bacterial vaginosis often clears up on its own. but in some women it doesn't go away on its own and for many women it comes back after it has cleared up. antibiotic treatment works for some women but not others. about 1 out of 4 women find that bacterial vaginosis clears up without medicine after a week. 1 bacterial vaginosis recurs in about 1 out of 3 treated women. 2 complications your risk of complications from bacterial vaginosis is higher: during pregnancy. compared to pregnant women who don't have it women who have bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy have a higher risk of early (preterm) delivery or uterine infection after pregnancy. also pregnant women may have an increased risk of miscarriage. after gynecological surgery. women with bacterial vaginosis at the time of an invasive vaginal procedure have an increased risk of developing more serious infection or inflammation such as pelvic inflammatory disease (pid) or endometritis. surgical procedures linked to bacterial vaginosis-related infection include endometrial biopsy surgical abortion hysterectomy intrauterine device (iud) placement cesarean section dilation and curettage (d&amp;c) and an x-ray test that examines the inside of the uterus the fallopian tubes and surrounding area ( hysterosalpingography ). 4 when exposed to hiv or other sexually transmitted diseases. women who have bacterial vaginosis when they are exposed to sexually transmitted diseases (including hiv ) have an increased risk of becoming infected with the sexually transmitted disease. 1 webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.
what happens to someone when they get bacterial vaginosis?