what is the treatment for vaginal/rectal bacterial vaginosis

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

• Wash your external genitals and anus every day with mild soap, such as Dove or Cetaphil. [12] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. ...
• After you go to the bathroom, always wipe from your vagina to your anus. ...
• Keep your genital area cool by wearing cotton undergarments and avoiding tight pants. ...

Nutrition

• Your vagina is capable of self-cleaning. ...
• Wipe from front to back after a visit to the washroom.
• Avoid douching completely. ...
• Change pads and tampons frequently.
• Keep your intimate area dry and sweat-free. ...
• Wear undergarments of natural, hypoallergenic and breathable fabrics like cotton. ...

More items...

Are there any home remedies to cure bacterial vaginosis?

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.

How to prevent bacterial vaginosis from recurring?

How to prevent BV recurring?

Does clindamycin really treat bacterial vaginosis?

What is the best bacterial vaginosis treatment?

The bottom line 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 do I get rid of bacterial vaginosis permanently?

BV rarely leads to any other issues and can go away on its own, but if it persists, your health care provider will prescribe antibiotics like metronidazole (Flagyl, MetroGel), clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindesse), and tindazole (Tindamaz) to kill the problem bacteria. These can be prescribed for oral or vaginal use.

Can BV go away on its own without antibiotics?

In one-third of cases, bacterial vaginosis (BV) resolves on its own without any medications. However, if you have symptoms, you should seek medical care. Having BV makes you prone to sexually transmitted infections and can affect pregnancy.

Can I get metronidazole over-the-counter?

Metronidazole is a prescription-only medication that is available over-the-counter. Drug Metronidazole is a antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial vaginosis, but it can also treat other types of infections such as trichomoniasis.

What foods to avoid when you have BV?

"Foods that are processed, such as packaged sweets, popcorn, smoked meats, dairy, and dried fruits, can affect your immune system, and if your immune system is oppressed by your nutrition, this can cause bacteria to populate the area, causing itching, infections, including bacterial vaginosis," says Dr. Posina.

Does cranberry juice help with BV?

There is some evidence suggesting that women taking vitamin supplementation show decreased rates of BV6. Probiotics have also been found to provide relief when used in combination with systemic antibiotic therapy15. Anecdotal evidence suggests that cranberry juice may help remedy symptoms.

Can Monistat treat BV?

Unfortunately, there are no over-the-counter products like Monistat that will do the trick. (Monistat is a treatment for yeast infections—it won't do anything to stop the itching and clear up your condition if what you really have is BV.)

What is the quickest way to treat bacterial vaginosis?

The fastest way to treat BV is to visit your doctor and get a prescription to treat the condition.

What is the best medicine for bacterial vaginosis?

Boric acid capsules can be used to treat bacterial vaginosis.

How long does bacterial vaginosis last?

After seeing your doctor and starting treatment with a prescribed medication, your symptoms will likely start improving within 2 to 3 days.

What is the difference between a yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis?

BV and vaginal yeast infections have similar symptoms but different causes and treatments. Both cause inflammation of the vagina, also known as vaginitis.

What is a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria?

Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria.

What to wear for bacterial vaginosis?

According to the University of New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Wellness, to help your bacterial vaginosis heal quickly and to prevent future cases, wear cotton underwear that’s breathable.

Can bacterial vaginosis be prevented?

Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition that many women can get, regardless of whether they’ve had sex. Home remedies can be used to treat and prevent it. Some may be more effective than others.

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 diagnose BV?

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 ). Vaginal Gram stain, considered the reference standard laboratory method for diagnosing BV, is used to determine the relative concentration of lactobacilli (i.e., long gram-positive rods), small gram-negative and gram-variable rods (i.e., G. vaginalis or Bacteroides ), and curved gram-negative rods (i.e., Mobiluncus) characteristic of BV. A Nugent score of 0–3 is consistent with a Lactobacillus -predominant vaginal microbiota, 4–6 with intermediate microbiota (emergence of G. vaginalis ), and 7–10 with BV. Clinical diagnosis of BV by Amsel criteria requires at least three of the following four symptoms or signs:

What is the best test for BV?

