Bacterial Vaginosis
What Happens
Bacterial vaginosis often clears up on its own. But in some women it doesn't go away on its own. And for many women it comes back after it has cleared up. Antibiotic treatment works for some women but not others.
Complications
Your risk of complications from bacterial vaginosis is higher:
- During pregnancy. Compared to pregnant women who don't have it, women who have Reference bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy have a higher risk of early (preterm) delivery or of uterine infection after pregnancy. Also, pregnant women may have an increased risk of Reference miscarriage Opens New Window.
- After gynecological surgery. Women with bacterial vaginosis at the time of an invasive vaginal procedure have an increased risk of developing more serious infection or inflammation, such as Reference pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Opens New Window or Reference endometritis Opens New Window.
- When exposed to HIV or other sexually transmitted infection. Women who have bacterial vaginosis when they are exposed to Reference sexually transmitted infections Opens New Window (including Reference HIV Opens New Window) have an increased risk of becoming infected with the sexually transmitted infection.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference August 7, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease |
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