Antibiotics Used To Treat Bacterial Vaginosis

What Are The Antibiotics Used To Treat Bacterial Vaginosis

ByShawn Chris Michaels | Submitted On May 11, 2010

Do you find fishy odor being emanated from your vagina? Do you see the occurrence of a grayish fluid in your vagina after the menstrual cycle? All these symptoms can be due to BV . This is an infection quite common in women due to the over growth of the naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina. No need to worry, you can check this condition very easily by administering the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. But before the medicines are prescribed to you, you should also know about its contents and functions.

Metronidazole gel or tablets

This is an antibiotic that can be effective for mild or moderate conditions of BV. It acts on anaerobic bacteria. The bacteria absorb it and then the antibiotic reacts with ferrodoxin and gets reduced. This reduced product is very toxic for the bacteria causing the infection. It directly gets into the DNA structure of bacteria and causes instability. This antibiotic after getting reduced does not react with human cells or aerobic bacteria .

Clindamycin

It has a bacteriostatic effect over the anaerobic bacteria. Ribosomes which occur in the cells of bacteria are sites responsible for protein synthesis. This antibiotic stops the process of protein manufacture in ribosomes. It attaches itself to the 23S r RNA subunit of the ribosomes of bacteria. But It produces undesirable side effects like diarrhea in the victim.

Tinidazole

Challenges/opportunity Of Treating Bv Using Novel Interventions Including Probiotics And Vmt

The golden age for restoring the vaginal microbiome to decrease BV and its recurrence has begun. However, except for the disadvantages discussed above, several other challenges need to be considered. Foremost, unlike regular drugs, VMT and probiotics lack a standardized manufacturing process, which could affect microbial survival, growth, and viability,,. A standardized procedure for producing VMT and probiotics should be established and tested. Manufacturing the whole vaginal microbiome consistently and stably in vitro will contribute to the development and approval processes for the clinical use of VMT. Also, the effects of probiotics are strain-specific and dose-dependent hence, medical-grade probiotics require certified laboratories universally shared validated and standardized methodologies for production and quality-control.

More On Bacterial Vaginosis At Thebodycom

To find out more about bacterial vaginosis, we recommend the following articles:

• Vaginitis
• Vaginal Health

In addition, our Q& A experts sometimes address questions about bacterial vaginosis in our “Ask the Experts” forums. Here are some of those questions and our experts’ responses:

• Bacterial Vaginosis Is it possible to contract bacterial vaginosis through anything besides sexual contact? A woman who has it is constantly using our toilet and showering at our place.
• What can I do to eradicate chronic bacterial vaginosis? It seems to be antibiotic resistant because it does not go away. I have been treated with metro gel and cleosin.

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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.

But other cases should be treated with antibiotics. Youll need treatment if you test positive for BV and:

• You have significant symptoms.

• You are pregnant, even if you don’t have symptoms. Treatment for BV is safe in pregnancy. Its also necessary to prevent complications in pregnancy that are caused by BV

• You are about to have gynecological surgery, such as a hysterectomy , or an abortion whether you have symptoms or not. Getting treated lowers the risk of having complications after surgery.

What Antibiotic Is Used For A Bacterial Infection

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

• Metronidazole . This medicine may be taken as a pill by mouth .
• Clindamycin .
• Tinidazole .

Hereof, what can be used to treat bacterial infections?

can be usedinfectionsinfectionsinfectionsinfectionsfor treating bacteria

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How Effective Are Antibiotics

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

• 50% of the study participants who didn’t use clindamycin had no symptoms one to two weeks after placebo treatment.
• 88% of the study participants who used clindamycin had no symptoms one to two weeks after treatment.

Several studies have also shown that clindamycin and metronidazole are similarly effective: In the studies comparing these two , over 90% of the women had no symptoms after treatment regardless of which drug they had used.

It’s not uncommon for bacterial vaginosis to return after a few weeks. That happens quite often. About half of all women have symptoms again about one year after the first infection. If bacterial vaginal infections return more frequently, it may be a good idea to discuss options for preventive treatment with your doctor.

Studies have also looked into whether it’s a good idea for your partner to also take . 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.

A Doctor’s View On Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment

Antibiotics are often given for bacterial vaginosis, even though it may go away on its own without specific treatment. Antibiotics are given for pregnantwomen with bacterial vaginosis who have symptoms. Women who have bacterial vaginosis but do not have symptoms may not need to take medications. Antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis can be applied topically to the vagina or be taken orally.

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How Do I Get Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacteria called lactobacilli naturally live in your vagina and stop other bacteria from growing there.

Sometimes the balance of these bacteria changes. If this happens you can develop bacterial vaginosis.

Bacteria other than lactobacilli overgrow in the vagina and can cause symptoms.

