Bacterial Vaginosis?

Question

hiya i have just been told i have a bacterial vaginosis which i believe i have had for 3 month since my miscarriage - i have been given metronidazole to take twice a day for a week - does this clear it up - and does it normally return ? as i hope it dosnt - i have stopped douching and using perfumed soap which can cause the problem - do you think it will return ? How long after can you drink alcohol once the course is up ? and are the side effects really bad ?
thanxs just really worried xx

ALSO CAN YOU HAVE SEX WITH YOUR PARTNER AS I NO ITS NOT AN STD AND IT CANT BE PASSED ONTO EACH OTHER - TOLD TODAY BY MY GUM CLINIC BUT FORGOT TO ASK IF YOU STILL COULD HAVE SEX ?

Answer 1

Since you are attending a GUM clinic it is important I do not step on their toes. However it is your body and they don't seem to be telling you much!

I would say it was OK for you to have intercourse, but I might have expected you to be a bit uncomfortable if you do. Also especially if he is uncircumcised he should have a shower afterwards and gently clean under the foreskin.

Bacterial vaginosis refers to infection with organisms that are basically anaerobes, that is they live in oxygen free environments.

2 suggestions. If the infection is persistent after this additional course of metronidazole, (by the way this is just about the only antibiotic that does affect these organisms). It might not be unreasonable to try betadine (iodine pessaries) next time. These act a bit like demestos and sterilise the area.

whether or not the infection is gone, another option is to try LIVE natural yogurt. Dip a tampon in this and insert a fresh one once or twice a day for 5 days. Live yogurt contains lactobacilli, the same organism that normally populates the vagina and keeps it free of other infections. If you can re-establish this useful bug it might help bring things back to normal.

Answer 2

It's pretty common and the medication prescribed to you should clear it up within a few days. Avoid alcohol of any kind until you have been off the medication for a complete day. Longer if you can wait. It's just good to have any medicine out of your system before consuming alcohol. As for whether or not it will come back, it's possible, but be sure to drink lots of water. UTIs can develop into bacterial vaginosis if untreated. Drinking plenty of water will reduce your risk.

Answer 3

The breakdown to bacterial vaginosis is: An abnormal condition of the vagina caused by the bacteria. The medication the doctor prescribed should do the trick. Yes and no, the bacterial vaginosis may return. Be careful with what you use.

Answer 4

If used for a short time it may be helpful.
One of the sites on the net says:
If metronidazole is used concurrently with phenobarbital (medication for epilepsy), metronidazole may not be as effective.
And
If metronidazole is used concurrently with Cimetidine (Tagamet HB), there is a slight increased risk for metronidazole use to yield the side effects mentioned above.
And
CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS

Metronidazole is best given with food

Metronidazole can cause birth defects if given to a pregnant patient. It should never be administered during pregnancy.

I suggest using a supplement after you finish e.g. capsules of acidophilus bacteria, for maybe two weeks after you finish the metronizadole. I would recommend this after treatment with any antibiotic to restore your 'good' bacteria to normal.

Without that it might take 6 weeks for them to return to their normal balance.

Answer 5

bacterial vaginosis can recurr , there is still research as to why it reoccurs and it is still unknown. it does should clear up, if it doesn't clear up, then you have to take another supply of metronidazole or clindamycin. please take probiotics supplements such as activia, lactobacillus acidophilus, and definitely wear cotton underwear and it has to be 100% cotton and keep the area dry and do this everyday as a preventive and drink cranberry juice too. and also there is a probiotic supplement that I use and it's called ultimate Flora and you can buy this in a nature food store and it helps. If you want to drink alcohol please wait for a week because metronidazole can stay in your system for up to a week and it can be still active and strong. if this BV still persists, please see your gynecologist and he/she will do further testing as to why this is happening. avoid sexual intercourse because BV can be passed on this way and people who haven't had intercourse get it too. it can happen to anyone any age , but very common in women who are at childbearing age.

Answer 6

I had this before and the medicaiton worked. The dr. told me not to have sex for 7 days.

Answer 7

Dont worry!The treatment clears it up really really well -- i had it about 3 years ago and havent ever had it since!There were no side effects and as soon as the course of tablets stop you can drink again!It will be gone before you no it x

Answer 8

be sure to drink lots or cranberry juice to flush out the toxins///it makes the bacteria go away faster...also flush with apple cider vinegar. It makes the antibiotics work better.

Answer 9

just for info latex condoms can cause this condition if you are allergic .

Answer 10

dude do you know that ppl get thatf rom sticking thing with bacteria on it in there private parts not saying thats what happen to you but think of things that bacteria grows on and think pf what you might have been using and stop using it .