Treatment FAQ

how to tell if my bacterial vaginitis is gone after treatment

by Raymond Schamberger Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Medication

Apr 04, 2022 · Wipe from front to back after you urinate or have a bowel movement. After you bathe, rinse soap from your vaginal area to decrease your risk for irritation. Do not use products that cause irritation. Always use unscented tampons or sanitary pads. Do not use feminine sprays, powders, or scented tampons. They may cause irritation and increase your risk for vaginosis.

Self-care

Feb 21, 2021 · Your doctor or nurse takes a sample of vaginal discharge. Your doctor or nurse may then look at the sample under a microscope, use an in-office test, or send it to a lab to check for harmful bacteria. Your doctor or nurse may also see signs of BV during an exam. Don't douche or use vaginal deodorant sprays.

Nutrition

Jul 22, 2021 · 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. Treatment may also reduce the risk for some STDs.

Can bacterial vaginosis go away on its own?

: The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, such as a fishy vaginal odor and increased discharge, should disappear after proper treatment to the infection. Be sure you have completed all of your antibiotics as prescribed.

How do I know if I have bacterial vaginosis?

Jul 21, 2021 · Your doctor may examine the vaginal secretions under a microscope, looking for "clue cells," vaginal cells covered with bacteria that are a sign of bacterial vaginosis. Test your vaginal pH. 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 should I do if I think I have bacterial vaginosis?

BV is a result of an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria in a vagina. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV. We also do not know how sex causes BV. There also is no research to show that treating a sex partner ...

Can you still have bacterial vaginosis after treatment?

If you're diagnosed with BV, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Unfortunately, BV often returns after a few months. However, taking the following steps may help reduce your risk of recurring BV infections.Feb 1, 2021

How long does BV go away with treatment?

It's common for BV to come back, usually within 3 months. You'll need to take treatment for longer (up to 6 months) if you keep getting BV (you get it more than twice in 6 months).

How long does it take for BV to go away after metronidazole?

Pregnant women with symptoms of BV infection are usually treated. Oral treatment with seven days of metronidazole is preferred over vaginal treatments. The best way to prevent BV is not known. However, a few basic recommendations can be made.Mar 31, 2021

Can BV linger after antibiotics?

Unfortunately, this is a common problem. 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.Aug 22, 2016

What does BV look like inside?

Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge. Foul-smelling "fishy" vaginal odor.Jul 21, 2021

How long does it take for BV to show up?

The incubation period of BV may be around 4 days, which is consistent with other bacterial STIs.Mar 14, 2019

What happens if Flagyl doesn't work for BV?

Alternative antibiotic treatments

Tinidazole tablets may be offered if you know you are intolerant of metronidazole. Tinidazole is a similar antibiotic and you need to take 2 g once a day for two days, or 1 g once a day for five days.
Dec 14, 2017

What is better for BV clindamycin or metronidazole?

There was no statistically significant difference between the two results. Side effects for both regimens were comparable. We conclude that 2% clindamycin vaginal cream offers similar efficacy and safety to standard oral metronidazole therapy for bacterial vaginosis.

Why is metronidazole not working for BV?

Second, the bacteria that either cause BV or cause the anaerobic overgrowth may have become relatively more resistant to metronidazole (the most common treating agent) or to clindamycin (the other common treating agent).

Can BV turn into PID?

Several studies found a link between BV and cervicitis, endometritis, and salpingitis. Furthermore, it seems that some BV-associated organisms are associated with PID, whereas others are not. However, studies demonstrating an independent association between BV-associated organisms and PID are sparse.

What is bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition caused by changes in the amount of certain types of bacteria in your vagina. BV can develop when your vagina has more harmful bacteria than good bacteria.

Who gets BV?

BV is the most common vaginal condition in women ages 15 to 44. 1 But women of any age can get it, even if they have never had sex.

How do you get BV?

Researchers are still studying how women get BV. You can get BV without having sex, but BV is more common in women who are sexually active. Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners, as well as douching, can upset the balance of good and harmful bacteria in your vagina. This raises your risk of getting BV. 1

What are the symptoms of BV?

Many women have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

What is the difference between BV and a vaginal yeast infection?

BV and vaginal yeast infections are both common causes of vaginal discharge. They have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to know if you have BV or a yeast infection. Only your doctor or nurse can tell you for sure if you have BV.

How is BV diagnosed?

There are tests to find out if you have BV. Your doctor or nurse takes a sample of vaginal discharge. Your doctor or nurse may then look at the sample under a microscope, use an in-office test, or send it to a lab to check for harmful bacteria. Your doctor or nurse may also see signs of BV during an exam.

