Signs of Bacterial Vaginosis

The main sign of bacterial vaginosis is vaginal discharge (fluid from the vagina) with a fish-like odor. Some women say the odor is stronger after having sex. The discharge can be white (milky) or gray and it can be thin. Burning or pain when urinating can occur. While not common, itching around the outside of the vagina and redness can also occur. It is important to know, though, that many women with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms at all.

The only way to know for sure if you have bacterial vaginosis is to have a lab test. Your health care provider will take a sample of fluid from your vagina and send it to a lab to check for bacterias that are linked to bacterial vaginosis.