bacterial vaginosis cream treatment how to

Medication

How to get rid of bacterial vaginosis at home

• Safe sex practices. The exact cause of BV is not known, but it is more common in sexually active people. ...
• Use safe hygiene practices. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ that does not require douches, soaps, or perfumes. ...
• When to contact a doctor. ...
• Probiotics. ...
• Garlic supplements. ...
• Boric acid. ...
• Tea tree oil. ...
• Apple cider vinegar. ...
• Summary. ...

Self-care

How to use garlic as one of the strongest home remedies for bacterial vaginosis:

• Make a mixture of some drops of garlic oil with a half teaspoon of coconut and vitamin E oil. ...
• Add garlic to your cooking daily as well as consume few cloves of garlic on a daily basis.
• Take garlic supplementary pills after consulting the doctor.

Nutrition

Clindamycin isn’t practical because you’re not treating the cause of bacterial vaginosis; you’re only treating the frustrating symptoms you’re experiencing. Another problem you’ll find with using clindamycin to treat bacterial vaginosis is that some women are allergic to this antibiotic.

Are there any home remedies to cure bacterial vaginosis?

To help prevent bacterial vaginosis:

• Minimize vaginal irritation. Use mild, nondeodorant soaps and unscented tampons or pads.
• Don't douche. Your vagina doesn't require cleansing other than normal bathing. ...
• Avoid a sexually transmitted infection. Use a male latex condom, limit your number of sex partners or abstain from intercourse to minimize your risk of a sexually transmitted infection.

How to treat bacterial vaginosis with home remedies?

Does clindamycin really treat bacterial vaginosis?

How to cure vaginal bacteriosis?

How do you apply bacterial vaginosis cream?

Use clindamycin cream exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is for use in the vagina only. Use one applicatorful (approximately 5 grams) of cream in the vagina at bedtime. Your doctor will tell you how many days you should use the cream for - a course of treatment usually lasts for 3-7 consecutive days.

Can bacterial vaginosis be treated with cream?

The best treatments for bacterial vaginosis include metronidazole vaginal gel, metronidazole pills, and clindamycin vaginal cream. Since around 70% of BV cases return within a year of initial treatment, further treatment may be required.

How long does it take BV to go away with cream?

However, if you have it while you are pregnant, it can cause complications. 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.

How do you insert metronidazole gel?

For all dosage forms:Relax while lying on your back with your knees bent (or in any position that you feel comfortable).Hold the full applicator in one hand. Insert it slowly into the vagina. ... Slowly press the plunger until it stops.Withdraw the applicator. ... Remove the applicator from your vagina.

Does BV gel work straight away?

Canesbalance® starts to work immediately to relieve the unpleasant intimate odour associated with BV and helps to clear up unusual white or grey vaginal discharge and discomfort.

Does metronidazole gel come out when you pee?

This medicine may leak out of your vagina during the day. You may wear a sanitary pad to protect your clothing, but do not use a tampon. Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits.

What does BV smell like?

Period smells “fishy” This odor is most often attributed to bacterial vaginosis, a type of infection. It's also a lot stronger than a normal period smell. You may have bacterial vaginosis if the “fishy” smell is accompanied by: burning, especially during urination.

What does BV look like inside?

Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge.

Diagnostic Considerations

BV can be diagnosed by using clinical criteria (i.e., Amsel’s diagnostic criteria) ( 999) or by determining the Nugent score from a vaginal Gram stain ( 1000 ).

Treatment

Treatment for BV is recommended for women with symptoms. Established benefits of therapy among nonpregnant women are to relieve vaginal symptoms and signs of infection. Other potential benefits of treatment include reduction in the risk for acquiring C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis, M.

Follow-Up

Follow-up visits are unnecessary if symptoms resolve. Because persistent or recurrent BV is common, women should be advised to return for evaluation if symptoms recur. Limited data are available regarding optimal management strategies for women with persistent or recurrent BV.

