Treatment FAQ

how long does it take for bv treatment to work

by Kelvin Waelchi DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

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 long does BV take to go away?

Dec 10, 2021 · With proper treatment, bacterial vaginosis can go away in a few days to a couple of weeks. But if left untreated, BV can sometimes take up to a few months to resolve. According to one study, it can take around 10 weeks or more for BV to clear itself from the body.

How long does metronidazole take to work for BV?

How long does bacterial vaginosis (BV) last? Most of the time, one round of antibiotics — taken for up to seven days — eliminates the infection. About 10% to 15% of people need another round of treatment. Can you get bacterial vaginosis (BV) multiple times? Yes. Up to 80% of women may get bacterial vaginosis again. Living With

What is the treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

Jul 22, 2021 · A health care provider can treat BV with antibiotics, but BV may recur even after treatment. Treatment may also reduce the risk for some STDs. Male sex partners of women diagnosed with BV generally do not need to be treated. …

How long does bacterial vaginosis last?

Apr 17, 2022 · Bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 2 or 3 days with antibiotics, but treatment goes on for 7 days. Do not stop using your medicine just because your symptoms are better. Be sure to take the full course of antibiotics. Antibiotics usually work well and have few side effects. How do I get rid of chronic BV? Pay attention to vaginal hygiene.

image

How fast does treatment for BV work?

With proper treatment, bacterial vaginosis can go away in a few days to a couple of weeks. But if left untreated, BV can sometimes take up to a few months to resolve. According to one study, it can take around 10 weeks or more for BV to clear itself from the body.Dec 9, 2021

How long does it take for metronidazole to start working?

This medication should take effect within 1 to 2 hours, and while effects may not be visibly noticed immediately, but gradual improvements are usually noticable after a few days.

Why am I still having discharge after BV treatment?

Frequently asked questions about metronidazole (vaginal) Does metronidazole (vaginal) cause white clumpy discharge? 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.

Does metronidazole work straight away?

Metronidazole should be taken with or just after food and with plenty of water. How long does it take to work? The medication will start working straight away. However, it is important to take the whole course of medicine that has been prescribed.

How long does it take for bacterial vaginosis to recur?

It's common for bacterial vaginosis to recur within three to 12 months, despite treatment. Researchers are exploring treatments for recurrent bacterial vaginosis. If your symptoms recur soon after treatment, talk with your doctor about treatments. One option may be extended-use metronidazole therapy.

What is the best medicine for bacterial vaginosis?

To treat bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications: 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.

How to diagnose bacterial vaginosis?

Open pop-up dialog box. Close. Pelvic examination. Pelvic examination. In a pelvic exam, your physician inserts two gloved fingers inside your vagina. While simultaneously pressing down on your abdomen, he or she can examine your uterus, ovaries and other organs. To diagnose bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may: ...

What does a pH of 4.5 mean?

Your doctor may check the acidity of your vagina by placing a pH test strip in your vagina. A vaginal pH of 4.5 or higher is a sign of bacterial vaginosis.

What is a BV?

Bacterial Vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection that happens when some normal bacteria that lives in the vagina overgrows, causing a bacterial imbalance. Symptoms include an off-white or grey vaginal discharge that smells “fishy.”. In some women, BV goes away without treatment, in others, ...

What age do women get BV?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal problem for women ages 15 to 44. In fact, an estimated one in three American women will get BV. The rate is higher in black women.

Why does my vagina smell fishy?

Bacterial vaginosis may cause a "fishy" odor and cause vaginal irritation in some women. Others may not have any symptoms. Bacterial vaginosis is associated with poor obstetrics ...

Can BV cause pregnancy?

However, if you have symptoms, you should seek medical care. Having BV makes you prone to sexually transmitted infections and can affect pregnancy.

What does BV smell like?

Both bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections are vaginal infections that increase discharge. Here’s how you can tell the difference: Discharge: The hallmark sign of BV is discharge with a “fishy” smell. Discharge from yeast infections doesn’t usually have a strong smell but may look like cottage cheese.

Is bacterial vaginosis a serious infection?

Although bacterial vaginosis is a mild infection, it can make you vulnerable to more serious conditions. Don’t put off seeing your healthcare provider if you notice anything unusual. A simple course of antibiotics could set things straight.

What does it mean when your discharge smells fishy?

Discharge that smells "fishy.". "Fishy" smell that is strongest after sex or during the menstrual cycle. Rarely, an itchy or sore vagina. BV symptoms are similar to other infections. It’s important to visit your healthcare provider to determine if what you have is BV or another vaginal infection.

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#N#external icon#N#– An online learning experience that helps users learn how to manage vaginitis. Free CME/CNE available. (November 1, 2017)

Answers

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common infection in the vagina and is caused by changes in the amount of bacteria in your vagina. It can develop when your vagina has more harmful bacteria than good bacteria.

Search for questions

Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.

How long does it take for BV to come back?

The usual treatment for BV is antibiotics, however more often than not, the BV ‘comes back’ after a month or two. The three-month success rate of antibiotics is about half. This is because in many cases,the BV never really goes away; the bacterial biofilm home-grown by Gardnerella vaginalis and friends is still in there, ...

What antibiotics are used for BV?

Antibiotics used to treat BV. Metronidazole (Flagyl, oral, MetroGel, vaginal) – most commonly prescribed. Clindamycin (Cleocin, oral or vaginal, Clindesse, vaginal) Tinidazole (Tindamax, oral) If you have tried antibiotics, and they haven’t worked, you may be treating the wrong bacteria or have antibiotic-resistant bacteria. ...

How long does it take for BV to recur?

Around a third of women who take antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) find that the problem recurs within the next two to three months. Some strains of BV organisms may have resistance to some antibiotics.

What is the CDC?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises clinicians on a variety of treatment strategies which can be tried if symptoms recur. Simply trying another course of the antibiotics you used the first time may be appropriate.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9