need to be treated.
Bacterial vaginosis can be recurring, so it can come back within a few months. If you have recurring BV, you might be given more antibiotics to help treat it. If your BV keeps coming back, for example, if you have it more than four times a year, you might be given an antibiotic gel to put inside your vagina.
You may need to use this for several months to help prevent BV from coming back.
A pharmacist, your GP or a sexual health clinic can give you advice on treating BV. They can also help you figure out if something is triggering your BV.
You can also try the Boots Online Doctor Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment Service2 for discreet and convenient treatment. You can access advice and treatment to help soothe your discomfort.
Bacterial vaginosis doesn’t usually cause serious complications, but if it isn’t treated, it can lead to:
- Problems in pregnancy
- Higher risk of STIs
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
You can still have sex while you’re being treated for bacterial vaginosis, but it’s important to know that antibiotics and creams can affect condoms and other forms of contraception. If you’re worried about your contraception being affected, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist for more information.
There are different things that can affect the type of treatment that you’re given, so make sure to tell the doctor or nurse if you:
- Are pregnant
- Think you might be pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
If you think you have BV and you’re pregnant, there is a small risk of complications like having a miscarriage or premature birth. It’s important to know that in most pregnancies, BV doesn’t cause any problems.
Make sure to speak to your GP or your midwife if you’re pregnant and your vaginal discharge changes.
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Prevention
The exact cause of BV isn’t fully understood, so it isn’t possible to prevent it completely. However, there are things you can do to lower your risk of getting it.
To help lower your risk of BV, you can try:
- Using water and plain soap to wash your genital area
- Having showers instead of having a bath
There are also things you should avoid doing, which include:
- Using antiseptic liquids in the bath
- Using strong detergents to wash your underwear
- Smoking
- Using vaginal washes, douches or deodorants
- Using perfumed bubble baths, shampoo, shower gel or soaps in the bath
We've got the answers to your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there is a change in the balance of bacteria in your vagina. The exact cause of this change is not currently known, but there are some factors that can increase your risk of developing it. We have explored this further in the "What causes bacterial vaginosis?" section of the page.
In some cases, bacterial vaginosis can go away on its own, but if you have your symptoms for more than a few days, make sure to speak to a GP or pharmacist for advice.
People who don’t have a vagina can’t get bacterial vaginosis, but they might be able to transmit it to a partner who has a vagina. It’s important to remember that bacterial vaginosis isn’t an STI.
BV can have an unpleasant, strong fishy smell, which might be more noticeable during your period, after sex, and during sex. We’ve listed more symptoms of BV in the ‘Symptoms’ section of the page.
BV isn’t usually painful. It doesn’t usually cause itching or irritation.
2Access to prescription-only treatment is subject to an online consultation with a clinician to assess suitability. Subject to availability. Charges apply.
