What does severe BV look like?

Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge. Foul-smelling "fishy" vaginal odor. Vaginal itching. Burning during urination.

How do you know if you have severe BV?

What can happen if you have BV for too long?

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. Pelvic inflammatory disease where BV bacteria infect the uterus or fallopian tubes.

Can BV be severe?

Bacterial vaginosis doesn't typically cause serious complications. But if left untreated it could lead to: Complications during pregnancy: If you're pregnant and have BV, it may lead to premature birth. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): BV increases your risk for STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea.

When is BV serious?

The condition is not usually serious, but you'll need to be treated with antibiotics if you do have it. It's also important to seek treatment if you're pregnant as there's a small chance it can cause complications with pregnancy.

Bacterial vaginosis, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, DIagnosis and Treatment.

How long can bacterial vaginosis last?

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.

What happens if metronidazole doesn't work for BV?

BV that does not resolve after one course of treatment may be cured by a second course with the same agent. Another option is to switch to another agent (ie, metronidazole to clindamycin, or clindamycin to metronidazole) as other concomitant organisms may respond better to an alternate medication.

What serious problems can BV cause?

If left untreated, BV can increase your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV. It also can cause other problems (such as having a low-birth-weight baby or premature rupture of the membranes) during pregnancy.

What happens if my BV won't go away?

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.

What does chronic BV feel like?

Strong fishy or unpleasant vaginal odor, which may be stronger after sex or menstruating. Increase in vaginal discharge (about 50 percent of the time) Vaginal discharge that is thin in consistency and milky white or gray. Vaginal itching, burning or pain when urinating.

Why won't my BV go away with antibiotics?

Within a month, antibiotics clear up to 85% of bacterial vaginosis cases, yet for over half of these patients, BV will return within 6 months. This is thought to be in part because the antibiotics don't fully eradicate the pathogenic microbes, leaving BV-associated bacteria to regrow in the vagina following treatment.

Is it possible to have BV for months?

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.

What can be mistaken for BV?

Often, BV can be mistaken for other conditions, such as yeast infections or sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia. Often, BV (or STDs) do not have any symptoms at all, so it's imperative always to make a yearly gynecological appointment.

Can a BV get worse?

Left untreated, BV can lead to other problems and complications, which may include: having an increased risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea; having an increased risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of a woman's organs that may lead to ...

Should I be worried about BV?

Most of the time, BV goes away without any problems when properly treated. BV that's not treated can increase a girl's chances of having health problems such as: STDs like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV. problems during pregnancy, like giving birth too early or having a baby that is too small.

How do I know if metronidazole is working?

For most infections, you should feel better within a few days. With serious swelling, including dental infections, the medicine will start working within a few days but it may take longer before your symptoms start to get better.

What happens if metronidazole doesn't work?

Metronidazole doesn't work for everyone. Tinidazole, Solosec, Cleocin, Vancocin, and Alinia are some metronidazole alternatives. Get the full list here. Metronidazole (brand name Flagyl) is an antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of bacterial and parasitic infections.

How do I know if metronidazole is working for BV?

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that the infection is cleared up. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. If your symptoms do not improve within a few days after you start this medicine or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

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.

Why does metronidazole take so long to work?

by Drugs.com

Metronidazole starts to work 1 to 2 hours after you take it, because it is quickly absorbed, and it reaches its maximum concentration after 20 minutes to 3 hours. But it may take a couple of days before you start to feel better or notice an improvement in your symptoms.

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.

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.

How long does it take for BV to clear up with metronidazole?

With treatment, bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 5 to 7 days. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems.