Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by the presence of a combination of bacteria in your vagina, upsetting the natural bacterial balance. That’s right, bacteria lives naturally in a healthy vagina. But if too much of a specific bacteria develops, or if a foreign bacteria is present, you could develop BV. This infection is the most common form of vaginitis. BV is not sexually transmitted and is completely curable. The health effects of BV are not serious, unless you are pregnant. Some symptoms of BV include:

• Yellow, green or white discharge
• Unpleasant or “fishy” odor
• Vaginal itchiness
• Soreness of the vagina

These symptoms are generally worse after sex. Your ob/gyn can usually detect BV from a routine pelvic exam. If you’re diagnosed with BV, don’t worry. Your doctor will be able to prescribe a medication that clears up the infection quickly. This medication is usually in the pill form, or a cream, or a combination of both. Unlike yeast infections, BV cannot be cleared up by any over-the-counter remedies.

Click below to read about related topics.

Introduction
Bacterial Vaginosis
Yeast Infection
Noninfectious Vaginitis
Urinary Tract Infections