Causes of Bacterial vaginosis

Contents

Bacterial vaginosis: Introduction
Primary Cause of Bacterial vaginosis
Causes Discussion
Risk factors
Causes of symptoms
Related cause information

Primary Cause of Bacterial vaginosis

The primary cause of Bacterial vaginosis is the result:

of transmission of an infectious agent by another person by one or more of the following: saliva, air, cough, fecal-oral route, surfaces, blood, needles, blood transfusions, sexual contact, mother to fetus, etc.

Bacterial vaginosis Causes: Risk Factors

The following conditions have been cited in various sources as potentially causal risk factors related to Bacterial vaginosis:

Bacterial vaginosis: Related Medical Conditions

To research the causes of Bacterial vaginosis, consider researching the causes of these these diseases that may be similar, or associated with Bacterial vaginosis:

Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy
Recurrent bacterial vaginosis
BV
Dyspareunia
Vaginal infection

Bacterial vaginosis: Causes and Types

Causes of Types of Bacterial vaginosis: Review the cause informationfor the various types of Bacterial vaginosis:

Bacteroides bacteria
Gardnerella vaginalis bacteria
Gardnerella
Mobiluncus bacteria
Mycoplasma hominis bacteria
more types...»

Causes of Broader Categories of Bacterial vaginosis: Review the causal information about the various more general categories of medical conditions:

Bacterial vaginosis as a symptom:

Conditions listing Bacterial vaginosis as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Bacterial vaginosis. Our database lists the following as having Bacterial vaginosis as a symptom of that condition:

HIV/AIDS

What causes Bacterial vaginosis?

Causes: Bacterial vaginosis: The cause of BV is not fully understood. BV is associated with an imbalance in the bacteria that are normally found in a woman's vagina. The vagina normally contains mostly "good" bacteria, and fewer "harmful" bacteria. BV develops when there is a change in the environment of the vagina that causes an increase in harmful bacteria. (Source: excerpt from Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): DSTD)
Article excerpts about the causes of Bacterial vaginosis:

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): DSTD (Excerpt)

Not much is known about how women get BV. Women who have a new sex partner or who have had multiple sex partners are more likely to develop BV. Women who have never had sexual intercourse are rarely affected. It is not clear what role sexual activity plays in the development of BV, and there are many unanswered questions about the role that harmful bacteria play in causing BV. Women do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, swimming pools, or from touching objects around them. (Source: excerpt from Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): DSTD)

Vaginitis Due to Vaginal Infections, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

BV reflects a change in the vaginal ecosystem. This imbalance, including pH changes, occurs when different types of bacteria outnumber the normal ones. Instead of Lactobacillus bacteria being the most numerous, increased numbers of organisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides, Mobiluncus, and Mycoplasma hominis are found in the vaginas of women with BV. Investigators are studying the role that each of these microbes may play in causing BV, but they do not yet understand the role of sexual activity in developing BV. A change in sexual partners and douching may increase the risk of acquiring bacterial vaginosis. (Source: excerpt from Vaginitis Due to Vaginal Infections, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

Vaginal Infections & Vaginitis: NWHIC (Excerpt)

BV is due to a change in the balance among different types of bacteria in the vagina. Instead of the normal predominance of Lactobacillus bacteria, increased numbers of organisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides, Mobiluncus, and Mycoplasma hominis are found in the vagina in women with BV. Investigators are studying the role that each of these microbes may play in causing BV. (Source: excerpt from Vaginal Infections & Vaginitis: NWHIC)