BV treatment online: same-day medication prescriptions available

BV can be associated with sexual activity, particularly unprotected vaginal intercourse, or with menstruation, since both semen and blood can disrupt the naturally acidic environment in the vagina. It is also seen more frequently in women who have multiple sex partners, douche, or use perfumed lubricants or sex toys regularly.

Some women have been told that extra vaginal cleaning such as with scented soaps, douches, or vaginal deodorants are necessary. However, all of these products upset the delicate microbial and chemical balance of vaginal bacteria, and can contribute to BV. It is best to avoid any of these products.

In some cases, BV may be caused by an allergic reaction to a new soap, detergent, latex condoms, or lubricant. Sometimes, a sexual partner's genital chemistry can affect the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in your vagina. 

You may have BV if you have the following symptoms:

• Thin, frequent discharge that is gray or white

• Vaginal pain, itching, or burning 

• Strong odor that smells like fish, especially after sex

• Vaginal discharge that may be more noticeable after sex or just after a period

• Pain or burning with urination – this is rare but can be a symptom among some women

Signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are similar to symptoms of other conditions, such as vaginal yeast infections. This is why it is important to see a doctor to correctly diagnose bacterial vaginosis and prescribe the best treatment.

The best treatment for bacterial vaginosis is to take a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics are only available by prescription from a doctor, after an evaluation to make sure your BV is diagnosed correctly.

The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for BV are metronidazole and clindamycin. Book an appointment with one of our board-certified primary care doctors online to get antibiotics to treat your bacterial vaginosis.

No, bacterial vaginosis is not an STD, now more commonly referred to as an STI or sexually transmitted infection. However, having this infection can make it easier for you to a get a sexually transmitted infection like gonorrhea, herpes, or chlamydia. Likewise, if you are immunocompromised due to HIV, having bacterial vaginosis increases the chances of passing HIV on to your partner.

It is not possible for a woman to get BV from intercourse with a male partner. However, for reasons that aren’t clear, it is more common to develop bacterial vaginosis after a new partner or after a change in sexual partners. It may be possible that having a new male partner or multiple male partners upsets the pH balance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina.

A woman who has female sexual partners can pass this condition on to her partners. This is because the overgrowth of certain bacteria seen in BV may overwhelm the natural lactobacilli bacteria and pH balance of her partner. 

It is possible for BV to go away on its own, however, there is a  risk of developing complications, such as increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections or developing pelvic inflammatory disease. For this reason, it is best to see a doctor for antibiotic treatment, which will resolve BV within three to seven days. after beginning antibiotic treatment.

BV may last longer than a week without antibiotic treatment. If your bacterial vaginosis symptoms do not resolve on their own in a few days, you should speak to a doctor to get antibiotic treatment.

Bacterial vaginosis can spread between female sexual partners. Male sex partners of women with BV cannot contract it. Although males cannot contract or spread BV, BV is more common in women who are sexually active.

With antibiotic treatment, bacterial vaginosis symptoms will resolve within three days, and the infection will clear up within seven days, depending on the length of treatment that you are prescribed. Without antibiotic treatment, BV can last over a week or longer.

While some women may not experience a smell, others have reported a fishy-like smell and foul odor from the vagina. This is because the bacteria that causes it releases a substance called methyl mercaptan, which has a fishy smell. For many women, the smell is accompanied by itching, abnormal gray discharge and burning.

Because BV is caused by bacteria it is typically treated with antibiotics. Book an appointment with one of our board-certified primary care doctors for treatment. During an online evaluation, you can get a prescription for antibiotics for BV, if you qualify. You can then pick up your prescription BV treatment from your local pharmacy.

Yeast infection

Herpes simplex virus infection

Chlamydia

Gonorrhea

Human papillomavirus infection

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

Trichomoniasis