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 .
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.
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.
Recommended Reading: Best Antibiotic For Dog Ear Infection
Could Lactic Acid Bacteria Help
Lactic acid are believed to help restore healthy vaginal flora and suppress harmful bacteria, but treatments that use lactic acid bacteria are not as well tested as . There are hardly any studies testing them on their own they are usually used in combination with antibiotics. But no has been found that vaginosis clears up any better with this combination. Little is known about possible side effects.
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Vaginal clindamycin comes as a suppository to place in the vagina and a cream to apply to the inside of the vagina. The vaginal suppositories are usually used once a day, preferably at bedtime, for 3 days in a row. Most brands of the vaginal cream are used once a day, preferably at bedtime, for 3 days in a row or for 7 days in a row. One brand of vaginal cream is usually used as a single dose, given at any time of day. If you are using more than one dose of vaginal clindamycin, use it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use vaginal clindamycin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
This medication is for vaginal use only. Do not swallow the cream or suppositories, and do not apply the cream to any other part of your body. Be careful not to get the cream in your eyes. If you do get the cream in your eyes, rinse your eyes with plenty of cool water.
Your medication will come with directions for use. Read these directions and follow them carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to use vaginal clindamycin.
Use vaginal clindamycin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using vaginal clindamycin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Recommended Reading: What Antibiotics Are Good For Yeast Infection
What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis
Many women with bacterial vaginosis have no signs or symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, the most common include:
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, if present, can occur any time in the menstrual cycle, including before, during, or after the menstrual period. The amount of vaginal discharge that is considered normal varies from woman to woman. Therefore, any degree of vaginal discharge that is abnormal for a particular woman should be evaluated.
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.
You May Like: Which Antibiotics Are Used To Treat Uti
Q: How Can I Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis From Returning
A: Because we dont know exactly what causes BV, it can be difficult to say exactly what will prevent it. However, there are a number of measures that may help:
- Condom use: People who use condoms have a lower risk of BV. Although no one has studied whether starting to use condoms decreases recurrence, using condoms may help.
- Hormonal birth control: People who use hormonal birth control have a lower risk of recurrent BV. Again, no one has studied whether starting these would help reduce recurrences, but we sometimes try this if hormones are a safe option for you.
- Avoid douching: Douching can disrupt your healthy vaginal bacterial community and may increase the likelihood of BV coming back.
- Longer-term antibiotics: If youve had three or more documented episodes of BV a year, using vaginal metronidazole twice a week for four months can decrease the chances of your BV returning.
Vaginal Infections And Antibiotics
Learn more about how antibiotics can disrupt vaginal balance and how to prevent vaginal discomforts as a side effect of antibiotic therapy.
Vaginal hygiene is not only about washing. There are many factors that can change the microbial balance, like sexual activity, wearing synthetic underwear, or removing pubic hair.
Read Also: Over The Counter Antibiotics For Rabbits
Can Bacterial Vaginosis Go Away On Its Own
Roughly 30% of bacterial vaginosis cases in nonpregnant women and 50% of cases in pregnant women clear up on their own. But if you have symptoms, treatment is recommended in all people. And even if your symptoms start clearing when you first start your bacterial vaginosis treatment, experts advise completing your full treatment regimen.
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.
Recommended Reading: Is Herpes Treatable With Antibiotics
Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment Precautions
If you are taking metronidazole , drinking alcohol can make you violently ill. According to the FDA, its best to wait a minimum of 3 days after your bacterial vaginosis treatment ends before drinking alcohol again. But keep in mind, if youre taking any other medication, you might need to wait longer. Its best to ask a healthcare provider or pharmacist, as they can recommend a timeframe based on your individual health and medical history.
If your bacterial vaginosis treatment involves using clindamycin vaginally, youll need to be careful using latex condoms for protection. This is because clindamycin cream can weaken condoms to the point that they break.
Effect Of Antifungal Therapy On Bv
Self-treatment with antifungals is widely practiced and it may be useful in women with Candida who are co-infected with BV. The general consensus is that opposing vaginal pH are required for the growth of C. albicans and BV, but because candida vulvo-vaginitis requires low acidity and BV requires high vaginal pH levels, this notion is incorrect. Indeed, Donders and collaborators reported recently that nine out of 142 women with symptomatic candidosis also had BV. Antifungal treatment cured the BV in 70% of women with simultaneous candida vaginitis. While antifungal treatment may have a beneficial effect on women with concurrent BV, it does not prevent BV from occurring in BV-negative women. A similar benefit of antifungal therapy has been reported previously in a randomized controlled trial, in which women who received ovules containing metronidazole and nystatin for BV had a better cure rate at 2 weeks of treatment than those receiving metronidazole 0.75% gel alone . Moreover, the benefits of combined therapy remained at 3 months of treatment .
Also Check: Can I Get Rid Of A Bladder Infection Without Antibiotics
How To Treat Rash From Clindamycin
How to treat rash from clindamycinClindamycin is an antibiotic used to treat a range of bacterial infections in dogs and cats. It is often used to treat wounds, pyoderma, abscesses, bone and dental infections, and toxoplasmosis. Its use to treat certain infections, such as toxoplasmosis, is off label or extra-label. Clindamycin is available in an oral liquid, tablets, and capsules. It has a very bitter taste, so .
Eligibility For Study Outcomes
The following definitions will be used to determine participant eligibility for study outcomes and analyses .
