Is bacterial vaginitis sexually transmitted?

Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 21, 2024
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Bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted.

The occurrence of bacterial vaginosis is mainly due to changes in the vaginal environment, which leads to an imbalance of bacteria normally present in the vagina. Some bacteria become dominant, leading to the development of bacterial vaginosis. Most cases of bacterial vaginosis are due to low immunity in women, reduced body resistance, or long-term use of vaginal medications which disturb the vaginal environment, resulting in bacterial vaginosis. It is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease.

For bacterial vaginosis, if there are obvious symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge or external genital itching, treatment with metronidazole or clindamycin can significantly relieve discomfort. In addition to medication, attention should be paid to the hygiene of the external genitalia and improving one’s immunity, as many cases of bacterial vaginosis can heal on their own.

(Please follow medical advice when using medication.)

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Why is bacterial vaginitis so painful?

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How long does it take to recover from bacterial vaginitis?

When bacterial vaginosis occurs, we use different medications to treat it, and the duration of treatment varies. However, most current treatment plans typically span a seven-day course. Generally, after one course of treatment, most cases of bacterial vaginosis can return to normal. However, there are some more persistent cases of bacterial vaginosis. It's possible that the initial treatment plan chosen may be ineffective, and it might be necessary to change treatment plans to address the condition. Therefore, overall, for most cases of bacterial vaginosis, a typical treatment course of seven days usually leads to recovery.

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Why does bacterial vaginitis turn into fungal vaginitis?

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