What is bacterial vaginosis (BV)?
BV is a type of vaginal infection that any woman can get. Chances are you have heard more about yeast infections than BV, but BV (not yeast) is the most common type of vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. BV is often confused with yeast infections they are not the same thing and they require different types of treatment. BV is linked to normal bacteria (germs) in the vagina getting out of balance. All women have mostly “good” and some “harmful” bacteria present in their vaginas. When harmful bacteria in the vagina increase, or overgrow, BV can develop. Yeast infections are caused by the yeast Candida, which also overgrows when the normal balance of the vagina becomes disturbed.
