Bacterial vaginosis risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mehrsefat, M.D. [2]

Overview

Common risk factors in the development of bacterial vaginosis include sexual activity, a new sex partner or multiple sex partners, woman who have sex with woman, presence of other sexually transmitted infections, douching, and cigarette smoking.^[1]^[2]

Risk Factors

Common Risk Factors

BV is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Although it is less common in women who have never had sex, there is evidence that it could be linked to having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners. Common risk factors in the development of bacterial vaginosis include:^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

Sexual activity
Women who have sex with women (WSW)
- Increasing numbers of female sexual partners
- A female partner with symptomatic BV
- Various sexual practices
Presence of other sexually transmitted infections
Douching
Cigarette smoking
Alkaline vaginal pH (menstruation, semen)
Genetic susceptibility

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Fethers KA, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Gurrin LC, Bradshaw CS (2008). “Sexual risk factors and bacterial vaginosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis”. Clin Infect Dis. 47 (11): 1426–35. doi:10.1086/592974. PMID 18947329.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Yen S, Shafer MA, Moncada J, Campbell CJ, Flinn SD, Boyer CB (2003). “Bacterial vaginosis in sexually experienced and non-sexually experienced young women entering the military”. Obstet Gynecol. 102 (5 Pt 1): 927–33. PMID 14672465.
↑ Fethers K, Marks C, Mindel A, Estcourt CS (2000). “Sexually transmitted infections and risk behaviours in women who have sex with women”. Sex Transm Infect. 76 (5): 345–9. PMC 1744205. PMID 11141849.
↑ Verstraelen H, Verhelst R, Nuytinck L, Roelens K, De Meester E, De Vos D; et al. (2009). “Gene polymorphisms of Toll-like and related recognition receptors in relation to the vaginal carriage of Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae”. J Reprod Immunol. 79 (2): 163–73. doi:10.1016/j.jri.2008.10.006. PMID 19200604.
↑ Ness RB, Hillier SL, Richter HE, Soper DE, Stamm C, McGregor J; et al. (2002). “Douching in relation to bacterial vaginosis, lactobacilli, and facultative bacteria in the vagina”. Obstet Gynecol. 100 (4): 765. PMID 12383547.
↑ Bradshaw CS, Walker SM, Vodstrcil LA, Bilardi JE, Law M, Hocking JS; et al. (2014). “The influence of behaviors and relationships on the vaginal microbiota of women and their female partners: the WOW Health Study”. J Infect Dis. 209 (10): 1562–72. doi:10.1093/infdis/jit664. PMID 24285846.

[pmid18947329-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Fethers KA, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Gurrin LC, Bradshaw CS (2008). “Sexual risk factors and bacterial vaginosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis”. Clin Infect Dis. 47 (11): 1426–35. doi:10.1086/592974. PMID 18947329.

[pmid14672465-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Yen S, Shafer MA, Moncada J, Campbell CJ, Flinn SD, Boyer CB (2003). “Bacterial vaginosis in sexually experienced and non-sexually experienced young women entering the military”. Obstet Gynecol. 102 (5 Pt 1): 927–33. PMID 14672465.

[pmid11141849-3] Fethers K, Marks C, Mindel A, Estcourt CS (2000). “Sexually transmitted infections and risk behaviours in women who have sex with women”. Sex Transm Infect. 76 (5): 345–9. PMC 1744205. PMID 11141849.

[pmid19200604-4] Verstraelen H, Verhelst R, Nuytinck L, Roelens K, De Meester E, De Vos D; et al. (2009). “Gene polymorphisms of Toll-like and related recognition receptors in relation to the vaginal carriage of Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae”. J Reprod Immunol. 79 (2): 163–73. doi:10.1016/j.jri.2008.10.006. PMID 19200604.

[pmid12383547-5] Ness RB, Hillier SL, Richter HE, Soper DE, Stamm C, McGregor J; et al. (2002). “Douching in relation to bacterial vaginosis, lactobacilli, and facultative bacteria in the vagina”. Obstet Gynecol. 100 (4): 765. PMID 12383547.

[pmid24285846-6] Bradshaw CS, Walker SM, Vodstrcil LA, Bilardi JE, Law M, Hocking JS; et al. (2014). “The influence of behaviors and relationships on the vaginal microbiota of women and their female partners: the WOW Health Study”. J Infect Dis. 209 (10): 1562–72. doi:10.1093/infdis/jit664. PMID 24285846.

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