Can Vaginosis Be Treated During Pregnancy
Bacterial vaginosis that develops during pregnancy can slightly increase the risk of premature birth. The risk of a late-term miscarriage or stillbirth is also higher. In miscarriage or stillbirth, the child dies while still in the mothers body.
The advantages and disadvantages of antibiotic treatment were analyzed in a systematic review. Researchers analyzed 21 studies involving nearly 8,000 pregnant women. The results show that can lower the risk of late-term miscarriages:
- 2% of women who didn’t take had a late-term miscarriage.
- 0.3% of women who took had a late-term miscarriage.
Antibiotics had no influence on the risk of premature births or on stopping a womans water from breaking sooner. About 2% of the women stopped treatment due to side effects. There is no that used to treat bacterial vaginosis have any long-term side effects or are harmful for the child.
Most study participants experienced no symptoms and their infection was detected during other routine pregnancy tests. If bacterial vaginosis starts causing symptoms during pregnancy, it is usually treated anyway.
Allergies Or Other Skin Conditions
Cleaning products can trigger symptoms if youâre allergic to one or more of their ingredients. Soaps and feminine hygiene products can sometimes do this, as can laundry detergents.
Certain skin conditions can also cause itching and other symptoms. They sometimes require treatment with steroid ointments like hydrocortisone.
Small cuts can even feel itchy and irritated while theyâre healing.
How Effective Are Antibiotics
Clindamycin and metronidazole are very effective against vaginosis symptoms. Studies on clindamycin cream treatments have shown the following:
- 50% of the study participants who didn’t use clindamycin had no symptoms one to two weeks after placebo treatment.
- 88% of the study participants who used clindamycin had no symptoms one to two weeks after treatment.
Several studies have also shown that clindamycin and metronidazole are similarly effective: In the studies comparing these two , over 90% of the women had no symptoms after treatment regardless of which drug they had used.
It’s not uncommon for bacterial vaginosis to return after a few weeks. That happens quite often. About half of all women have symptoms again about one year after the first infection. If bacterial vaginal infections return more frequently, it may be a good idea to discuss options for preventive treatment with your doctor.
Studies have also looked into whether it’s a good idea for your partner to also take . But that didn’t speed up the recovery time. It also hasn’t been shown that treating your partner would prevent the infection from coming back.
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What Medicine Treats Bacterial Vaginosis And Reccurent Bv Can Antibiotics Cure It
Bacterial vaginosis can be cured with antibiotics. Even after a woman has been cured, however, BV often recurs. The second course of antibiotics is necessary if a woman experiences recurrent bacterial vaginosis that produces symptoms.
Antibiotics are the recommended treatment for bacterial vaginosis. A few antibiotic remedies are routinely used and include:
- metronidazole taken by either oral form or vaginal metronidazole gel . Oral metronidazole can cause some minor but unpleasant side effects but is believed to be the most effective treatment. The gels do not typically cause side effects, although yeast vaginitis can occur as a side effect of the medication.
- vaginal clindamycin cream
- tinidazole is an antibiotic that appears to be effective in treating bacterial vaginosis and may have fewer side effects than metronidazole.
Recurrence of bacterial vaginosis is possible even after successful treatment. More than half of those treated experience recurrent symptoms within 12 months. It is unclear why so many recurrent infections develop. With recurrent symptoms, a second course of antibiotics is generally prescribed.
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women is recommended to decrease the risk of pregnancy-associated complications related to infection. Treatment before Cesarean delivery, total abdominal hysterectomy, and insertion of an IUD is also recommended by most experts.
Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis
Many women will not experience the signs or symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. When they do occur, the most common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include:
- Foul, fishy smelling vaginal odour
- Irregular consistency of discharge, often it is much thinner
- Irregular coloured discharge, often it is grey, white or green
- Burning during urination
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How To Get Rid Of Bacterial Vaginosis
If you think that you may have BV and want to know how to get rid of bacterial vaginosis, you may want to consider seeing your gynecologist or another medical professional.
Your doctor will do a vaginal examination and take a swab sample of your vaginal discharge to test for pH factor levels. The sample of your vaginal discharge will also rule out any other potential infections, such as a yeast infection or an STD. If you are in an exclusive relationship, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic based on the color of your vaginal discharge and its odor.
Is Bacterial Vaginosis Sexually Transmitted
No – BV can affect any woman, including those who do not have sex. However, BV is more common amongst sexually active women than amongst non-sexually active women.
Women who have sex with other women can pass each other the condition. This is probably because the anaerobic bacteria on the body of the woman with BV have become particularly good at overwhelming the lactobacilli, and are able to take the opportunity to spread further..
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Should I Call My Doctor Or Nurse If I Think I Have A Yeast Infection
Yes. Seeing your doctor or nurse is the only way to know for sure if you have a yeast infection and not a more serious type of infection.
