Health and Welness

The 7 Most Effective BV Treatments

Bacterial Vaginosis Treatments

Both “good” and “bad” bacteria are normally present in a healthy vagina. However, if nasty bacteria proliferate, an illness known as bacterial vaginosis can ensue.

Bacterial vaginosis is quite frequent in women. Although bacterial vaginosis can resolve on its own, seeking treatment can reduce your chance of certain problems and health hazards.

Continue reading to discover about the best bacterial vaginosis treatments, as well as ways to reduce your risk.

What exactly is bacterial vaginosis?


Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal illness caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This disrupts the vaginal environment, resulting in symptoms such as:

pain during urination discomfort during or after sexual intercourse

Itching in the cervix
BV may not always create symptoms.

People between the ages of 15 and 44 are most typically affected with BV. It usually appears in sexually active people.

Bacterial vaginosis causes


Experts are unsure what causes BV.

However, it is more prevalent in sexually active persons, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source. The following factors may enhance your chances of developing BV:

douching

avoiding the use of condoms

having several sex partners

acquiring new sex partners

The most effective BV remedies


Metronidazole


Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, other gastrointestinal problems, appetite loss, headache, mouth or tongue discomfort are all possible adverse effects.
Metronidazole, an antibiotic, is one of the most effective prescription therapies for BV. It is available as a tablet or gel.

The following doses are recommended by the CDCTrusted Source:

  • 500 milligrams (mg) administered orally twice daily for seven days
  • 5 g gel put into the vagina once daily for 5 days
    If your BV recurs, your doctor may give 500 mg of oral medicine for 10 to 14 days. Another alternative is to use vaginal gel for ten days, then twice a week for three to six months.

Advantages: excellent therapy that is simple to use
The disadvantage is that it is costly and has several possible adverse effects.

Clindamycin


Nausea, vomiting, joint pain, heartburn, swallowing discomfort, vaginal discharge, metallic taste in the mouth, itching or burning of the vagina
Clindamycin is another excellent BV prescription medication. It is an antibiotic that comes in the form of a tablet, cream, or ovule suppository. A vaginal ovule suppository is a capsule that is implanted.

Clindamycin doses suggested by the CDC are as follows:

  • 300 mg pill, administered orally twice day for 7 days
  • 5 g cream injected into vagina before bedtime for 7 days
  • 100 mg ovule suppositories placed into the vagina at night for three days

Clindamycin cream and ovules contain oil, which has the potential to weaken latex items such as condoms and diaphragms. This impact can endure for 72 hours in the case of ovules and 5 days in the case of cream.

Pros: efficient prescription medication accessible in a variety of types
Cons: This antibiotic has a higher risk of colitis than other antibiotics.
Certain kinds of contraception may be compromised by creams and ovules.

Tinidazole


Side effects include a metallic taste in the mouth, lack of appetite, vomiting, nausea, constipation, stomach discomfort or cramping, weariness, dizziness, and headache.
Metronidazole and clindamycin have the potential to cause negative effects. Tinidazole may be prescribed instead in this circumstance by your doctor.

Tinidazole is another antibiotic that may be taken as a tablet. There are two suggested doses for BV:

  • 2 g orally once day for two days
  • 1 g taken orally once day for 5 days
    Pros: short duration, easy to take; cheaper cost than other prescription possibilities
    Cons possible side effects

Secnidazole

Side effects include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and a metallic taste in the mouth.

Secnidazole is another possibility.
This is an antibiotic that may be taken in a single dosage.

Secnidazole is available in the form of granules that may be taken orally.
The suggested dosage is one 2 g dose.
You can consume the granules by first combining them with unsweetened applesauce or yogurt.

Secnidazole is far more costly than other therapies.
However, if you prefer a single-dose therapy, it may be a viable alternative.

advantages: only needs one dosage; is simple to put into diet
Drawback: high cost

Probiotics

Mild gastrointestinal side effects are possible.
Probiotics are beneficial microbes. Taking probiotic pills may aid in the introduction of beneficial microorganisms into your body.

According to a 2014 reviewTrusted Source on the benefits of probiotics on bacterial vaginosis, taking probiotic supplements on a regular basis may help cure and prevent BV.

And, according to a more recent analysis from 2021, oral and vaginal probiotics may be an useful therapy and preventative option for BV. However, experts emphasize that further study is needed to identify the optimal dose, strain, duration of treatment, and whether probiotics should be used with antibiotics.

If you have BV, consider taking probiotics on a regular basis to help cure and prevent future occurrences. Probiotics can be taken as pills or in liquid form.

If you’ve been prescribed an antibiotic for BV, keep in mind that drugs can kill both beneficial and harmful bacteria. Probiotic pills and yogurt can help replenish beneficial bacteria that drugs eliminate.

Probiotic supplements are available at pharmacies, health food stores, supplement stores, and online.

Pros: fewer side effects; may aid in the prevention and treatment of BV; accessible in tablet or liquid form. cons: not as efficient as other techniques; cost-effective

Garlic


Possible negative effects include burning if placed vaginally.
Garlic has potent antibacterial qualities and has long been used as a natural cure for BV.

Garlic can be used orally to treat BV. It has been reported that taking it vaginally might cause vaginal tissue to burn.

According to a 2014 research, Trusted Source contrasted the treatment of the ailment with garlic pills and oral metronidazole, an antibiotic. According to the findings of the study, taking a garlic supplement tablet might be an alternative for treating BV.

Natural choice advantages, no prescription necessary and low-cost
Cons: It is not as effective as prescription medications.

Suppository of boric acid


Possible adverse effects include an allergic response and vaginal discomfort.
According to a 2019 reviewTrusted Source, boric acid vaginal suppositories are routinely used to treat BV.

Please keep in mind that boric acid is harmful to consume. Keep it away from children and pets. It’s also not recommended if you’re pregnant.

However, using boric acid in the vagina is deemed safe. According to a 2015 studyTrusted Source, it is just as effective as certain medical treatments.

In a 2009 trial, 58 women were treated for reoccurring BV with a combination of suppressive antimicrobial treatment and intravaginal boric acid.

The study’s findings revealed various degrees of therapeutic effectiveness, which was characterized as reaching remission. The levels of success were classified depending on the course of therapy.

Pros: It is safe to use as a vaginal suppository and is just as effective as certain medical therapies.
Cons: There is a risk of allergic response or irritation, and it is not safe to use during pregnancy.