Around half of women with BV will not have any signs and symptoms at all, or may not be aware of them.

If you do get symptoms you might notice;

• Increase in your usual discharge with a strong unpleasant fishy smell (this can be worse after sex)
• The discharge can become thin and watery.
• Change in colour to a white/grey colour.
• Some women notice a pattern developing when they get BV (e.g. before or after a period).
• BV is not usually associated with soreness, itching or irritation.

If you think you may have it, you can be tested at a sexual health clinic where a nurse or doctor will take a sample of your discharge on a swab during an internal examination.

It only takes a few seconds and is not usually painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a moment.

Samples taken during the examination are looked at under a microscope to check for bacterial vaginosis. The result may be available immediately. At other times the sample is sent to a laboratory, and the result is usually available within a week.

Some women may also be offered a test during pregnancy and before some gynaecological procedures or an abortion.

BV is not a sexually transmitted infection but it is important that you don’t delay getting advice if you think you may have been at risk of a sexually transmitted infection.

Sometimes BV is noticed during a cervical screening test, but you will only need treatment if you have problems with discharge.

You will only be offered treatment if you have symptoms. The BV treatment is an antibiotic which you can take by mouth for five days, or some people prefer to have a large dose all at once. You must not drink alcohol with these tablets.

Alternatively the antibiotic can be given by inserting a gel into the vagina every night for five nights.

If you notice that you get BV at certain times of your menstrual cycle, a gel called ‘Balance Activ’ is available from pharmacies that you can use to prevent these episodes each month.