Even after treatment, about a third of women with this condition get it again.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Joesoef M, Schmid G.
Bacterial vaginosis.
April 2005. Clinical Evidence. (Based on March 2004 search.) Available at http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/ceweb/conditions/seh/1601/1601.jsp (accessed on 7 October 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

¹

This condition has been linked to serious problems if you are pregnant.

Bacterial vaginosis has been linked to:

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
McGregor JA, French JI.
Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy.
Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey. 2000; 55 (supplement 1): S1-S19.

 

 

 

 

 

²

If you have had a baby who was born early (preterm) before, you might be more likely to get problems caused by bacterial vaginosis. For example, you might have a higher chance of having another early delivery.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
McDonald HM, O'Loughlin JA, Vigneswaran R, et al.
Impact of metronidazole therapy on preterm birth in women with bacterial vaginosis flora (Gardnerella vaginalis): a randomised, placebo controlled trial.
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1997; 104: 1391-1397.

 

 

 

 

 

³ If you are pregnant and have had past pregnancy problems, or if you have symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, your doctor should check you for this infection.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Workowski KA, Berman SM.
Diseases characterized by vaginal discharge. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2006.
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2006; 55: 49-56. Also available at http://www.guideline.gov (accessed on 26 Oct 2007).

 

 

 

 

 

⁴

If you are having a

 

 

 

 

 

hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is an operation to take out a woman's womb (also called her uterus) Sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed as well.

 

 

 

 

 

hysterectomy, an abortion or another operation in your

 

 

 

 

 

pelvis
Your pelvis is the area between your hips.

 

 

 

 

 

pelvic area, then having bacterial vaginosis increases your risk of getting an infection afterward. This type of infection is called pelvic inflammatory disease.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Bacterial vaginosis fact sheet.
May 2004. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/BV/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm (accessed on 7 October 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

⁵ To read more about this condition, see Pelvic inflammatory disease in our section on fertility problems.

Having bacterial vaginosis might make it easier to get

 

 

 

 

 

HIV
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It's the virus that causes AIDS. It makes you sick by damaging cells called CD4 cells. Your body needs these cells to fight infections. You can get HIV by sharing needles for injecting drugs ,or by having sex without a condom with someone who already has the virus.

 

 

 

 

 

HIV from your sexual partner.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Schmid G, Markowitz L, Joesoef R, et al.
Bacterial vaginosis and HIV infection.
Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2000; 76: 3-4.

 

 

 

 

 

⁶

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