All Health Topics

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

Published March 30, 2020
• Reviewed by a UI Health Care Provider
on Dec. 1, 2025

What is BV?

  • It is the most common bacterial imbalance in your vagina.
  • “Good” and “bad” bacteria live in balance in your vagina. Too much “bad” bacteria can lead to BV.
  • BV is also called:
    • Non-specific Haemophilus vaginitis
    • Gardnerella vaginitis

What are signs and symptoms of BV?

  • A bad or "fishy" smell from your vagina, especially after sex
  • Gray-white milky discharge
  • Some people may not have any signs or symptoms.
  • Itching, burning, and irritation are not common symptoms. These may happen in 1 out of 3 people with BV. 

What causes BV?

  • We do not know exactly what causes BV.
  • BV happens more often in people who have sex regularly. You can still get BV even if you have never had sex.
  • BV does not spread from person to person like chlamydia or gonorrhea. 

How do I know if I have BV?

  • Only your health care provider can diagnose BV. They will look at a sample of your vaginal discharge under a microscope or send a sample to lab.
  • Signs and symptoms of BV can look like other vaginal infections. People with BV may think they have a yeast infection. They might self-treat at home with over-the-counter medicines. This can make your BV worse.
  • Your health care provider will help you choose a treatment that will work best for you.

How is BV treated?

  • Antibiotics are used to treat BV. They can be:
    • A pill you take by mouth
      • Do not drink alcohol with this.
    • A gel or cream that is put into your vagina
    • A suppository that is put into your vagina
  • Medicines used to treat BV can only be prescribed by a health care provider.
  • Over-the-counter products (such as creams, sprays, or douches) do not help.
    • Douching can upset the normal balance of bacteria and cause other problems. Never douche.
  • Sex partners are not normally treated. Your health care provider may suggest treating your partner if you have many infections.
  • Do not have sex until you finish your antibiotic medicine. If you do have sex, your partner should wear a condom.
  • Think about taking a probiotic. There are many choices. Try Culturelle®, Fem Dophilus®, or Kefir®.
  • We have skin care guidelines that we suggest. Go to uihc.org/educational-resources/vulvar-skin-care-guidelines.

Are there any risks?

If you have BV, you can be at higher risk for:

  • Pelvic infection
  • Premature (early) labor if you are pregnant
  • Infection after:
    • A vaginal birth
    • A Cesarean section
    • Gynecologic surgery

See your health care provider if you have any signs of BV or if symptoms do not get better with treatment.