Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment

Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in your vagina is disturbed. Numerous types of bacteria naturally occur in the vagina without being harmful or causing symptoms. If numbers of certain bacteria increase or decrease, this balance is disrupted, which can lead to bacterial vaginosis.

BV is not dangerous. In fact, many women have it without noticing any symptoms. You only need to get treated if you are experiencing symptoms. In many cases, BV heals by itself as the natural balance in your vagina is restored.

Bacterial vaginosis can lead to complications during pregnancy. It is important that you get tested and treated if you are pregnant and experiencing symptoms of BV. Please note, that Superdrug Online Doctor does not treat pregnant women for BV as this should be done with a face to face review with a doctor.

Bacterial vaginosis is not an STI, although it can cause symptoms that are very similar to common STIs. If you’ve had unprotected sex and think you have BV, you should get an STI test to make sure you get the right treatment.

Although BV is not a sexually transmitted disease, having sex without a condom and having sex with multiple partners increases your risk of BV. If you repeatedly suffer from bacterial vaginosis you may find it helpful to use a condom during sex to avoid episodes.

The most common symptoms associated with bacterial vaginosis are vaginal discharge and a fishy smell. The symptoms vary and they can be very mild. The discharge can either be thin and watery or of a greyish or white colour. If you have had bacterial vaginosis before, you will most likely be familiar with the symptoms.

However, there are a number of conditions which cause very similar symptoms. Many sexually transmitted infections also cause these symptoms, such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Bacterial vaginosis is also easily confused with thrush (also known as a yeast infection).

If you notice discharge and have had unprotected sex with a new partner in the past months, you should get an STI test to make sure you have not been infected with an STI.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as an itch or pain while urinating, then your symptoms are not caused by bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is not commonly associated with itching, pain or irritation. These symptoms can occur in women that suffer from cystitis.

If you are unsure as to what is causing your symptoms you can visit your GP for a test. Your GP will collect a sample of the discharge to confirm the diagnosis.

BV is treated with a course of antibiotics. You can choose between tablets which need to be taken orally or a cream or gel which you insert into your vagina.

The standard treatments for BV are metronidazole and clindamycin. Both antibiotics kill the bacteria which cause the infection.

We offer metronidazole in tablet form and as a gel, as well as a cream which contains clindamycin.

Metronidazole tablets

Metronidazole 400mg tablets are taken twice daily over a course of 7 days. You can take the tablets during or after a meal and should swallow each tablet with a drink of water.

Note: You must not drink alcohol during your treatment with metronidazole - this goes for the tablets and the intravaginal gel.

Metronidazole 0.75% gel (Zidoval)

Metronidazole gel is administered by inserting it directly into the vagina. The gel should be used every day before going to bed and the course lasts 7 days. The gel comes with an easy to use applicator, which helps you insert it.

The use of the gel is not recommended during your period.

You should abstain from having sex while undergoing treatment for a vaginal infection.

Clindamycin 2% cream (Dalacin)

Clindamycin cream is similar to metronidazole gel, as it is also inserted into the vagina using an applicator. Clindamycin is usually prescribed for a course of 7 days and needs to be used every evening before going to bed.

Clindamycin cream can weaken barrier contraceptives, such as condoms and diaphragms.

Home remedies for bacterial vaginosis

You’ll find a number of home remedies listed online. Our recommendation is that you should not use home remedies and instead seek medical advice from your GP, or get an online consultation with a doctor.

The reason for this is that these remedies are not regulated or accurately measured, and you may be allergic to them.

To order a prescription from Superdrug Online Doctor, fill in our brief assessment questionnaire and select your preferred treatment. After you have placed your order, our online doctor will review your assessment and determine whether this is the best treatment option for you. Once your prescription has been approved, you will receive your prescription via post.

Your Superdrug Online Doctor prescription allows you to buy your BV treatment at any pharmacy in Ireland.

Bacterial vaginosis doesn’t have a cure and is usually a recurring condition. You can prevent it from being a regular occurrence by using a condom when you have sex, using water and plain soap to wash your genital area, and having showers instead of baths.