Screening failure
Couples who are deemed a screening failure will be ineligible for all study outcomes and not form part of the evaluable population for analyses, including the primary modified intention-to-treat analysis and per protocol analysis. A screening failure occurs if i) a female declines participation to the full trial following screening at a site without an onsite laboratory, ii) a partner declines participation after the female has enrolled, iii) a couple is unable to be contacted for recruitment procedures, iv) the male is ineligible, v) a female has a screening slide subsequently scored as NS=03 when it processed at the Central Co-ordinating site, and vi) female participants requiring or recalled within the first week of enrolment for treatment of PID requiring 14days of metronidazole +/ ceftriaxone.
Protocol violation
Protocol deviation
The following are considered protocol deviations i) if a male participant does not return their day 8 questionnaire, they are not eligible for the safety analysis which measures AEs, or ii) if a female participant does not attend any clinic visits for clinical assessment but returns 1 swab, she is eligible for the Nugent and microbiota secondary endpoints only.
Don’t Miss: Best Antibiotic For Streptococcus Pneumoniae
How Long Does It Take For Bacterial Vaginosis To Go Away
With proper treatment, bacterial vaginosis can go away in a few days to a couple of weeks. But if left untreated, BV can sometimes take up to a few months to resolve. According to one study, it can take around 10 weeks or more for BV to clear itself from the body. Not only that, but not undergoing treatment for bacterial vaginosis can potentially raise your risk of:
-
Becoming infected with other STIs, including HIV
-
Passing HIV to your sex partner if you have HIV
-
Giving birth too early if you are pregnant and have BV
Cdc Guidance And Alternative Approaches
Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection that causes itchiness, vaginal discharge, and a characteristic “fishy” odor. Most cases are uncomplicated and may be treated with prescription antibiotic drugs, taken either orally or with topical creams or gels. BV infections are known to frequently recur, usually within three to 12 months, requiring additional or alternate forms of therapy.
Treatment may also be prescribed during pregnancy to reduce the risk of complications such as low birth weight and the premature rupture of membranes.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Also Check: Intravenous Antibiotics For Lyme Disease
Whats The Difference Between Bacterial Vaginosis And A Yeast Infection
Both bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections are vaginal infections that increase discharge. Heres how you can tell the difference:
- Discharge: The hallmark sign of BV is discharge with a fishy smell. Discharge from yeast infections doesnt usually have a strong smell but may look like cottage cheese.
- Vaginal irritation: Typically, BV doesnt cause vaginal irritation or itchiness. Yeast infections do.
- Over-the-counter treatment: You can treat yeast infections with over-the-counter medications. Youll need to see your healthcare provider to get antibiotics for BV.
Can Bacterial Vaginosis Be Treated And Cured With Home Remedies
There are no home remedies or natural remedies for bacterial vaginosis. Antibiotics are the only treatment. It is important to note that douching will not help with BV, and there is no proven medical benefit of douching. In fact, douching may flush bacteria farther up the genital tract into the uterus or Fallopian tubes, potentially worsening the condition.
Studies of yogurt/lactobacilli probiotic preparations , which are designed to help reestablish the lactobacilli population in the vagina, have not shown consistent results in treating bacterial vaginosis.
Read Also: Can You Drink With Uti Antibiotics
Medications For Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection in the vagina. It is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal odor and discharge in young women and is caused by a change in the balance and type of bacteria which are normally present in the vagina.
Although BV is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, the risk of developing BV seems to increase the more sexual partners a woman has.
Normally, Lactobacillus bacteria are the most common type of bacteria within the vagina. These produce chemicals that keep the vagina mildly acidic. In BV, numbers other types of bacteria within the vagina that are usually only present in small numbers increase and disrupt both the pH of the vagina and its lining. This can result in BV, and symptoms may include:
- Mild itching in and around the vagina
- Bad-smelling, fishy odor that is more noticeable during menstruation or after sex)
- Pain when urinating.
Some women with BV have no symptoms, which is a bit concerning because if BV isnt treated it can increase the chance of women developing STDs , pelvic inflammatory disease, and possibly increase the risk of miscarriage. In women who are pregnant, BV can result in premature labor and delivery, premature rupture of membranes, and postpartum uterine infections.
Before Using Vaginal Clindamycin
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin , or any other medications
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention erythromycin . Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had inflammatory bowel disease or severe diarrhea caused by an antibiotic. Your doctor may tell you not to use vaginal clindamycin.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any other medical condition.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
- you should know that certain ingredients in vaginal clindamycin may weaken latex or rubber contraceptive devices such as condoms and vaginal diaphragms. Do not use these devices during your treatment and for at least 72 hours after your treatment with most vaginal clindamycin products. If you are using Clindesse® brand vaginal gel, you should not use these devices for at least 5 days after your treatment.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using vaginal clindamycin.
- you should know that you should not have vaginal intercourse or use vaginal products such as tampons or douches during your treatment with vaginal clindamycin.
Read Also: Antibiotics For Wisdom Tooth Infection
Vaginal Infections After Antibiotics
Reducing the numbers of good bacteria gives room to bad bacteria and yeast to grow. That is why it is common for women to experience bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection straight after or even while on antibiotic therapy. It often happens that women use antibiotics to treat an existing vaginal infection, but after the initial infection is treated, a secondary condition appears. This happens because the vaginal flora was damaged during the antibiotic therapy, resulting in increased risk for a recurring episode of bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection that may require additional therapy.
In order to protect yourself from vaginal infections caused by antibiotics, you can use a product containing prebiotics. Prebiotics stimulate the growth of good bacteria, helping the vaginal flora to recuperate. This way, prebiotics can help prevent vaginal infections caused by antibiotics or other factors, and they can speed up the recovery after the symptoms have already appeared.