The signs and symptoms of a yeast infection are a lot like symptoms of other more serious infections, such as STIs and bacterial vaginosis . If left untreated, STIs and BV raise your risk of getting other STIs, including HIV, and can lead to problems getting pregnant. BV can also lead to problems during pregnancy, such as premature delivery.
Vaginal Acetic And Lactic Acid
Treatment with acetic and lactic acid gels aims to keep the vaginal pH at less than 4.5, to encourage lactobacilli to grow, and to discourage anaerobic bacteria from growing. Some studies have suggested that long-term use of vaginal acidifiers of this type reduces recurrences of BV. However, other studies suggest that this treatment, whilst harmless, is not effective.
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What Is The Treatment For Recurrent Bv How Is It Treated During Pregnancy
Bacterial vaginosis can resolve completely without complications after treatment. No special follow-up is necessary if the symptoms disappear.
Women with bacterial vaginosis are at increased risk for contracting HIV infection as well as other STDs including genital herpes, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia.
In pregnancy, bacterial vaginosis has been linked to premature labor, but the exact relationship is still not clear. BV has also been linked to miscarriages and other problems, so treatment during pregnancy is advised.
What Are The Side Effects
Antibiotic treatment kills not only gardnerella , but also useful bacteria in the vaginal flora that work to keep other germs in check. This means that antibiotic treatment can sometimes end up causing a vaginal yeast infection . This happens to about 10% of women who use clindamycin or metronidazole. Itching and a thick, white discharge are typical signs of a yeast infection, and it can also be treated with medication.
Other side effects may also occur. Metronidazole tablets leave behind a metallic taste in about 10% of women. Less commonly, they cause nausea and vomiting. Clindamycin is very well tolerated when used as a cream, and aside from yeast infections it has no other known side effects.
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What Should I Do If I Get Repeat Yeast Infections
If you get four or more yeast infections in a year, talk to your doctor or nurse.
About 5% of women get four or more vaginal yeast infections in one year. This is called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis . RVVC is more common in women with diabetes or weak immune systems, such as with HIV, but it can also happen in otherwise healthy women.
Doctors most often treat RVVC with antifungal medicine for up to six months. Researchers also are studying the effects of a vaccine to help prevent RVVC.
The Difference Between Bacterial Vaginosis And Urinary Tract Infection
It is easy to mistake bacterial vaginosis for a urinary tract infection. The symptoms of BV and UTI can overlap with each other and you may be confused but theyre very different from each other. Thats why you will have to keep an eye on the symptoms and report it to the doctor who will help you with a correct diagnosis.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Trichomoniasis
The following are the most common symptoms of trichomoniasis:
-
A frothy, often musty-smelling, greenish-yellow discharge
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Light bleeding, especially after sex
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Burning during urination
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Discomfort in the lower abdomen
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Pain during sex
Some women with trichomoniasis have no symptoms. The symptoms of trichomoniasis may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis.
How To Get Rid Of A Yeast Infection
Getting rid of a yeast infection can be done using home remedies for milder infections or by consulting your physician for a prescription. You might also want to purchase an at-home pH test to determine if your pH factor is over 4.5. This may indicate that you have some type of infection other than a yeast infection.
If your pH level is 4 or lower, it is likely that you have a yeast infection, which you may be able to treat at home. However, if you are pregnant, have been exposed to an STD, or have recurring yeast infections, it is advisable to still see your doctor for a complete examination.
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The 411 On Yeast Infections And Bacterial Vaginosis
Both yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are common and can be treated by your OB/GYN in Logan, Utah. A yeast infection is fungal, while BV is bacterial.
Many women get the two confused given that their symptoms are often similar. However, the causes, treatment, and prevention for each are very different. Keep in mind that its also possible to have both a yeast infection and BV at the same time.
Lets take a deeper look at the causes, symptoms, and when to seek help from your doctor.
Could Lactic Acid Bacteria Help
Lactic acid are believed to help restore healthy vaginal flora and suppress harmful bacteria, but treatments that use lactic acid bacteria are not as well tested as . There are hardly any studies testing them on their own they are usually used in combination with antibiotics. But no has been found that vaginosis clears up any better with this combination. Little is known about possible side effects.
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Is Bacterial Vaginosis An Std
Bacterial vaginosis is not an STD, but it may increase your risk of developing STDs such as herpes or gonorrhea. Moreover, if you are HIV-positive or have other autoimmune issues, getting bacterial vaginosis may increase the chances of passing on the HIV virus to your partner.
âThere is no research to show that treating a sex partner affects whether or not a woman gets BV,â according to the Centers for Diease Control. However, âhaving BV can increase your chances of getting other STDs.â
You cannot get bacterial vaginosis from having intercourse if you have a male partner. However, you may be more likely to contract this infection if you have recently had sex with a new partner. Some studies suggest that a change in sexual partners can upset the pH balance of vaginal bacteria.
