Florida National University Managing Bacterial Vaginosis Discussion

Managing Bacterial Vaginosis

1. When managing bacterial vaginitis (BV) in a 32-year-old woman seeking treatment, specific goals of treatment include using pharmacologic therapy and non-pharmacologic management to cure vaginal inflammation and prevent its recurrence in the future. In particular, the goal of the treatment is resolving symptoms of BV including vaginal discharge and odor (Bradshaw & Sobel, 2016).

2. When considering a drug therapy, I would prescribe one of the following options: (a) Metronidazole 500 mg tablets, or (b) Metronidazole gel 0.75%, or (c) Clindamycin cream 2%. I would prescribe the therapy (tablets, gel, or cream) based on a patient’s preference. I would choose one of the aforementioned therapies (for instance, Metronidazole 500 mg) since they are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as evidence-based pharmacologic therapies (Bagnall & Rizzolo, 2017).

3. Specific patient education necessary when the prescribed therapy is using Metronidazole 500 mg tablets includes explaining that (a) tablets should be taken with food and (b) alcohol consumption should be avoided during treatment and for twenty-four hours after completing the treatment to prevent such adverse reactions as abdominal discomfort, chest discomfort, throbbing headache, dizziness, flushing, vomiting, and nausea (Bagnall & Rizzolo, 2017).

4. Adverse reactions indicating that the change of therapy is necessary include lasting metallic taste in the mouth, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, headache, or dizziness (Bagnall & Rizzolo, 2017).

5. If the patient develops an allergic reaction to or experiences adverse effects associated with the use of Metronidazole tablets, intravaginal Clindamycin cream is preferred in case of intolerance or allergy to oral Metronidazole (Bagnall & Rizzolo, 2017).

6. The health care provider should recommend to the patient with BV such lifestyle changes as using shower instead of bath and using plain soap to wash genital area instead of shower gel, bubble bath, or perfumed soaps. Other recommendations include refraining from smoking, avoiding using strong detergents to wash underwear, avoiding using douches and vaginal deodorants, and using latex condoms with new sexual partners (Hay, 2017; Bagnall & Rizzolo, 2017).

References

Bagnall, P., & Rizzolo, D. (2017). Bacterial vaginosis: A practical review. Journal of the

American Academy of Physician Assistants, 30(12), 15-21.

doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000526770.60197.fa

Bradshaw, C.S., & Sobel, J.D. (2016). Current treatment of bacterial vaginosis — limitations and

need for innovation. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 214(S1), S14–S20. https://doi.o