Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs in many women during their lifetime and occurs when there’s a change in the balance of normal bacteria in the vagina. For this reason, and the fact it cannot be passed onto men during sex, BV is not considered a sexually transmitted infection.

The condition is actually the most common vaginal infection experience by women of a reproductive age and women with BV may experience symptoms such as a thin and watery foul-smelling vaginal discharge that is usually white or grey in appearance. However, some women may not even get any symptoms at all.

There is no definitive cause for bacterial vaginosis, but regular sex – particularly with different partners – may increase the risk and upset the balance of bacteria in the vagina. This does not mean BV is a sexually transmitted infection however.

Women who have reached the menopause are believed to be at a higher risk of BV, as well as those with an IUD (contraception device), and using perfumed products in or around your vagina can increase the risk of BV.

In time, bacterial vaginosis (BV) usually goes away by itself without the need for treatment. However, some women find the problem unpleasant and may want to buy BV treatment online.

A short course of antibiotics such as Metronidazole is often prescribed as bacterial vaginosis treatment, but there are a number of things you can do to lessen the risk of BV reoccurring. For example, use water and plain soap to wash your genital area, have showers instead of baths, do not use perfumed soaps, bubble bath, shampoo or shower gel in the bath, do not use vaginal deodorants, washes or douches, do not put antiseptic liquids in the bath, do not use strong detergents to wash your underwear and do not smoke.

For women who may have experience side effects from the oral Metronidazole, or do not want to take tablets, there is a topical treatment, Zidoval, which also contains the antibiotic Metronidazole at a strength of 0.75%.