Bacterial Vaginosis

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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Bacterial Vaginosis Overview
• Bacterial Vaginosis Causes
• Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Bacterial Vaginosis Diagnosis
• Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment
• Bacterial Vaginosis Home Remedy
• Bacterial Vaginosis Medical Treatment
• Bacterial Vaginosis Medications (Antibiotics)
• Bacterial Vaginosis Follow-up
• Bacterial Vaginosis Prevention
• Bacterial Vaginosis Prognosis
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Bacterial Vaginosis from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Bacterial Vaginosis - Effective Treatments
• Viewer Comments: Bacterial Vaginosis - Symptoms

Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal condition that results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. The condition was formerly referred to as Gardnerella vaginitis, after the bacteria that were believed to cause the condition. However, since there are a number of species of bacteria that naturally live in the vagina and can grow to excess to cause the condition, the name bacterial vaginosis is the preferred term. As a result of overgrowth of certain bacteria, a vaginal discharge may result.

The reasons for overgrowth of certain types of bacteria in the vagina or an imbalance in the growth of these bacteria are not fully understood. However, certain factors can increase a woman's risk of developing bacterial vaginosis, including:

• having multiple sex partners,
• having a female sex partner, and
• tobacco smoking.

Vaginal douching may also increase the risk of developing bacterial vaginosis.

While the condition is more common in women with multiple sex partners, it is not believed to be contagious or entirely related to sexual activity since it is the result of overgrowth or imbalance in the bacteria normally present in the vagina. Moreover, women who have not had sexual activity can develop bacterial vaginosis.

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