Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment – Recommended Antibiotics

Bacterial vaginosis or BV is a very common type of vaginal inflammation, particularly found in women of child bearing age causing vaginal discharge and an odour that can be uncomfortable, concerning and embarrassing for many women. Let’s get to the bottom of what bacterial vaginosis is and how it can be treated.

What is Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a change in the balance of natural bacteria in the vagina with an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria. In particular, there is a reduction of the Lactobacillus species in the vagina, and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. It is a common cause of malodorous vaginal discharge.

What are the symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis?

The most common symptoms are:

• a vaginal discharge that is often described as watery, white or grey.
• a smell from the vaginal area that is often described as “fishy”.
• Around 50% of women with BV are asymptomatic –  no symptoms at all.

What are the causes of Bacterial Vaginosis?

There are several bacteria that are commonly in overgrowth in BV:

• Gardernella vaginalis
• Atopobium vaginae
• Mobiluncus species

Bacterial Vaginosis discharge – What are other potential causes of vaginal discharge?

Is important to remember there may be other causes of vaginal discharge that may appear similar to BV.

• Candida albicans (thrush)
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Neisseria gonhorrea
• Mycoplasma genitalum
• Trichomonas vaginalis
• Herpes Simplex virus

It’s important to discuss the history of your symptoms with your doctor. It’s not always as simple as assuming you have BV if you have a discharge from the vagina.

How do you get Bacterial Vaginosis?

Most of the time this is unknown. BV seems to be more common in women who are sexually active, however, we would not classify this as a sexually transmitted infection. Although, it seems to be exacerbated after sexual intercourse with a new partner. There seems to be some evidence developing that the use of condoms may reduce the risk of infection with the bugs that cause BV.

How do you diagnose BV?

A doctor may take a smear of the discharge for diagnosis. However, most of the time a doctor can make a diagnosis based on your history of the symptoms and an examination of the area.

Bacterial Vaginosis treatment

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Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotic tablets, creams or gels:

Metronidazole 400mg tablets twice a day for 7 days

or

Clindamycin tablets 300mg tablets twice a day for 7 days (preferred during pregnancy)

or

Metronidazole 0.75% vaginal gel, 1 applicator intravaginally, at bedtime for 5 nights

or

Clindamycin 2% vaginal cream, 1 applicatorful intravaginally, at bedtime for 7 nights  (preferred during early stage pregnancy)

or

Metronidazole 2 g orally, as a single dose

or

Tinidazole 2 g orally, as a single dose