Health news: in pictures 1 in 3 women will get bacterial vaginosis but are unlikely to know what it is

One in three women will get bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common cause of unusual vaginal discharge, at some time in their life. However, many women do not know what it is, and can confuse the symptoms for other conditions, such as thrush. Although the causes of BV are not very well understood, it develops when the normal environment of the vagina changes, when there are less of the normal bacteria (lactobacilli), an overgrowth of other types of bacteria, and the vagina becomes more alkaline. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection, but it can develop after sex, and any woman might get it including those in same sex relationships and those who have never had sex. Around half of women with BV will not have any signs and symptoms at all, or may not be aware of them. Where there are symptoms, these can include an increase in the usual vaginal discharge, and for it to become thin and watery, change to a white/grey colour and develop a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell, especially after sexual intercourse. Treatment is simple and involves taking antibiotic tablets, either as a single dose or for up to a week, or a cream or gel for use in the vagina for around one week