Bacteria vaginosis
1. What is it?
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a very common
vaginal infection. Small amounts of bacteria in the
vagina grow more than normal which results in a
strange smelling vaginal discharge. (NOTE: BV is
not often found in men.)
BV is not harmful but some of the symptoms can
cause you discomfort.
2. How do I know if I have it?
For women the symptoms are:
White or grayish discharge from your vagina,
sometimes in large amounts; the discharge has a
fishy smell, especially after you have sex.
Pain, burning or itching in the vagina - these
symptoms are less common.
For men:
BV is not often found in men.
3. How do I get it?
BV causes normal levels of bacteria in the vagina
to grow more than usual. A change in normal
levels of bacteria can be caused by:
Stress
Having frequent sex
Certain antibiotics
Some forms of birth control
BV is more common in young women who are
sexually active.
4. How do I get tested for it?
The only way to know for sure if you have BV or
any STI is to get tested. You can get tested at a
Peel Public Health Healthy Sexuality Clinic ( by
appointment only), your local walk-in clinic, or
your family doctor. They'll test for BV by taking
swabs from the vagina. Again, men aren't usually
tested for BV.
5. How is it treated?
BV is treated by prescription drugs or a special
vaginal cream.
6. How do I prevent it?
Douching is NOT the answer. In fact it may make
BV worse by washing away the 'good' bacteria in
the vagina. Try to avoid using deodorant tampons
or pads, perfumed soaps, bath oils, or feminine
hygiene sprays.
A good idea is to wear cotton underwear during
the day! It's also better if you don't sleep in your
underwear either.
It's really better for you to NOT wear a thong. In
fact, loose-fitting pants will help you to avoid
getting BV.
Make sure to change out of your wet bathing suit
or sweaty exercise clothes as soon as you can.
REMEMBER: Using condoms every time you have
sex can lower your chances of getting an STI and
HIV/AIDS.
1. What is it?
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a very common
vaginal infection. Small amounts of bacteria in the
vagina grow more than normal which results in a
strange smelling vaginal discharge. (NOTE: BV is
not often found in men.)
BV is not harmful but some of the symptoms can
cause you discomfort.
2. How do I know if I have it?
For women the symptoms are:
White or grayish discharge from your vagina,
sometimes in large amounts; the discharge has a
fishy smell, especially after you have sex.
Pain, burning or itching in the vagina - these
symptoms are less common.
For men:
BV is not often found in men.
3. How do I get it?
BV causes normal levels of bacteria in the vagina
to grow more than usual. A change in normal
levels of bacteria can be caused by:
Stress
Having frequent sex
Certain antibiotics
Some forms of birth control
BV is more common in young women who are
sexually active.
4. How do I get tested for it?
The only way to know for sure if you have BV or
any STI is to get tested. You can get tested at a
Peel Public Health Healthy Sexuality Clinic ( by
appointment only), your local walk-in clinic, or
your family doctor. They'll test for BV by taking
swabs from the vagina. Again, men aren't usually
tested for BV.
5. How is it treated?
BV is treated by prescription drugs or a special
vaginal cream.
6. How do I prevent it?
Douching is NOT the answer. In fact it may make
BV worse by washing away the 'good' bacteria in
the vagina. Try to avoid using deodorant tampons
or pads, perfumed soaps, bath oils, or feminine
hygiene sprays.
A good idea is to wear cotton underwear during
the day! It's also better if you don't sleep in your
underwear either.
It's really better for you to NOT wear a thong. In
fact, loose-fitting pants will help you to avoid
getting BV.
Make sure to change out of your wet bathing suit
or sweaty exercise clothes as soon as you can.
REMEMBER: Using condoms every time you have
sex can lower your chances of getting an STI and
HIV/AIDS.
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