The World Health Organisation (WHO) standard prescription for bacterial vaginosis (BV) is delivered to women across the globe on a daily basis. A group of researchers decided to test its effectiveness.
Out of 482 women aged 14-51 that visited a specific sexual health clinic over the course of a year, 74 were found to have BV (15 per cent).
Out of those 74, 11 still had BV after being twice treated with antibiotics. About half the women received a follow-up examination, and out of those, 39 per cent still had BV after treatment, leaving a big question mark over the other half of the women who never came back.
The study – Effectiveness of current therapy of bacterial vaginosis1
Treatment 1
The first treatment was 2g of oral Metronidazole in a single dose. So, pop the pill and off you go.
Treatment 2
Treatment 2 consisted of 500mg of Metronidazole twice daily by mouth for a week, or alternatively, Clindamycin twice daily at a dose of 200mg for a week.
The conclusion
The researchers concluded that standard treatments for BV are not always effective, with no significant difference noticed in the different age groups.
References
- 1.Andreeva PΜ, Omar HΑ. Effectiveness of current therapy of bacterial vaginosis. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health. Published online April 2002. doi:10.1515/ijamh.2002.14.2.145
Jessica is a degree-qualified naturopath (BHSc) specialising in vulvovaginal health and disease, based in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica is the owner and lead naturopath of My Vagina, and is a member of the:
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD)
- International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
- National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) Australia
- New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS)
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)