Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms

Bacterial vaginosis symptoms often include an abnormal vaginal discharge that is usually white or gray and has an unpleasant odor. Other symptoms include burning during urination, and vaginal itching or irritation. Some women have no symptoms at all. Women who are pregnant are at special risk, and should see a doctor right away if bacterial vaginosis symptoms are present.

 

Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms: An Overview

There are a number of possible bacterial vaginosis symptoms, including:
 
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Unpleasant vaginal odor
  • Burning during urination
  • Itching around the vagina
  • Vaginal irritation.
     
However, some women with bacterial vaginosis have no related symptoms at all.
 

More Detail Regarding Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms

Women with bacterial vaginosis may have an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. In some women, the discharge has a strong fish-like odor, especially after intercourse.
 
Discharge, if present, is usually white or gray. It can be thin and milky.
 
Women with bacterial vaginosis may also have burning during urination, itching around the outside of the vagina, or both.
 

Complications Associated With Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms

In most cases, bacterial vaginosis symptoms cause no complications. But there are some serious risks from bacterial vaginosis that you need to be aware of, including:
 
  • Having bacterial vaginosis can increase a woman's susceptibility to HIV infection if she is exposed to the HIV virus
     
  • Bacterial vaginosis increases the chances that an HIV-infected woman can pass HIV to her sex partner
     
  • Having bacterial vaginosis symptoms has been associated with an increase in the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy or an abortion
     
  • Having bacterial vaginosis while pregnant may put a woman at increased risk for some complications of pregnancy
     
  • Bacterial vaginosis can increase a woman's susceptibility to other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD