antenatal screening programme
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in women of childbearing age. The condition occurs when there is a change in the natural bacterial balance in the vagina.
Read more about bacterial vaginosis on the NHS website.
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in December 2014.
Screening pregnant women for bacterial vaginosis is not recommended because:
- there is no evidence that it would be able to accurately identify women at risk of having problems in labour
- there is not enough evidence that screening is able to reduce the risk of preterm labour
- it is not known if treatment for bacterial vaginosis is effective in reducing preterm labour
Supporting documents from the 2014 review
Evidence summary Preterm labour and Bacterial vaginosis (2014)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
UK NSC coversheet & consultation responses Bacterial vaginosis (2014)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2014
Next review estimated to be completed: 2021 to 2022.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in Bacterial vaginosis
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services
- BLISS
- British Association for Sexual Health and HIV
- Faculty of Public Health
- National Childbirth Trust
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Midwives
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
- The Birth Trauma Association
- The Family Planning Association
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.