What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?
Bacterial Vaginosis or BV is a mild infection of the vagina caused by an imbalance of good and bad bacteria. In the vagina there are a lot of "good" bacteria and some "bad" bacteria. BV occurs when the balance between each bacteria type is upset. There are too many bad bacteria and not enough of the good. BV is a common problem for women who are pre-menopausal and for women that are post-menopausal. Easily treated, it is not an infection that can cause serious problems.



What does it mean when you have back pain with BV?
The symptoms of BV are simply a vaginal discharge and odor. Usually, there are no other symptoms. Many women with BV experience no symptoms at all and others will often notice the above mentioned symptoms increasing after having had sexual intercourse. A study involving over 20,000 women demonstrated that BV activates frequently in preterm pregnancy and the earlier a vaginal infection occurs in pregnancy; the greater is the risk of a preterm delivery. The study also revealed that BV increases the risk of spontaneous abortion by nearly 10%. BV can also lead to the infection of the amniotic fluid and of the uterus after delivery. Therefore, screening and treatment for BV during pregnancy may be done. Back pain has not been associated as a symptom of BV. However, if the infection is left untreated and should worsen, then long term effects such as back pain may occur. Women who experience back pain during a BV problem may have a problem related to pregnancy, or even menopause.

What causes BV?
It is unknown what actually causes BV, but it seems to be that a combination of multiple bacteria must be present together for the problem to develop. BV typically features a reduction in the number of the normal hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli in the vagina. Simultaneously, there is an increase in concentration of other types of bacteria, especially anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that grow in the absence of oxygen). Why the bacteria combine to cause the infection is unknown.
Certain factors have been identified that increase the chances of developing BV. These include multiple or new sexual partners, vaginal douching, and cigarette smoking. However, the role of sexual activity in the development of the condition is not fully understood, and BV can still develop in women who have not had sexual intercourse.

How is BV treated?
BV is usually a mild problem that may go away on its own in a few days, but if left untreated, because it is classified as a bacterial infection, it may lead to more serious problems. If you think you are suffering from the symptoms of BV it is a good idea to see your doctor and get treatment. Treatment options for BV include vaginal gels and oral antibiotics. The antibiotic treatment is the same in pregnancy as in non-pregnant women.