Symptoms can appear and disappear with your period. Symptoms include:
- White or grey vaginal discharge
- Fishy odor from the vagina
- Mild vaginal itching or burning can occasionally occur
Bacterial Vaginosis
What is bacterial vaginosis (BV)?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an overgrowth of the normal vaginal bacteria commonly found in sexually active individuals. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Swabs are taken from the vagina. BV can be diagnosed by a health care provider based on symptoms.
BV is treated with antibiotics. If you do not have symptoms, treatment is not necessary unless you are pregnant or are planning to have a gynecological procedure such as an intrauterine device (IUD) insertion or an abortion.
How can I prevent bacterial vaginosis?
Some individual will continue to get BV regularly. However, here are some tips that may help:
- Avoid douching and using other hygiene products such as sprays, scented soaps, tampons and pads
- Using condoms may decrease BV recurrence
During pregnancy, BV may increase the risk of premature rupture of the membranes, Pre-term delivery and having a low birth weight baby.
Remember:
Any infection in the genital areas may increase the risk of becoming infected with HIV. Practicing safer sex, by using latex or polyurethane condoms and/or oral dams for oral, anal or vaginal sex can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs).
Call the Sexual Health Infoline Ontario at 1-800-668-2437 if you have questions or need help.
For more information:
Sexual Health Centre
179 Clarence Street
Ottawa K1N 5P7
613-234-4641 TTY: 613-580-9656