If you think that you may have an STD and are having symptoms, itâs important to seek safe and easy STD testing from a medical professional that you trust.
What Treatments Are There For Bacterial Vaginosis
There are various different treatments for BV. There are also some things which you should avoid doing, which may help the problem to resolve itself.
These include avoiding the use of douches, vaginal deodorants, bath additives and harsh soaps. Refraining from intercourse for a couple of weeks, or using a condom and a water-based lubricant, can be helpful.
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How Long Does Each Infection Typically Last
BV is unlikely to go away without the use of antibiotics, so always contact a doctor. Mild yeast infections may go away on their own or with over-the-counter medication after a few days. If a yeast infection persists or is getting progressively worse, seek medical advice.
A prescription treatment can quickly clear up BV or a yeast infection within a week . You may feel better sooner, but complete the full course of treatment as directed by your doctor to ensure the infection is gone.
Which Treatments Are Effective For Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis can cause symptoms such as discharge with an unpleasant smell. The clindamycin and metronidazole are both effective treatments for bacterial vaginosis. There has not yet been enough research on the possible benefits of lactic acid treatments.
Bacterial vaginosis is quite common and caused by changes in the vaginal flora that allow the rapid growth of specific types of .
The infection can cause a thin, grayish-white discharge with an unpleasant smell, but it often goes undetected. If it does produce symptoms, can be used as an effective treatment, even during pregnancy. Treatment can help lower the slightly increased risk of miscarriage due to the infection, too.
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What Can Cause Bacterial Vaginosis
You are more likely to get BV:
- If you are sexually active.
- If you have recently changed your sexual partner. Frequent changes of sexual partner, or having more than one regular partner, increase the likelihood of BV further.
- If you have a past history of sexually transmitted infections .
- If you have a copper coil for contraception – an intrauterine contraceptive device .
- If your family has Afro-Caribbean origins.
- If you use bubble bath.
- If you have prolonged or heavy periods.
- Following hormonal changes. In some women BV seems to be triggered by the hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy or the menopause. These are all conditions of changing vaginal acidity.
- Following courses of antibiotics. Courses of antibiotics tend to kill off all our good bacteria .
Other conditions which can upset vaginal pH or lactobacillus health, and which might be expected to increase the risk of BV include:
- Use of sex toys.
- Your partner has had a circumcision.
- You use condoms .
- You have showers, not baths.
How To Prepare For A Doctors Appointment
People may wish to prepare a list of their symptoms, any medications, over-the-counter treatments or supplements they are taking, and consider a note-taking device for their appointment.
It may also be helpful if a person takes a list of questions they wish to ask the healthcare professional. Example questions include:
- What treatment options are there for BV?
- How effective are the treatment options?
- Are there any specific instructions for taking medication for BV?
- What should I do if I have recurrent BV?
- Is there a way to prevent BV?
- Are there any OTC treatments or lifestyle changes that may help reduce symptoms?
Below are answers to common questions about BV medications.
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How Long Does A Yeast Infection Last
The length of a yeast infection will depend on the severity of the infection. A mild yeast infection may go away on its own within 3 or 4 days. A moderate infection with increasingly uncomfortable symptoms may require treatment and last for a longer period of time.
With prescription medication, such as Diflucan, a yeast infection should go away in 7 to 14 days. Home remedies and over-the-counter medications may be effective for a mild case of yeast infection. However, more serious cases should be seen by a doctor.
In any case, every time you think you have a yeast infection or youâre experiencing similar symptoms, you may want to consider seeing a medical professional to ensure you get a proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if you are pregnant.
Treatment For Bacterial Vaginosis
If you have bacterial vaginosis, you doctor will generally prescribe one of the following treatments:
- Metronidazole â This medication may also be called Metrogel-Vaginal or Flagyl. This is a pill that is taken orally for 5 to 7 days. Metronidazole also comes as a topical gel.
- Tinidazole or Tindamax â This is an oral medication. Like Metronidazole, it has a tendency to cause an upset stomach.
Itâs important to take all the medication as prescribed, even if your symptoms go away. Stopping your medication too early may cause a risk of recurrence of infection and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Despite treatment, bacterial vaginosis sometimes comes back within 3 to 12 months. Researchers are investigating new medications for women who have recurring or chronic infections.
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Can Bv Come Back After Medication
According to research from 2018, a person may develop BV again after a few weeks. About experience symptoms again after 1 year of getting the first infection.
In these cases, a doctor may recommend a different treatment plan.
This research also states that because antibiotics affect all vaginal bacteria, using antibiotics to treat BV may lead to a vaginal yeast infection. This occurs in about of those who take clindamycin or metronidazole.
Symptoms of a yeast infection include lumpy, white vaginal discharge or vaginal itching and redness.