Local treatment for bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis (non-specific vaginitis) is a mild but common condition. O'Dowd et al reported that organisms associated with vaginosis could be isolated from 37% of women who presented with vaginal symptoms. The current treatment of choice is an oral nitroimidazole (metronidazole or tinidazole), given either as a single large dose or as a twice daily regimen for five to seven days. A problem with any treatment for vaginosis is the high rate of recurrence.2 This study compares the efficacy ofmetronidazole given as a single oral 2 g dose with that of local treatment in the form of chlorhexidine pessaries in curing vaginosis and preventing recurrence.