Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): Common But Easy To Treat

Continuing with the unpleasant-but-important health discussions Deborah started around here yesterday: Today’s lesson is on bacterial vaginosis, an infection that’ll strike a third to half of women in our lifetimes, according to Planned Parenthood. The CDC says BV is the most common vaginal infection among women of childbearing age—but it’s easily treatable, and can be less sinister than other lady problems that could produce similar symptoms.

BV—which is marked by odor, discharge, burning, itching and/or pain—is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (it can be transmitted between partners, however). Though sex can increase your chances of developing BV, it can develop in those who aren’t sexually active, and is a result of the normal bacterial balance in the vagina getting out-of-whack somehow; just like our stomachs, our vaginas contain good and bad bacteria.

In many cases, BV has no symptoms, but also no complications. The infection can, however, lead to an increased susceptibility if exposed to HIV or other STDs, an increase in the development of an infection following surgeries such as hysterectomy or abortion, and complications if pregnant.

BV is easily detected with a simple lab test than can be done at your OB-GYN or a clinic like Planned Parenthood. It’s treated with a course of antibiotics. Treatment is especially important for pregnant women; male partners generally don’t need to be treated.

Photo: Per Grinsted / Medicinsk Webdesign