Is bacterial vaginitis sexually transmitted?

Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 21, 2024
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Bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted.

The occurrence of bacterial vaginosis is mainly due to changes in the vaginal environment, which leads to an imbalance of bacteria normally present in the vagina. Some bacteria become dominant, leading to the development of bacterial vaginosis. Most cases of bacterial vaginosis are due to low immunity in women, reduced body resistance, or long-term use of vaginal medications which disturb the vaginal environment, resulting in bacterial vaginosis. It is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease.

For bacterial vaginosis, if there are obvious symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge or external genital itching, treatment with metronidazole or clindamycin can significantly relieve discomfort. In addition to medication, attention should be paid to the hygiene of the external genitalia and improving one’s immunity, as many cases of bacterial vaginosis can heal on their own.

(Please follow medical advice when using medication.)

Other Voices

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 4sec home-news-image

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Women can suffer from bacterial vaginosis, which is more commonly seen in women who have frequent sexual intercourse, or in postmenopausal women. It is not caused by an infection of a specific pathogen in the vagina, but rather by an imbalance of the normal flora that naturally resides in the vagina. Normally, the female vagina has a self-cleaning capability. What this means is that there are large quantities of lactobacilli in the vagina, which can create an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of other bacteria. However, under certain pathological conditions, such as too frequent sexual activity, this balance can be disrupted, leading to a reduction in the number of lactobacilli. Consequently, the numbers of other pathogenic bacteria may increase, causing bacterial vaginosis. During this condition, there is no inflammatory alteration in the vaginal walls or cervix.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
42sec home-news-image

Why is bacterial vaginitis so painful?

Bacterial vaginosis is a mixed infection caused by the imbalance of normal vaginal flora, and it is a relatively common gynecological disease. Bacterial vaginosis can damage the vaginal mucosa, primarily characterized by increased secretions and consequent irritation, causing pain. It is recommended to seek medical attention at a local tertiary hospital or gynecological clinic. Treatment should be conducted under the guidance of clinical physicians. During treatment, maintain cleanliness and hygiene of the vulva, wear loose, breathable underwear, consume a light diet, avoid spicy and other irritant foods, and abstain from sexual activity.

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Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Is bacterial vaginitis sexually transmitted?

Bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted. The occurrence of bacterial vaginosis is mainly due to changes in the vaginal environment, which leads to an imbalance of bacteria normally present in the vagina. Some bacteria become dominant, leading to the development of bacterial vaginosis. Most cases of bacterial vaginosis are due to low immunity in women, reduced body resistance, or long-term use of vaginal medications which disturb the vaginal environment, resulting in bacterial vaginosis. It is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease. For bacterial vaginosis, if there are obvious symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge or external genital itching, treatment with metronidazole or clindamycin can significantly relieve discomfort. In addition to medication, attention should be paid to the hygiene of the external genitalia and improving one’s immunity, as many cases of bacterial vaginosis can heal on their own. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)

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Written by Huang Shuai
Obstetrics and Gynecology
40sec home-news-image

How long does it take to recover from bacterial vaginitis?

When bacterial vaginosis occurs, we use different medications to treat it, and the duration of treatment varies. However, most current treatment plans typically span a seven-day course. Generally, after one course of treatment, most cases of bacterial vaginosis can return to normal. However, there are some more persistent cases of bacterial vaginosis. It's possible that the initial treatment plan chosen may be ineffective, and it might be necessary to change treatment plans to address the condition. Therefore, overall, for most cases of bacterial vaginosis, a typical treatment course of seven days usually leads to recovery.

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Written by Huang Shuai
Obstetrics and Gynecology
49sec home-news-image

Can bacterial vaginitis affect conception?

Bacterial vaginosis generally does not have a particularly large or obvious impact on conception, but it can indeed potentially affect the process of conception. This is primarily because when bacterial vaginosis occurs, there are usually a significant number of inflammatory cells in the vagina or the cervix. These inflammatory cells may affect sperm, thereby potentially impacting the process of conception. Of course, when bacterial vaginosis is present, it is generally recommended to treat it before pregnancy. This is mainly because if bacterial vaginosis exists during pregnancy, there may be an increased risk of bleeding, miscarriage, or premature birth. Therefore, it is usually advised to treat bacterial vaginosis before planning to conceive.