Bv what does it look like

The balance of bacteria in your vagina is important in keeping you, and your reproductive tract, healthy. The symptoms can range from a fishy or unpleasant odor to itching, discomfort, and inflammation 1. In many cases, the most significant impact of symptomatic BV is emotional and social, especially for people whose BV returns multiple times despite treatment. Discussing this research, we realized that many of us at Clue had experienced BV. Here are some of our stories:.

I was so confused and panicked, I called my partner immediately and he was very calm and supportive. I took the prescription at night before going to sleep for about 5 or 6 days.

The treatment was successful. One day, my vulva started itching a lot, and during the following days it only worsened. So I told my mom and she brought me to her gynecologist. It was my first gynecological visit ever! This places a woman at increased risk for getting BV. We also do not know how sex contributes to BV. There is no research to show that treating a sex partner affects whether or not a woman gets BV. Doctors and scientists do not completely understand how BV spreads.

There are no known best ways to prevent it. Pregnant women can get BV. Pregnant women with BV are more likely to have babies born premature early or with low birth weight than pregnant women without BV. Low birth weight means having a baby that weighs less than 5. A health care provider will examine your vagina for signs of vaginal discharge. Your provider can also perform laboratory tests on a sample of vaginal fluid to determine if BV is present.

BV will sometimes go away without treatment. But if you have symptoms of BV you should be checked and treated. Sometimes, having bacterial vaginosis may lead to:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Overview Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Bacterial vaginosis — CDC fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If your doctor prescribes metronidazole you will need to:. Your doctor can prescribe a vaginal cream such as clindamycin if you are unable to take metronidazole.

Clindamycin is applied to the vagina for seven nights. Even after treatment, about half of the women with BV will get the condition back within six to 12 months. Treating the male partner of an infected woman does not seem to reduce the risk of recurrence, but further research is being done in this area. Most cases of BV appear to be associated with sexual activity.

Condoms have been shown to protect against infection, and safe sexual practices are recommended for all women, regardless of the gender of their partners. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Androgen deficiency in women and its treatment is controversial, and more research is needed. Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans. The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis.

Careful prescribing of antibiotics will minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Aspergillus is a fungus that commonly grows on rotting vegetation. It can cause asthma symptoms. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.