Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis

By Mishaun Taylor

Bacterial Vaginosis is the most common cause of discharge from the vagina. Bacterial Vaginosis is an overgrowth of the bad bacteria that is normally found in the vagina. Usually, when the vagina is healthy, there is a balance of good and bad bacteria. When Bacterial Vaginosis occurs, the good bacteria are lessened or gone and the bad bacteria flourish. It is most commonly found in women who are sexually active.

Signs of Bacterial Vaginosis include fishy or musky odor, irritation and thin white or gray discharge.

Although some minor Bacterial Vaginosis infections may heal without treatment, if you think you have Bacterial Vaginosis, you must see your doctor because the infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Your doctor will be able to determine if you have Bacterial Vaginosis by physical exam and by testing a swab that contains a sample of discharge.

Treatment is especially important for pregnant women because the infection can cause premature delivery or low birth weight for the baby. For some pregnant women who have previously had a baby born prematurely, experts often recommend that they be tested and, if necessary, treated for Bacterial Vaginosis. Each year, more than 800,000 pregnant American women are infected with Bacterial Vaginosis.

If you have Bacterial Vaginosis, your doctor may prescribe for you Metronidazole (called by the brand name Flagyl). While you’re taking Metronidazole, avoid alcohol (even in small amounts like the alcohol found in cold remedies like Nyquil) because it can cause nausea or vomiting. Because Metronidazole may react with other medications, make sure you tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, whether prescription or over the counter. Metronidazole is prescribed in oral form or as a vaginal gel. The oral form is 500 mg and taken twice daily for seven days; whereas, the gel is applied at bedtime for seven days (or twice daily for five days).

The use of Lactobacillus (the good bacteria normally present in the vagina) vaginal suppositories for use in treating Bacterial Vaginosis is being examined, though studies haven’t been conclusive as to whether it helps or not. Clindamycin is also sometimes prescribed to treat Bacterial Vaginosis.

When being treated for Bacterial Vaginosis, experts recommend abstaining from sexual relations until the infection heals. They also recommend against douching and, if not remaining abstinent, reducing the number of sex partners. It is important that you use all of your medication that has been prescribed for treatment even if you feel relief soon after beginning treatment.