How long does it take for BV to clear up without antibiotics?

It's possible for BV to go away on its own, but it's usually not worth the wait. If it does go away on its own, it may take around 2 weeks to resolve, and then keep coming back. During that time, you'd be dealing with unpleasant symptoms.

healthline.com - 7 Best Treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis - Healthline

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Share on Pinterest Getty Images/stefanamer A healthy vagina naturally contains both “good” and “bad” bacteria. But if there’s an overgrowth of bad bacteria, an infection called bacterial vaginosis can occur. Bacterial vaginosis is common in people with vaginas. Although it can clear up on its own, getting treatment can lower your risk of certain complications and health risks associated with bacterial vaginosis. Read on to learn about the best treatments for bacterial vaginosis, plus tips for lowering your risk. Causes of bacterial vaginosis Experts don’t know exactly what causes BV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , though, it’s more common in people who are sexually active. Things that may increase your risk of having BV include: douching

not using condoms

having multiple sex partners

having new sex partners

The best treatments for bacterial vaginosis Metronidazole Potential side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, other gastrointestinal symptoms, appetite loss, headache, mouth or tongue irritation One of the best prescription treatments for BV is an antibiotic called metronidazole. You can take it as a pill or gel. The CDC recommends the following dosages: Pill: 500 milligrams (mg) taken orally twice per day for 7 days 500 milligrams (mg) taken orally twice per day for 7 days Gel: 5 grams (g) inserted into the vagina once per day for 5 days If you have BV that keeps coming back, your doctor may prescribe 500 mg of oral medication for 10 to 14 days. Another option is to use vaginal gel for 10 days, then twice per week for 3 to 6 months. Pros effective treatment

easy to take Cons can be pricey

has many potential side effects Clindamycin Potential side effects: nausea, vomiting, joint pain, heartburn, pain when swallowing, vaginal discharge, metallic taste in the mouth, itching or burning of the vagina Clindamycin is another effective prescription treatment for BV. It’s an antibiotic that you can take as a pill, cream, or ovule suppository. An ovule suppository is a capsule that’s inserted into the vagina. According to the CDC, the recommended dosages for clindamycin are: Pill: 300 mg taken orally twice per day for 7 days 300 mg taken orally twice per day for 7 days Cream: 5 g inserted into the vagina at bedtime for 7 days 5 g inserted into the vagina at bedtime for 7 days Ovule suppositories: 100 mg inserted into the vagina at bedtime for 3 days Clindamycin cream and ovules contain oil, which may weaken latex products like condoms and diaphragms. This effect can last 72 hours for ovules, and 5 days for cream. Pros effective prescription treatment available in several different forms Cons higher risk of colitis than other antibiotics Creams and ovules may weaken certain forms of contraception. Tinidazole Potential side effects: metallic taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, constipation, stomach pain or cramping, tiredness, dizziness, headache It’s possible to develop adverse side effects from metronidazole or clindamycin. In this case, your doctor may prescribe tinidazole instead. Tinidazole is also an antibiotic that you can take as a pill. For BV, there are two recommended dosages: 2 g orally once per day for 2 days 1 g orally once per day for 5 days Pros easy to take

short course

lower cost than other prescription options Cons potential side effects Secnidazole Potential side effects: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, metallic taste in the mouth Another option is secnidazole. This is an antibiotic that you can take in one dose. Secnidazole is available as granules that you can consume orally. The recommended dose is one dose of 2 g. You can take the granules by mixing them with unsweetened applesauce or yogurt first. Secnidazole is significantly more expensive than other treatments. However, it may be a good option if you prefer a single-dose treatment. Pros requires a single dose easy to mix into food Cons expensive Probiotics Potential side effects: mild gastrointestinal side effects Probiotics are good bacteria. Taking probiotic supplements may help introduce healthy bacteria into your body. According to a 2014 review , which focused on the effects of probiotics on bacterial vaginosis, there’s evidence that taking probiotic supplements daily may help treat and prevent BV. And a more recent review from 2021 suggests that oral and vaginal probiotics may be an effective treatment and prevention option for BV. But researchers note that more studies are needed to determine the right dose, strain, length of treatment, and whether probiotics should be paired with antibiotics. If you have BV, try taking probiotics daily to help treat and prevent future cases of this condition. Probiotics are available in pill or liquid form. If you’ve been prescribed an antibiotic for BV, bear in mind that antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria as well as the bad. Probiotic supplements and yogurt can help replace good bacteria that’s destroyed by antibiotics. You can buy probiotic supplements from pharmacies, health food stores, stores that sell supplements, or online. Pros limited side effects

