Medication
- Medicines or hormones used in the treatment of breast cancer, endometriosis, fibroids or infertility
- Surgery to remove the ovaries
- Radiation treatment to the pelvic area
- Chemotherapy
- Severe stress, depression or intense exercise
Self-care
You may be able to minimize its impact if you:
- Wear panty liners when you’re experiencing heavy discharge. These can protect your underpants and also help you feel dryer throughout the day.
- Stick with cotton underpants for the most breathability. ...
- Wipe from front to back when using the bathroom. ...
- Opt for unscented cleansers to reduce your risk of irritation. ...
Nutrition
- itching
- pain
- burning sensation while you pee
- a strong, foul odor
- frothy texture
- thick, cottage cheese texture
- vaginal bleeding
- gray in color
- bleeding that’s unrelated to your period
What does your vaginal discharge tell you?
- No change in symptoms of heaviness, pressure or bulging
- No change in frequency or amount of stress urinary incontinence
- Falls out or repeatedly slips down to an uncomfortable position
- Unusual discharge (odour, color, quantity)
- Burning with urination
- Vaginal itching
- Blood on the pessary or vaginal bleeding
What are the reasons for vaginal discharge?
What color is the discharge if you have BV?
How do I know if my vaginal discharge is normal?
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.
When u take the meds for BV What color is the discharge?
OutlookRedstarting or ending a period cervical infection cervical polyp endometrial or cervical cancerWhitehealthy discharge yeast infectionYellow-greensexually transmitted infection, such as trichomoniasisClearhealthy discharge pregnancy ovulation hormonal imbalancesGrayBV1 more row
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.
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.
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.
How long does metronidazole gel discharge last?
You will know that metronidazole gel is working if symptoms, such as a fishy smell or watery discharge, begin to clear up in 2 to 3 days. If you finish your full 5 day course and still have symptoms, then the treatment may not have been effective and you should speak to a doctor.
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.
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).
How long for BV smell to go away with antibiotics?
Once you start treatment with a simple course of antibiotics, the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV) usually go away within two to three days.
Can BV discharge be thick?
There are also times when your discharge may signal a problem with your health. For example, thick white discharge accompanied by itching may mean you have a yeast infection. Yellow or green discharge may also mean infection, such as bacterial vaginosis.
Does BV cause excessive discharge?
Both bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections are vaginal infections that increase discharge.
Why is my discharge a yellowish color?
Watery yellow discharge is most common right before your period. This is because your vagina is producing more mucus. The yellowish tint can come from small amounts of menstrual blood mixing with normal white discharge. Very pale, yellow discharge is also common and usually normal, especially right before your period.
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 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.
How to avoid bacterial vaginosis?
Because bacterial vaginosis (BV) isn’t fully understood, there are no foolproof ways of avoiding it. These steps may reduce your risk: Avoid douching. It changes the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina. Instead, practice healthy vaginal and vulvar care.
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, ...
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 ...
What is the name of the system that produces bacteria in the vagina?
Your vagina is home to multiple types of bacteria (called a microbiome), just like your digestive system. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) happens when some of the vaginal bacteria grow more quickly than others. Too much of one type of bacteria leads to an imbalance.
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.
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.
Why is my vaginal discharge gray?
Gray vaginal discharge is not healthy, and it can be a symptom of a common bacterial infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV usually causes other vaginal symptoms as well, including: itching. irritation. a strong odor. redness around the vulva or vaginal opening.
What to do if you have a smelly discharge?
See a doctor if vaginal discharge has an unusual smell or appearance. A person should also seek medical care if they experience vaginal symptoms such as: itching . pain or discomfort.
What causes a vaginal discharge to change?
hormonal imbalances. Gray. BV. In most people, infections or hormonal imbalances are responsible for unusual changes in vaginal discharge. Medication may be necessary. A person should see a doctor if they notice irregular changes in vaginal discharge or other symptoms that might indicate a reproductive health issue.
What does it mean when your vagina is gray?
a strong odor. redness around the vulva or vaginal opening. Anyone with gray discharge should promptly see a doctor. Following diagnosis, the doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat the BV.
What does red discharge mean?
Red. The shade of red can vary from bright to a dark rust color. Red discharge is most commonly the result of bleeding during a period. Menstrual bleeding happens, on average, around every 28 days, though the normal range between 21 and 35 days. A period typically lasts for 3–5 days.
When does the cervical mucus become cloudy?
Days 6–14. Following a period, a person may notice less vaginal discharge than usual. As the egg starts to develop and mature, the cervical mucus will become cloudy and white or yellow. It may feel sticky. Days 14–25.
How many days does it take for a woman to discharge?
At the beginning of the cycle, discharge is usually red or bloody, as the body sheds the uterine lining. Days 6–14 .
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)
What is BV in a vagina?
BV is also responsible for the presence of enzymes that reduce the ability of host leukocytes to fight infection and for an increased release of endotoxins that stimulate cytokine and prostaglandin production within the vagina. [1] Histopathology.
What does bacterial vaginosis smell like?
Most commonly, this presents clinically with increased vaginal discharge that has a fish-like odor. The discharge itself is typically thin and either gray or white. After being diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, women have an increased risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted infections ...
What is the pathophysiology of vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance of the naturally occurring vaginal flora, characterized by both a change in the most common type of bacteria present as well as an increase in the total number of bacteria present.[2] The Lactobacillispecies dominate normal vaginal microbiota.[2]
Is vaginal douching a STI?
Department of Health and Human Services strongly discourages the use of vaginal douching.[5] Having a female sexual partner increases the risk of bacterial vaginosis by 60%; it is important to note that bacterial vaginosis is not an STI. [5]
Can bacterial vaginosis cause dysuria?
History and Physical. Most women with bacterial vaginosis present with a complaint of malodorous vaginal discharge.[10] Often this becomes more pronounced after sexual intercourse. Additional symptoms may include dysuria, dyspareunia, and vaginal pruritus; however, many affected women may be asymptomatic.
Is BV a risk factor for HIV?
[7][16][8] BV is also a risk factor for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection and the increased risk of infection or reactivation of human papillomavirus.
Is bacterial vaginosis endogenous?
By definition, an STI is caused by a source that is not endogenous to the vaginal flora.[5] Since bacterial vaginosis is caused by an overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria, it does not meet the definition of an STI.[10] Furthermore, bacterial vaginosis can rarely be present in patients who have never had sexual intercourse.
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.
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.
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