PID can cause infertility or damage the fallopian tubes enough to increase the future risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. BV can increase a woman's susceptibility to HIV infection if she is exposed to the virus. Having BV increases the chances that an HIV-infected woman can pass HIV to her sex partner. BV can increase a woman's susceptibility to other STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Treatment is especially important for pregnant women.
All pregnant women, regardless of symptoms, who have ever had a premature delivery or low birth weight baby should be considered for a BV examination and be treated when necessary. All pregnant women who have symptoms of BV should be checked and treated. Male partners generally do not need to be treated. However, BV may spread between female sex partners. BV is treatable with antimicrobial medicines prescribed by a health care provider.