Bacterial Vaginosis Oral and Vaginal Medication

What medication treatment should I use for my Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is an annoying infection that needs immediate attention. In case, it’s left untreated, it can take the form of chronic bacterial vaginosis that’s even more difficult to treat. So, the sooner it’s cured the better it is. The good news is there are certain effective medicines available that can completely cure this condition.

Bacterial vaginosis medication

There are a number of ways of treating bacterial vaginosis through medicines. Over the counter treatment for bacterial vaginosis is effective, but poses risk in terms of side effects. Alternative treatment of bacterial vaginosis is mild and safe, but may not prove effective in all cases. Also, it cannot deal with chronic conditions that efficiently. The medications are generally taken orally or inserted in the vagina. Vaginal medications are less likely to cause systemic side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, than are the oral forms. However, in pregnancy, bacterial vaginosis is treated only with oral medications.

Let’s see the types of treatment by bacterial vaginosis medicines:

a. Conventional bacterial vaginosis treatment:

Bacterial vaginosis is most effectively treated by antibiotics. The common antibiotics used in treatment are ampicillin, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, metronidazole and tetracycline. These antibiotic medications can be taken orally or inserted into the vagina in cream, gel, or suppository form. The most notable amongst these are clindamycin cream, metronidazole gel and Enzara. Metronidazole and clindamycin are especially effective for pregnant women.

b. Naturopathic treatment:

Certain natural herbs and other natural products possess the properties of countering the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. These support the immune system and its ability to fight the infection and balance the vaginal system. These can be applied topically or consumed. Certain herbal therapeutics, like goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) can be used in the form of vaginal suppositories. Goldenseal vaginal suppository with Vitamin A is even more effective. There are some proteolytic enzymes, like bromelain and wobenzme that are known to increase the effectiveness of the medication.

c. Homeopathic therapeutics:

Homeopathic remedies are prescribed by symptoms rather than conditions, as bacterial vaginosis can manifest differently in different women. The homeopathic medicines, like aspergillus, candida, sepia and notatum, have been found effective for bacterial vaginosis cure.

Antibiotic treatment of bacterial vaginosis

Of the various types of treatments available for bacterial vaginosis, antibiotics remain the prime treatment. So, it’s important to know how it’s to be administered, both in the case of women who aren’t pregnant and those who are.

a. Treatment for non-pregnant women:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends oral or vaginal metronidazole gel. The cure rate of this antibiotic is as much as eighty to ninety percent. It’s also effective for treating infection that has spread into the upper reproductive tract. Clindamycin cream is not as effective, as the relapse rate is higher. The side effects of the two are generally minor, although they can cause unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

b. Treatment for pregnant women:

Treatment for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women is not usually undertaken in the first trimester when fetal organs are developing. According to some studies both metronidazole and clindamycin don’t cause any harm to the fetus, but most physicians still would recommend waiting until the fetus is more developed. Both oral metronidazole and clindamycin are used for treatment of this infection in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. However, their dosage is lower than for non-pregnant women. The point to remember is vaginal medications of metronidazole or clindamycin are not recommended for pregnant women, as there’s a slightly increased risk of preterm birth, especially with clindamycin cream.

Bacterial vaginosis medicines, whether allopathic or alternative, need to be recommended by a physician. Self administration is risky and may complicate your condition, especially if you’re pregnant.