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may help prevent and treat BV

available in pill or liquid form Cons not as effective as other methods cost-effective Garlic Potential side ef f ects : burning if inserted vaginally Garlic has strong antibacterial properties, and it’s long been used as a home remedy for BV. For BV treatment, take garlic orally. Taking it vaginally has been known to burn vaginal tissue. A 2014 study compared the use of garlic tablets and oral metronidazole, an antibiotic, in treating the condition. The study results showed that taking a garlic supplement tablet could be an option for treating BV. Pros natural option

no prescription required

inexpensive Cons not as effective as prescription options Boric acid suppository Potential side effects: allergic reaction, vaginal irritation Boric acid vaginal suppositories are commonly used to treat BV, according to a 2019 review . Please note that boric acid is not edible — it’s toxic to eat. Store it away from children and animals. It’s also not safe to use if you’re pregnant. However, it’s considered safe to use boric acid in the vagina. A 2015 study found that it’s as effective as some medical approaches to treatment. In a 2009 study, a combination of suppressive antimicrobial therapy and intravaginal boric acid were used to treat recurring BV in 58 women. Study results showed varying levels of successful treatment, which was defined as achieving remission. The levels of success were categorized based on the makeup of the course of treatment. Pros safe to use as a vaginal suppository as effective as some medical treatments Cons potential for allergic reaction or irritation

not safe to use during pregnancy

How to reduce your risk of bacterial vaginosis According to the CDC , experts still don’t fully understand how BV spreads. But in general, anything that changes the chemical balance in your vagina can increase your risk of BV. For instance, these steps may lower your risk of BV: Avoid using scented tampons or pads, or any other perfumed menstrual products. Avoid douching — this can disrupt the natural balance of vaginal bacteria and increase the chance of infection. If you already have an infection, douching can make it worse.

Wear breathable cotton underwear that isn’t too tight.

Limit the number of sexual partners you have.

Use latex condoms or another barrier method every time you have sex.

Don’t sit around with a wet bathing suit or damp clothes on. BV spreads more easily in moist environments. Wipe carefully after a bowel movement to avoid spreading germs from your anus to your vagina. When to call your doctor If your symptoms haven’t resolved or started to clear up after a week of treatment, make an appointment with your doctor or gynecologist. Also, contact a doctor if you have: recurring BV

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new or worse vaginal discharge

new or worse itching

vaginal sores

fever Try to make your appointment on a day when you won’t have your period. This allows your doctor to take a swab of your vaginal discharge for testing. You can book an appointment with an OB-GYN in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool. Interested in other women’s health products? We’ve got you covered. Our reviews and comparisons cover the top products for sexual wellness, total-body health, and more so you can find what’s right for you. Frequently asked questions about bacterial vaginosis Is bacterial vaginosis contagious? BV is not considered to be an STI. But sex increases your risk of developing the infection. If a person with BV has sex with another person with a vagina, the partner may need treatment. What is the quickest way to treat bacterial vaginosis? The fastest way to treat BV is to visit your doctor and get a prescription to treat the condition. A prescription treatment will likely clear up your symptoms in 2 to 3 days. If you’re pregnant or undergoing any medical procedures, it’s especially important to have your BV taken care of sooner rather than later. Your doctor may prescribe an oral or vaginal antibiotic, like clindamycin, metronidazole, or tinidazole. Can bacterial vaginosis go away on its own? It’s possible for BV to go away on its own, but it’s usually not worth the wait. If it does go away on its own, it may take around 2 weeks to resolve, and then keep coming back. During that time, you’d be dealing with unpleasant symptoms. How long does bacterial vaginosis last? After seeing your doctor and starting treatment with a prescribed medication, your symptoms will likely start improving within 2 to 3 days. However, it’s important to continue taking your medication for the prescribed period of time, even if your symptoms have gone away. This will help ensure that the infection has completely cleared up, which typically takes about 7 days. Should you be treated for bacterial vaginosis if you’re pregnant? If you’re pregnant, get treatment for BV as soon as possible. That’s because BV can increase the risk of early delivery and other complications. It’s safe to take antibiotics for BV while you’re pregnant. What is the difference between a yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis? BV and vaginal yeast infections have similar symptoms but different causes and treatments. Both cause inflammation of the vagina, also known as vaginitis. One of the differences between BV and a yeast infection is that BV produces a foul-smelling, “fishy” odor, while a yeast infection produces no vaginal odor. Additionally, a yeast infection may cause redness and inflammation of the vulva, while BV doesn’t produce such symptoms. To determine whether a vaginal infection is BV or a yeast infection, a doctor may: ask about your medical history, including previous vaginal infections

perform an examination to look for signs of infection and vaginal discharge

take a sample of the discharge for analysis, to see whether an overgrowth of harmful bacteria or fungi is present test the pH of the vagina — according to a 2018 review, a pH of 4.5 or above can be an indication of BV

healthline.com - 7 Best Treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis - Healthline

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