Question: How is Bacterial Vaginosis Treated?
Answer:
Bacterial vaginosis is usually treated with topical treatment, although it can also be treated orally. Follow-up is not necessary if symptoms go away with treatment. However, relapses are common. If symptoms recur, you should return to your doctor for additional treatment. Sexual partners of women with BV are not usually treated for the condition.
The drug regimens below are taken from the the Centers for Disease Control 2006 STD treatment guidelines.Remember that only your doctor can say which treatment is right for you.
Recommended Regimens for Non-Pregnant Women with BVPregnant women should be followed up one month after treatment to make sure that the condition has not recurred. BV is associated with preterm birth
Metronidazole 500 mg orally twice a day for 7 days
OR
Metronidazole gel, 0.75%, one full applicator (5 g) intravaginally, once a day for 5 days
OR
Clindamycin cream, 2%, one full applicator (5 g) intravaginally at bedtime for 7 days
Alternative Regimens for Non-Pregnant Women with BV
Clindamycin 300 mg orally twice a day for 7 days
OR
Clindamycin ovules 100 mg intravaginally once at bedtime for 3 days
Recommended Regimens for Pregnant Women with SYMPTOMATIC BV
Metronidazole 500 mg orally twice a day for 7 days
OR
Metronidazole 250 mg orally three times a day for 7 days
OR
Clindamycin 300 mg orally twice a day for 7 days
Note: If you are treated with metronidazole, you should not drink alcohol during treatment and for 24 hours after treatment is completed. Also, clindamycin cream can weaken latex condoms and diaphragms for up to 5 days after treatment is completed.
