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 is not currently recommended for this condition.

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

If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.