What is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is a common inflammation of the vagina caused by bacteria. In the past bacterial vaginosis has also been called nonspecific vaginitis or Gardnerella vaginitis.

How does it occur?

Bacterial vaginosis appears to be caused by an overgrowth of several types of bacteria. It is normal to have these bacteria in the vagina. However, too many of them in the vagina can cause unpleasant symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom is a discharge from the vagina. The discharge may be gray or yellowish. It often has a fishy odor. You may also have itching around the opening of the vagina.

The bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis are sometimes found in the tips of men’s penises. However, men do not usually have any symptoms.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will do a pelvic exam and get a sample of vaginal discharge. The discharge will be examined under the microscope.

How is it treated?

Your health care provider may prescribe a medicine called Flagyl that you take by mouth. Or your provider may prescribe a medicine for you to put into your vagina. Do not drink any alcohol while you are taking Flagyl and for 2 days after you finish the medicine. Drinking alcohol while you are taking Flagyl may cause a severe hangover. If there is a possibility that you may be pregnant, do NOT take Flagyl and tell your health care provider. Flagyl should not be used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. It should be used during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy if it is clearly needed.

If you are sexually active, do not have sex until your symptoms are gone and you have finished your treatment. If you are sexually active and your infection comes back, tell your sexual partner about your infection because he should also be treated.

How long will the effects last?

The symptoms usually go away within a few days after you start treatment.

Because the cause is not known, there is no way to prevent it. Because bacterial vaginosis can be sexually transmitted, there are ways that you can help prevent this infection. Using condoms is the best method. Also, you are less likely to get an STD if you have just one sexual partner.

What can be done to help prevent bacterial vaginosis?

Call during office hours if:
* Your symptoms get worse or last more than 1 week. Return to your health care provider’s office to determine whether you need additional treatment.
* You have other questions or concerns.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. © 2005 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.