In addition to the Amsel criteria, multiple POC tests are available for BV diagnosis. The Osom BV Blue test (Sekisui Diagnostics) detects vaginal sialidase activity ( 1003, 1004 ). The Affirm VP III (Becton Dickinson) is an oligonucleotide probe test that detects high concentrations of G. vaginalis nucleic acids (>5 x 10 5 CFU of G. vaginalis/ mL of vaginal fluid) for diagnosing BV, Candida species, and T. vaginalis. This test has been reported to be most useful for symptomatic women in conjunction with vaginal pH measurement and presence of amine odor (sensitivity of 97%); specificity is 81% compared with Nugent. Finally, the FemExam Test Card (Cooper Surgical) measures vaginal pH, presence of trimethylamine (a metabolic by-product of G. vaginalis ), and proline aminopeptidase ( 1005 ). Sensitivity is 91% and specificity is 61%, compared with Nugent. This test has primarily been studied in resource-poor settings ( 1005 ), and although it has been reported to be beneficial compared with syndromic management, it is not a preferred diagnostic method for BV diagnosis.

What is the Max Vaginal Panel?

The Max Vaginal Panel provides results by an algorithmic analysis of molecular DNA detection of Lactobacillus species ( L. crispatus and L. jensenii) in addition to G. vaginalis, A. vaginae, BVAB2, and Megasphaera type 1. This test has 90.5% sensitivity and 85.8% specificity for BV diagnosis, compared with Amsel criteria and Nugent score. It also provides results for Candida species and T. vaginalis. The Aptima BV detects G. vaginalis, A. vaginae, and certain Lactobacillus species including L. crispatus, L. jensenii, and L. gasseri, with sensitivity and specificity ranging from 95.0% to 97.3% and 85.8% to 89.6%, respectively (using either clinician- or patient-collected vaginal swabs). The three laboratory-developed tests (NuSwab VG, OneSwab BV Panel PCR with Lactobacillus Profiling by qPCR, and SureSwab BV) have to be internally validated before use for patient care yet have good sensitivity and specificity, similar to FDA-cleared assays. BV NAATs should be used among symptomatic women only (e.g., women with vaginal discharge, odor, or itch) because their accuracy is not well defined for asymptomatic women. Despite the availability of BV NAATs, traditional methods of BV diagnosis, including the Amsel criteria, Nugent score, and the Affirm VP III assay, remain useful for diagnosing symptomatic BV because of their lower cost and ability to provide a rapid diagnosis. Culture of G. vaginalis is not recommended as a diagnostic tool because it is not specific. Cervical Pap tests have no clinical utility for diagnosing BV because of their low sensitivity and specificity.

Is clindamycin cream safe for tinidazole?

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.

Can BV be used during pregnancy?

BV treatment is recommended for all symptomatic pregnant women because symptomatic BV has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes , including premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, intra-amniotic infection, and postpartum endometritis ( 989, 991, 1036 ). Studies have been undertaken to determine the efficacy of BV treatment among this population, including two trials demonstrating that oral metronidazole was efficacious during pregnancy by using the 250 mg 3 times/day regimen ( 1037, 1038 ); however, oral metronidazole administered as a 500 mg 2 times/day regimen can also be used. One trial involving a limited number of participants revealed treatment with oral metronidazole 500 mg 2 times/day for 7 days to be equally effective as metronidazole gel 0.75% for 5 days, with cure rates of 70% by using Amsel criteria to define cure ( 1039 ). Another trial demonstrated a cure rate of 85% by using Gram-stain criteria after treatment with oral clindamycin 300 mg 2 times/day for 7 days ( 1040 – 1043 ).

Is oral clindamycin better than topical clindamycin?

