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Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
What is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that happens when there are too many certain bacteria in the vagina. This changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina.
Additional Information and Facts
CDC Fact Sheet on Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
Testing and Treatment
Can bacterial vaginosis be cured?
BV will sometimes go away without treatment. But if you have symptoms of BV, you should be checked and treated. You must take all of the medicine prescribed to you, even if your symptoms go away. A health care provider can treat BV with antibiotics, but BV may recur even after treatment. Treatment may also reduce the risk for some STDs.
Male sex partners of women diagnosed with BV generally do not need to be treated. BV may be transferred between female sex partners.
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Page last updated 12/12/2018
Content source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, February 10). STD Facts - Bacterial Vaginosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, December 9). CDC – BV Treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/treatment.htm.