Transcript: Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age—and it may stem from sex!  Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, occurs when normal, healthy bacteria in the vagina are overrun by bad bacteria.  BV often manifests as a strong, fishy odor with discharge that may be grey, white, or yellowish in color.  So what causes this vaginal infection to occur? Some doctors say BV is caused by sex, although you don’t “catch” bacterial vaginosis from a partner.  Instead, the infection occurs when an outside element disturbs the vagina’s bacterial balance.  Sex—particularly without a condom—can do just that. In addition, douching, wiping from back to front, and using an IUD as birth control may lead to BV.  After diagnosis, the infection is treated with antibiotics for several weeks.  But, sorry, you shouldn’t have sex until BV is completely gone! So why not use this opportunity to convince him you should catch up on your cuddling?