Six Years Observation After Successful Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis

OBJECTIVE The cure rate after treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) differs in various investigations, but most studies report a cure rate of 70% after 1 month. METHODS A long-term observation study after successful treatment of BV has been undertaken. The original study was a treatment study of BV and included 50 patients. RESULTS We were able to identify 44 of the original 50 patients. The mean follow-up time was 6.9 years (range 4.7-9 years). During this time, 21 women (48%) had been free of BV while 23 women had had relapses. There was no difference in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, episodes of candida vaginitis, bleeding disturbances, family planning method, development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), or gynecological operations between women with and without relapses. The women with relapses had had a new sexual contact more often during the observation period than women without relapses. There was no difference in hydrogen peroxide production of the lactobacilli among women with or without relapses, and survival analysis shows that most relapses occur during the first year after treatment. CONCLUSIONS If patients are successfully treated, half of the patients will stay cured indicating that treatment is of benefit. Most relapses occur during the first year. Our results indicate that the etiology of BV might have something to do with new sexual contacts.