- U B Hoyme: Zentrum für Frauenheilkunde am Universitätsklinikum, Essen.
Bacterial vaginosis is the most prevalent microbiological cause of vaginal discharge. Sexual intercourse is considered as a main risk factor, however, bacterial vaginosis is not a true sexually transmitted disease and characterized as a dysbalance in the vaginal microbiological ecosystem. The diagnosis is based on the characteristic vaginal discharge, a pH greater than 4.5, a positive whiff test and on presence of clue cells. In therapy nitroimidazoles p.o. are considered as treatment of choice. Bacterial vaginosis is a significant risk factor for ascending as well as postoperative and pre- and post-partum genital infections.