Is Bv A Sexually Transmitted Disease
BV is not a sexually transmitted infection, according to Dean. However, having sex with a new partner, or multiple partners, may increase your risk for BV. “Sex sometimes leads to BV if your partner’s natural genital ‘chemistry’ changes the balance of bacteria in your vagina and causes the bacteria associated with BV to grow. If you have BV, your sexual partner with a penis generally does not need treatment for BV. BV may spread between partners with vaginas,” explains Dean. “Although BV is not an STI, having BV increases your chances of becoming infected with an STI, including HIV, if you are exposed to one. If you are HIV positive, untreated BV increases your chances of passing HIV along to your sex partners.”
Adverse Events And Pregnancy Reporting
The safety profiles of the treatments in this trial are well characterised. Metronidazole is being used for its licensed indication and lactic acid gel is being used within its intended use covered by the CE mark. In order to provide secondary outcome data to compare tolerability of the two treatments, specified adverse reactions experienced during trial treatment will be reported. The following are regarded as expected for the purpose of this trial and will be reported on the Week 2 questionnaire completed by the participant: nausea, vomiting, taste changes, vaginal irritation, abdominal pain, diarrhoea. Serious adverse events are not anticipated in this low-risk trial but will be recorded if reported by participants.
Although lactic acid gel is considered safe for use in pregnancy and metronidazole is frequently prescribed for treatment of BV in pregnancy, patients will be asked to confirm that they are not pregnant as part of the screening process. Participants will also be asked to confirm their pregnancy status during their follow-up period. Any pregnancies reported during the period between randomisation and Week 2 will be followed up for outcomes.
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture . Do not freeze or refrigerate it.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDAs Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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How Is Bacterial Vaginosis Diagnosed
The imbalance of vaginal flora that leads to BV can be caused by products that alter vaginal pH levels, like douches and vaginal deodorants. While not an STI, having sex may increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Your partners natural chemistry can affect the acidity of your vagina and cause an overgrowth of bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis.
When you visit your doctor, be prepared to answer questions such as:
- When did these symptoms start?
- Are you sexually active?
- What is your medical history?
- Are you taking any medications?
- Have you had BV before?
There are tests that can diagnose BV. Women should schedule regular checkups with their primary care provider or gynecologist, regardless if theyre experiencing symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, odor, or itching.
The tests involve a pelvic examination, much like a Pap smear. Your doctor will likely use a tool called a speculum to gently open the vagina and take swabs to check for clue cells, as well as look for any physical signs of infection. Your doctor uses the swabs to determine if there is any imbalance or harmful bacteria present.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- What is the likely cause of my bacterial vaginosis?
- Do I need any tests, such as for sexually transmitted infections?
- What do my test results mean?
- What treatment option do you recommend?
- Will I need medicine? How do I take it?
- When can I expect relief from my symptoms?
- Is it safe for me to have sex?
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Which Antibiotics Treat Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis can be effectively treated with prescription antibiotics that can help readjust the balance of bacteria in the vagina. Although some over-the-counter vaginal medications are sold, they are not effective for curing bacterial vaginosis.
Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following antibiotics:
- metronidazole tablets
- clindamycin vaginal suppositories
- tinidazole tablets
They are only available with a prescription. Your healthcare provider will tell you for how long you need to take the treatment. Its usually for between five and seven days.
Most women should try one of the first three antibiotics first. Treatment of BV is recommended for all women who have symptoms.
Treatment is especially important for pregnant women. If you have bacterial vaginosis while pregnant, your baby is more likely to be born prematurely or with a low birth weight .
There is a risk of relapse if the entire course of antibiotics is not finished. Its important to finish all the pills in the prescription, even if symptoms start to disappear.
Both metronidazole and tinidazole can cause stomach upsets and nausea if you drink alcohol while using them its best to avoid alcohol until a full 24 hours after completing the course.
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What Are Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms
BV doesnt always have symptoms, so many people dont even know they have it. Sometimes symptoms come and go, or theyre so mild that you dont notice them.
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.
You may have a little itching or burning when you pee, but many people dont have noticeable irritation or discomfort.
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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.
How Can You Treat And Prevent Bv And Utis
- Take a probiotic supplement: First off, we always recommend taking a great probiotic supplement in order to increase the number of good bacteria in the vaginal flora. When you take a probiotic it creates more lactic acid in the vagina which can lead to a more acidic environment and inhibit the growth of bad bacteria.
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The Unintended Consequences Of Conventional Treatments
The conventional treatment for bacterial vaginosis is the antibiotic metronidazole, which can be taken orally or applied topically to the vagina, or clindamycin.
A sample of the side-effects that can occur with metronidazole include:
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Inflamed and sore mouth
- Hallucinations
- Liver disorders
- Disorder of the peripheral nerves called peripheral neuropathy that causes weakness and numbness
- Seizures
If using an antibiotic, I recommend always trying topical treatment first as this is less likely to cause serious medication side-effects.
Metronidazole has an 80 percent cure rate within 4 weeks, but the recurrence rate is disproportionately high: 15 to 50 percent of women who treat BV with metronidazole experience a return of symptoms within 3 months.
One theory about why the recurrence rate is so high after a course of antibiotics is that the drugs kill the bad bacteria, but they dont promote recolonization with good bacteria. Without some encouragement from topical or oral antibiotics, its tough for good bacteria like Lactobacillus to get a foothold and the bad bacteria just take over again.
In my practice, if a patient isnt pregnant or experiencing symptoms of BV complications, for example, abdominal pain, I recommend trying natural treatments first. They are healthier and less likely to cause recurrent infections, though admittedly, they do require a bit more work than just filling a prescription.
How Should I Take Solosec
SOLOSEC is a single-dose therapy for oral use. Use SOLOSEC by sprinkling an entire packet of SOLOSEC onto applesauce, yogurt, or pudding. The entire dose should be taken at once, and finished within 30 minutes. Avoid chewing or crunching the granules. SOLOSEC should not be taken by dissolving the granules in any liquid. Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with SOLOSEC and for 2 days after you take SOLOSEC.
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What Is The Fastest Way To Treat Bv
The fastest way to treat BV is to visit get a prescription from your doctor. Getting prescription treatment will likely clear up your symptoms in 2-3 days. If youre pregnant or undergoing any medical procedures, its especially important to have your BV taken care of sooner rather than later.
A doctor may prescribe you an oral or vaginal antibiotic, like clindamycin, metronidazole, or tinidazole.
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How Does Bacterial Vaginosis Happen
Bacterial Vaginosis is defined as a type of vaginal infection that is caused by the imbalance of good lactobacillus probiotic and bad anaerobic pathogens. And when this occurs, much more happens than just the pH balance shifting which is what we commonly read about on most blogs.
- When pH increases it forms an acidic to a more basic state, leading to a harsher environment where bad bacteria can thrive in.
- When bad bacteria thrive , they compete more for the precious glucose sugars that can be found in the vaginal mucosa, leading to the creation of toxins while reducing the efficacy of beneficial lactobacillus.
- With the bad bacteria creating a less favorable pH and good bacteria unable to compete for the nutrients they need in order to survive, the symptoms of BV present itself.
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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.
How Is It Treated
Some cases of BV clear up on their own without treatment. But others require prescription antibiotics, such as clindamycin and metronidazole. These antibiotics are available in pill and gel form.
If youre prescribed antibiotics, make sure you use the full course as directed by your healthcare provider, even if your symptoms seem to clear up quickly. If you still have symptoms in two to three days after finishing your antibiotics course, talk to your healthcare provider.
While its best to see your healthcare provider if you have BV, there are also a few things you can do on your own to help clear up the condition.
These include:
- practicing healthy vaginal hygiene habits
- using unscented soaps and unscented tampons whenever possible
Looking for more? These natural home remedies may help. But if you arent noticing results after about a week, its time for medical treatment.
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Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis
Often there are no symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. Some women may notice a change in the normal secretions from the vagina.
This discharge will usually be white or grey, thin or watery and have a strong, unpleasant fishy smell. This can be more noticeable during and after sex, and during periods.
Bacterial vaginosis does not usually cause itching or irritation.
How Is It Diagnosed
If you have symptoms of BV, its best to see your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis. Theyll likely start with a physical exam. Next, they might also take a vaginal fluid sample to test for the presence of certain bacteria.
