Can bacterial vaginitis heal itself without medication?

Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on February 15, 2025
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Bacterial vaginosis may heal without medication in some women.

This is because bacterial vaginosis is a mixed infection caused by the imbalance of the normal vaginal flora. It is generally considered an endogenous infection. When a woman's immune system is strengthened, the vaginal flora can return to its normal environment, maintaining the balance and potentially healing without medication.

However, treatment is generally necessary if bacterial vaginosis presents with clear symptoms, such as a significant increase in vaginal discharge, accompanied by itching or a burning sensation in the vulva.

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Written by Huang Shuai
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can you have children with bacterial vaginitis?

When there is a clear case of bacterial vaginosis, it is generally recommended to cure it before planning to conceive a child. This is mainly because, if one becomes pregnant while having bacterial vaginosis, it may increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. This is primarily due to the fact that bacterial vaginosis can lead to an increase in inflammatory substances in the vagina or cervix. The increase in inflammatory cells can easily stimulate contractions, thus leading to the risks of miscarriage, premature birth, and an increased risk of premature rupture of membranes. Therefore, it is generally advised to first cure the vaginitis before planning a pregnancy.

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Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
40sec home-news-image

Can bacterial vaginitis heal itself without medication?

Bacterial vaginosis may heal without medication in some women. This is because bacterial vaginosis is a mixed infection caused by the imbalance of the normal vaginal flora. It is generally considered an endogenous infection. When a woman's immune system is strengthened, the vaginal flora can return to its normal environment, maintaining the balance and potentially healing without medication. However, treatment is generally necessary if bacterial vaginosis presents with clear symptoms, such as a significant increase in vaginal discharge, accompanied by itching or a burning sensation in the vulva.

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Written by Luo Chun Yan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Has bacterial vaginitis that doesn't smell gone away?

Bacterial vaginosis often does not have an abnormal smell when it is likely improving. Bacterial vaginosis occurs due to a change in the pH level of the vagina, which disrupts the microecological balance, leading to mixed infections. These infections can result in an increase in vaginal discharge and itching in the vulva, although these symptoms are often not very obvious. However, a fishy odor of the discharge is a typical characteristic of this condition. After treatment for bacterial vaginosis, the disappearance of the unpleasant fishy smell indicates a significant improvement in symptoms. The primary treatment for bacterial vaginosis involves local medication in the vagina or oral medication, mainly using metronidazole. It is crucial to treat bacterial vaginosis promptly to prevent complications such as endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease, which can affect women's reproductive and overall health.

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Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Is bacterial vaginitis sexually transmitted?

Bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted. The occurrence of bacterial vaginosis is mainly due to changes in the vaginal environment, which leads to an imbalance of bacteria normally present in the vagina. Some bacteria become dominant, leading to the development of bacterial vaginosis. Most cases of bacterial vaginosis are due to low immunity in women, reduced body resistance, or long-term use of vaginal medications which disturb the vaginal environment, resulting in bacterial vaginosis. It is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease. For bacterial vaginosis, if there are obvious symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge or external genital itching, treatment with metronidazole or clindamycin can significantly relieve discomfort. In addition to medication, attention should be paid to the hygiene of the external genitalia and improving one’s immunity, as many cases of bacterial vaginosis can heal on their own. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)

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Written by Huang Shuai
Obstetrics and Gynecology
40sec home-news-image

How long does it take to recover from bacterial vaginitis?

When bacterial vaginosis occurs, we use different medications to treat it, and the duration of treatment varies. However, most current treatment plans typically span a seven-day course. Generally, after one course of treatment, most cases of bacterial vaginosis can return to normal. However, there are some more persistent cases of bacterial vaginosis. It's possible that the initial treatment plan chosen may be ineffective, and it might be necessary to change treatment plans to address the condition. Therefore, overall, for most cases of bacterial vaginosis, a typical treatment course of seven days usually leads to recovery.