BV symptoms commonly include a "fishy" vaginal odor that may be more noticeable after vaginal penetration or during your period. This fishy vaginal smell is caused by the release of a chemical called trimethylamine in the vaginal fluid.

Another common sign of BV is a thin, gray (or whitish-gray) vaginal discharge.

Although 29% of American women of childbearing age have bacterial vaginosis, only about half of them have BV symptoms.

Your clinician may prescribe one of the following BV antibiotics:

● Metronidazole, which can come in vaginal gel or oral (tablet) form

● Clindamycin, which can come in cream, oral (tablet), or vaginal suppository (ovule) form

● Tinidazole, which comes in oral (tablet) form

Depending on the BV medication and the form, you'll need to use the treatment for 2 to 7 days for your vaginal bacterial infection. At this time, clinicians won't prescribe single-dose BV medication through Amazon Clinic. Research shows that these drugs are less effective than multiday treatments.

If your clinician determines that you have a mixed vaginitis infection, they may also prescribe a vaginal yeast infection medication like fluconazole (Diflucan).

Please note: This information is for general reference only. Your clinician will review your symptoms and health history to determine which (if any) BV treatments are medically appropriate.

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by vaginal dysbiosis, which in this case means too much bacterial diversity in the vaginal microbiome.

A healthy vaginal environment contains mostly Lactobacillus bacteria—and sometimes just these bacteria. Lactobacilli produce enough lactic acid to keep vaginal pH levels to under 4.5. When more bacteria species colonize the vagina, lactic acid production goes down and pH levels go up. The vaginal microbiome also loses some of its antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

BV often spreads through sexual contact, though it's not generally defined as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The pathogenic bacteria that characterize BV can be introduced through a variety of sexual activities, including sex without a condom or a recent change in sexual partners.

BV can also spread through poor genital hygiene practices. To lower the risk of spreading bacteria, clinicians recommend the following BV prevention methods:

● Don't use vaginal douches

● Wipe front to back after using the bathroom

● Change your underwear frequently

● Urinate after having sex

Finally, smoking cigarettes, being overweight or obese, and high-fat diets have also been associated with BV risk.

Some research has shown that probiotics can help prevent BV from recurring after initial treatment. While antibiotics act directly on "bad" bacteria, Lactobacillus probiotics may help your body reestablish a healthy vaginal microbiome. You can consume probiotics naturally through foods like yogurt, or you can take probiotic supplements.

BV goes away on its own in about 30% of cases, but oral or vaginal antibiotics can relieve BV symptoms within days as opposed to weeks or months.

BV and vaginal yeast infections are both types of vulvovaginitis, which is the general name for inflammation of the vagina or vulva. BV is the most common type of vaginitis, followed by vaginal yeast infections, then trichomoniasis (also known as trich).

BV and vaginal yeast infections may have some overlapping symptoms, like itchiness and discomfort. But BV is associated with a fishy odor, while yeast discharge is odorless. BV discharge also tends to be thin, grayish, or foamy, while yeast infection discharge tends to be thick, white, or like cottage cheese.

You're in the right place to get bacterial vaginosis treatment or treatment for a mixed infection of BV and vaginal yeast infection. If you think you have a yeast infection alone, you can start a visit from the Vaginal yeast infection treatment page. If you think you have trich, you'll need to see a trusted healthcare provider for lab testing.

Vaginal bacterial infections often cause quality-of-life issues, but BV can also increase certain health risks. Less "good" bacteria in the vaginal microbiome can make a person more vulnerable to other infections of the genital tract. For example, someone with bacterial vaginosis is more likely to contract an STI like herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), or HIV. They may also be more vulnerable to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

BV in pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm labor and other pregnancy complications. If you're pregnant and you're experiencing BV symptoms, you're eligible for treatment through Amazon Clinic.

If you're pregnant without symptoms of BV and want to lower your risk, you'll need to discuss your options with a trusted healthcare provider like an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN).

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