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“EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS”
ROBERT L. BARBIERI, MD (EDITORIAL; JULY 2017)
Appreciates treatment options for recurrent BV
I thank Dr. Barbieri for his editorial on effective treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV). I practice only outpatient gynecology, and recurrent BV is the most frustrating condition I have to deal with. Now I have 3 treatment options in my armamentarium for taking care of patients. I clipped the article pages from OBG
I have a related question: I see trichomonal vaginitis rarely, maybe 1 to 2 cases in a year. What do you think the reason is?
Vimal Goyle, MD
New York, New York
Beyond BV: Candidiasis and diabetes medications
Thank you for addressing the recurrent BV problem. After many years of throwing antibiotics at this problem I have been underwhelmed. Patients do not want to keep chasing their tails between BV and yeast. I have been suggesting that patients place plain yogurt containing Lactobacillus in a tampon applicator and apply it to the vagina weekly at night, after the original “overgrowth” has been treated, to return the “good bacteria” to the vagina. This avoids overuse of antibiotics (an impending epidemic of resistant organisms), boric acid (a dangerous pill to have around toddlers), and the expense that comes with multiple visits and multiple courses of antibiotics. I believe that in Canada a vaginal ovule with vitamin C and probiotics is available (something to ponder).
Another problem is recurrent yeast infections. We are seeing that many new diabetes medications are increasing the clearance of glucose and are causing severe and intractable Candida vulvovaginitis. In addition, I would like to know the best topical treatments and skin care for yeast in the folds of the panniculus in the morbidly obese. Unfortunately, these patients often have poor or no insurance and therefore cannot afford the cost of many effective remedies.
John Lewis, MD
Bedford, Massachusetts
Another treatment protocol for BV
For recurrent BV, I treat with standard metronidazole 500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days, then immediately start boric acid suppositories for 3 days in a row followed by 1 weekly for 6 weeks, and that usually takes care of it. However, a few caveats: I instruct patients to keep a supply of boric acid suppositories on hand, and if they start to experience symptoms again, to repeat the 3-day, then weekly-for-6 weeks regimen, so essentially they can manage a recurrence themselves.
For patients who come in thinking they have a recurrent yeast infection or BV, which was initially treated elsewhere, I culture for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. I often find that one of those organisms is responsible for the infection, requiring completely different treatment.
I also frequently check the vaginal pH, because patients like to see a visual on what I am talking about.
Rebecca Levy-Gantt, DO
Napa, California
Clindamycin appears superior for BV recurrence prevention
In my practice for the past number of years I have been treating BV with clindamycin vaginal cream instead of metronidazole. I have found that the number of women returning with recurrent BV has dropped dramatically. Furthermore, since switching medications, I cannot recall the last time someone required a maintenance dosing regimen. Although anecdotal, the difference between metronidazole and clindamycin treatment seems striking to me.
Daniel N. Sacks, MD
West Palm Beach, Florida
Uses BV regimens in stepwise fashion
To answer Dr. Barbieri’s instant poll question, my preference for treating BV is to start off with Regimen 1 (metronidazole treatment followed by twice weekly vaginal metronidazole for 6 months), as described in his editorial. If problem reports resolve but recur at a later date, then I use Regimen 2 (metronidazole treatment plus 21 days of boric acid vaginal capsules followed by twice weekly vaginal metronidazole for 6 months). I am aware of Regimen 3 (single-dose oral metronidazole plus fluconazole followed by once-monthly metronidazole and fluconazole) but rarely use it.
Carole W. Campbell, DNP, CNM
Gadsden, Alabama
- Gaydos CA, Beqaj S, Schwebke JR, et al. Clinical validation of a test for the diagnosis of vaginitis. Obstet Gynecol. 2017;130(1):181–189.
- Oduyebo OO, Anorlu RI, Ogunsola FL. The effects of antimicrobial therapy on bacterial vaginosis in non-pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(3):CD006055.
“EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS”
ROBERT L. BARBIERI, MD (EDITORIAL; JULY 2017)
Appreciates treatment options for recurrent BV
I thank Dr. Barbieri for his editorial on effective treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV). I practice only outpatient gynecology, and recurrent BV is the most frustrating condition I have to deal with. Now I have 3 treatment options in my armamentarium for taking care of patients. I clipped the article pages from OBG
I have a related question: I see trichomonal vaginitis rarely, maybe 1 to 2 cases in a year. What do you think the reason is?
Vimal Goyle, MD
New York, New York
Beyond BV: Candidiasis and diabetes medications
Thank you for addressing the recurrent BV problem. After many years of throwing antibiotics at this problem I have been underwhelmed. Patients do not want to keep chasing their tails between BV and yeast. I have been suggesting that patients place plain yogurt containing Lactobacillus in a tampon applicator and apply it to the vagina weekly at night, after the original “overgrowth” has been treated, to return the “good bacteria” to the vagina. This avoids overuse of antibiotics (an impending epidemic of resistant organisms), boric acid (a dangerous pill to have around toddlers), and the expense that comes with multiple visits and multiple courses of antibiotics. I believe that in Canada a vaginal ovule with vitamin C and probiotics is available (something to ponder).
Another problem is recurrent yeast infections. We are seeing that many new diabetes medications are increasing the clearance of glucose and are causing severe and intractable Candida vulvovaginitis. In addition, I would like to know the best topical treatments and skin care for yeast in the folds of the panniculus in the morbidly obese. Unfortunately, these patients often have poor or no insurance and therefore cannot afford the cost of many effective remedies.
John Lewis, MD
Bedford, Massachusetts
Another treatment protocol for BV
For recurrent BV, I treat with standard metronidazole 500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days, then immediately start boric acid suppositories for 3 days in a row followed by 1 weekly for 6 weeks, and that usually takes care of it. However, a few caveats: I instruct patients to keep a supply of boric acid suppositories on hand, and if they start to experience symptoms again, to repeat the 3-day, then weekly-for-6 weeks regimen, so essentially they can manage a recurrence themselves.
For patients who come in thinking they have a recurrent yeast infection or BV, which was initially treated elsewhere, I culture for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. I often find that one of those organisms is responsible for the infection, requiring completely different treatment.
I also frequently check the vaginal pH, because patients like to see a visual on what I am talking about.
Rebecca Levy-Gantt, DO
Napa, California
Clindamycin appears superior for BV recurrence prevention
In my practice for the past number of years I have been treating BV with clindamycin vaginal cream instead of metronidazole. I have found that the number of women returning with recurrent BV has dropped dramatically. Furthermore, since switching medications, I cannot recall the last time someone required a maintenance dosing regimen. Although anecdotal, the difference between metronidazole and clindamycin treatment seems striking to me.
Daniel N. Sacks, MD
West Palm Beach, Florida
Uses BV regimens in stepwise fashion
To answer Dr. Barbieri’s instant poll question, my preference for treating BV is to start off with Regimen 1 (metronidazole treatment followed by twice weekly vaginal metronidazole for 6 months), as described in his editorial. If problem reports resolve but recur at a later date, then I use Regimen 2 (metronidazole treatment plus 21 days of boric acid vaginal capsules followed by twice weekly vaginal metronidazole for 6 months). I am aware of Regimen 3 (single-dose oral metronidazole plus fluconazole followed by once-monthly metronidazole and fluconazole) but rarely use it.
Carole W. Campbell, DNP, CNM
Gadsden, Alabama
“EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS”
ROBERT L. BARBIERI, MD (EDITORIAL; JULY 2017)
Appreciates treatment options for recurrent BV
I thank Dr. Barbieri for his editorial on effective treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV). I practice only outpatient gynecology, and recurrent BV is the most frustrating condition I have to deal with. Now I have 3 treatment options in my armamentarium for taking care of patients. I clipped the article pages from OBG
I have a related question: I see trichomonal vaginitis rarely, maybe 1 to 2 cases in a year. What do you think the reason is?
