UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Obstetrics & Gynecology

Title: Bacterial Vaginosis

Keywords: Bacterial Vaginosis, Treatment, Pregnancy (PubMed Search)

Posted: 4/5/2008 by Michael Bond, MD (Updated: 11/9/2024)
Click here to contact Michael Bond, MD

Bacterial Vaginosis

  1. The most common vaginal infection in childbearing women. 
  2. Associated with burning, itching, and malodorous discharge.
  3. Cause is not fully understood but associated with
    1. douching
    2. multiple sexual partners.
  4. Complications caused by BV
    1. Increased susceptibility to HIV, HSV, chlamydia and gonnorrhea
    2. Increased risk for preterm labor.
    3. Increases the chance of an HIV woman passing HIV to her sex partner.
  5. Woman at high risk for preterm delivery should be tested for and treated for BV, however, the US Preventive Services Task Force just released a statement discouraging testing in woman at low risk for preterm delivery. 
  6. Treatment options include metronidazole and clindamycin.


References