Number 08g

STI series – February 2014

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

What is bacterial vaginosis (BV)? When you have symptoms, your health care
provider may prescribe treatment, so the infection
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common mild imbalance
does not spread into the fallopian tubes and cause
of bacteria in the vagina. The vagina normally
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a more serious
contains harmless bacteria. BV occurs when that
illness. For more information on PID, see
bacteria over-grows.
HealthLinkBC File #08c Pelvic inflammatory disease.

What are the symptoms? BV is treated with antibiotics. Your health care
provider may prescribe these as a cream inserted
If you have bacterial vaginosis, you may not have
into the vagina or as pills taken by mouth. Only
any symptoms or you may notice a change in the
medications taken by mouth are used to treat
fluid from your vagina, such as some watery
pregnant women.
discharge. The fluid may also change to a grey
colour or have a fish-like odour. It is not necessary for male sexual partner(s) to be
tested or treated. It is recommended that female
While BV is more common in women who are
sexual partner(s) of women with BV have an
sexually active, it can occur in women who are not
assessment and testing for BV, as it is more
sexually active. It is usually not considered a
common for female sexual partners to acquire BV.
sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, if you
are exposed to an STI while you have BV, you are
Will my birth control pills work if I am taking
more likely to be infected by that STI.
antibiotics?
How do I know if I have BV? Birth control pills may not work as well when you
are taking certain antibiotics. If you are being
To find out if you have BV, you must be examined by
treated with antibiotics, keep taking your birth
a health care provider. Lab tests of your vaginal
control pills and use a second form of birth control,
fluid may be done.
such as a condom, until your next period after
Your health care provider may screen you for BV if completing the antibiotics.
you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant,
and have a history of certain risk factors such as: How can I reduce my chance of getting a
 Early delivery or pregnancy complications linked sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
to infection, such as premature rupture of Practice safe sex by using a condom
membranes
When used as directed, male and female condoms
 Amniotic fluid infection help prevent the spread of many STIs, including HIV,
 Late miscarriage during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Condoms are less
effective at protecting against STIs transmitted by
 Low-birth-weight infant or
skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes simplex, genital
 Inflammation of the inside of the uterus after warts (human papillomavirus or HPV), and syphilis.
vaginal delivery or caesarean section
Important things to remember when using
condoms:
What is the treatment?
 Check the condom package for damage and to
If you have BV, but no symptoms, treatment is not
ensure the expiry date has not passed
usually necessary. The condition usually goes away
without medication.
 Carefully open the package so that the condom and treating an STI, (including HIV) reduces the
does not tear chances of passing the infection on to your partner.
 Keep condoms away from sharp objects such as The more partners you have, the more likely you are
rings, studs, or piercings to be exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.
 Store condoms at room temperature Talk about prevention
 A new condom should be used every time you Talk to your partner about STIs and how you would
have sex like to prevent them before having sex. If you are
 Use only water-based lubricants with male latex having trouble discussing safer sex with your
condoms. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum partner, talk about it with your health care provider
jelly, lotion, or baby oil can weaken and destroy or a counselor.
latex For tips on how to talk to your partner, visit the BC
Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) Smart Sex
 Avoid using spermicides containing nonoxynol-9
Resource at [Link]
(N-9). It irritates sexual tissue and may increase
health/partners-communication/talking-to-your-
the chance of getting an STI
partners.
Get vaccinated
Informing partners
Some STIs, such as hepatitis A, B and human
If you have a sexually transmitted infection and are
papillomavirus (HPV) can be prevented with
sexually active, it is important to tell your sexual
vaccines. Talk to your health care provider about
partners. This will enable them to make decisions
how to get these vaccinations.
about their health and getting tested.
Know your sexual health status
For more information
If you have recently changed sexual partners, or
have multiple sex partners, getting regularly tested For more information on how you can reduce your
for STIs will tell you if you have an infection. Finding chance of getting an STI, see HealthLinkBC File #08o
Preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

For more HealthLinkBC File topics, visit [Link]/more/resources/healthlink-bc-files or your local

public health unit. For non-emergency health information and advice in B.C. visit [Link] or
call 8-1-1 (toll-free). For the deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1. Translation services are available in more
than 130 languages on request.