A healthy vaginal environment contains "good" bacteria called lactobacilli, and a few other types of bacteria called coccoid bacteria. Lactobacilli are responsible for the healthy vaginal acidity (pH between 3.8 and 4.5) which inhibits the growth of coccoid bacteria. The loss of this vaginal acidity and the presence of too many coccoid bacteria is called "Bacterial Vaginosis" or "BV".The symptoms can be recognized by excessive or coloured vaginal discharge. The discharge tends to have a fishy smell and is often accompanied with other discomforts. The vaginal pH is affected and becomes greater than 5. It is important to treat BV as the bacteria may get up into the uterus and cause serious problems. Treatment is especially important in pregnant women. Of course, prevention is always best.

This definition is in context to Female Health Concerns. See more contextual defintions for Bacterial Vaginosis (Bv).