Vimal Goyle, MD
New York, New York
Beyond BV: Candidiasis and diabetes medications
Thank you for addressing the recurrent BV problem. After many years of throwing antibiotics at this problem I have been underwhelmed. Patients do not want to keep chasing their tails between BV and yeast. I have been suggesting that patients place plain yogurt containing Lactobacillus in a tampon applicator and apply it to the vagina weekly at night, after the original “overgrowth” has been treated, to return the “good bacteria” to the vagina. This avoids overuse of antibiotics (an impending epidemic of resistant organisms), boric acid (a dangerous pill to have around toddlers), and the expense that comes with multiple visits and multiple courses of antibiotics. I believe that in Canada a vaginal ovule with vitamin C and probiotics is available (something to ponder).
Another problem is recurrent yeast infections. We are seeing that many new diabetes medications are increasing the clearance of glucose and are causing severe and intractable Candida vulvovaginitis. In addition, I would like to know the best topical treatments and skin care for yeast in the folds of the panniculus in the morbidly obese. Unfortunately, these patients often have poor or no insurance and therefore cannot afford the cost of many effective remedies.
John Lewis, MD
Bedford, Massachusetts
Another treatment protocol for BV
For recurrent BV, I treat with standard metronidazole 500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days, then immediately start boric acid suppositories for 3 days in a row followed by 1 weekly for 6 weeks, and that usually takes care of it. However, a few caveats: I instruct patients to keep a supply of boric acid suppositories on hand, and if they start to experience symptoms again, to repeat the 3-day, then weekly-for-6 weeks regimen, so essentially they can manage a recurrence themselves.
For patients who come in thinking they have a recurrent yeast infection or BV, which was initially treated elsewhere, I culture for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. I often find that one of those organisms is responsible for the infection, requiring completely different treatment.
I also frequently check the vaginal pH, because patients like to see a visual on what I am talking about.
Rebecca Levy-Gantt, DO
Napa, California
Clindamycin appears superior for BV recurrence prevention
In my practice for the past number of years I have been treating BV with clindamycin vaginal cream instead of metronidazole. I have found that the number of women returning with recurrent BV has dropped dramatically. Furthermore, since switching medications, I cannot recall the last time someone required a maintenance dosing regimen. Although anecdotal, the difference between metronidazole and clindamycin treatment seems striking to me.
Daniel N. Sacks, MD
West Palm Beach, Florida
Uses BV regimens in stepwise fashion
To answer Dr. Barbieri’s instant poll question, my preference for treating BV is to start off with Regimen 1 (metronidazole treatment followed by twice weekly vaginal metronidazole for 6 months), as described in his editorial. If problem reports resolve but recur at a later date, then I use Regimen 2 (metronidazole treatment plus 21 days of boric acid vaginal capsules followed by twice weekly vaginal metronidazole for 6 months). I am aware of Regimen 3 (single-dose oral metronidazole plus fluconazole followed by once-monthly metronidazole and fluconazole) but rarely use it.
Carole W. Campbell, DNP, CNM
Gadsden, Alabama
- Gaydos CA, Beqaj S, Schwebke JR, et al. Clinical validation of a test for the diagnosis of vaginitis. Obstet Gynecol. 2017;130(1):181–189.
- Oduyebo OO, Anorlu RI, Ogunsola FL. The effects of antimicrobial therapy on bacterial vaginosis in non-pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(3):CD006055.
- Gaydos CA, Beqaj S, Schwebke JR, et al. Clinical validation of a test for the diagnosis of vaginitis. Obstet Gynecol. 2017;130(1):181–189.
- Oduyebo OO, Anorlu RI, Ogunsola FL. The effects of antimicrobial therapy on bacterial vaginosis in non-pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(3):CD006055.
