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Prescription Bacterial Vaginosis Treatments
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition that affects many women and can cause unusual vaginal discharge. It’s not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but it can increase your risk of getting an STI like chlamydia.
Bacterial vaginosis is treated using antibiotics such as metronidazole or clindamycin. These antibiotics will kill the bacteria which cause the infection and can come in different forms such as oral tablets, creams and gels.
To order treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis simply complete a short assessment about your health. Our UK-based doctor will then review your assessment, usually within 24-hours and prescribe the most suitable treatment for you.
Treatments for Prescription Bacterial Vaginosis
Overview
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition that can cause unusual vaginal discharge that has a strong, fishy smell, particularly after sex. It can also cause the colour and consistency of your discharge to change, like becoming greyish-white and thin and watery.
Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous and 50% of women with bacterial vaginosis do not experience any symptoms. Treatment is only recommended when you are experiencing symptoms and in many cases, the infection will cure itself over time.
If you are pregnant, bacterial vaginosis can cause issues. It is of utmost importance to get tested and treated if you are pregnant and are experiencing bacterial vaginosis symptoms.
Is bacterial vaginosis a sexually transmitted disease?
Despite bacterial vaginosis having very similar symptoms to some STIs, bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted disease. However, if you think you have bacterial vaginosis and have had unprotected sex recently, it is sensible to get an STI test to make sure you receive proper treatment.
Although bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted disease, having unprotected sex with multiple partners can still increase the risk of getting bacterial vaginosis. If you are frequently getting bacterial vaginosis, it is helpful to use a condom during sex to avoid getting it again.
Causes
What causes bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis can occur when the number of bacteria in your vagina changes significantly. Lots of different types of bacteria exist naturally in the vagina without being harmful to you. When quantities of certain bacteria are increased or decreased significantly in the vagina, this can lead to bacterial vaginosis.
Treatments
Bacterial vaginosis is treated using antibiotics such as metronidazole or clindamycin. These antibiotics will kill the bacteria which cause the infection and can come in different forms such as oral tablets, creams and gels.
About Metronidazole tablets
Metronidazole is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria causing bacterial vaginosis.
With Metronidazole, you can either choose a one-off single dose or you can take one tablet twice a day for 7 consecutive days. If you choose the 7-day course, it is important to finish the full course to prevent the infection from coming back, even if your symptoms improve earlier.
The tablets should be swallowed whole with water i.e. do not chew or break the tablet before swallowing. They should be taken during or after a meal.
It is vital that no alcohol is consumed while taking Metronidazole and for 48 hours after the final dose as it can cause a severe drug reaction leading to vomiting, chest pains and breathing difficulties. This includes avoiding alcohol mouthwashes and foods cooked with alcohol.
Patient information leaflet:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.11952.pdf
About Zidoval gel
Zidoval gel contains the antibiotic metronidazole, which kills the bacteria causing bacterial vaginosis.
Zidoval gel should be applied directly into the vagina using the applicator. Apply once every night before going to bed for 5 consecutive nights. It is vital to abstain from having sex while undergoing treatment for bacterial vaginosis. It is important to finish the full 5-day course to prevent the infection from coming back, even if your symptoms improve earlier.
While the risk is low with Zidoval gel, it is vital that no alcohol is consumed while using Metronidazole and for 48 hours after the final dose as it can cause a severe drug reaction leading to vomiting, chest pains and breathing difficulties. This includes avoiding alcohol mouthwashes and foods cooked with alcohol.
Patient information leaflet:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.9525.pdf
About Dalacin cream
Dalacin cream contains the antibiotic Clindamycin, which kills the bacteria that causes bacterial vaginosis.
The cream is applied directly into the vagina using an applicator following the instructions provided. The cream should be applied at night before going to bed and used for 7 days straight.
It is important to finish the full 7-day course to prevent the infection from coming back, even if your symptoms improve earlier.
Dalacin cream can weaken the effectiveness of barrier methods of contraception such as condoms.
Patient information leaflet:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1080.pdf
Alternative Treatments
Bacterial vaginosis can disappear naturally over time, so treatment is not always necessary. However, there are lots of creams, gels, pessaries and tablets that can be taken to help treat the infection.
Side Effects
Metronidazole tablets:
Possible side effects include:
- Nausea/vomiting
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Decreased appetite
- Unpleasant taste in mouth
- Rash
For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.11952.pdf
Zidoval gel:
Common side effects (affects 1-10% of the population)
- Thrush
- Decreased appetite
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort
- Dry skin
- Vaginal irritation
- Skin irritation
For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.9525.pdf
Dalacin cream:
Common side effects (affects 1-10% of the population)
- Thrush
- Abdominal pain
- Itching
For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.
Symptoms
The most typical symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are vaginal discharge and a fishy smell.
The severity of the symptoms can vary greatly and can be very mild. The vaginal discharge can be thin and watery or of a greyish or white colour.
Many symptoms associated with bacterial vaginosis are also common in many other conditions. Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia, can cause discharge which can also be a symptom of bacterial vaginosis.
If you have had unprotected sex recently and notice discharge, immediately get an STI test to check if you are infected with an STI. Bacterial vaginosis is also frequently mistaken for thrush (yeast infection).
Symptoms such as itching or pain while urinating are not commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis. If you are not entirely sure why you are experiencing unpleasant symptoms, you can visit your GP for a test, who can collect a discharge sample and work out why you are experiencing these symptoms.