Bacterial vaginosis cant be passed from person to person. But it’s more common in people who are sexually active.

Other things that may increase your risk of getting it include:

• having a new sexual partner
• having multiple sexual partners
• using scented soaps or perfumed bubble bath
• putting antiseptic liquids in the bath
• douching
• using vaginal washes or deodorant
• using strong detergents to wash your underwear

Can Bv Come Back After Medication

According to research from 2018, a person may develop BV again after a few weeks. About experience symptoms again after 1 year of getting the first infection.

In these cases, a doctor may recommend a different treatment plan.

This research also states that because antibiotics affect all vaginal bacteria, using antibiotics to treat BV may lead to a vaginal yeast infection. This occurs in about of those who take clindamycin or metronidazole.

Symptoms of a yeast infection include lumpy, white vaginal discharge or vaginal itching and redness.

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Who Is At Risk Of Developing Bacterial Vaginosis

Experts are not sure what causes this imbalance of bacteria to occur in the first place but have identified a few risk factors that make some women a lot more likely to develop BV. These include:

• A history of multiple sex partners
• A new sexual partner
• Vaginal douching
• Presence of an intrauterine contraceptive device .

Although most risk factors are associated with sexual activity, women who have never had vaginal intercourse can also develop BV.

When Should You Call Your Doctor

Bacterial vaginosis can be hard to distinguish from other types of vaginal infection. Consider the following if you have any signs of vaginal infection.

if you:

• Develop lower belly pain and a fever higher than 38.3°C along with a vaginal discharge.
• Are pregnant and have symptoms of a vaginal infection.

• Have vaginal discharge with an unusual or foul odour.
• Have vaginal itching.
• Have pain during sex or during urination.
• Develop any other discomfort or discharge that may mean you have a vaginal infection.

If you have not been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis but you have symptoms that concern you, see:

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Can Vaginosis Be Treated During Pregnancy

Bacterial vaginosis that develops during pregnancy can slightly increase the risk of premature birth. The risk of a late-term miscarriage or stillbirth is also higher. In miscarriage or stillbirth, the child dies while still in the mothers body.

The advantages and disadvantages of antibiotic treatment were analyzed in a systematic review. Researchers analyzed 21 studies involving nearly 8,000 pregnant women. The results show that can lower the risk of late-term miscarriages:

• 2% of women who didn’t take had a late-term miscarriage.
• 0.3% of women who took had a late-term miscarriage.

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

Most study participants experienced no symptoms and their infection was detected during other routine pregnancy tests. If bacterial vaginosis starts causing symptoms during pregnancy, it is usually treated anyway.

Can Bacterial Vaginosis Recur

Yes, bacterial vaginosis can recur, sometimes within a few weeks. If this happens, see your nurse or doctor for further treatment. This may include a longer course of antibiotics and checking for any other infections.

To prevent bacterial vaginosis recurring you could consider temporarily avoiding sexual contact or, if you have sex with a new partner, making sure he uses a condom.

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What Is The Treatment For Persisting Bacterial Vaginosis

If you have persistent BV then your doctor may want to take further vaginal swabs to check whether there is another cause of the discharge. They will usually suggest that you use the seven-day course of metronidazole if you have not had this before.

Another treatment which may be tried is using metronidazole gel twice a week for up to six months.

If you have a persistent BV infection which does not respond to treatment, and you have an intrauterine contraceptive device then your doctor may advise removing the device until things settle down, as there is some evidence that IUCDs can contribute to persistent BV.

If you have persistent BV and a same-sex partner then treating both of you at the same time is likely to be helpful in preventing persistence and recurrence – even if your partner does not have symptoms.

Who Is At Risk

It is not completely understood why some women develop bacterial vaginosis and others don’t. It is more common:

• in women with more than one sexual partner
• when women change sexual partner
• in women who have sex with other women.

It is also possible that the problem bacteria can be transmitted on fingers or sex toys.

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What Are Effective Treatments Of Bacterial Vaginosis

Some antibiotics that have been effective in treating bacterial vaginosisinclude metronidazole , clindamycin , and tinidazole . Taking the medication in pill form can cause minor side effects, but this is considered to be the most effective treatment.

Many women who receive treatment for bacterial vaginosis will have recurrent symptoms and require another course of antibiotic therapy. It is not understood why this happens, but symptoms recur in over half of women within the year following treatment.

Your doctor can help you decide which treatment is right for you.

Treating And Preventing Bacterial Vaginosis

In this series

Bacterial vaginosis often causes no symptoms, or the symptoms are mild. Also, there is a good chance that BV will gradually clear without treatment.

In this article

Treating and Preventing Bacterial Vaginosis

In this article

• What can I do about recurrent bacterial vaginosis?

