Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

BV only affects women, it is caused when the acidic environment of the vagina changes. Not everyone who has BV will have symptoms, but if symptoms are present they may include:

• Changes in vaginal discharge e.g. consistency, colour, smell.
• Irritation of the vagina

There are lots of ideas about why BV occurs, many people believe it is linked to sexual activity, though it is not possible for a woman to pass BV on to her partner.

Treatment for BV usually involves an antibiotic and sometimes cream to be applied to the vagina.