What can happen if BV is not treated?

Higher risk of getting STIs, including HIV. Having BV can raise your risk of getting HIV , genital herpes , chlamydia , pelvic inflammatory disease, and gonorrhea. Women with HIV who get BV are also more likely to pass HIV to a male sexual partner.

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)

Does bacterial vaginosis disappear?

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, such as a fishy vaginal odor and increased discharge, should disappear after proper treatment to the infection. Be sure you have completed all of your antibiotics as prescribed.

What does BV mean in menstrual fluid?

BV: Bacterial vaginosis or BV usually causes an abnormally strong odor that is accentuated by menstrual blood or seminal fluid. It also manifests as a whitish, yellowish homogenous discharge. If you do not have these signs and symptoms you probably are free of the condition.

What is BV in gynecology?

Obstetrics and Gynecology 39 years experience. BV: Bacterial vaginosis or BV usually causes an abnormally strong odor that is accentuated by menstrual blood or seminal fluid. It also manifests as a whitish, yellowish homogenous discharge. If you do not have these signs and symptoms you probably are free of the condition.

What does BV mean in medical terms?

Dr. CESAR HOLGADO answered. BV: Bacterial vaginosis or BV usually causes an abnormally strong odor that is accentuated by menstrual blood or seminal fluid. It also manifests as a whitish, yellowish homogenous discharge. If you do not have these signs and symptoms you probably are free of the condition.

What is the best medicine for bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis. For this type of vaginitis, your doctor may prescribe metronidazole (Flagyl) tablets that you take by mouth or metronidazole (MetroGel) gel or clindamycin (Cleocin) cream that you apply to your vagina. You'll need to get tested and be given a prescription for these medications. Yeast infections.

What is the instrument used to check for vaginal inflammation?

During the pelvic exam, your doctor may use an instrument (speculum) to look inside your vagina for inflammation and abnormal discharge. Collect a sample for lab testing. Your doctor might collect a sample of cervical or vaginal discharge for lab testing to confirm what kind of vaginitis you have. Perform pH testing.

What is the best medicine for yeast infections?

Yeast infections. Yeast infections usually are treated with an over-the-counter antifungal cream or suppository, such as miconazole (Monistat 1), clotrimazole, butoconazole or tioconazole (Vagistat-1). Yeast infections may also be treated with a prescription oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole (Diflucan).

Can BV cause a woman to get it?

Researchers do not know the cause of BV or how some women get it. We do know that the condition typically occurs in sexually active women. BV is linked to an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria that are normally found in a woman’s vagina.

Can BV cause a burning sensation?

Many women with BV do not have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may notice: A thin white or gray vaginal discharge; Pain, itching, or burning in the vagina; A strong fish-like odor, especially after sex; Burning when urinating; Itching around the outside of the vagina.

What is BV in a woman?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that happens when there is too much of certain bacteria in the vagina. This changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina.

Can a woman get BV from a toilet seat?

Having BV can increase your chances of getting other STDs. BV rarely affects women who have never had sex. You cannot get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools.

Can a pregnant woman get BV?

Pregnant women can get BV. Pregnant women with BV are more likely to have babies born premature (early) or with low birth weight than pregnant women without BV. Low birth weight means having a baby that weighs less than 5.5 pounds at birth. Treatment is especially important for pregnant women.

How much does a baby weigh with BV?

Low birth weight means having a baby that weighs less than 5.5 pounds at birth. Treatment is especially important for pregnant women.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Khutaija Bano
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Usually treated with antibiotics and ointments.
Medication

Nitroimidazoles: It helps to stop the overgrowth of the bacteria. Metronidazole is also available as a gel which can be inserted into the vagina.

Metronidazole


Antibiotic cream: Creams that can be applied in the vaginal area.

Clindamycin


Antibiotics: Oral medication stops the growth of bacteria.

Tinidazole

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Usage of unscented products near the vagina.
  • Avoid multiple sex partners.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Cleansing foods such as carrot, radish, beetroot, dark leafy vegetables
  • Lots of water intake
  • Cultured foods such as organic yogurt, kefir
  • Prebiotic foods such as onions, garlic

Foods to avoid:

  • Sugar
  • Fast foods
  • Fried foods
  • Red meat
  • Refined carbohydrates

Specialist to consult

Gynecologist
Specializes in the health of the female reproductive systems and breasts.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • To diagnose vaginitis, your health care provider is likely to: 1. Review your medical history.This includes your history of vaginal or sexually transmitted infections. 2. Perform a pelvic exam.During the pelvic exam, your health care provider might use an instrument (speculum) to look inside your vagina for inflammation and discharge. 3. Collect a ...
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