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Learn About Cleocin
Understanding Bacterial Vaginosis
What Is Bacterial Vaginosis
What Causes Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial Vaginosis and WSW
Symptoms and Treatment
Is it Bacterial Vaginosis?
Important Safety Information
Glossary
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What causes bacterial vaginosis?
The vagina normally contains bacteria. Most of them are not harmful, but some are. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) results when there are more harmful bacteria in the vagina than there should be. Health care professionals (HCPs) don't know why this happens, but they do know that any woman can get BV.

Some things can upset the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina. These increase a woman's risk of getting BV.

Common ways women may get BV:

  • Having a new sex partner


  • Having more than one sex partner


  • Using a douche


  • Using an IUD (intrauterine device) for birth control


You cannot get BV from:

  • Toilet seats


  • Bedding


  • Swimming pools


  • Touching things around you


Sexual activity and BV

Women who are not sexually active are not likely to get BV. Even though sexual activity increases risk, researchers do not know if something that causes BV is actually transmitted sexually between a man and a woman.

It is known however, that BV may be transmitted from one woman to another through sexual contact.

Learn more about safe sex practices.

Next: Ways to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis
Pfizer Helpful Answers

Important Safety Information

CLEOCIN Vaginal Ovules are used to treat infections of the vagina caused by bacteria. They should only be used by women who are not pregnant. No studies have been done to see if they are safe to use in pregnant women.

Most women found the drug easy to take. The most common side effects were itching, discharge, and pain around and in the vagina. Some women got yeast infections.

CLEOCIN Vaginal Ovules are not for use in women who have an allergy to this kind of antibiotic. They should not be used for those who have had colitis or some other kinds of digestive problems.

Women who have loose stools or diarrhea after they take CLEOCIN Vaginal Ovules should contact their physician immediately.

Women who are taking CLEOCIN Vaginal Ovules should not have vaginal sex during treatment. They should not use vaginal products such as tampons or douche at this time. And they should not use latex or rubber birth control products such as condoms or vaginal contraceptive diaphragms for 3 days after treatment. CLEOCIN can weaken the latex and rubber.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

Please see full prescribing information for Cleocin.

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