What happens if BV goes untreated?

Most often, BV does not cause other health problems. However, if left untreated, BV may increase your risk for: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Pelvic inflammatory disease where BV bacteria infect the uterus or fallopian tubes.

How long does BV last if untreated?

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection of the vagina that may cause a fishy-smelling discharge. It's usually a mild problem that may go away on its own in a few days.

What are the symptoms of untreated BV?

Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge. Foul-smelling "fishy" vaginal odor. Vaginal itching. Burning during urination.

How long can you go with BV?

While the infection may go away on its own, most doctors use antibiotics to treat it. You may have been prescribed pills or vaginal cream. With treatment, bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 5 to 7 days.

When should I be worried about BV?

The primary symptoms include vaginal discharge (white or grey), vaginal odor, vaginal itching, and pain when urinating. In rare instances, BV can lead to complications, so if you experience these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider.

What Will Happen If Your Bacterial Vaginosis Left Untreated?

What does severe BV look like?

The main symptom of BV is lots of thin vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell. The discharge may be white, dull gray, greenish, and/or foamy. The fishy smell is often more noticeable after vaginal sex.

Is BV caused by poor hygiene?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by the overgrowth of the natural vaginal bacteria. BV is a common infection, especially among pregnant women. The cause of BV is not fully understood; it is not caused by poor hygiene.

Can you permanently have BV?

Recurrent bacterial vaginosis is an imbalance of the vaginal bacteria normally present in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition and treatment is available; however, in some women the condition may recur or even become chronic, requiring multiple and sometimes long-term treatments.

Is it possible to have BV for months?

Some women suffer from chronic (recurring) bacterial vaginosis. Medicine can clear up the infection, but it returns again after a few weeks. Some women report that bacterial vaginosis returns after their period each month. Or it can return after they have sex.

Why do I get BV every time I sleep with my boyfriend?

Bacterial vaginosis isn't technically a sexually transmitted infection, but rates of this infection are higher in people who have sexual intercourse. If you are experiencing repeated infections with the same partner, talk to your healthcare provider and partner about STI testing and safe sex options.

How do you know if you have severe BV?

What serious problems can BV cause?

If BV is untreated, possible problems may include: Higher risk of getting STIs, including HIV. Having BV can raise your risk of getting HIV, genital herpes, chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, and gonorrhea. Women with HIV who get BV are also more likely to pass HIV to a male sexual partner.

How serious can BV get?

Sometimes BV will go away without treatment, but not treating the infection can involve serious health risks. Untreated BV can increase a woman's risk of getting sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, herpes, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Can BV make you feel unwell?

BV is readily treated and usually doesn't cause any other health problems. With that said, it can increase the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or lead to birth complications in people who are pregnant.

Can BV spread to other parts of the body?

The bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis normally reside in the vagina. They cause symptoms and spread to other organs only if they increase in number (overgrow).

How do I get rid of BV permanently?

Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection, and there's no way to completely stop all infections. Still, you may be able to lower your risk of developing BV with good hygiene and taking care of your overall health. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you're experiencing any of the symptoms of BV.

Why won't my BV go away with antibiotics?

Within a month, antibiotics clear up to 85% of bacterial vaginosis cases, yet for over half of these patients, BV will return within 6 months. This is thought to be in part because the antibiotics don't fully eradicate the pathogenic microbes, leaving BV-associated bacteria to regrow in the vagina following treatment.

Which probiotic is best for BV?

Which probiotics are best for BV? Lactobacilli-based probiotics such as Lacticasebacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus reuteri are best for treating BV.

Does stress cause BV?

Any change in your immune health—like stress—can impact your vaginal pH level, making a yeast infection and/or bacterial vaginosis more common.

How many times can you get BV?

Recurring bacterial vaginosis

It's common for bacterial vaginosis to come back, usually within a few months. If it comes back, you'll usually be given more antibiotics to treat it. If you keep getting it (you get it more than 4 times in a year), you may be given an antibiotic gel that you put in your vagina.

Are baths good for BV?

Very hot baths and vaginal steaming are not recommended to treat BV.

Can you get BV from wearing pads?

Anything that messes with your vaginal flora (the chemistry of your vagina) can lead to BV. This includes douching, sexual intercourse, and even sitting in a bathtub with bubbles. Also, anything that creates a warm moist environment such as sweating with exercise, wearing thong underwear, tight jeans, or even a pad.

Can Monistat cure a bacterial infection?

Unfortunately, there are no over-the-counter products like Monistat that will do the trick. (Monistat is a treatment for yeast infections—it won't do anything to stop the itching and clear up your condition if what you really have is BV.)

Can BV be cancerous?

Bacterial vaginosis, the most widespread vaginal infection in the United States, is associated with a 357% increase in the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), an abnormality of cervical cells that may lead to cervical cancer, according to a study published in the Scandinavian journal Acta Obstetricia ...