Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment
- It’s Not Just the Pathogen Anymore: The Genital Microbiome and Implications for Sexually Transmitted Infections – first session of STD Prevention Science Series 2012 on June 20th, presented by Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Watch archived recording and view abstract. (July 6, 2012)
- 2010 STD Treatment Guidelines - Bacterial Vaginosis - includes new treatment recommendations for bacterial vaginosis (December 16, 2010)
What is the treatment for bacterial vaginosis?
Although BV will sometimes clear up without treatment, all women with symptoms of BV should be treated to avoid complications. Male partners generally do not need to be treated. However, BV may spread between female sex partners.
Treatment is especially important for pregnant women. All pregnant women who have ever had a premature delivery or low birth weight baby should be considered for a BV examination, regardless of symptoms, and should be treated if they have BV. All pregnant women who have symptoms of BV should be checked and treated.
Some physicians recommend that all women undergoing a hysterectomy or abortion be treated for BV prior to the procedure, regardless of symptoms, to reduce their risk of developing an infection.
BV is treatable with antibiotics prescribed by a health care provider. Two different antibiotics are recommended as treatment for BV: metronidazole or clindamycin. Either can be used with non-pregnant or pregnant women, but the recommended dosages differ. Women with BV who are HIV-positive should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.
BV can recur after treatment.
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