Causes of Bacterial vaginosis
Cause of Bacterial vaginosis: The cause of BV is not fully understood. BV is associated with an imbalance in the bacteria that are normally found in a woman's vagina. The vagina normally contains mostly "good" bacteria, and fewer "harmful" bacteria. BV develops when there is a change in the environment of the vagina that causes an increase in harmful bacteria. 1
Cause details for Bacterial vaginosis: Not much is known about how women get BV. Women who have a new sex partner or who have had multiple sex partners are more likely to develop BV. Women who have never had sexual intercourse are rarely affected. It is not clear what role sexual activity plays in the development of BV, and there are many unanswered questions about the role that harmful bacteria play in causing BV. Women do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, swimming pools, or from touching objects around them. 1
BV reflects a change in the vaginal ecosystem. This imbalance, including pH changes, occurs when different types of bacteria outnumber the normal ones. Instead of Lactobacillus bacteria being the most numerous, increased numbers of organisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides, Mobiluncus, and Mycoplasma hominis are found in the vaginas of women with BV. Investigators are studying the role that each of these microbes may play in causing BV, but they do not yet understand the role of sexual activity in developing BV. A change in sexual partners and douching may increase the risk of acquiring bacterial vaginosis. 2
BV is due to a change in the balance among different types of bacteria in the vagina. Instead of the normal predominance of Lactobacillus bacteria, increased numbers of organisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides, Mobiluncus, and Mycoplasma hominis are found in the vagina in women with BV. Investigators are studying the role that each of these microbes may play in causing BV.3
Bacterial vaginosis as a symptom: Conditions listing Bacterial vaginosis as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Bacterial vaginosis. The list of conditions listing Bacterial vaginosis as a symptom in our database includes:
Related information for causes of Bacterial vaginosis:
Further relevant information on causes of Bacterial vaginosis may be found
in the risk factors for Bacterial vaginosis
and underlying causes of Bacterial vaginosis.
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): DSTD
2. excerpt from Vaginitis Due to Vaginal Infections, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID
3. excerpt from Vaginal Infections & Vaginitis: NWHIC
Last revision:
June 23, 2003
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Medical Articles: