Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of a particular kind of bacteria in the vagina, called Gardnerella.  The typical symptoms are vaginal irritation, greyish watery discharge and a fishy odor.  BV may crop up after taking antibiotics or anti-fungals.  Killing off bacteria or yeast in the vagina may make an environment that is more conducive to overgrowth of Gardnerella.

Medical treatment for bacterial vaginosis usually involves a drug called Flagyl or Metronidazole. This drug works well to eradicate the Gardnerella, or at least most of it, but doesn’t address the reason why Gardnerella was there in the first place and doesn’t restore the beneficial bacteria that keep the vagina a healthy place.  So bacterial vaginosis can become a recurring problem.

Permanent resolution of BV requires killing off the Gardnerella, supporting the immune system, healing the vaginal tissue and restoring probiotic bacteria.