The normal vaginal flora consists of a wide variety of bacteria and the composition of this microflora is influenced by hormonal, metabolic and pharmacological factors. An increased concentration of a mixed anaerobic flora (Mobiluncus, Prevotellae, Peptostreptococci and Gardnerella vaginalis) appears to be an early stage in the development of bacterial vaginosis or in the infection of the upper genital tract. Women with bacterial vaginosis are at increased risk of bartholinitis, skenitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, postpartum and postabortal endometritis, chorioamnionitis and infections following gynecologic surgery or diagnostic procedure.