Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy: potential complications

Vulvovaginitis and vaginosis can cause serious complications during pregnancy.^1-4

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), as well as vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and Trichomonas vaginalis infection should be diagnosed and treated early to avoid potentially severe adverse health issues, especially during pregnancy.^1-4

If left untreated, vaginitis can cause a pregnant woman to have preterm labor, give birth to a baby with a low birth weight and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.^1-3
VVC has also been linked to pelvic inflammatory disease and TV to fertility issues.^3,4

Women with vaginitis are at higher risk of contracting STIs.¹

1 out of 4 women with bacterial vaginosis alone or with concurrent candidiasis is co-infected with an STI.⁵
The risk of acquiring HIV is 2 to 3 times higher in women who have vaginitis.¹

BV, bacterial vaginosis; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; STI, sexually transmitted infection; TV, Trichomonas vaginalis; VVC, vulvovaginal candidiasis.

1. Brown H and Drexler M. Popul Health Manag. 2020;23(S1):S3–S12.
2. Menard JP et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;47:33–43.
3. Genovese C et al. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2016;20(16):3336–43.
4. Tompkins EL et al. PLoS ONE. 2020;15(6): e0234704.
5. Van Der Pol B et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2019;68(3):375–81.
6. Hillier SL et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;72(9):1538–43.
7. Schwebke JR et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2020;58(2):e01643-19.