What does BV discharge look like when it comes out?
Appearance of Vaginal Discharge from BV. “The color of the discharge may be off-white or grey,” says Dr. Morgan. “It is generally reported as thin and homogenous.”. Being white, off-white, greyish-white or a very light grey are the typical possible colors of discharge from bacterial vaginosis.
How long does it take for BV to go away?
The fastest way to treat BV is to visit get a prescription from your doctor. Getting prescription treatment will likely clear up your symptoms in 2-3 days. If you’re pregnant or undergoing any medical procedures, it’s especially important to have your BV taken care of sooner rather than later.
How does bacterial vaginosis (BV) work?
How this works. Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. The vagina naturally has an environment containing “good” and “bad” bacteria. In cases of bacterial vaginosis, there is an excess of bad bacteria. This throws the vaginal environment out of balance.
Do I need treatment for BV?
Luckily, BV is easily treated with simple antibiotics. In some women, the infection comes back, and they have to take antibiotics for longer to get rid of the infection completely. We’ll run through the best treatments for BV here—and whether you need treatment at all. How do I know I have BV? Many women don’t know that they have BV. That’s ok.
How long does it take for discharge to go away after BV treatment?
While the infection may go away on its own, most doctors use antibiotics to treat it. You may have been prescribed pills or vaginal cream. With treatment, bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 5 to 7 days.
Is it normal to have discharge after BV medication?
A common side effect from metronidazole (vaginal) is a thick, white vaginal discharge with or without an odor which usually goes away soon after completing a full course of treatment.
How long does it take for discharge to go back to normal after BV?
Even after treatment, about half of the women with BV will get the condition back within six to 12 months.
What happens after taking BV medication?
Following BV therapy, a vaginal yeast infection may occur. If symptoms improve after treatment, a follow-up visit is not necessary. Metronidazole — Metronidazole vaginal gel is one of the most effective treatments; it is applied inside the vagina at bedtime for five days.
What color is BV discharge?
Bacterial vaginosis BV is linked to douching and having more than one sexual partner. The discharge tends to be grayish-white and has a fishy odor.
How do I know if metronidazole is working?
by Drugs.com Metronidazole starts to work 1 to 2 hours after you take it, because it is quickly absorbed, and it reaches its maximum concentration after 20 minutes to 3 hours. But it may take a couple of days before you start to feel better or notice an improvement in your symptoms.
What does BV discharge look like?
The main symptom of BV is lots of thin vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell. The discharge may be white, dull gray, greenish, and/or foamy. The fishy smell is often more noticeable after vaginal sex.
What does BV look like inside?
Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge.
How long does it take for metronidazole gel to work for BV?
Metronidazole gel provides quick relief from BV, and starts to clear up symptoms in 2 to 3 days. Even if your symptoms have cleared up, you must complete your entire course of treatment to make sure the infection is completely cleared. Otherwise, you may risk reinfection.
Can BV cause brown discharge?
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) BV is common in women who are pregnant, the condition occurs when there is an imbalance in certain bacteria in the vagina. Some common symptoms include: Fishy smell originating from the vagina. Brown coloured discharge.
Does BV gel work straight away?
A lot of people who are being treated for bacterial vaginosis wonder how long to wait for sex after BV treatment. According to Cigna Health, most BV treatments will clear up symptoms within two to three days, though it is recommended that you continue the treatment for BV for the entire seven days.
How quickly does metronidazole work?
This medication should take effect within one to two hours, and while effects may not be visibly noticed immediately, gradual improvements are usually noticeable after a few days. Exposure to this medication may lead to adverse effects in pregnant humans, so care must be taken to avoid accidental exposure.
What is BV in gynecology?
“Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a gynecologic infection that is due to a change in normal vaginal flora that results in a higher level of bacteria than is normally seen,” explains Hilary Morgan, PhD, CNM, Jacksonville University, Director, Nursing Doctoral Program.
Is vaginal discharge thick?
It’s never thick, clumpy or appearing mixed with other textures or colors (heterogeneous). It does not have the consistency of egg whites nor can be described as “mucusy.”. Webmd.com states that “Some women describe the discharge as ‘yellow.’”. Mayoclinic.com says, “Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge.”.
How long does it take for BV to go away?
Usually 2-3 days: 2-3 days after treatment begins, the odor should start to go away. It's normal to have discharge every day. Sometimes when women have BV they have m ... Read More
What to do if you have a persistent vaginal discharge?
Yeast infection: If you are having persistent vaginal discharge it must be seen and examined before a diagnosis can be made. Go back and see your gynecologist. Good lu ... Read More
How long does it take to get answers from a doctor?
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free! Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person).
What happens if you miss a BC pill?
Missed oral bc pill: Missing an "active" bcp (not a placebo) will start withdrawal bleeding from the lowered estrogen level effect on the lining of the uterus. The "foul ... Read More
Is BV a well behaved infection?
Not uncommon: Unfortunately, BV is not as well behaved when treated as other vaginal infections. Not uncommon for the infection to return shortly. You'll need to g ... Read More
Can bacterial vaginosis be cured?
BV will sometimes go away without treatment. But if you have symptoms of BV you should be checked and treated. It is important that you take all of the medicine prescribed to you, even if your symptoms go away. A health care provider can treat BV with antibiotics, but BV may recur even after treatment.
Resources for Clinicians
Vaginitis Self-Study Module external icon – An online learning experience that helps users learn how to manage vaginitis. Free CME/CNE available. (November 1, 2017)
Question
I was diagnosed with b.v. about two weeks ago. The doctor prescribed tindamax, two pills for two days, and i'm still experiencing a discharge. I told my doctor and she asked if i was experiencing any other symptoms and i said no. She said it was normal,that it was just regular vaginal secretions.