Oral therapy has not been reported to be superior to topical therapy for treating symptomatic BV in effecting cure or preventing adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Pregnant women can be treated with any of the recommended regimens for nonpregnant women, in addition to the alternative regimens of oral clindamycin and clindamycin ovules.

Is BV treatment recommended for women?

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. genitalium, HIV, HPV, and HSV-2 ( 971, 986 – 988, 990, 1010 ). No data are available that directly compare the efficacy of oral and topical medications for treating BV.

What is the best medicine for a vaginal infection?

These might include: Clindamycin, a cream you use in your vagina. It sells under the brand names Cleocin and Clindesse. Metronidazole, available as a pill you swallow or a gel you insert in your vagina.

What are the different types of bacteria that grow in the vagina?

There are at least seven types of bacteria that grow in the vagina. Lactobacillus is one of them. BV is linked to a decrease of lactobacillus, which is found in yogurt and acidophilus milk.

What If My BV Comes Back?

It’s common for this infection to come back within a year. If that happens, talk to your doctor about treatments. They may prescribe extended-use metronidazole.

What is BV in vagina?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection caused by too much of a certain type of bacteria in your vagina. Left untreated, it can raise your risk for several serious health problems. Bacterial vaginosis doesn’t always cause symptoms. But if it does, they can include:

How long does it take for BV to come back?

Clindamycin can weaken latex condoms not only while you’re using the medication, but for at least 3 days after you stop.

Does yogurt cause BV?

BV is linked to a decrease of lactobacillus, which is found in yogurt and acidophilus milk. Some studies suggest that eating foods that contain lactobacillus may be beneficial, but more research is needed. Do not douche with yogurt or any other product. Vaginal douching is a risk factor for BV.

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 :

How long does it take for BV to clear?

These treatments have been around a while, and are proven to work: 80% of women treated for BV using one of these methods are clear of the infection one month after treatment .

Can you use clindamycin vaginally?

If you are using clindamycin vaginally, you’ll need to be careful using latex condoms for protection. Clindamycin cream can weaken condoms to the point that they break.

Can BV be treated with antibiotics?

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.

Do women get better with BV?

Many women don’ t know that they have BV. That’s ok. One-third of women get better with no treatment at all.

Are there safe and reliable home remedies for bacterial vaginosis?

In a word, no. You may have heard of popular online recommendations, including:

What are the best treatments for BV?

The only interventions proven to reduce development or recurrence of BV are chronic suppressive therapy and circumcision of male partners [ 114,115 ].

How to reduce BV recurrence?

Interventions to reduce recurrence risk — The only interventions proven to reduce development or recurrence of BV are chronic suppressive therapy and circumcision of male partners [ 114,115 ]. A trial that compared treatment of male partners with metronidazole (seven days) or placebo reported trends toward reduced BV recurrence for individuals whose male partners were adherent to the study medication or who used condoms, but the findings did not reach statistical significance [ 106 ]. Consistent and correct condom use may be helpful, but routine treatment of sexual partners is not advised at this time.

How long does a seniconazole antibiotic last?

Secnidazole — Secnidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic with a longer half-life than metronidazole (approximately 17 hours versus 8 hours) that is considered an alternative regimen for BV [ 4,45 ].

What are probiotics used for?

Role of probiotics — Probiotics (live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host when administered in adequate amounts) have been used alone and as adjunctive therapy to antibiotics for treatment of BV and prevention of relapse . Systemic reviews of trials of probiotics for treatment of BV have not found sufficient evidence for or against efficacy [ 49,50 ]. Although some trials have reported very promising results, particularly for treatment with an L. crispatus strain, we feel the results should be reproduced in more well-designed and larger trials before use of this therapy is considered [ 51 ]. In addition, further investigation is needed to determine the optimum route of administration (oral or vaginal), which strains or combination of strains are most effective (eg, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14, Lactobacillus acidophilus ), and the dose and duration of use. The regulatory oversight and quality of commercially available probiotics vary worldwide. In the United States, the content of these products is not standardized and often of poor quality. The FDA advises caution in using dietary supplements containing live bacteria or yeast in immunocompromised patients as patient death has been reported [ 52 ].