Management of Sex Partners

Data from earlier clinical trials indicate that a woman’s response to therapy and the likelihood of relapse or recurrence are not affected by treatment of her sex partner ( 998 ). Therefore, routine treatment of sex partners is not recommended.

Special Considerations

Intravaginal clindamycin cream is preferred in case of allergy or intolerance to metronidazole or tinidazole. Intravaginal metronidazole gel can be considered for women who are not allergic to metronidazole but do not tolerate oral metronidazole.

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 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 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.

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.

Can you take a swab of your vaginal discharge?

Try to make your appointment on a day when you won’t have your period. This allows your doctor to take a swab of your vaginal discharge for testing. Your doctor will likely prescribe either oral antibiotics or an antibiotic cream that can be inserted into the vagina. Last medically reviewed on February 12, 2021.

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.

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)

How to empty a gel vaginal gel?

Insert the applicator as far as it is comfortable. Gently push on the plunger of the applicator to empty the gel into your vagina . Then remove the applicator and throw it away (it can be wrapped in toilet paper and disposed of in a waste bin). Wash your hands afterwards.

What is Zidoval gel?

An antibacterial gel. Used for. Treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Also called. Zidoval®. Available as. Gel to use in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition. It is caused by an overgrowth of one type of bacteria in the vagina.

How long does a gel last?

A usual course of treatment lasts for five consecutive days. If you forget to use the gel, use it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, use the gel as normal on your next dose (that is, do not 'double up' the amount you use). Use the gel for the correct number of days in total.

Can metronidazole be used on the skin?

Metronidazole vaginal gel is applied into the vagina using an applicator. Metronidazole is also available as a cream/gel to be used on the skin, and as tablets/medicine to take by mouth.

Can you use metronidazole during your period?

It is not recommended that metronidazole vaginal gel be used during a monthly period. If you are having your period, ask your doctor when you should start the treatment. Even if you feel your infection has cleared up, keep using the gel until the course is finished (unless you are told to stop by your doctor).

How to put a cream in your vagina?

Insert it as far as is comfortable for you. Gently push on the plunger of the applicator to empty the cream into your vagina. Then remove the applicator and throw it away (it can be wrapped in toilet paper and disposed of in a waste bin).

How long should I use a vaginal cream?

Your doctor will tell you how many days you should use the cream for - a course of treatment usually lasts for 3-7 consecutive days. If you forget to use the cream, use it as soon as you remember.

What is clindamycin cream used for?

Clindamycin cream is used to treat bacterial vaginosis. Use one applicatorful at bedtime. It is usual for a course of treatment to last 3-7 nights. The most common side-effect is mild itching/irritation. Clindamycin cream for bacterial vaginosis. Dalacin.

What is dalacin cream?

Also called. Dalacin®. Available as. Cream to use in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition. It is a bacterial infection of the vagina and is caused by an overgrowth of normal bacteria. The main symptom is a vaginal discharge, often with a noticeable fishy smell.

What to do if you forget to use a cream?

If you do not remember until the following day, use the cream as normal for your next dose (do not 'double up' the amount of cream you use). Use the cream for the correct number of days in total.

What happens if you use a hot water bottle with a cream?

Diarrhoea. If this happens and it is severe, contact your doctor for further advice before you apply any more of the cream. Tummy (abdominal) cramps. Try using heat pads or a hot water bottle to ease any discomfort. Vaginal thrush, vaginal discharge.

Can you use clindamycin cream on your vagina?

Also, clindamycin cream can cause damage to condoms and caps (diaphragms), so you should not rely on these for contraception during treatment or for three days after using the cream.

How to get rid of bacterial vaginosis?

Instead of harsh chemicals, try some natural remedies for bacterial vaginosis such as: Put half a cup of baking soda in your bath. Take a bath with apple cider vinegar.

Why does bacterial vaginosis occur?

It’s a very common bacterial infection that affects women of all ages. Bacterial vaginosis develops because of imbalances in the vagina’s microflora. The vagina naturally has bacteria and yeast present. These exist in a careful balance.

