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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffRisk factors for bacterial vaginosis include:
- Multiple sex partners or a new sex partner. The link between sexual activity and bacterial vaginosis isn't entirely clear, but bacterial vaginosis occurs more often in women who have multiple sex partners or a new sex partner. Bacterial vaginosis also seems to occur more frequently in women who have sex with women.
- Douching. The practice of rinsing out your vagina with water or a cleansing agent (douching) upsets the natural balance of your vaginal environment. This can lead to an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria, which in turn can result in bacterial vaginosis. Since the vagina is self-cleaning, douching isn't necessary.
- IUD use. Women who use an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control have a higher risk of bacterial vaginosis.
- Black race. Black, non-Hispanic women are more likely to have bacterial vaginosis than are white women.
- A natural lack of lactobacilli bacteria. If your natural vaginal environment doesn't produce enough of the "good" lactobacilli bacteria, you're more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis.
References
- Bacterial vaginosis fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Nyirjesy P. Vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2008;22:637.
- ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins — Gynecology. Vaginitis. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2006;107:1195.
- Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/vaginal-discharge.htm. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Sobel JD. Bacterial vaginosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Boyd E, et al. Vaginitis: Bacterial vaginosis. In: Hillard PA. The 5-Minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:204.
- Boardman LA, et al. Benign vulvovaginal disorders. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:625.
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