Pregnancy

Many women with BV do not exhibit any symptoms, which can make it harder for pregnant women to identify if they have an infection. Symptoms of BV include:

• Thin vaginal discharge
• Discharge that is grey, white, or green
• Foul-smelling or “fishy” vagina odor especially after having sex
• Pain, itching or burning in the vagina
• Itching around the outside of the vagina
• Burning feeling when you urinate
• Burning feeling inside the vagina

If you start showing signs of BV, it’s important to contact your health provider as soon as possible to prevent any complications.

“Approximately 10% – 30% of pregnant women will experience bacterial vaginosis (BV) during their pregnancy. BV is characterized by a shift from a healthy vaginal microbiome – one dominated by acid-producing bacteria (the healthy bacteria, such as lactobacillus) – to a vagina dominated by unhealthy bacteria.”

Besides being pregnant, other risk factors increase your chances of getting BV. These include:

• Having multiple sex partners or a new sex partner: Even though the cause of BV is unknown, the infection is linked to sexual activity. BV is more common in women who have sex with other women.
• Douching: Vaginal douching is known to increase the risk of BV. Women are generally discouraged to use a douche since the vagina is already self-cleaning.
• Lacking certain bacteria: Some women’s bodies do not produce enough of the “good” bacteria in the vagina, making it easier to cause infection.
• Being a Black Woman: BV is twice as common in black women than in white women. The cause for this is not fully understood.
• Used an intrauterine device (also called IUD)

Fortunately for pregnant women, there are ways you can help prevent BV.

• Don’t have sex: BV isn’t an sexually transmitted infection (STI), but you’re more likely to get it if you have sex than if you don’t.
• Limit the number of sex partners you have: Have sex with only one person who doesn’t have other sex partners.
• Use a condom every time you have sex: Condoms are barrier methods of birth control. Barrier methods help prevent pregnancy (and STIs) by blocking or killing your partner’s sperm. Other kinds of birth control, like the pill and implants, don’t protect you from STIs.
• Don’t douche: Douching can remove normal bacteria in your vagina that can help protect you from infection.
• Practice Good Vaginal Hygiene: Use warm water only and no soap to clean the outside of your vagina. Do not clean the inside of your vagina
• Always wipe front to back.

BV can be frustrating but is generally is not a cause for concern as long as it’s treated properly. Early detection and the use of antibiotics or the use of pH vaginal regulators, such as GYNALAC, can ensure that there is no harm to your baby. If you start experiencing symptoms of BV, do not wait to contact your doctor.

BV is three times more common to be found in infertile women than fertile women. BV, and other infections in general, can cause decreased fertility in a number of ways:

• Increasing inflammation and immune system activity, making a toxic environment for reproduction.
• Causing damage to sperm and vaginal cells.
• Interfering with the production of healthy cervical mucus during ovulation.
• Blocking the Fallopian Tubes through scar tissue damage from infections, so that sperm and egg can’t meet.

Pregnant women are at increased risk for BV because of hormone changes that happen during pregnancy. If you have BV during pregnancy, your baby is at increased risk for premature birth and low birthweight. Premature birth is birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Low birthweight is when your baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Being born too early or too small can cause health problems for your baby.
BV also can cause pelvic inflammatory diseases (also called PID). PID is an infection in the uterus that can increase your risk for infertility (not being able to get pregnant).
BV is also associated with a two-fold increase in risk of preclinical pregnancy loss, sometimes called a chemical pregnancy, following IVF. BV is also associated with increased rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV infection. For women with BV present during pregnancy, there may be an increased risk of miscarriages, preterm birth, and low birth weight complications for the newborn, as well as postpartum infections.