Metronidazole Gel for BV: How Often?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with alteration in normal vaginal flora and conditions such as endometritis, salpingitis, and complications of pregnancy. This manufacturer-sponsored, prospective, multicenter study randomized 514 women to receive 5 g of 0.75% metronidazole gel intravaginally once (252 women) or twice (262 women) daily, to compare the efficacy of these regimens for treating BV.

Women in both treatment groups had similar demographic characteristics and initial Gram stains of vaginal fluid, and most adhered to dosing schedules.Therapeutic success was defined as less than 20% clue cells and the absence of at least two of the three other standard criteria for BV (high pH, positive whiff, and grossly homogeneous discharge). …