Sometimes, though, it can signal non-period-related bleeding, like: It could also signify abnormal uterine bleeding, which can have a variety of causes. Use of such products within 72 hours after treatment with clindamycin ovules is not recommended. Drinking alcohol while you are on a course of metronidazole can make you feel dizzy or sick. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of unusual vaginal discharge, happening when the bacteria in your vagina grows out of whack. It may lead to pain with urination or intercourse. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. The main symptom is a vaginal discharge, often with a noticeable fishy smell. I was put on Metronizadole gel for 5 days, and thru out the entire course of the prescription I experienced the 'normal' cottage cheese looking discharge from the gel, however also accompanied by a pinkish brown hue to it. I finished the medication Monday night. Diagnosed with UTI, Yeast Infection, AND Bacterial Vaginosis But still Have Problem!!! Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? The gel also contains carbomer 974P, edetate disodium, methylparaben, propylparaben, propylene glycol, and sodium hydroxide. Limited data indicate that for women with multiple recurrences, an oral nitroimidazole (metronidazole or tinidazole 500 mg 2 times/day for 7 days), followed by intravaginal boric acid 600 mg daily for 21 days and suppressive 0.75% metronidazole gel twice weekly for 46 months, might be an option for women with recurrent BV (1029). But vaginal dischargecan be alarming, especially if you dont usually experience it. The color change may be the healing process as it resolves. See metronidazole interactions and what to do about them here. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Egton Medical Information Systems Limited. Unscrew the applicator from the tube, and replace the cap on to the tube. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Mid-cycle, some people know when theyre ovulating because they see a stringy, yolk-like discharge, which comes from the cervix, Dr. Goje says. While the cause of BV isn't fully clear, it's most common in sexually active females 15-44 years old. Metronidazole gel is a type of antibiotic that treats bacterial infections in your vagina. Thick, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge is typically a telltale sign of ayeast infection, which happens when theres an imbalance in the natural yeast in your vagina. Theyre equally safe and effective, but they differ a bit in how fast they work, how long they last, and how much they cost. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Stop worrying about that. Male circumcision reduces the risk for BV among women (978). If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Appointments & Access Contact Us What is this medication? Vaginal Gram stain, considered the reference standard laboratory method for diagnosing BV, is used to determine the relative concentration of lactobacilli (i.e., long gram-positive rods), small gram-negative and gram-variable rods (i.e., G. vaginalis or Bacteroides), and curved gram-negative rods (i.e., Mobiluncus) characteristic of BV. Vaginal discharge is fluid that comes from your vagina. Up to 70% of peoplewith this sexually transmitted infection dont notice symptoms. Dark Brown Discharge with cramping, on pill, period not due. Has anyone else experienced brown discharge when diagnosed with BV, and if so, what was your experience like? But it can also be part of normal, healthy bodily function. Finally, the FemExam Test Card (Cooper Surgical) measures vaginal pH, presence of trimethylamine (a metabolic by-product of G. vaginalis), and proline aminopeptidase (1005). My period is supposed to start this week (like today) and it's coming out in chunks (kind of like red pepper flakes). If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. A glass of water can be taken after administration to aid in swallowing. can my boyfriend give me a vaginosis bacterial infection? Not every vaginal discharge means something, says Ob/GynOluwatosin Goje, MD. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Gray vaginal discharge signifies that something isnt quite right. Evaluation of short-term valacyclovir suppression among women with HSV-2 did not decrease the risk for BV, despite effective suppression of HSV-2 (995). Before using metronidazole vaginal gel, read the instruction guide to better understand how to use it properly. Nuvessa vaginal gel is available in a higher strength (1.3%) and only needs to be used once at bedtime as a one-time dose. Do not take this medication with any of the following: This medication may also interact with the following: This list may not describe all possible interactions. It's been 4 days and I'm still experiencing some unusual discharge. However, in some cases, brown discharge can be old blood that's taking extra time to leave the uterus. Gently push on the plunger of the applicator to empty the gel into your vagina. Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2023. A patient savings card for metronidazole 1.3% vaginal gel is available at https://nuvessa.com/nuvessa_files/19_Nuvessa_WEB_Card_032819.pdf. Bacterial vaginosis - is cottage cheese like discharge normal, taking metronidazole? The infection may clear without treatment, or it can be treated with an antibacterial gel such as metronidazole. BV prevalence has been reported to increase among women with copper-containing IUDs (972,982). from the best health experts in the business. Possible hues include: Dr. Goje explains some of the possible colors of your vaginal discharge and what they may be trying to tell you about your health. How to deal:Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-countermedications like tioconazole (Monistat) or with a prescription pill or vaginal cream from your doctor. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with metronidazole vaginal gel. It is caused by an overgrowth of one type of bacteria in the vagina. The main symptom is a vaginal discharge, often with a noticeable fishy smell. Vaginal Itching Around The Time Of Your Period: Could Bacterial Vaginosis Be To Blame? Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. It should go away soon after completing a full course of treatment. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. BV can be diagnosed by using clinical criteria (i.e., Amsels diagnostic criteria) (999) or by determining the Nugent score from a vaginal Gram stain (1000). Is this normal or should I look for a doctor? We take your privacy seriously. Gently remove the applicator. Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question. BV is a vaginal dysbiosis resulting from replacement of normal hydrogen peroxide and lactic-acidproducing Lactobacillus species in the vagina with high concentrations of anaerobic bacteria, including G. vaginalis, Prevotella species, Mobiluncus species, A. vaginae, and other BV-associated bacteria. Grayish discharge may also be a sign of an STI, including some of the ones weve already discussed: How to deal: See your Ob/Gyn for STI testing and appropriate treatment (usually a pill or a regimen of pills to clear things up). By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. If you are having your period, ask your doctor when you should start the treatment. Side effects?. These tests are based on detection of specific bacterial nucleic acids and have high sensitivity and specificity for BV (i.e., G. vaginalis, A. vaginae, BVAB2, or Megasphaera type 1) (1006) and certain lactobacilli (i.e., Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus jensenii, and Lactobacillus gasseri). Viagra vs. Cialis vs. Other Popular ED Meds: Which One Is Best? A review regarding alcohol consumption during metronidazole treatment reported no in vitro studies, animal models, reports of adverse effects, or clinical studies providing convincing evidence of a disulfiram-like interaction between alcohol and metronidazole (1011). Learn more here. The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians. Culture of G. vaginalis is not recommended as a diagnostic tool because it is not specific. In a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, parallel-group study of Clindesse 2% vaginal cream single dose versus clindamycin 2% vaginal cream at bedtime for 7 days among 540 women with BV, no statistically significant difference existed between groups in clinical cure at days 2130 (64.3% versus 63.2%; p = 0.95) (1019); however, this study had methodologic problems. Itchy vagina with smelly bloody/yellow discharge? Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. Decode your discharge and what it means for your health. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your gel. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light. Unfortunately, I get my period in 3 days (I'm on birth control, and take the pill religiously, so it always comes on the same time of day every month), so I'm experiencing some mild to moderate cramping along with this dark brown discharge. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 May 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 17 Apr 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Apr 2023) and others. If you have concerns about the possible risk of cancer, speak with your provider. Vaginitis is defined as any condition with symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge, odor, irritation, itching, or burning. Data from human studies are limited regarding the use of tinidazole in pregnancy; however, animal data demonstrate that such therapy poses moderate risk. 7 Metronidazole Interactions You Should Know About, Metronidazole for Dogs: What to Expect With This Common Antibiotic, A Guide to the Best Treatments for H. Pylori: Antibiotics, PPI Medications, and More, Rosacea vs. Acne: Differences and Treatments Explained, 10 Medication Side Effects That Can Affect Your Mouth. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. Store the medication in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Hormonal contraception does not increase risk for BV (983) and might protect against BV development (983,984). Untreated gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, Dr. Goje warns, so its important to get tested.. Metronidazole is available as an oral pill or vaginal gel; the choice of pill or gel is based on the person's preferences. It may not cover all possible information. For details see our conditions. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Explore rosacea treatment options including creams, gels, and more to discover what can work for you. Secnidazole is listed as an alternative regimen, due to its higher cost and lack of long-term outcomes compared with recommended BV treatments. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. This content does not have an English version. Do not freeze. In addition, a clinical trial of L. crispatus CTV-05 (Lactin-V), administered vaginally in 4 consecutive daily doses for 4 days in week 1 followed by twice weekly doses for 10 weeks (after initial treatment with 5 days of 0.75% vaginal metronidazole gel), reported a substantially lower incidence of BV recurrence at 12 weeks in the Lactin-V arm, compared with placebo (1032); however this medication is not yet FDA cleared or commercially available.