I know someone who got bacterial vaginosis. How is it contracted and how do you get rid of it, especially never having intercourse?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria in your vagina along with an organism called Gardnerella vaginalis. Anaerobic bacteria don’t need oxygen to survive or grow. Small amounts of these anaerobic bacteria and Gardnerella can normally be found in your vagina. BV is more common in women with multiple sexual partners and may develop after sexual intercourse with a new partner. Lesbian women also get bacterial vaginosis, and even women who are not sexually active can develop BV.
If you have BV, see your health care provider and make sure to take ALL of your medicine. If you use a vaginal medicine, do not use tampons or douche during the treatment (as it will absorb the vaginal medication and make it less effective). The medication works pretty quickly to cure bacterial vaginosis, but you need to make sure that you take all of the medication for it to be the most effective.
Bacterial vaginosis can come back, even if you take all of your medication and follow your health care provider’s advice. If your symptoms do come back, check in with your health care provider and get treated again. You may need to be treated for a longer period of time to get rid of the overgrowth of bacteria.
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