Women's health
Bacterial vaginosis
Thin grey discharge with a fishy odour, previously diagnosed with BV. Reviewed by an Irish-registered GP for €25, usually the same day.
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.
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.