Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment Guidelines

Female Treatment Recommendations

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that women receive standard first-line treatment: metronidazole 500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days 1, 2
• Alternative treatment for women is clindamycin 2% vaginal cream if metronidazole is contraindicated 1

Patient Instructions

• Both partners must avoid all alcohol during metronidazole treatment and for 24 hours after completion to prevent disulfiram-like reactions 1, 2

Follow-Up Considerations

• No routine follow-up is needed for asymptomatic male partners 1, 2
• Women should return if symptoms persist or recur after treatment 1
• For pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis, follow-up evaluation one month after treatment completion is recommended to verify cure 2