Bacterial Vaginosis - Antibiotics and Bacterial Vaginosis


Bacterial Vaginosis, or Vaginal bacteriosis, more commonly known as "BV" is a very common condition that affects millions of women worldwide on a frequent basis. In fact, it is the most common type of vaginal infection that occurs in women in the childbearing years. It typically is frequent in women with multiple partners, but can occur in any woman. And though it is often seen in women after having sexual intercourse with a partner, the bacterial condition is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Bacterial Vaginosis is often times confused with a yeast infection, or candidiasis, but in fact is actually a bacterial infection, whereas the yeast infections are not. It is rather a heightened balance of "bad" bacteria in lining of the vaginal walls whereas the result of an imbalance of the vaginal flora, or bacterial make-up of a woman's vagina.
In the medical field, antibiotics are the go-to treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis. Upon proper diagnosis which includes a bacterial screening, bacterial vaginosis is usually treated with pills, creams, or other medications. Some common medications include metronidazole (or Flagyl) and clindamyacin (or Cleocin and Clindesse).
The problem with treating bacterial vaginosis with antibiotics, is that similar to most medication treatments, it more often than not treats the symptoms, but not always the cure.
Simply speaking, "antibiotic" means "against-life," which means the medication is designed to cease the lifestage of all the bacteria in the vagina. Some forms of the medication are taken as either oral pills or suppositories, whereas other are in the form of injectable creams. Many women do complain of side effects such as a metallic taste in the mouth and nausea.
When Bacterial Vaginosis is treated with antibiotic measures, the entire vaginal flora is killed, which means both the good and the bad bacteria are eliminated. So if the woman does not either change habits or find a more permanent cure, the symptoms may come back.
Also, after treating, if these lifestyle choices are not changed, Bacterial Vaginosis can often return in as little as one month. What ends up happening, is most women stop taking the antibiotics after symptoms subside, and the vaginosis can return. In fact, studies show that up to 69% of sufferers may have their symptoms return after antibiotic treatment.
Currently, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) accepts metronidazole and clindamycin as proper treatment options for bacterial vaginosis, and that continues to be the standard care for those seeking medical treatment. Yet others who care for a more natural or homeopathic treatment method, including a permanent cure, tend to lean to other methods of treatment at home.
Vanessa Miller is an expert on Bacterial Vaginosis. Learn more about BV at What is BV where she discusses more about BV Antibiotic treatment.

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