Is Bacterial Vaginosis Associated with an Increased Risk of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Women? : A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in reproductive-aged women, characterized by depletion of protective Lactobacillus species and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a prevalent pelvic floor disorder with significant morbidity. Although both conditions share common risk factors such as aging, parity, and estrogen decline, whether BV independently increases POP risk remains unclear. This systematic review aims to synthesize ava