Why do I have a high risk of developing a bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis often occurs as a result of an impaired immune system, which means that you’re at high risk of developing it if you have AFS. AFS is a stress-related disorder caused by high ongoing stress and the resulting fatigue of the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response.

What causes a woman to have a bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is more common in women during their reproductive years. It’s most often caused by bacteria known as Gardnerella vaginalis, which is a tiny spore that changes the pH balance of the vagina. However, this isn’t the only bacteria that can bring on this common problem. It isn’t technically a sexually transmitted disease, but it is recommended that sexual activity is avoided during infection. Some of the biggest risk factors for bacterial vaginosis are: 1 Age 2 Frequent douching, which changes the balance of bacteria in the vagina. 3 Ethnicity, with black and Mexican-American women more likely to develop it. 4 Sexual activity, especially with multiple partners. 5 Poor lifestyle choices such as drug use, obesity, and smoking. 6 Pregnancy, which affects the immune reproductive systems. 7 Soaps or laundry detergents that contain perfumes, dyes, or other chemicals. 8 Certain types of birth control.

What is the cause of vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is more common in women during their reproductive years. It’s most often caused by bacteria known as Gardnerella vaginalis, which is a tiny spore that changes the pH balance of the vagina. However, this isn’t the only bacteria that can bring on this common problem.

What are the risk factors for bacterial vaginosis?

Some of the biggest risk factors for bacterial vaginosis are: Age. Frequent douching, which changes the balance of bacteria in the vagina. Ethnicity, with black and Mexican-American women more likely to develop it. Sexual activity, especially with multiple partners.

What is the pH of the vagina?

Usually, the vagina is slightly acidic with a pH between 3.8 and 4.2. But when the pH increases to 4.5 or higher, bacterial vaginosis can occur. Some common symptoms of this problem are: Unusual discharge colors, ranging from off-white to gray or yellow-green. Cloudy urine. Pain during urination or after sex.

How to cure bacterial vaginosis?

According to research, your vaginal skin should stay moist to allow adequate growth of the good bacteria. Keeping this in mind, drinking enough water is one of the most effective Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies that you can try. Water boosts your immune system and enhances the healing process.

How to treat BV naturally?

Take a warm relaxing bath for stress relief. One of the best BV natural treatments at home begin with managing your stress. Regardless of pregnancy, consistent stress can raise your risk of getting Bacterial Vaginosis. Studies show that women who’re stressed have more recurrences of this infection than others.

What is the best way to treat BV?

Make the most of some useful essential oils. Essential oils are known for their incredibly soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. So it comes as no surprise that essential oils are also useful Bacterial Vaginosis home remedies to treat BV symptoms at home.

What are some good foods to eat to prevent BV?

Add more green veggies such as cabbage, kale, spinach, and lettuce to your diet. Lentils and bananas have also shown holistic healing effects for vaginal infections. On the other hand, these are some foods that can cause BV recurrence:

What to do for BV?

You could try soothing herbal teas like Chamomile or Tracheal tea to alleviate the signs of Bacterial Vaginosis. Both are remarkable home remedies for treating BV at home. I won’t recommend inserting the teabags in the vagina as it seems super unsafe.

How to treat BV at home?

So here are top 11 safest home remedies for BV you should start with. 1. Take a warm relaxing bath for stress relief.

What to do if you suspect BV?

If you suspect having Bacterial Vaginosis, visit your doctor for medical advice. And that’s before you try any natural home remedies for BV! After conducting some tests, they’ll prescribe you antibiotics or derma-friendly vaginal gels to ease the signs of BV.

Causes

Treatment

Benefits

Medical uses

Uses

Preparation

• To treat bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications: 1. Metronidazole (Flagyl, Metrogel-Vaginal, others).This medicine may be taken as a pill by mouth (orally). Metronidazole is also available as a topical gel that you insert into your vagina. To reduce the risk of stomach upset, abdominal pain or nausea while u...

See more on mayoclinic.org

Risks

Safety

Prevention