Bacterial vaginosis is a prevalent vaginal infection that affects women of all ages. Presenting symptoms include a vaginal discharge that is thin and white and has a fishy odor. This infection is associated with the acquisition of other sexually transmitted infections as well as premature labor and preterm birth. Recurrence rates after treatment are high, and medication adverse effects are common, leading many women to seek alternative therapies to manage and prevent recurrence. Many of these treatments are searchable online, and ingredients are easily obtainable. The purpose of this article is to review the state of the science regarding the safety and efficacy of alternative therapies for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in nonpregnant women.

Background Preventing new cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is key to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America initiative. In 2012, Truvada became the first medication approved in the United States to prevent HIV infection, yet it has not seen widespread use. Aim This study aimed to allow for the incorporation of an HIV risk assessment into the primary care provider (PCP) visit and promote increased numbers of patients screened for pre‐exposure prophylaxis of HIV (PrEP). Methods An educational program and an electronic HIV risk assessment tool were provided to the healthcare providers in an urban federally qualified health center to decrease barriers to providing PrEP. Results Provider likelihood to prescribe PrEP increased among the internal medicine/family medicine (p = .0001, p = .0001) and obstetrics/gynecology providers (p = .0034, p = .0034), but there was no significant change among the pediatric providers (p = .4227, p = .1965). Linking Evidence to Action Improvement among most providers demonstrated the success of this effort. Additional assessments and interventions are warranted among pediatric providers. Continued efforts are needed to progress to the incorporation of PrEP in the PCP visit.