What happens if BV is left untreated?

Complications of Bacterial Vaginosis

If left untreated, BV can increase your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV. It also can cause other problems (such as having a low-birth-weight baby or premature rupture of the membranes) during pregnancy.

Can BV go away without treatment?

At times, BV will go away without treatment. However, treatment can help avoid the increased chance of some serious health risks associated with BV, including: Getting or transmitting HIV; Delivering your baby too early if you have BV while pregnant; and.

Is untreated BV bad?

BV that is not detected early or is left untreated increases the risk of premature birth and low birthweight. Some studies have also shown that BV is linked to miscarriage and premature rupture of the membranes.

Can BV cause long term damage?

What can happen if you have BV for a long time? 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.

Is BV serious?

Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, but it can cause disturbing symptoms. Any woman with an unusual discharge should be evaluated so that more serious infections such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be excluded.

How long can bacterial vaginosis last?

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.

What foods to avoid when you have BV?

The 7 Worst Foods For Vaginal Health
  • Sweet stuff. Those delicious desserts aren’t doing you or your vaginal health any favors. …
  • Onions. It isn’t just your breath that smells after eating onions. …
  • Asparagus. …
  • Anything fried. …
  • Coffee. …
  • Refined carbs. …
  • Cheese.

What does BV look like inside?

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

Can your period clear up BV?

Living with 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. Talk to your doctor if you have chronic bacterial vaginosis.

Can BV turn into chlamydia?

For every one additional episode of BV, the risk of acquiring chlamydia and gonorrhea infections increased by 13% and 26%, respectively.

Can I test for BV at home?

A person can test for BV using a home testing kit, which they can often purchase online or at a local pharmacy. Individuals should speak with their doctor if they receive a positive result from any at-home test.

How can I stop getting BV so much?

Steps that might lower your risk of BV include:
  1. Keeping your vaginal bacteria balanced. Use warm water only to clean the outside of your vagina. …
  2. Not douching. Douching upsets the balance of good and harmful bacteria in your vagina. …
  3. Not having sex. …
  4. Limiting your number of sex partners.

Can BV be caused by stress?

Excessive exposure to psychosocial stress is independently associated with increased prevalence of BV (20, 73–75), which is the most common vaginal condition in women of reproductive age.

Can sperm cause BV?

Bacterial vaginosis causes

Several factors can make increase the number of bacteria, including: Sex. Semen impacts the pH level in the vagina, which can contribute to a higher rate of bacteria growth.