{"id":1582,"date":"2026-05-16T23:44:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T23:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/?p=1582"},"modified":"2026-05-16T23:44:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T23:44:03","slug":"the-truth-about-bacterial-vaginosis-its-nothing-you-did-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/?p=1582","title":{"rendered":"The truth about bacterial vaginosis: It\u2019s nothing you did wrong  \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"blog_header\">\n<div class=\"details\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"boxed_container content_widgets\">\n<div id=\"bbd46de37760\" class=\"wysiwyg_text\n\n    wysiwyg_text--withImg\n    withImg--right\n    withImg--bottom\n    wysiwyg_text--img500\n\ncol--one\n\n  wysiwyg_text--dropcap--black\n  wysiwyg_text--dropcap--small\n\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"content_container\">\n<figure id=\"wysiwyg_text_figure_23085\">\n<div class=\"img ratio_container\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wid.width-1000.format-webp.webp 1000w, \nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-685.format-webp.webp 685w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-500.format-webp.webp 500w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-360.format-webp.webp 360w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-320.format-webp.webp 320w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-180.format-webp.webp 180w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"500px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wid.width-1000.format-webp.webp 1000w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-685.format-webp.webp 685w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-500.format-webp.webp 500w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-360.format-webp.webp 360w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-320.format-webp.webp 320w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-180.format-webp.webp 180w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/original_images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, 500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-1000.jpg 1000w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-685.jpg 685w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-500.jpg 500w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-360.jpg 360w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-320.jpg 320w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-180.jpg 180w\" alt=\"A doctor explaining something to a concerned-looking patient while holding a tablet, in a clinical setting with anatomical posters in the background.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-1000.jpg 1000w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-685.jpg 685w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-500.jpg 500w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-360.jpg 360w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-320.jpg 320w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.width-180.jpg 180w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-src=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/original_images\/Woman_Talking_to_Doctor_1200_wide.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>The best way to prevent BV is to have regular checkups with your gynecologist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"rich-text\">\n<p data-block-key=\"17unl\">Did you know your vagina has its own ecosystem? It contains a delicate balance of bacteria, with lactobacillus as the most common species. This is one of the probiotic or \u201cgood\u201d bacteria that makes the vaginal pH acidic.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"6jorf\">But sometimes, a shift in the ecosystem allows anaerobic or \u201cbad\u201d bacteria to take over. Changes in bacterial growth create a pH imbalance called bacterial vaginosis (BV) \u2013 an infection that approximately 30% of women ages 14-49 in the U.S. will develop.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"csd2m\">BV can cause uncomfortable, sometimes distressing symptoms such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-block-key=\"33d4l\">Vaginal discharge that is unusually thin, creamy, or off-white or gray<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"e0m8g\">Irritation or inflammation of the vulva, the outer part of genitals<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"6oqdb\">Pelvic pain during sex or urination<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"7dp7j\">A \u201cfishy\u201d smell from the vagina<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-block-key=\"764rm\">However, half of women with BV don\u2019t have symptoms and often don\u2019t receive treatment until the infection becomes severe. It\u2019s important to get a well-woman exam at least once a year, since you may not detect it without one. Long term, BV increases the risk of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-block-key=\"6079k\">Contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI)<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"66hss\">Developing\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/utswmed.org\/conditions-treatments\/pelvic-inflammatory-disease\/\">pelvic inflammatory disease<\/a>, when bacteria spread from the vagina to the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"epgap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utswmed.org\/medblog\/recurrent-pregnancy-complications\/\">Preterm<\/a>\u00a0childbirth<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"1gphv\">Infertility and low fertility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-block-key=\"2ocrv\">Outdated notions persist that BV is an STI or that people who get it have bad hygiene. Neither is true, and although BV is unpleasant, it\u2019s easy to treat with medication and a few simple changes to your daily routine.<\/p>\n<h2 data-block-key=\"1be11\">What causes BV?<\/h2>\n<p data-block-key=\"2iovs\">Bacterial vaginosis occurs when new bacteria are introduced to the vagina, changing its pH balance. This can be caused by experiences such as:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"causes\" class=\"wysiwyg_text\n\n    wysiwyg_text--withImg\n    withImg--left\n    withImg--top\n    wysiwyg_text--img500\n\ncol--one\n\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"content_container\">\n<figure id=\"wysiwyg_text_figure_23088\">\n<div class=\"img ratio_container\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-500.format-webp.webp 500w, \nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-360.format-webp.webp 360w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-320.format-webp.webp 320w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-180.format-webp.webp 180w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"500px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-500.format-webp.webp 500w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-360.format-webp.webp 360w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-320.format-webp.webp 320w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-180.format-webp.webp 180w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/original_images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, 500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-500.jpg 500w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-360.jpg 360w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-320.jpg 320w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-180.jpg 180w\" alt=\"An illustration of bacterial vaginosis, showing a cutaway view of the female reproductive system with a magnified circle depicting the bacteria.