​​Bacterial Vaginosis​

Bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection of the vagina. Normally present in the vagina are good bacteria. When certain other species of bad bacteria outnumber the good bacteria, they trigger an inflammation in the vagina. 

Bacterial vaginosis is commonly seen in women of reproductive age, although the disease is not limited to any age. Specific causes have not been identified but certain factors that increase the risk of vaginal infection include: 

  • Frequent douching: the practice of rinsing the vagina with a cleansing agent or even plain water. This is not a good idea as it overthrows the natural chemical and bacterial balance of the area. 

  • Multiple sexual partners

  • Unprotected intercourse

Bacterial Vaginosis is not a serious condition in general, but treatment is important if you are pregnant. Vaginal infection is linked to premature delivery, low birth weight babies and post-delivery endometritis (infection of the uterus).​​

If you are suffering from bacterial vaginosis, you may experience the following complaints:

  • Grey, green or white discharge of thin fluid

  • A bad smelling, ’fishy’ odour 

  • Local irritation or itching

  • Burning during urination​


If you are pregnant, treatment may be essential for your own health and the health of your baby. ​For a preliminary examination, you can consult doctors working with the Family Health Services at The Aga Khan University Hospital.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, make an appointment to consult one of our specialist doctors in the Women's Health Care Services​ at The Aga Khan University Hospital. ​


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Your time with your doctor maybe limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here​ are some tips to help get you started. ​
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Your doctor will​ take a medical history, ask you relevant questions and perform a physical examination.

Your doctor may also take a sample of vaginal secretions (known as High Vaginal Swab) and send it to laboratory for testing.

Disclaimer: Kindly consult your physician before getting the above-mentioned tests.​​

To treat bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may prescribe oral and or topical antibiotics. 

In some cases, it has been seen that bacterial
vaginosis recurs. In this case, consult your doctor for expert advice. ​


The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the 'Important Numbers' section on the website homepage.

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments' costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the 'Important Numbers' section on the website homepage.​


Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the 'Important Numbers' section on the website homepage.​
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The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider. ​​