Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common infection that’s caused by an imbalance in the normal bacteria in the vagina. There are lots of different types of bacteria present in the vagina which do not usually cause harm, but if levels of certain bacteria rise or fall, the balance of these bacteria can become disturbed – causing infections like bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis is common, affecting around 23 to 29% of reproductive-age women globally. It is most likely to affect women aged 18 to 50 who are sexually active. Although BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), sex is the main risk factor.

Common bacterial vaginosis symptoms include:

• unusual vaginal discharge
• a strong, fishy-smelling vaginal discharge
• vaginal discharge that changes colour or consistency
• burning sensation when going for a pee
• increased production of vaginal discharge during sex or your period

Some women have BV with no symptoms at all.

Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but it can be brought on by sex. For example, a woman can pass BV onto another woman during sexual contact or from sharing sex toys. If you have bacterial vaginosis, you are more likely to get an STI because the infection makes the vagina less acidic, lowering your natural defences against infection.

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the normal, healthy vaginal bacteria. When BV occurs, there is a reduction in the most common type of bacteria in the vagina, Lactobacillus, and an increase in the total number of bacteria.

Bacterial vaginosis is more common in sexually active people but other things that can increase the risk of BV include:

• changing sexual partners
• having multiple sexual partners
• smoking
• douching
• using scented soaps to wash your vagina
• using vaginal washes or deodorant
• putting antiseptic liquids in the bath
• oral sex
• using strong washing detergents to wash underwear
• sex without condoms (where semen enters the vagina)
• intrauterine device (IUD) contraception, such as the coil

The usual treatment for bacterial vaginosis is a course of antibiotics or antiseptic treatment. BV treatment is available in several forms, including:

• oral tablets
• gels
• creams
• vaginal tablets (also called pessaries)

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer the following BV treatments:

• Metronidazole tablets: BV antibiotic tablets taken orally as a 1-day or 7-day course.
• Zidoval: A type of BV antibioticin a gel form that’s inserted directly into the vagina. It contains the active ingredient metronidazole.
• Dalacin Cream 2%: A BV antibiotic cream that’s applied inside the vagina. It contains the active ingredient clindamycin.
• Fluomizin: Vaginal tablets that are inserted into the vagina every night before bed for 6 days. Fluomizin contains dequalinium chloride and is as effective as the first-line BV treatment, metronidazole.

Can BV come back after treatment?

It is common for bacterial vaginosis to return, often within a few months. If you keep getting it, this is called recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

If you get bacterial vaginosis again, you’ll likely need more treatment. If you get it more than 4 times a year you may be given a different BV treatment, such as antibiotic gel. You might need to use the gel for a few months to stop bacterial vaginosis from coming back.