Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Bacterial vaginosis risk factors
Introduction
Overview
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
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
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.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mehrsefat, M.D. [2]