Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis, also called vaginitis, is a bacterial imbalance in the vagina.

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is an imbalance in the normal bacterial flora in the vagina, where the “good” bacteria, called lactic acid bacteria, are replaced by other bacteria.

Bacterial vaginosis is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, but can be related to sexual activity, which is why, in rare cases, treating regular partners of people with frequent recurrent infections is considered.

The cause of bacterial vaginosis is still unknown, and some people will get bacterial vaginosis several times during their lives.

What are the symptoms?

Most often increased watery grayish/whitish discharge with a fishy odor.

Complications to bacterial vaginosis

Normally there are no complications to bacterial vaginosis, but if the infection is not treated and you have an IUD inserted or have an abortion, you can get pelvic inflammatory disease.

How is bacterial vaginosis detected?

The infection can be detected by examining secretions from the vagina under a microscope.

How to treat bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics, most often metronidazole.

The treatment can be either suppositories, cream or tablets that must be used daily for 5-7 days.

Metronidazole can act like Antabuse (disulfiram) and cause vomiting and discomfort when consumed simultaneously with alcohol, and you must therefore not consume alcohol 3 days before, during and up to 3 days after treatment.

Possible side effects of the treatment

In rare cases, nausea and mild stomach discomfort may occur during treatment with metronidazole tablets.