Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been a popular disease among women. Women may lose confidence as BV can recur frequently. In around 20–25% of women who have been successfully treated, BV may return within one month. Over time, BV may reoccur in up to 80% of women.

BV has been linked to several other conditions. It is thought that BV may contribute to:

•pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition that involves infection and inflammation (swelling) of the upper female genital tract, including the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries

•tubal factor infertility, caused by damage to the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the womb

Pregnant women must care about BV because it can cause other complications. Pregnant women with untreated bacterial vaginosis (BV) that is causing symptoms have a higher risk of developing complications that can affect their pregnancy.These include:

•premature birth (where the baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy) – women with BV are twice as likely to have a premature birth than other women, and it is thought that BV is responsible for one in three of all premature births in the UK

•miscarriage (the loss of pregnancy at some point during the first 23 weeks) – women with BV are six times more likely to have a miscarriage than other women
•the amniotic sac breaking open too early – the amniotic sac is the bag of fluid where the unborn baby develops 

•chorioamnionitis – an infection of the chorion and amnion membranes (the membranes that make up the amniotic sac) and the amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the foetus)

•postpartum endometritis – irritation or inflammation of the lining of the womb after giving birth

If you are pregnant and have symptoms of BV, see your family doctor immediately, although there is no cause for concern. BV can be safely treated with Fuyan Pill when you are pregnant, which will reduce the risk of all of these complications.

Routine testing for BV is not recommended for pregnant women without any symptoms of BV (asymptomatic BV). This is because there is no evidence that asymptomatic BV increases the risk of complications in pregnancy.