Both of these will help rule out conditions with similar symptoms, including yeast infections.
Keep in mind that testing vaginal fluid samples isnt always reliable, as vaginal bacteria levels change frequently. A negative test result doesnt necessarily mean you dont have BV.
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What Medicine Treats Bacterial Vaginosis And Reccurent Bv Can Antibiotics Cure It
Bacterial vaginosis can be cured with antibiotics. Even after a woman has been cured, however, BV often recurs. The second course of antibiotics is necessary if a woman experiences recurrent bacterial vaginosis that produces symptoms.
Antibiotics are the recommended treatment for bacterial vaginosis. A few antibiotic remedies are routinely used and include:
- metronidazole taken by either oral form or vaginal metronidazole gel . Oral metronidazole can cause some minor but unpleasant side effects but is believed to be the most effective treatment. The gels do not typically cause side effects, although yeast vaginitis can occur as a side effect of the medication.
- vaginal clindamycin cream
- tinidazole is an antibiotic that appears to be effective in treating bacterial vaginosis and may have fewer side effects than metronidazole.
Recurrence of bacterial vaginosis is possible even after successful treatment. More than half of those treated experience recurrent symptoms within 12 months. It is unclear why so many recurrent infections develop. With recurrent symptoms, a second course of antibiotics is generally prescribed.
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women is recommended to decrease the risk of pregnancy-associated complications related to infection. Treatment prior to Cesarean delivery, total abdominal hysterectomy, and insertion of an IUD are also recommended by most experts.
How Can I Lower My Risk Of Bacterial Vaginosis
Because bacterial vaginosis isnt 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.
- Avoid vaginal contact with anything that has touched your anus. Things like toilet paper and sex toys could transfer bacteria found in your poop to your vagina. Make sure sexual toys are properly cleaned after every use.
- Limit your number of sex partners. Research shows youre more likely to get BV if you have multiple sex partners.
- Use latex condoms or dental dams. Although its unclear why, research indicates that sexual activity is associated with BV.
- Wear cotton or cotton-lined underwear. Bacteria thrive in moist environments. Cotton helps wick away moisture.
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What Is The Treatment For Recurrent Bv How Is It Treated During Pregnancy
Bacterial vaginosis can resolve completely without complications after treatment. No special follow-up is necessary if the symptoms disappear.
Women with bacterial vaginosis are at increased risk for contracting HIV infection as well as other STDs including genital herpes, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia.
In pregnancy, bacterial vaginosis has been linked to premature labor, but the exact relationship is still not clear. BV has also been linked to miscarriages and other problems, so treatment during pregnancy is advised.
A Natural Bv Protocol
There are a variety of all-natural botanical interventions that can be effective against BV. Heres my daily protocol.
Youll want to follow this for one week, and avoid sex during this time:
Heres my go-to suppository blend for treating both vaginal yeast and BV infections. I use this suppository in my practice for pregnant patients, but check with your midwife or doctor first.
- 1 cup cocoa butter
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How To Get Rid Of Bv Without Antibiotics
ByRachel Summerton | Submitted On October 05, 2010
Natural medication is better than antibiotics in treating bacterial vaginosis. Youll learn more about how to get rid of bv without antibiotics in this article.
Natural antidotes for BV, or bacterial vaginosis are what a lot of women would favour against antibiotics. The reason behind this is that antibiotics do not choose what to eradicate. As long as its bacteria they see, whether bad or good, they eliminate it without question. The truth of the matter is that our good bacteria doesnt need killing since it helps fight off the bad bacteria.
The vagina harbours an intricate environment that is haven to both the good and bad bacteria. This environment needs to be balanced at all times. Of course, it is the duty of the good bacteria to control the quantity of the production of bad bacteria as too much of this menace can cause an imbalance that can cause vaginal diseases, like BV.
Doctors will usually prescribe over-the-counter drugs for this situation however, as fast as the inflammation and the symptoms disappear it comes back just as fast. Since all the bacteria were eliminated by the antibiotics, the good bacteria cannot control the re-growth of the bad ones. This is the reason why BV keeps coming back after antibiotic treatments.
Picking an effective treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis is an essential part of treating your BV. If you are looking for a BV treatment that works then
