Metronidazole is used for the treatment of many infections caused by bacteria. The main conditions treatable with this medication include bacterial vaginosis and skin and mouth infections. Metronidazole can only be obtained with a prescription because it’s a very potent antibiotic. It comes in form of liquid, tablet, cream, suppository form and gel.
When does it start to work?
Based on your diagnosis, the time needed for the Metronidazole effect to begin working depends. It takes about 7 days before you feel any difference if you’re treating bacterial vaginosis. Even after just a few days, you’ll feel relief regarding your symptoms. The usual dose for this treatment is one tablet to be taken twice per day.
Since you’ll probably feel better before 7 days have passed, don’t forget to finish your treatment completely. Antibiotics should be taken for the whole duration of the treatment, even if your health improves before the end.
The first sign of a successful treatment is the retraction of the symptoms, but in order for the infection to be completely cured, it takes more time. If you stop taking your medication earlier than you were advised, your infection may return with the same or even worse symptoms.
How is Metronidazole used?
You can only obtain Metronidazole with a prescription, so consult your physician before starting the treatment. For bacterial vaginosis treatment, the usual form of Metronidazole is either a vaginal gel or a tablet, but for other infections, your physician will recommend you the best one. Women can choose which form suits them better for their BV treatment.
Metronidazole tablets should be taken whole, preferably with a beverage. The consistency of the tablet is such that it dissolves quickly in the patient’s mouth, leaving a metallic taste. To avoid this, you can drink milk when you take the tablet, which will neutralize the taste.
What are the side effects of Metronidazole?
Every medication has a specific list of side effects and Metronidazole is no exception. Some of the most common ones include:
- Stomach pains
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
Side effects like these are usually caused by taking medication on an empty stomach. To prevent them, simply take the tablets after a meal, and eat something after a while. This helps with reducing the side effects and the medication having a smaller impact on your intestines.
What causes bacterial vaginosis?
This is a type of infection caused by the imbalance of the pH in a vagina. Since pH is very delicate, any kind of change can trigger an imbalance.
Some of the most common causes for BV are an Intrauterine Device for contraception or IUD, sex and simple hygienic habits. Having sex often or frequently changing your sexual partners can also be a trigger since different semen has a different reaction with the vagina’s acidity.
It’s important to note that bacterial vaginosis is not an STI. Even if it’s triggered by sex, the main cause is the pH imbalance in a woman and not a transmission. Men are safe from BV and they cannot get it.
Hygienic habits that can easily cause bacterial vaginosis include:
- Wearing thongs or another type of tight underwear
- Wearing dirty underwear or changing it rarely
- Wiping in the direction from back to the front
- Using a heavily scented intimate wash or overwashing
It’s recommended that you avoid perfumes and scented soaps and switch to a gentle intimate wash, preferably the one with a pH balance between 3.8 and 4.4. Change your underwear every day and wear a comfortable type.
What are some of the common bacterial vaginosis symptoms?
Bacterial vaginosis usually manifests itself without any symptoms, so many women might not know that they have it. The main symptom is a fishy-smelling vaginal discharge. Its consistency is quite watery and the colour can be grey or white. A thick vaginal discharge, on the other hand, is usually a sign of another type of infection or Thrush.
When you’ve noticed a significant change in your health down there, schedule an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. Although most kinds of vaginal infections like BV have fairly easy treatments, others may point to a form of cancer or even pelvic inflammatory disease.
There are self-testing kits available for people who are nervous about visiting a physician for that type of problem. With the kit, you can help determine some common types of infections, like BV, Thrush, Gonorrhea or Chlamydia. However, a doctor should check your health if the symptoms still occur even after the treatment.
