Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis happens when the vagina’s natural bacteria levels are out of balance. The bacteria in the vagina are called the vaginal flora. Balanced vaginal flora help keep the vagina healthy. Usually “good” bacteria outnumber “bad” bacteria. The good bacteria are called lactobacilli; the bad bacteria are anaerobes. When there are too many anaerobes, they upset the balance of the flora, causing bacterial vaginosis.
Risk Factors of Bacterial Vaginosis
- Having different sex partners or a new sex partner. The link between having sex and bacterial vaginosis isn’t clear. But BV happens more often when someone has different or new sex partners. Also, BV is more common when the sex of both partners is female.
- Douching. The vagina is self-cleaning. So rinsing your vagina with water or something else isn’t needed. It may even cause problems. Douching upsets the vagina’s healthy balance of bacteria. It can lead to an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria, causing bacterial vaginosis.
- Natural lack of lactobacilli bacteria. If your vagina doesn’t produce enough lactobacilli, you’re more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis.