Can BV cause permanent damage?

What can happen if you have BV for a long time? Most often, BV does not cause other health problems. However, if left untreated, BV may increase your risk for: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.

What can chronic BV lead to?

Left untreated, it can increase the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). BV is also linked to higher rates of premature birth and low birth weight babies. BV can be cured with antibiotics, but it often comes back within months.

What happens if BV doesnt heal?

If you have persistent BV (ie it does not settle down with the first treatment you try) then your doctor may want to take further vaginal swabs to check whether there is another cause of the discharge. They will usually suggest that you use the seven-day course of metronidazole if you have not had this before.

Can your body heal itself from BV?

At times, BV will go away without treatment. However, treatment can help avoid the increased chance of some serious health risks associated with BV, including: Getting or transmitting HIV; Delivering your baby too early if you have BV while pregnant; and.

Can you permanently have BV?

Recurrent bacterial vaginosis is an imbalance of the vaginal bacteria normally present in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition and treatment is available; however, in some women the condition may recur or even become chronic, requiring multiple and sometimes long-term treatments.

Doctor explains HOW TO TREAT AND PREVENT BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS (BV)

How do you treat long term BV?

Recommended treatment for recurrent BV consists of an extended course of metronidazole treatment (500 mg twice daily for 10-14 days); if ineffective, metronidazole vaginal gel 0.75% for 10 days, followed by two times per week for 3-6 months, is an alternate treatment regimen.

Can BV last for months if untreated?

Once you start treatment with a simple course of antibiotics, the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV) usually go away within two to three days. While in some cases it can resolve on its own without treatment, it can take longer to clear up and it can come back.

Why is metronidazole not working for BV?

Second, the bacteria that either cause BV or cause the anaerobic overgrowth may have become relatively more resistant to metronidazole (the most common treating agent) or to clindamycin (the other common treating agent). Third, this infection may be reintroduced back into the vagina as a result of reinfection.

What is the root cause of BV?

BV is often caused by gardnerella vaginalis, the most common type of bacteria in your vagina. Anything that changes the chemistry of your vagina's pH balance can mess with bacteria levels and lead to infection — like douching or using vaginal deodorants and other irritating products.

How many times can you take metronidazole for BV?

Metronidazole is available as an oral pill or vaginal gel; the choice of pill or gel is based on the person's preferences. The oral pill is taken twice daily for seven days. The gel is inserted into the vagina at bedtime for five days. Both treatments work equally well.

How many times a day should I take metronidazole for BV?

For bacterial vaginosis: Adults—750 milligrams (mg) once a day for 7 days.

Why does my BV keep coming back after antibiotics?

The first course of antibiotics isn't always enough to cure this infection. Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms don't clear up. The answer may be a combination of additional medication, lifestyle changes, and new hygiene practices.

Why do I get BV every time I sleep with my boyfriend?

Not using condoms or having new or multiple sex partners can sometimes increase a person's risk for developing BV. "Sex sometimes leads to BV if your partner's natural genital 'chemistry' changes the balance of bacteria in your vagina and causes the bacteria associated with BV to grow,” Dean explains.

Can you have BV for a year and not know?

Most girls with BV don't notice any symptoms, so they might not know they have it and might not get treated. BV may be mild, but must be treated to prevent other problems. Doctors and nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat BV to make sure you stay healthy.

What kills the bacteria in BV?

The antibiotics clindamycin and metronidazole are both effective treatments for bacterial vaginosis.

Is it normal to get BV every month?

Some women suffer from chronic (recurring) bacterial vaginosis. Medicine can clear up the infection, but it returns again after a few weeks. Some women report that bacterial vaginosis returns after their period each month. Or it can return after they have sex.

Which probiotic is best for BV?

Which probiotics are best for BV? Lactobacilli-based probiotics such as Lacticasebacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus reuteri are best for treating BV.

What are the dangers of boric acid suppositories?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible: allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives. vaginal irritation, redness, or burning.

What happens if you take metronidazole too often?

If you take too much metronidazole tablets, liquid or suppositories. Taking an extra dose of metronidazole tablets, liquid or suppositories is unlikely to harm you or your child. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried or you take more than 1 extra dose.

What should I avoid while taking metronidazole?

You should not drink alcoholic beverages or take other alcohol-containing preparations while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 days after stopping it. If you have trichomoniasis: Using this medicine while you are pregnant (especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy) can harm your unborn baby.

What foods to avoid on metronidazole?

Alcohol, avocados, bananas, chocolate, salami

Do not mix these items with drugs such as metronidazole (Flagyl) and linezolid (Zyvox), used to treat bacterial infections.

How long is too long for metronidazole?

If you need to take metronidazole for longer than ten days, your doctor may want you to have some tests. Make sure you keep any appointments that your doctor gives to you.

Can BV come back after metronidazole?

Using oral or vaginal preparations of metronidazole and clindamycin, 80–90% of women will have an initial response to treatment but 15–30% will get a recurrence within 3 months. In women with recurrent BV the initial response rate appears to be lower.

How long can you be on metronidazole?

Adults—500 or 750 milligrams (mg) 3 times a day for 5 to 10 days. Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.