Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance of the vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis — usually called BV — is a bacterial infection. It happens when the different kinds of healthy bacteria in your vagina get out of balance and grow too much. BV is often caused by gardnerella vaginalis, the most common type of bacteria in your vagina.

(1) www.mayoclinic.com (2) www.plannedparenthood.com (3) American Pregnancy Association