A healthcare provider must examine the vagina in order to make a diagnosis of BV. There is also a test to find out if you have BV. For this test, the doctor takes a sample of fluid from your vagina and has it tested. The doctor may also be able to see signs of BV -- like a grayish-white discharge -- during an examination of the vagina.
Treatment for BV usually consists of a course of antibiotics -- the dose can vary between pregnant and non-pregnant women. The condition can clear up on its own in some cases. However, all women with possible symptoms of BV (or those having certain surgical procedures) should receive a proper diagnosis and treatment to avoid future BV complications or a recurrence of the disease.
BV prevention requires open communication with your healthcare provider and sexual partners. Practicing safe sex is a key part of
preventing BV, as is having sex with only one partner -- or even abstaining from sex altogether. By preventing BV, you can avoid many of the potentially serious complications that can occur with this condition.
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