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What Other Information Should I Know

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish using the vaginal clindamycin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Antibiotics Are Used To Treat Bv

An antibiotic called metronidazole can be used to treat the infection. If your doctor prescribes metronidazole you will need to:

• Take the antibiotic twice a day for seven days.
• Take the tablets after meals this can reduce the nausea and upset stomach that is sometimes associated with metronidazole.
• Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment.

Your doctor can prescribe a vaginal cream if you are unable to take metronidazole. Clindamycin is applied to the vagina for seven nights.

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Which Treatments Are Effective For Bacterial Vaginosis

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

Bacterial vaginosis is quite common and caused by changes in the vaginal flora that allow the rapid growth of specific types of .

The infection can cause a thin, grayish-white discharge with an unpleasant smell, but it often goes undetected. If it does produce symptoms, 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.

Management Of Sex Partners

Data from earlier clinical trials indicate that a womans response to therapy and the likelihood of relapse or recurrence are not affected by treatment of her sex partner . Therefore, routine treatment of sex partners is not recommended. However, a pilot study reported that male partner treatment of women with recurrent BV had an immediate and sustained effect on the composition of the vaginal microbiota, with an overall decrease in bacterial diversity at day 28 . Male partner treatment also had an immediate effect on the composition of the penile microbiota however, this was not as pronounced at day 28, compared with that among women. A phase 3 multicenter randomized double-blinded trial evaluating the efficacy of a 7-day oral metronidazole regimen versus placebo for treatment of male sex partners of women with recurrent BV did not find that male partner treatment reduced BV recurrence in female partners, although women whose male partners adhered to multidose metronidazole were less likely to experience treatment failure .

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How Bv Is Spread

Although it is not clear how BV is transmitted, it is more common in women who are sexually active. It sometimes develops soon after intercourse with a new partner. Women who have female sexual partners may be at higher risk than women who have sex with only male partners. Research has not conclusively found a link between BV and specific sexual practices or acts. However, recent evidence supports the use of condoms to reduce the risk of this infection.

What Are Treatmentsfor Bacterial Vaginosis

If left untreated,bacterial vaginosis infection can spread increasing the symptoms andurinary tract infection that can make women feel very ill. Once diagnosed,an antibiotic treatment will be recommended, because currently thisis the most effective way to treat bacterial vaginosis. The antibioticis either provided in oral form like a tablet, or as a vaginal creamand suppository. The two most used antibiotics for treating bacterialvaginosis is Metronidazole and Clindamycin.

Metronidazole is anitroimidazole antibiotic medicine usually provided as a vaginal gel,topical cream or oral tablet. Flagyl is the name used for Metronidazolein the United States. The medication is used to treatanaerobic bacterial infections, overgrowth of gardnerella bacteria andalso anaerobes, such as mobiluncus and bacteroides that can co-infectcells.

The antibiotic actson the anaerobic bacteria which causes the bacterial vaginosis. Onceabsorbed by these bacteria cells, it acts on the ferrodoxin proteinto regulate oxidation which was reduced by the bacterial vaginosis infection.This regulation of oxygen then affects how these bacteria multiply incolonies. Through limiting the bacterial growth, the lactobacillus speciehas a chance to return to balanced pH levels that reduces symptoms andremoves the bacterial vaginosis infection.

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Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment Side Effects

As mentioned earlier, pills usually have more side effects than creams. And for metronidazole pills, these typically include:

• Headache

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

In addition, both metronidazole pills andcreams can give you a metallic taste in your mouth.

There is a risk of C. diff diarrhea with both metronidazole and clindamycin, but the risk is greater with clindamycin pills.

When To Contact A Doctor

A person can consider contacting a doctor if they are experiencing unusual vaginal discharge or a fever.

The doctor may perform a swab test and ask about medical and sexual history to determine if they have BV.

Individuals can also see a doctor if they experience worsening symptoms with BV medication or any worrying side effects.

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Bacterial Vaginosis In Pregnancy

If you develop bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy, there’s a small chance of complications, such as premature birth or miscarriage.

But BV causes no problems in the majority of pregnancies.

Speak to a GP or your midwife if you’re pregnant and your vaginal discharge changes.

Page last reviewed: 22 November 2018 Next review due: 22 November 2021

Testing For Bacterial Vaginosis

If you think you have bacterial vaginosis you can make an appointment with your GP or local sexual health services.

Your nurse or doctor may perform an internal examination to check the vagina for signs of bacterial vaginosis and use a swab to collect a sample of the discharge from your vagina.

A swab looks a bit like a cotton bud and collecting a sample only takes a few minutes. Although not painful, it may be a little uncomfortable for a moment.

A specially coated paper may be used to test the pH of your vagina.

Sometimes a diagnosis can be made straightaway because of the distinctive appearance of the discharge. Sometimes the sample will be sent to a lab for testing.

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