What Causes BV?
7. Medications
Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment. Both metronidazole and clindamycin can be used for the treatment of Gardnerella infections. Both metronidazole and clindamycin can be given orally or applied inside the vagina; however, 10% to 15% do not experience any improvement in symptoms after the first course of antibiotics. A recurrence rate of 80% has been documented.
In 2017, secnidazole was approved for women with BV. Trials have reported statistically significant improvements for patients who take secnidazole compared to placebo. A review by Cochrane in 2009 found tentative but insufficient evidence for the use of probiotics for the treatment of BV. In 2014, another review reached the same conclusion.
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