Not using condoms or having new or multiple sex partners can sometimes increase a person's risk for developing BV. "Sex sometimes leads to BV if your partner's natural genital 'chemistry' changes the balance of bacteria in your vagina and causes the bacteria associated with BV to grow,” Dean explains.
Studies have found that women who have an ongoing male sexual partner are twice as likely to experience BV recurrence [3,10] and that inconsistent condom use for penile-vaginal sex is also associated with higher rates of recurrence after treatment [10].
Bacterial vaginosis can't be passed from person to person. But it's more common in people who are sexually active. Other things that may increase your risk of getting it include: having a new sexual partner.
Though women who have sex with men are at a higher risk of getting bacterial vaginosis, women cannot get BV directly from men. Studies suggest that the higher risk is due to the different pH levels of sperm. The more sexual partners you have, the more likely you can get BV.
Semen can also upset your vaginal pH balance. A healthy vagina is normally acidic, while healthy sperm are alkaline, which can throw off the balance of bacteria in your vagina.
Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection, and there's no way to completely stop all infections. Still, you may be able to lower your risk of developing BV with good hygiene and taking care of your overall health.
Disruptive microbes have formed a biofilm
Bacteria in a biofilm are able to survive in this self-sustaining structure, making it harder to eradicate them. The ability of BV-causing bacteria to potentially form a biofilm may explain in part why BV has such a high recurrence rate.
Foods that dehydrate the body, including alcohol and caffeine, and highly processed and “junk” foods, should be avoided. Foods which contain mould such as peanuts, blue cheeses, grapes and mushrooms are also best avoided as they introduce bad bacteria and yeasts into the digestive system.
Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and re-establish proper vaginal pH. The mucous membranes in the vagina require fluids to be supported and healthy. Dehydration can make BV worse by allowing bacteria to become concentrated in the vagina.
Duration of Bacterial Vaginosis
Once BV is treated with antibiotics, it usually goes away. But sometimes it persists or recurs, often within three months, for reasons that aren't entirely understood. If a person keeps getting BV, a longer course of antibiotics may be necessary.
Most often, BV does not cause other health problems. However, if left untreated, BV may increase your risk for: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Pelvic inflammatory disease where BV bacteria infect the uterus or fallopian tubes.
To treat bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications: Metronidazole (Flagyl, Metrogel-Vaginal, others). This medicine may be taken as a pill by mouth (orally). Metronidazole is also available as a topical gel that you insert into your vagina.
Which probiotics are best for BV? Lactobacilli-based probiotics such as Lacticasebacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus reuteri are best for treating BV.
Why does my boyfriend keep giving me BV? Bacterial vaginosis is caused by a change in the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina. For some people, exposure to semen can alter the bacteria in your vagina and cause BV. If this applies to you, using a condom can help reduce the risk of recurring BV.
Bacterial vaginosis causes
Several factors can make increase the number of bacteria, including: Sex. Semen impacts the pH level in the vagina, which can contribute to a higher rate of bacteria growth.
Left untreated, BV can lead to other problems and complications, which may include: having an increased risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea; having an increased risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of a woman's organs that may lead to ...
Any change in your immune health—like stress—can impact your vaginal pH level, making a yeast infection and/or bacterial vaginosis more common.
Bacterial vaginosis doesn't generally cause complications. Sometimes, having bacterial vaginosis may lead to: Preterm birth. In pregnant women, bacterial vaginosis is linked to premature deliveries and low birth weight babies.
Bacterial vaginitis (BV) can produce a fishy odor that is also accompanied by increased vaginal discharge, irritation, burning and sometimes itching. It is caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria that disrupts the balance of healthy bacteria that live within the vagina.