BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS
Jul 10, 2023
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection in the vagina that can cause bad-smelling vaginal discharge. "Vaginal discharge" is the term doctors and nurses use to describe any fluid that comes out of the vagina. Some amount of vaginal discharge is normal. People with bacterial vaginosis can have a lot of vaginal discharge, or vaginal discharge that smells bad. Bacterial vaginosis is caused bacteria.
The vagina normally has different types of bacteria in it. But when the amounts or the types of bacteria change, an infection can happen. Bacterial vaginosis usually affects people who are, or have been, sexually active.
Your risk of getting it increases if you have a new sex partner or more than one partner. This is true whether your partners are male or female.
What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Some people with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they often include a "fishy-smelling" vaginal discharge. The discharge is watery and off-white or gray. The smell might be more noticeable:
●During your period
●After sex with a male partner – This happens when semen (the fluid that is released during sex) mixes with your vaginal fluids. You might also notice a burning feeling in your vagina.
Is there a test for bacterial vaginosis? Yes. Your doctor will do an exam. They will also take a sample of your vaginal discharge and do lab tests to look for an infection.
How is bacterial vaginosis treated?
Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics. The medicines most often used are:
●Metronidazole
●Clindamycin
●Tinidazole
●Secnidazole
Some are pills that you swallow, and some are a gel or cream that you put inside your vagina. Some people have fewer side effects when they use the gel or cream treatment. Other people prefer not to put medicine in the vagina. You and your doctor will decide which medicine and which form is right for you.
It is important that you take all of the medicine your doctor prescribes, even if your symptoms go away after a few doses. Taking all of your medicine can help prevent the symptoms from coming back.
Can I be tested and treated at Urgent Care?
Yes! Ocean Urgent Care is a great place to be tested and treated. No appointment needed.
Do my sex partners need to be treated if I have bacterial vaginosis?
It depends. If your sex partner does not have a vagina, they do not need to be treated. But if your partner does have a vagina, you should tell them about your bacterial vaginosis. That way they can be treated if they also start to have symptoms.
What happens if my symptoms come back? Once you have had bacterial vaginosis, it can come back, even if you are not having sex. Inform your doctor if symptoms return. You should be checked again and might need treatment with more medicine. Some people get bacterial vaginosis repeatedly. If this happens to you, your doctor might suggest taking medicine for several months, or adding another medicine for a few weeks. This might help to prevent future infections.
Can bacterial vaginosis be prevented?
You can help lower the risk of bacterial vaginosis by using condoms when you have sex. You can also avoid things that increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis. For example:
●Avoid douching (putting liquid inside your vagina to rinse it out).
●Do not smoke or try to quit if you already smoke.
●Avoid sharing sex toys, and clean toys between uses.
References:
UP-TO-DATE Medical reference guide. 2023