What defines bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is characterized by an imbalance in the normal flora of the vagina, where the usual dominant bacteria, mainly lactobacilli, are replaced by a variety of other bacteria. This shift often results in an overgrowth of specific types of bacteria that are not typically present in large numbers. The condition is not primarily an infection, but rather a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome, leading to symptoms that can include unusual discharge, odor, and sometimes minor irritation.

This definition distinguishes bacterial vaginosis from other conditions, such as a yeast infection, which is defined by an overgrowth of yeast, or a viral infection, which would involve the presence of viruses rather than a change in bacterial populations. Inflammation of the vaginal wall typically describes conditions such as vaginitis, which are characterized by swelling and irritation rather than the microbial imbalance seen in bacterial vaginosis.