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I Was Recently Diagnosed With Bacterial Vaginosis . I Have
Question: I was recently diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. I have been in a long term relationship with two partners. Sex has been protected for the last year. Before that sex was unprotected for a year. What is the likelihood that the bacterial vaginosis diagnosis is related to sexual intercourse?
Brief Answer:
There is a relationship between bacterial vaginosis and intercourse
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask a Doctor service,
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition where the bacterial flora in the vagina shift towards certain bacteria which are normally found in the vagina but overgrow. So, it is not an infection but a shift or overgrowth of certain bacteria. Even though it is not an infection it is well recognized that bacterial vaginosis is more common in sexually active women and the more partners they have the more likely they will get it.
So, it is recognized that sexual intercourse favors bacterial vaginosis, even though it should not be taken for a sexually transmitted infection.
On the other hand, it is important to rule out sexually transmitted infections as the cause of the symptoms as bacterial vaginosis and STIs can easily be confused with one another due to increased secretions and the odor. If a patient has low abdominal pain and pain with intercourse, this leads towards STIs. If a woman does not have the above and the secretions have a fish odor, bacterial vaginosis is likely.
I hope that this answers your query and is helpful to you. Please let me know if I may assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
There is a relationship between bacterial vaginosis and intercourse
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask a Doctor service,
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition where the bacterial flora in the vagina shift towards certain bacteria which are normally found in the vagina but overgrow. So, it is not an infection but a shift or overgrowth of certain bacteria. Even though it is not an infection it is well recognized that bacterial vaginosis is more common in sexually active women and the more partners they have the more likely they will get it.
So, it is recognized that sexual intercourse favors bacterial vaginosis, even though it should not be taken for a sexually transmitted infection.
On the other hand, it is important to rule out sexually transmitted infections as the cause of the symptoms as bacterial vaginosis and STIs can easily be confused with one another due to increased secretions and the odor. If a patient has low abdominal pain and pain with intercourse, this leads towards STIs. If a woman does not have the above and the secretions have a fish odor, bacterial vaginosis is likely.
I hope that this answers your query and is helpful to you. Please let me know if I may assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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