Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of unusual vaginal discharge. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can increase your risk of getting an STI such as chlamydia.

 

Symptoms:

 

The most common symptom of bacterial vaginosis is unusual vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell, particularly after sex.

You may notice a change to the color and consistency of your discharge, such as becoming greyish-white and thin and watery.

But 50% of women with bacterial vaginosis do not have any symptoms.

Bacterial vaginosis does not usually cause any soreness or itching.

Diagnosis:

If physician feels that you have BV, she asks you to provide vaginal fluid sample. This sample collection can be done at our clinic and it is then sent to a lab for DNA amplification probe that tests for following infections.

 Candida species
 Gardnerella vaginalis
 Trichomonas vaginalis

The results then are typically available in two business days and if your sample is positive for any of these infections, appropriate medication is called in to your pharmacy. Your pharmacy will call you. 

 

You can get your results from the lab directly if you have an online account with them. You can also request a copy from us on your secure email or on the portal. 

Treatment:

Depending on the test results, we call in one of these medications to your pharmacy.

Metronidazole 500 mg orally twice daily for seven days

Metronidazole 250 mg orally three times daily for seven days

Clindamycin 300 mg orally twice daily for seven days

Why get treated:

The condition is not usually serious, but you'll need to be treated with antibiotics if you do have BV because BV increases your risk for getting other sexually transmitted diseases.

 

Prevention:

To help relieve symptoms and prevent bacterial vaginosis returning: 

  • 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
  • do not smoke

 

What to do if you still do not feel better after treatment?

 

Please book an appointment from online and see doctor once again face to face.  

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Information

At the time of office visit, please present your insurance card.  We bill your visit to the insurance card you present. 

In the event of an error in your insurance, please let our front office staff know.

We are in network with most insurances. However individual plans may vary and not known till a claim is adjudicated.

We are a smoke free facility.

We need every patient to finish all the forms online and check in online if possible. 

Most visits start on time, so please plan to be at the office, fifteen minutes before your appointment.

Habitual no show patients are terminated from the patient panel.

We charge a no show fee.

If you are not able make the commute, or take time off for commute , explore tele medicine available now.