Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a disorder characterized by an offensive vaginal discharge.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge among women of childbearing age.

Though the cause of this condition is not clear, it is thought to occur when there is a disturbance in the growth of the normal vaginal bacterial flora resulting in replacement of normal 'good bacteria' by 'harmful bacteria'.

Normally the 'good bacteria' is called "Lactobacilli".

These in vaginosis is replaced by a variety of bacteria like
1. Gardnerella vaginalis
2. Bacteroides, Mobiluncus
3. Mycoplasma hominis

Infection can spread from the rectum lining to colic lining into vagina.

These harmful organisms produce amines (poly & trimethyl) that are responsible for the fishy smell.

This condition is called vaginosis rather than vaginitis as there is no vaginal inflammation.

1. The vaginal pH is raised (from 4.5 to levels above 6-7)

As it is not a sexually transmitted infection there is no benefit from treating the male partners.