\" width=\"500\" height=\"347\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-500.jpg 500w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-360.jpg 360w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-320.jpg 320w,\nhttps:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.width-180.jpg 180w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-src=\"https:\/\/d38sso7f6qz01j.cloudfront.net\/original_images\/bacterial_vaginosis_600.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>Clue cells are a diagnostic feature of bacterial vaginosis found during light microscopy of a cervical smear.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"rich-text\">\n<ul>\n<li data-block-key=\"17unl\"><b>Sex with a new partner, multiple partners, or after a long stretch of abstinence.<\/b>\u00a0Unfamiliar bacteria from a new male or female sex partner can enter the vagina during intercourse.<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"cspck\"><b>Bathing or douching.<\/b>\u00a0Women often feel self-conscious about normal vaginal sweating or smells, so they use douches, scented soaps, and powdered products to mask it. But all of these are opportunities to introduce foreign bacteria.<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"b6s2e\"><b>Lifestyle choices.<\/b>\u00a0Eating an imbalanced diet and smoking have been associated with an increased risk of BV.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-block-key=\"aqt31\">Women with a history of BV have a higher risk of getting it again. Black women are more likely to develop BV than white women; more research is needed to understand why.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"diagnosis\" class=\"wysiwyg_text\n\n    wysiwyg_text--withImg\n    withImg--right\n    withImg--top\n    wysiwyg_text--img320\n\ncol--one\n\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"content_container\">\n<div class=\"rich-text\">\n<h2 data-block-key=\"17unl\">How is BV diagnosed?<\/h2>\n<p data-block-key=\"88i20\">There are two ways to learn whether you have BV. If you don\u2019t have symptoms, your health care provider might find it during a routine\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/utswmed.org\/conditions-treatments\/well-woman-exams\/\">Pap smear<\/a>. But if you have symptoms, your provider can diagnose BV with a simple, painless vaginal swab test.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"ai0ed\">UT Southwestern uses sophisticated lab technology that tells you whether you have BV within hours. If you have a particularly severe or recurring case, we will send your sample for analysis to identify which strain of BV you have within a day or two. This information will help us tailor your treatment.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"69tna\">If you\u2019re a woman who has sex with women, it\u2019s also recommended that your partner get tested for BV. However, if your partner is a man, he won\u2019t need to be tested \u2013 BV cannot be passed from women to men.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"treatment\" class=\"wysiwyg_text\n\n    wysiwyg_text--withImg\n    withImg--right\n    withImg--top\n    wysiwyg_text--img320\n\ncol--one\n\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"content_container\">\n<div class=\"rich-text\">\n<h2 data-block-key=\"17unl\">What treatments are available?<\/h2>\n<p data-block-key=\"5lj95\">A five-to-seven-day course of antibiotics is the gold-standard treatment for BV. Oral antibiotics are effective, and vaginal suppositories are available for women with severe symptoms, a history of allergies to oral antibiotics, or difficulty taking pills. Vaginal medications are self-administered at home with an inserter that works like a tampon or a yeast infection cream dispenser.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"m53n\">Take your medication as prescribed and abstain from sex while you\u2019re being treated. Otherwise, the infection may not go away.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"f5h97\">Women also should avoid drinking alcohol while taking certain types of BV medication to reduce the risk of nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, flushing of the face, or a faster heartbeat. Avoiding alcohol is especially important for women with preexisting liver disease. Talk with your health care provider about alcohol use before starting medication for BV.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"prevention\" class=\"wysiwyg_text\n\n    wysiwyg_text--withImg\n    withImg--right\n    withImg--top\n    wysiwyg_text--img320\n\ncol--one\n\n    bg\n    spacingFix\n    bg--paleBlue\n\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"content_container\">\n<div class=\"rich-text\">\n<h2 data-block-key=\"17unl\">How can you prevent BV?<\/h2>\n<p data-block-key=\"58mc0\">While there\u2019s no magic wand to eliminate all risk, there are easy ways to lower your chances of developing BV:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-block-key=\"2bodd\"><b>Avoid douching and using other vaginal cleaning products.<\/b>\u00a0Your vagina is self-cleaning \u2013 there is no need to use anything else unless prescribed by a provider. And you don\u2019t need fancy soaps or powders to wash your vulva. All you need is warm water and a gentle washcloth to stay clean.<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"25ei4\"><b>Use protection during sex.<\/b>\u00a0Condoms and barriers can help reduce the risk of BV while also lowering your risk of STIs.<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"40g6s\"><b>Maintain a healthy diet.<\/b>\u00a0Some research suggests that eating a diet high in saturated fat can increase the risk of getting BV.<\/li>\n<li data-block-key=\"7av24\"><b>Quit smoking.<\/b>\u00a0Tobacco use can alter your vaginal chemistry and heighten your risk of BV.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"e935ee640fc7\" class=\"wysiwyg_text\n\n    wysiwyg_text--withImg\n    withImg--right\n    withImg--top\n    wysiwyg_text--img320\n\ncol--one\n\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"content_container\">\n<div class=\"rich-text\">\n<p data-block-key=\"17unl\">Going to your gynecologist or women\u2019s health provider regularly is the best way to detect and prevent BV, even if you\u2019re asymptomatic. Routine checkups can also identify other concerning conditions, such as STIs and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/utswmed.org\/medblog\/hpv-vaccine-preventing-sexually-transmitted-cancer\/\">cervical cancer<\/a>. It\u2019s also important to pay attention to how much vaginal discharge is normal for you, so you can identify changes sooner.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"cvbkk\">Patients often worry about being judged for having BV. It\u2019s nothing you did wrong, and it is easy to diagnose and treat. So, talk with your provider at the first sign of symptoms. We can help you start feeling better fast and avoid another infection.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"fee30\"><b>To connect with a gynecologist, call\u00a0<a href=\"tel:2146458300\">214-645-8300<\/a>\u00a0or<\/b>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/utswmed.org\/request-appointment\">request an appointment online<\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The best way to prevent BV is to have regular checkups with your gynecologist. Did you know your vagina has its own ecosystem? It contains a delicate balance of bacteria, &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1582","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1582"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1582\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1590,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1582\/revisions\/1590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1582"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1582"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1582"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}