Answer
Two weeks after being treated for bacterial vaginosis, you should begin experiencing either a reduction in vaginal discharge, an improvement in the smell of your vaginal discharge, or both. If you really have not improved in either of those symptoms, then I would then want to known what type of work up you have had done.
Need more info?
Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment.
How does bacterial vaginosis affect health?
Bacterial vaginosis increases the risk for several health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or sexually transmitted infections. Work with your healthcare providers to schedule regular appointments to check for health problems. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
What is the cause of vaginal vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection in the vagina. It may cause vaginitis (irritation and inflammation of the vagina). The cause is not known. Bacteria normally found in the vagina are imbalanced. Your risk increases if you are sexually active, you use a douche, or you have an intrauterine device (IUD).
Who needs treatment for bacterial vaginosis?
Not everyone with BV needs antibiotics. In some mild or low risk cases, the vagina will restore the balance of good bacteria and the condition will resolve on its own.
What bacterial vaginosis treatment is best for me?
The best treatment for BV varies by individual and depends on a few different things :
Bacterial vaginosis treatment side effects
As mentioned earlier, pills usually have more side effects than creams. And for metronidazole pills, these typically include:
Bacterial vaginosis treatment precautions
If you are taking metronidazole (Flagyl), drinking alcohol can make you violently ill. According to the FDA, it’s best to wait a minimum of 3 days after your bacterial vaginosis treatment ends before drinking alcohol again. But keep in mind, if you’re taking any other medication, you might need to wait longer.
My bacterial vaginosis symptoms came back. What now?
While pills and vaginal creams are effective bacterial vaginosis treatments, it’s pretty common for symptoms to come back. In fact, close to 70% of BV comes back within 12 months of treatment.
Does my partner need treatment if I had bacterial vaginosis?
If your sex partner has a penis, they typically don’t need treatment. It’s also worth noting that there is a lower chance of getting BV if:
Can bacterial vaginosis go away on its own?
Roughly 30% of bacterial vaginosis cases in nonpregnant women and 50% of cases in pregnant women clear up on their own. But if you have symptoms, treatment is recommended in all people. And even if your symptoms start clearing when you first start your bacterial vaginosis treatment, experts advise completing your full treatment regimen.
What to do if bacterial vaginosis is recurrent?
Also, make an appointment with your doctor right away if your bacterial vaginosis is recurrent. You can book an appointment with an OBGYN in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool.
What is the best treatment for bacterial vaginosis?
Boric acid . Boric acid capsules can be used to treat bacterial vaginosis. In an early study, a combination of suppressive antimicrobial therapy and intravaginal boric acid were used to treat recurring bacterial vaginosis in 58 women.
What is the best way to get rid of bad bacteria in your vagina?
1. Yogurt. Yogurt is a natural probiotic, which means it has plenty of healthy bacteria in it. Eating yogurt may help introduce healthy bacteria back into the body. This helps establish a balanced vaginal environment and could help fight off the bad bacteria.
What is a vaginal infection?
Bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. The vagina naturally has an environment containing “good” and “bad” bacteria. In cases of bacterial vaginosis, there’s an excess of bad bacteria, which throws the vaginal environment out of balance. Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition ...
What happens if you don't treat bacterial vaginosis?
Risks and complications. If home remedies don’t work, bacterial vaginosis could continue and worsen if it’s not treated. Having raw areas of skin in and around your vagina increases a number of risks, including: increased risk of contracting HIV if exposed to the virus.
How long does it take for tea tree oil to work?
If there’s no reaction in 24 to 48 hours, it should be safe to use. There are different ways to use tea tree oil to treat bacterial vaginosis, including mixing it with coconut oil (or another carrier oil) and soaking a tampon in it. Insert the tampon into the vagina and remove it after an hour.
Is garlic good for bacterial vaginosis?
Garlic has strong antibacterial properties, and it’s long been used as a home remedy for bacterial vaginosis. A 2014 study. Trusted Source. compared the use of garlic tablets and oral metronidazole, an antibiotic, in treating the condition.
How long during treatment of bv does it take for discharge to go away odor gone but still some discharge?
Usually 2-3 days: 2-3 days after treatment begins, the odor should start to go away. It's normal to have discharge every day. Sometimes when women have BV they have more discharge than they normally do, but discharge every day is okay. Vagina is like a self- cleaning oven that way. Discharge isn't a 'bad' or dirty thing.
How long does it take for BV symptoms to go away once treatment is started?
Quickly: Current treatments are very effective so we see symptoms improve within 1-2 days. To reduce the chance of recurrence, the full course of treatment should be used.
What is the name of the vaginal ph corrector?
There is a vaginal ph corrector called Refresh, by the same people that make Replens, the long lasting vaginal lubricant. I have used the Rephresh before for the very start of the vaginal irritation and it sometimes stop it from getting worse. My hormone have always been a mess.
Can metro cause rapid onset yeast?
Anyway, you may have had both or the metro cause a rapid onset yeast, not really a technical term, but perhaps it should be. There are some bacteria strains listed as being causative of BV, that can be sexually transmitted, and also the protozoan called Trich. Expand...
Is yeast infection an STD?
It occurs in moist areas with antibiotics, diabetes and sometimes just because. It is not an STD. Even nuns get it. In your case, it's most likely because your antibiotic killed the good bacteria with the bad making it easy for the yeast to start.
Does Metro help with yeast infection?
Metro is such a powerful antibiotic/anti protozoan med, it also wipes out all the good bacteria that keep yeast in check. Call your dr to ask if they will give you a few diflucan tablets, it's an oral pill for yeast, take one as soon as yu get them filled and one the last day of treatment or the day after that.