In the past, bacterial vaginosis (BV) was called Gardnerella vaginitis, named after the bacteria that were thought to be the only culprit causing the condition. The currently used term, bacterial vaginosis, is actually a better reflection of the fact that it is a result of naturally-occurring bacteria overgrowing in the vagina.

Although the disease is not dangerous in the general women population, bacterial vaginosis symptoms can lead to immense discomfort, hassle and distress in women who are suffering from this condition. The characteristic symptoms of BV are little to moderate increase in vaginal discharge accompanied with a foul vaginal smell.

The discharge is usually thin and grayish white, and you can see bubbles present in the vaginal fluid. Usually, the vaginal odor has a fishy smell. These symptoms tend to get worse after sexual intercourse. Vaginal irritation does not necessarily present. However, about 50%-75% of women who have bacterial vaginosis don’t feel any BV symptoms at all.

What causes the fishy vaginal smell?

The fishy odor is caused by the production of a compound known as amines by the anaerobic bacteria. Amines become unstable as the pH increases, which occurs in BV due to a decrease in the number of lactobacilli bacteria (vaginal pH is over 4.5 in BV). The symptom gets worse when vaginal alkalinity is enhanced, such as after sex (due to the alkalinity of the semen) and during menses (due to the presence of blood).

Complications related to bacterial vaginosis

Symptoms of BV are very distressing, but are not the only concern in the affected women. BV has been found to be associated with a number of complications.

- Increased risk of infection after pelvic surgery, i.e. pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Higher risk of other sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.
- More likely to acquire chlamydial cervicitis, trichomoniasis, herpes simplex infection.
- Decreased the success rate of IVF procedures.
- 6-time greater incidence of postpartum endometritis if BV was present prior to cesarean delivery.
- Increased risk of cystitis.
- If a woman have BV during pregnancy, there is an increased risk in major adverse pregnancy outcomes, e.g. low-birth weight, preterm labor, premature ruptures of membranes, and spontaneous abortion.

The standard medication for BV is antibiotic, but you can also achieve permanent bacterial vaginosis relief with natural bacterial vaginosis cures.

Serena is a freelance health writer, who has written for major pharmaceutical and international medical communications companies.
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Ok these are my symptoms:

when i pee, a strong smell comes from the toilet, it is mostly ammonia like and somewhat sweet yet foul. it is very strong and even when i clean myself and get up i can still smell it, as if its coming from me.

The other day it seems i had a bit of a BV smell, fishy smell, but it has since gone away it seems, my vagina doesnt smell as much anymore, but now the smell has shifted more to this smell, and it seems now the only smell i get is when i pee.

Do I now have a bladder infection instead of BV or a yeast? What do you think I have?

btw i also have these symptoms:

pelvic pain/abdominal pain
painful urination

secondary symptoms:

dehydrated
nausea
bloated

i am not pregnant, i dont use condoms with sex, he pulls out, so i dont have sperm inside of me when we have sex, and i have been his only partner. my last partner was a year ago, before him and i met. i dont have STDS. i have been treated for bv in the past and cured (supp)
its actually not really dark. its not that yellow, it is a bit yellow but not as yellow as it is when, yes, as you say i am dehydrated. altho i am dehydrated, ive seen it more yellow