Pregnant women with untreated bacterial vaginosis (BV) that is causing symptoms have a higher risk of developing complications that can affect their pregnancy.
These include:
- premature birth (where the baby is born before the 37th week of a pregnancy) – women with BV are twice as likely to have a premature birth than other women, and it is thought that BV is responsible for 1 in 3 of all premature births in this country
- miscarriage (the loss of pregnancy at some point during the first 23 weeks) - women with BV are six times more likely to have a miscarriage than other women
- the amniotic sac (bag of fluid where the unborn baby develops) breaking open too early
- chorioamnionitis, an infection of the chorion and amnion membranes (the membranes that make up the amniotic sac) and the amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the foetus)
- postpartum endometritis - irritation or inflammation of the lining of the womb (uterus) after giving birth
If you are pregnant and have symptoms of BV, see your GP immediately, although there is no cause for concern. BV can be safely treated when you are pregnant, which will reduce the risk of all of these complications.
Routine testing for BV is not recommended for pregnant women without any symptoms of BV (asymptomatic). This is because there is no evidence that asymptomatic BV increases the risk of complications in pregnancy.
Sexually transmitted infections
There is evidence that having BV can make you more at risk of catching sexually transmitted infections. This is possibly because the drop in ‘friendly bacteria’ inside your vagina reduces their protective effects against infection.
If you have BV, you may be at more risk of:
Other health conditions
BV has been linked to a number of other conditions. It is thought that BV may contribute to:
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition that involves infection and inflammation (swelling) of the upper female genital tract
- tubal factor infertility, caused by damage to the fallopian tubes (the tubes that connect the ovaries to the womb)
In-vitro fertilisation
Women who have BV and are using in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) may have:
- a lower success rate
- an increased risk of early miscarriage
If you are having IVF and have symptoms of BV, see your GP or speak to your infertility specialist.
Recurrent BV
After being successfully treated for BV, around 20-25% of women may find that the condition returns within one month. Over time, BV may reoccur in up to 80% of women.
If your BV reoccurs, return to your GP to discuss further treatment options.
Bacteria
Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in the body. Some can cause illness and disease, and some are good for you.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area.
Miscarriage
The loss of pregnancy during the first 23 weeks.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs are diseases passed on through intimate sexual contact, such as vaginal, oral or anal sex.
Tissue
Body tissue is made up of groups of cells that perform a specific job, such as protecting the body against infection, producing movement or storing fat.
Uterus
The uterus (or womb) is a hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman where a baby grows during pregnancy.
Vagina
The vagina is a tube of muscle that runs from the cervix (the opening of the womb) to the vulva (the external sexual organs).
