What is bacterial vaginosis? Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an abnormal vaginal infection caused by bacteria. Typically, the vagina has good bacteria and bad bacteria. The good bacteria prevent the growth of bad bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis happens when the bad bacteria grow more in number than the good bacteria.
Characteristics of bacterial vaginosis include vaginal discharge, itchiness, and foul odor. Bacterial vaginosis is not a bacterial infection in the truest sense but rather an imbalance of the bacteria that are inherent in the vagina.
It is not as dangerous as the STDs gonorrhea and Chlamydia but it can cause discomfort and can recur even after treatment.
The most common causes of bacterial vaginosis are:
- Douching or rinsing the vagina with a cleansing agent can affect the balance of the good and the bad bacteria in your vagina
- There is still no medical explanation to it but women with multiple sexual partners or a new sex partner often suffer from bacterial vaginosis.
- Your vagina does not produce enough good bacteria or lactobacilli
What is Metronidazole?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication used in treating endocarditis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and bacterial vaginosis.
Metronidazole comes in oral tablets, capsules, extended-release tablets, topical cream, topical gel, topical lotion, and vaginal gel form.
You can find Oral Metronidazole under the brand name Flagyl and Flagyl ER (Extended-Release)
How effective is Metronidazole in treating BV?
The effectiveness of Metronidazole depends largely on how well you follow your prescriptions
Based on the patient statistics record of CVS Pharmacy, 4.7 out of 5 find Metronidazole to work as intended.
To ensure the effectiveness of the Metronidazole, here are the things that you should do:
- Take Metronidazole exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change the prescribed dosage or take it longer than what doctor prescribed.
- If you are taking other medications or have serious illness like kidney or liver disease, inform your doctor to avoid having serious side-effects.
- If you are using Metronidazole extended-release tablet, avoid crushing or chewing the tablet. Swallow it whole to keep the pill from breaking. Take the pill on an empty stomach one hour before eating or two hours after eating a meal.
- If you experience symptoms of dizziness, avoid doing anything that requires mental alertness until you can handle the effects of the medicine.
- Avoid taking alcohol while you are under prescription to take metronidazole.
- Avoid having any sexual contact until you finish your treatment.
- Finish your prescribed treatment, do not stop taking the pill the moment you feel better.
- If you are pregnant, never use the topical cream or gel form of Metronidazole. Ask your doctor which oral form of Metronidazole is best for you.
However, just like any other medicine Metronidazole has its side effect. The side effects vary and some may not experience them.
A few symptoms you should be aware of are:
- * Diarrhea
- * Headache
- * Irritability
- * Metallic taste
- * Nausea
- * Stomach cramps
- * Trouble sleeping
If you are experiencing more serious side effects, it is advisable to consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Some of these side effects include:
- * Allergic reactions like hives, rashes
- * Swelling of the face, tongue, or lips
- * Confusion or disorientation
- * Dizziness
- * Fever
- * Numbness
- * Seizures
- * Trouble urinating
- * Skin blisters
- * Vaginal irritation or discharge
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