Bacterial vaginosis natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Sexually transmitted diseases Main Page
Vaginitis Main Page
Bacterial vaginosis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Bacterial vaginosis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Amsel Criteria
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Bacterial vaginosis natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Bacterial vaginosis natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Bacterial vaginosis natural history, complications and prognosis
CDC on Bacterial vaginosis natural history, complications and prognosis
Bacterial vaginosis natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on Bacterial vaginosis natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Bacterial vaginosis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Bacterial vaginosis natural history, complications and prognosis

Please help WikiDoc by adding more content here. It's easy! Click here to learn about editing.

Complications

In most cases, BV causes no complications. But there are some serious risks from bacterial vaginosis including:

• Increased risk for infection following surgical procedures such as:
  • Hysterectomy
  • Abortion
• Increased risk for some complications of pregnancy such as:
  • Chorioamnionitis
  • Midtrimester miscarriage
  • Preterm birth
• Increase a woman's susceptibility to other STDs, such as:
  • HIV
  • Herpes
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
• Increases the risk for HIV transmission to male sex partners

Bacterial Vaginosis during Pregnancy

Pregnant women with BV more often have babies who are born premature or with low birth weight (low birth weight is less than 5.5 pounds).

The bacteria that cause BV can sometimes infect the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus). This type of infection is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause infertility or damage the fallopian tubes enough to increase the future risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube which can rupture.