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What Is It?
Many women experience inflammation, pain and/or discharge in the vagina, vulva or both. Other names include vaginitis, vulvitis or vulvovaginitis.
The bacteria which normally live within the vagina can become imbalanced; if this happens BV can often develop.
These imbalances can occur at any time but are more likely when:
- Beginning a new sexual relationship
- Using an IUD (coil) for contraception
- Vaginal douching (rinsing the inside of the vagina)
- Engaging in penetrative sexual activity for the first time or after a period of abstinence
Symptoms
In most cases there are no symptoms.
Symptoms for BV include an unusual off-white or grey vaginal discharge with an off-fishy smell, particularly after sexual activity. BV can also cause itching in the genitals and painful swelling of the vulva.
Transmission
BV is easily transmitted through unprotected sexual activity, including fingering.
Women who have sex with women can transmit BV through rubbing vulvas and sharing sex toys.
Prevention
Using condoms, glyde dams, gloves or female condoms can help prevent BV from being transmitted.
If using sex toys, use a new condom each time. Wear latex gloves for fingering or fisting.
Wash your hands before and after sexual activity.
Control
As there are a number of different kinds of infection that can cause problems with the vagina and vulva, it is essential that you get advice from your local STI clinic at the first sign of inflammation or unusual discharge.
Your sexual partner(s) may also need treatment as they may be infected even if they do not have symptoms.
It is possible to decrease the incidence of BV by:
- Not douching
- Regularly penetrating yourself
- Eating yoghurt that contains active bacteria
- Wearing loose clothes of natural material
- Changing your washing powder, soap products or sanitary products
- Using non-latex condoms or changing to female condoms
Remember – Regular screening at your local STI clinic is recommended to maintain your sexual health.
Treatment
BV is easily treated with a single antibiotic tablet.
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