Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection that is the result of an imbalance in the vagina. Normally, there are two bacterium that are present in your vagina: lactobacilli, the “good” bacteria, and anaerobes, the “bad” bacteria. Lactobacilli typically account for about 95% of the bacteria in your vagina and work to ward off infectious bacteria; however, if they are reduced in number, this allows the anaerobic bacteria to begin to flourish and cause bacterial vaginosis.
Complications
Most cases of bacterial vaginosis will not cause any serious complications. However, some complications can arise under certain circumstances. These include:
- Sexually transmitted infections: Women who have bacterial vaginosis become more susceptible to other sexually transmitted infections, including herpes simplex virus, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HIV. If you already have HIV, having bacterial vaginosis will make you more likely to pass HIV to your partner.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): This is an infection of your uterus and fallopian tubes that can increase the risk of infertility. In some cases, bacterial vaginosis can cause pelvic inflammatory disease to develop as well.
- Infection risk: Post-surgical infections after a procedure such as a hysterectomy or a dilation and curettage have a greater chance of developing when you have bacterial vaginosis.
- Preterm birth: Pregnant women who develop bacterial vaginosis are at a higher risk for premature delivery and low infant birth weight, two of the leading causes of complications and death in newborn babies. In about 50% of cases, bacterial vaginosis shows no signs or symptoms, which can be dangerous for pregnant women who go untreated. Because of this, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women who are already at a high risk for preterm labor be screened for bacterial vaginosis. High risk for preterm labor would include a history of preterm labor or a weight of less than 110 pounds before your pregnancy.
