Overview

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) can cause discomfort and pain of the vagina. It happens when natural bacteria levels are out of balance. Balanced levels of bacteria help keep the vagina healthy. But when too much of some bacteria grow, it can lead to BV.

Bacterial vaginosis can happen at any age. But it’s most common during the reproductive years. The changes in hormones during this time make it easier for certain kinds of bacteria to grow. Also, bacterial vaginosis is more common among those who are sexually active. It’s not clear why this is. But activities such as unprotected sex and douching raise your risk of having BV.

Symptoms

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include:

• Thin, vaginal discharge that may be gray, white or green.
• Foul-smelling, “fishy” vaginal odor.
• Vaginal itching.
• Burning during urination.

Many people with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment to see a health care professional if:

• Your vaginal discharge smells unusual and you have discomfort. Your doctor can help find the cause of your symptoms.
• You’ve had vaginal infections before but your discharge seems different this time.
• You have a new sex partner or different sex partners. Sometimes, the symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) are the same as those of bacterial vaginosis.
• You thought you had a yeast infection but still have symptoms after self-treatment.

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