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The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at OPM.gov.

Is there a cure for bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

Yes, BV is usually curable with prescription antibiotics that can help readjust the balance of bacteria in the vagina. Although some over-the-counter vaginal medications are sold, these are not effective for curing BV. Currently, only prescribed antibiotics are effective.

With BV, there is a risk of relapsing if the entire course of antibiotics is not finished.1,2 Therefore, it is important to finish all of the pills in a BV prescription.

Although BV can be cured, it does carry certain risks. Women with BV are at a higher risk for:

  • Delivering an infant preterm (before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
  • Delivering an infant with a low birth weight (generally, 5.5 pounds or less)
  • More easily contracting certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including gonorrhea, herpes, and HIV/AIDS
  • More easily infecting a partner with certain STDs, including HIV/AIDS
  • Developing pelvic inflammatory disease

Citations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Bacterial vaginosis: CDC fact sheet. Retrieved May 10, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm
  2. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. (2008). Bacterial vaginosis fact sheet. Retrieved May 10, 2012, from http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/bacterial-vaginosis.html
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