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What EXACTLY is Metronidazole supposed to do? (Chronic BV)

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ash64878
ash64878

Hi all. I have been suffering from chronic BV for over 3 years. I initially self-diagnosed myself (did not have insurance at the time and have never been a huge fan of doctors or antibiotics) and tried EVERY remedy I've read about online to no avail. It has gotten to the point where I am deeply depressed, constantly paranoid and embarrassed, and just emotionally and mentally exhausted.

So, as of 5 days ago, I threw in the towel and headed to my gynecologist for the first time. She knew right away that it was BV and, of course, suggested an antibiotic. As much as I did not want to, I agreed to the treatment and opted for the Metronidazole Gel (.75%) inserted vaginally for 5 nights. Tonight will be my last night of treatment.

During the first 2 days of treatment, I was elated. No odor whatsoever, no discharge (literally none, which sort of made me nervous, as I had assumed the gel would eventually have to make its way out, and of course I know that some discharge is healthy and normal), and none of the scary bodily side effects I read about online, such as headaches, numbness, nausea, etc. However, after the third day, I started to notice the thick, clumpy discharge sporadically throughout the day and this has continued through today (day 5). Of course I have read about other people's experiences with this medication and nearly all of them experienced this type of discharge, but why? This is not a listed side effect and my doctor gave me absolutely no information on what to expect, so I guess my question is how EXACTLY are our bodies meant to react to this treatment? What exactly is this medication doing? Is this discharge an indication that the treatment is working? Or is this the onset of the inevitable yeast infection that one gets from taking antibiotics? Is it possible to get a yeast infection DURING this treatment, or does it typically come AFTER you stop treatment?

I'm very disappointed with my doctor, as she was very short with me and gave me no information as to how or why this is happening to me, how to prevent it in the future, or what this medication does or what to expect. I just want a direct, scientific answer as to what exactly is SUPPOSED to happen when using this method of treatment so that I know where to go from here. Should I start treating this as a yeast infection or is this an indication that the medication is doing its job?

You would think after all of the time I have spent doing research I would have found a clear answer, but so far from what I have found, this only seems "normal" because it happens to most people, which isn't good enough for me. I want to know, in scientific detail, what exactly I should be experiencing during this treatment, not what side effects most or some people experience.

I'm sorry that I'm not very good at being brief, as I'm sure you can see, but I am just so frustrated and confused. Any information is welcome, but again, I would prefer actual scientific explanations as to exactly what the medication is doing and what I SHOULD (not could) be experiencing as a result. Thank you so much in advance.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • maggie0327
    maggie0327 ash64878

    Posted

    TO Ash,

    To my understanding, a fellow sufferer of yeast infections/BV for about 2 years, the metro gel is causing the cells in the vaginal wall to coagulate and fall out, hence the white clumpy discharge. Im not sure if this is the correct mechanism, maybe someone else can explain. This is probably not the yeast infection yet. All the best! 

  • loo52033
    loo52033 ash64878

    Posted

    I did not have those ayptoms but what the medicine does is kills the bad bacteria inside the tubes way up the vagina where they breed and cause infections such as BV yeast infections

    They are used for mostley treating bacteria in the sexual organs but can also be used to core dental problems like ulcars and abscesses they drain the problem, so the discharge you are having may well be the infection as its not able to cling anymore once killed

  • loo52033
    loo52033 ash64878

    Posted

    Just to add mine was metronidazole in tablet form taken orally few times a day, as the gel dos not keep it at bay or fully cut my bv/yeast

    The tablets however have and im clear still 4 months on

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