Abstract

Some vaginal discharge is common and normal in women of childbearing age. If bacterial infection occurs the discharge changes. When the infection is accompanied by little or no inflammation of the vagina (vaginosis), the predominant changes are in the volume and odour of the discharge. If there is vaginal inflammation (vaginitis), symptoms such as soreness and irritation develop. Here we discuss bacterial vaginosis, which often goes unrecognised despite being the cause of 40-50% of vaginal infections.1 Moreover, it is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and infective complications following gynaecological surgery.