Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Vaginal discharge due to bacterial vaginosis is malodorous, gray, and thin. Usually, a fishy odor is present, often becoming stronger when the discharge is more alkaline—after coitus and menses. Pruritus, irritation, erythema, and edema are not common.

For bacterial vaginosis to be diagnosed, 3 of 4 criteria must be present:

Clue cells (bacteria adhering to epithelial cells and sometimes obscuring their cell margins) are identified by microscopic examination of a saline wet mount. Presence of white blood cells on a saline wet mount suggests a concomitant infection (possibly trichomonal, gonorrheal, or chlamydial cervicitis Cervicitis Cervicitis is infectious or noninfectious inflammation of the cervix. Findings may include vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, and cervical erythema and friability. Women are tested for infectious... read more ) and the need for additional testing.

Also, some relatively new diagnostic tests are commercially available for clinical use ( 1–4 Diagnosis references Bacterial vaginosis is vaginitis due to a complex alteration of vaginal flora in which lactobacilli decrease and anaerobic pathogens overgrow. Symptoms include a gray, thin, fishy-smelling vaginal... read more ).

The following treatments for bacterial vaginosis are equally effective:

Oral metronidazole 500 mg twice a day for 7 days is the treatment of choice for patients who are not pregnant, but because systemic effects are possible with oral drugs, topical regimens are preferred for pregnant patients. Women who use clindamycin cream cannot use latex products (ie, condoms or diaphragms) for contraception because the drug weakens latex.

Secnidazole 2 g orally once is another option for treating bacterial vaginosis ( 1 Treatment references Bacterial vaginosis is vaginitis due to a complex alteration of vaginal flora in which lactobacilli decrease and anaerobic pathogens overgrow. Symptoms include a gray, thin, fishy-smelling vaginal... read more , 2 Treatment references Bacterial vaginosis is vaginitis due to a complex alteration of vaginal flora in which lactobacilli decrease and anaerobic pathogens overgrow. Symptoms include a gray, thin, fishy-smelling vaginal... read more ). Because only one dose is needed, secnidazole may improve patient compliance.

Treatment of asymptomatic sex partners is unnecessary.

For vaginitis during the 1st trimester of pregnancy, metronidazole vaginal gel should be used, although treatment during pregnancy has not been shown to lower the risk of pregnancy complications. To prevent endometritis, clinicians may give oral metronidazole prophylactically before elective abortion to all patients or only to those who test positive for bacterial vaginosis.

When treated, symptomatic bacterial vaginosis usually resolves in a few days but commonly recurs. If it recurs often, antibiotics may have to be taken for a long time.