What is the role of probiotics in BV prevention?

Probiotics — The role of probiotics in BV prevention is not yet known. (See 'Role of probiotics' above.)

Can asymptomatic preterm births be treated?

Asymptomatic infection and screening — Asymptomatic pregnant individuals with previous preterm births may benefit from treatment, but screening and treatment of these individuals are controversial as the available data do not show a consistent benefit to this approach [ 4 ].

Does BV reduce preterm birth risk?

When the Cochrane reviewers separately analyzed the subgroup of women with a history of one or more prior preterm births (ie, women at high risk for preterm birth), the detection and treatment of BV still did not significantly reduce the risk of preterm birth (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.42-1.48, three trials, 421 women).

What is the best treatment for bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis can cause symptoms such as discharge with an unpleasant smell. The antibioticsclindamycin and metronidazole are both effective treatments for bacterial vaginosis. There has not yet been enough research on the possible benefits of lactic acid bacteriatreatments.

What antibiotics are used for bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis can cause symptoms such as discharge with an unpleasant smell. The antibiotics clindamycin and metronidazole are both effective treatments for bacterial vaginosis. There has not yet been enough research on the possible benefits of lactic acid bacteria treatments. Bacterial vaginosis is quite common and caused by changes in the vaginal flora that allow the rapid growth of specific types of bacteria (usually gardnerella). The infection can cause a thin, grayish-white discharge with an unpleasant smell, but it often goes undetected. If it does produce symptoms, antibiotics can be used as an effective treatment, even during pregnancy. Treatment can help lower the slightly increased risk of miscarriage due to the infection, too.

Can antibiotics cause premature births?

Antibiotics had no influence on the risk of premature births or on stopping a woman’s water from breaking sooner. About 2% of the women stopped treatment due to side effects. There is no evidencethat antibioticsused to treat bacterial vaginosis have any long-term side effects or are harmful for the child.

Is metronidazole good for vaginosis?

Clindamycin and metronidazole are very effective against vaginosis symptoms. Studies on clindamycin cream treatments have shown the following:

Can lactic acid be used in combination with antibiotics?

There are hardly any studies testing them on their own – they are usually used in combination with antibiotics. But no evidencehas been found that vaginosis clears up any better with this combination. Little is known about possible side effects.

Does antibiotic treatment kill gardnerella?

Antibiotic treatment kills not only gardnerella bacteria, but also useful bacteria in the vaginal flora that work to keep other germs in check. This means that antibiotic treatment can sometimes end up causing a vaginal yeast infection (candida fungus). This happens to about 10% of women who use clindamycin or metronidazole. Itching and a thick, white discharge are typical signs of a yeast infection, and it can also be treated with medication.

Can you take antibiotics with a partner?

Studies have also looked into whether it's a good idea for your partner to also take antibiotics. But that didn't speed up the recovery time. It also hasn't been shown that treating your partner would prevent the infection from coming back.

What is the best treatment for vaginal 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.

How to treat labial fungus?

Follow package directions and complete the entire course of treatment, even if you're feeling better right away. Apply a cold compress, such as a washcloth, to the labial area to ease discomfort until the antifungal medication takes full effect .

What is the best antibiotic for yeast infection?

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). The advantages of over-the-counter treatment are convenience, cost and not waiting to see your doctor. However, you might have something other than a yeast infection. Using the wrong medicine may delay an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

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.

Can you take fluconazole for yeast infection?

Yeast infections may also be treated with a prescription oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole (Diflucan). The advantages of over-the-counter treatment are convenience, cost and not waiting to see your doctor. However, you might have something other than a yeast infection.

Do you need a prescription for trichomoniasis?

You'll need prescription medication to treat trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis and vaginal atrophy. If you know you have a yeast infection, you can take these steps:

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...

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Risks

Safety

Prevention