Women's health · €25 GP review
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) treatment online in Ireland
Thin grey discharge with a fishy odour, previously diagnosed with BV. Reviewed by an Irish-registered GP — no appointment needed. A prescription is issued only if clinically appropriate.
A question about bacterial vaginosis? Ask our team
All smart prescriptions
Last reviewed
If you have had BV diagnosed before and recognise the thin discharge and odour, an Irish-registered GP can review your symptoms online and prescribe a short course of treatment.
What it costs
€25 per request, refunded in full if the GP decides it is not safe to prescribe online.
How quickly
Reviewed the same working day for requests submitted before 5pm, Monday to Friday. Weekend requests are reviewed the next working day.
Who this is suitable for
- You are aged 18 or over and living in Ireland
- You have had BV diagnosed before
- Your symptoms are the same as last time
- Pelvic pain, fever, or bleeding between periods or after sex
- A coil fitted, a new or multiple sexual partners — a sexual health check is advised
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive — the GP will route you to a consultation
- Liver problems, a blood disorder or epilepsy
What your €25 covers
- Short clinical questionnaire you can finish on your phone
- Review by an Irish-registered, IMC-listed GP
- Prescription sent securely to the pharmacy you choose
- A written note in your patient record you can download any time
Important — please read before continuing. Bacterial vaginosis is treated with a short course of antibiotics (usually metronidazole tablets or gel, or clindamycin). Do not drink alcohol while taking metronidazole or for 48 hours after finishing it. Take the medicine with or after food and finish the full course even if you feel better. These antibiotics can make some hormonal contraception less reliable — use condoms during treatment and for 7 days afterwards — and you should use pads rather than tampons while treating. This service is for a repeat of a previously diagnosed, uncomplicated episode and costs €25.
What we'll ask you
21 short questions, most of them yes or no. Your answers go straight to the reviewing GP.
- Describe your discharge — colour, consistency and smell
- How long have the symptoms been present?
- How many episodes have you had in the last 12 months?
- Any pelvic pain, fever, or bleeding between periods or after sex?
- How have you been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis?
- Do you have any of the following symptoms?
- Have you ever had bacterial vaginosis before, and when?
- Have you used bacterial vaginosis medication in the past?
- Have you had any side effects from any of these medicines?
- Did your doctor take a vaginal swab to find the cause of the infection?
- Do any of the following apply to you: liver problems, a blood disorder, epilepsy, Cockayne syndrome, or currently taking warfarin, lithium, disulfiram or phenytoin?
- Do any of the following apply to you: an IUD (coil) fitted, a new or multiple sexual partners in the last 3 months, or a possible sexually transmitted infection?
- Do you currently have any signs of pelvic inflammatory disease — pain near the pelvis or lower abdomen, feeling unwell, deep pain during sex, or bleeding between periods or after sex?
- I understand that: I must not drink alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours after it stops; I should take the medicine with or after food and finish the full course even if symptoms improve; these medicines can make hormonal contraception less effective, so I will use condoms during treatment and for 7 days afterwards; and I will use pads rather than tampons while treating.
- I agree to see a doctor if: my symptoms worsen or do not improve after treatment; I am pregnant or suspect a sexually transmitted infection; or I notice signs of pelvic inflammatory disease such as pelvic or lower abdominal pain, feeling unwell, deep pain during sex, or bleeding between periods or after sex.
- Which medication would you prefer? (your GP decides what is suitable)
- Do you consent to your pharmacist contacting you about this prescription if needed?
- Are you pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive?
- Do you have any of: high fever, severe pain, breathlessness, confusion, or symptoms getting rapidly worse?
- List any drug allergies (or type 'none')
- Medicines you currently take (or type 'none')
When we'll say no
These answers stop the request and route you to a consultation instead.
- These features suggest something other than BV and need examination.
- Metronidazole/clindamycin interactions or contraindications — needs a prescriber review.
- STI risk or coil in situ — HSE/NICE advise testing and assessment before treating as simple BV.
- Possible pelvic inflammatory disease — needs examination, swabs and prompt treatment.
- Patient has not accepted the treatment safety instructions.
- Patient has not accepted the safety-netting advice.
- Prescribing in pregnancy or while breastfeeding needs a consultation.
- These symptoms need to be assessed by a doctor directly.
BV or thrush? How to tell the difference
- BV: thin, grey or white watery discharge with a fishy smell, often stronger after sex or during a period. Itching and soreness are usually mild or absent.
- Thrush: thick, white, cottage-cheese-like discharge with little or no smell, plus itching, soreness or stinging around the vagina.
- BV is caused by an imbalance of vaginal bacteria and is treated with antibiotics such as metronidazole or clindamycin. Thrush is a yeast infection treated with antifungals — antibiotics will not help it.
- If you are not sure which one you have, or this is your first episode, book a €39 GP consultation rather than a Smart prescription.
- Get seen in person the same day — by your GP, an out-of-hours GP service or an emergency department — if you have severe pain in your lower tummy or pelvis, a temperature over 38°C or feel generally unwell, or heavy or unexpected vaginal bleeding. These can be signs of a pelvic infection or another problem that needs an examination.
- If you are pregnant and have unusual discharge, contact your GP, midwife or maternity unit rather than using an online service.
- Call 112 or 999 if you have sudden severe tummy pain, faint or collapse.
- How it works: answer the questionnaire, an Irish-registered GP reviews it, and if suitable the prescription is sent securely to the Irish pharmacy you choose for collection.
Common questions
- Can I drink alcohol with BV treatment?
- Not with metronidazole. Avoid alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours afterwards.
- Should I have an STI test?
- If you have a new partner or more than one partner, a free STI check at a public clinic is a good idea.
- Can I get BV antibiotics online in Ireland?
- Yes, if BV has been diagnosed before and your symptoms are the same as last time. An Irish-registered GP reviews your answers and prescribes only when it is safe to treat without an examination.
- Does my partner need treatment for BV?
- BV is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection, and male partners do not usually need treatment. If BV keeps coming back, the GP may suggest a consultation to discuss it.
- What if BV keeps coming back?
- Repeated episodes need a proper review rather than another repeat prescription. Book a €39 consultation so the GP can talk through triggers and longer-term options.
- How much does an online BV prescription cost in Ireland?
- €25 for the GP review and prescription. Your pharmacy charges separately for the medicine. If the GP decides it is not safe to prescribe, the €25 is refunded in full.
- What happens if the GP cannot prescribe from my answers?
- You get a full refund of the €25, and the GP explains why. If a conversation would help, you can book a €39 video or phone consultation with an Irish-registered GP, usually the same day.
Related guides and treatments
Sources
- Vaginal thrushHSE (Health Service Executive) — HSE health A–Z
- STIs and sexual health clinics in IrelandHSE Sexual Wellbeing — HSE sexual health service
- Bacterial vaginosis — Clinical Knowledge SummaryNICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) — NICE CKS
- UK national guideline for the management of bacterial vaginosisBASHH (British Association for Sexual Health and HIV) — BASHH guideline
Start your bacterial vaginosis request
€25, reviewed by an Irish-registered GP. If it isn't clinically appropriate, the GP declines and you are refunded in full.