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Warning-sign checks

Bacterial vaginosis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care for severe pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, trouble breathing, or other signs of a medical emergency.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical assessment for fever, worsening pelvic or lower abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or new symptoms after a gynecologic procedure.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    A routine follow-up test is usually not needed if symptoms completely resolve.

    Return to a healthcare professional if odor, discharge, or irritation continues after treatment or comes back later.

    Arrange routine follow-up when:

    • Symptoms are new, mild, or recurring
    • Treatment has ended but odor or discharge remains
    • You are unsure whether symptoms are BV, yeast, or an STI
    • A sexual partner has been diagnosed with an STI
    • You are pregnant and notice vaginal symptoms

The article also says

Recurrent BV may be treated again with the same medicine or a different recommended regimen.

For people with multiple recurrences, clinicians may discuss a longer suppressive plan.

This requires individualized medical supervision and should not be attempted with leftover antibiotics.

Avoid using someone else's medicine or saving part of a prescription for later.

Incomplete or incorrect treatment can make it harder to identify the true cause of future symptoms.

Ways to support ongoing vaginal health include avoiding douching, not placing scented products inside the vagina, and using condoms correctly if desired for STI risk reduction.

There is no need to scrub or repeatedly wash the vagina.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Bacterial vaginosis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.