Balance Activ Pessaries | Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment for Women | Works Naturally to Rapidly Relieve Symptoms of Unpleasant Odour, Discomfort & Discharge Odour Associated with BV | 1 Pack

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Often bacterial vaginosis (BV) is suspected on history taking, particularly in patients with recurrent BV. A study looking at risk factors for repeated episodes of BV suggests they are due to relapse. Cook et al studied 13 women with recurrent BV over a 9 month period, and compared them with a control group of 31 women with no current, or history of, BV. 1 There were 31 episodes of BV during the study period and each was treated with metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Complete clinical and microscopic cure occurred in only 23% of the episodes, in 61% there was an improvement, but in 16% there was clinical failure. Following treatment, raised vaginal pH was present in 65%, positive amine whiff test in 15%, and abnormal Gram stained flora in 24%. Anaerobic Gram negative rods were isolated from 19% of the women post-therapy compared with 3% of the control group. Women who developed early recurrence tended to complain of an abnormal discharge at the end of therapy. Some asymptomatic women considered themselves cured after treatment, but they continued to have significant abnormalities of vaginal flora, the more severe the abnormality the earlier the recurrence. These findings support the theory of relapse. previous history of sexually transmitted disease or exposure to partner with sexually transmitted disease.

BV is not a sexually transmitted disease, but it can be passed onto another person with a vagina during sex. You should also be aware that treatments like antibiotics and BV creams can affect condoms and other contraception. Having an intrauterine device (IUD) may increase the risk of BV, although the association is not entirely clear. Irregular and prolonged vaginal bleeding has been suggested as a potential mechanism, as the pH of blood is also more alkaline than the vaginal pH.

If you are using an applicator, depress the plunger to release the pessary then remove the applicator from your vagina. Diagnosis is generally confirmed on a vaginal swab. Nugent’s criteria are laboratory-based using microscopy and Gram stain, and are considered the gold standard. Other laboratory methods such as molecular diagnostic assays or nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) may be available depending on location. The different symptoms can help you identify which condition you may have. If you are still unsure, you can use Canestest, the simple home test measuring the pH level of your vagina with over 90% of accuracy. Combining the results from the test and your symptoms you can determine whether you might have BV, and then you can start bacterial vaginosis symptom treatment if needed. When to see a doctor If metronidazole is contraindicated, alternatives include oral ornidazole or tinidazole (avoid in pregnancy) or clindamycin. Many women mistake BV for thrush, they do not have similar symptoms and causes are different. The six main signs of thrush are itching, burning, a white, cottage-cheese like discharge, redness, swelling and soreness. Typically, BV should not cause pain, while thrush may do.

In sexually active patients, STI testing is also recommended as STIs can present similarly to BV, or co-occur. Bacterial vaginosis naturally fluctuates and treatment is not always necessary, especially if asymptomatic. General measures

What are the complications of bacterial vaginosis?

Your local pharmacist can help you identify whether you have thrush or BV, answer any questions you have, and identify the best treatment for you. You should speak to your GP if your treatment has not worked, you are getting either infection more than four times in 12 months, if you are under 16 or over 60, if you are pregnant or breast feeding or breastfeeding or if you have a weakened immune system.” Boots is the UK’s leading health and beauty retailer and has the nation’s biggest range of health and wellness products and an expanding range of healthcare services on boots.com and in its 2,200 stores. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Health of the Nation Study, 2021. Based on a survey of 3,510 individuals aged 18+ between October and November 2021. Emotional effects and impact on self-esteem and sexual activity, particularly with recurrent symptomatic BV.

Bacterial vaginosis affects those with a vagina of reproductive age. Similar laboratory findings are common in postmenopausalwomen.

How do you prevent bacterial vaginosis?

Point-of-care testing may be used in centres with equipment and training to perform microscopy in-clinic. Amsel’s criteria, for example, is based on saline microscopy, where 3/4 criteria should be met for diagnosis: You should continue to use your pessaries until the course is completed, even if this means inserting them during your monthly period. If you do use them during your period you should use sanitary towels rather than tampons. If you forget to insert a pessary (miss a dose), insert the pessary as soon as you remember, and then go on as before.

Hay PE, Ugwumadu A, Chowns J. Sex, thrush and bacterial vaginosis. Int J STD AIDS. 1997;8(10):603-8. doi: 10.1258/0956462971918850. Journal CanesOasis Cystitis Relief 4g granules for oral solution contains sodium citrate. For Thrush: Canesten 100mg Pessary; Canesten 200mg Pessary, contain clotrimazole. Canesten Thrush Combi: Internal & External Creams 10% w/w vaginal cream & 2% w/w cream; Pessary & External Cream 500mg pessary & 2% w/w cream; Soft Gel Pessary & External Cream 500mg vaginal capsule & 2% w/w cream contain clotrimazole. Canesten Thrush: External Cream 2% w/w cream; Internal Cream 10% w/w vaginal cream; Pessary 500mg pessary; Soft Gel Pessary 500mg vaginal capsule contain clotrimazole; Oral Capsule 150mg capsule contains fluconazole. Canesten Thrush Duo Oral Capsule & External Cream 150mg capsule & 2% w/w cream contain fluconazole and clotrimazole. Canesten Athlete’s Foot 1% w/w Cream; Canesten Cream, for fungal infections including nappy rash; Canesten Dermatological Spray, treatment for fungal skin infections, contain clotrimazole. Canesten Hydrocortisone Athlete’s Foot 1%, 1% w/w Cream, Canesten Bifonazole Once Daily Athlete’s Foot 1% w/w Cream contains bifonazole. Canesten Antifungal Cream, contains clotrimazole. Always read the label.A healthy vagina is normally acidic, which helps prevent bad bacteria from growing and maintains the level of good bacteria called lactobacillus. If the pH balance becomes less acidic however, this can affect the health of your vagina. Different factors can affect the pH balance of your vagina, including getting your period, taking antibiotics, over-washing, using an IUD (intrauterine device) and semen if you have sex without condoms. The imbalance of your pH can be accompanied by overgrowth of anaerobic organisms that replace normal lactobacilli, causing BV. EXPIRY: never use your pessaries after the expiry date as they may no longer be effective. Follow the printed instructions given with your pessaries.