Gynecologic Complications of Bacterial Vaginosis: Fact or Fiction?

Bacterial vaginosis is a complex alteration of vaginal flora causing mild symptoms in women characterized by a milky vaginal discharge associated with a fishy odor worsened after unprotected vaginal coitus. It is the most common cause of vaginitis. It is now clear that this seemingly harmless disorder causing nuisance symptoms is linked to a number of important adverse reproductive tract sequelae, including the obstetrical sequelae of preterm labor and delivery. Literature published over the past year continue to support the association of bacterial vaginosis with adverse gynecologic sequelae in women.