Get evaluated online for bacterial vaginosis symptoms or request BV partner treatment as an eligible adult male partner, without a video visit. Bidwell Health offers $45 BV treatment visits with no insurance billing. A U.S.-licensed clinician reviews your symptoms, medication history, allergies, pregnancy status, and safety factors, then sends BV treatment to your chosen pharmacy when clinically appropriate. Pharmacy pickup timing varies.
Looking for male partner treatment? See eligibility and start your own visit.
Bidwell Health quick facts: Founded by Bidwell Cranage, APRN, FNP-C, featured in Forbes, and rated 5.0 on Google, Bidwell Health is a cash-pay telehealth practice offering $45 online visits for eligible adults ages 18 and older in 11 states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. No insurance or subscription is required. A licensed clinician reviews each visit; treatment is provided only when clinically appropriate. Bidwell is not for emergencies.
We evaluate eligible non-pregnant adults with vaginal BV symptoms, such as fishy odor or thin gray-white discharge. We also offer a separate partner-treatment pathway for eligible ongoing adult male partners of someone with clinician-diagnosed BV. Each patient completes their own safety screening and clinician review.
Online BV treatment may not be appropriate with pregnancy, pelvic pain, fever, unusual bleeding, STI exposure, severe symptoms, recurrent treatment failure, or symptoms that do not fit bacterial vaginosis.
Yes. Bidwell Health treats eligible adult male partners of an ongoing sexual partner with clinician-diagnosed bacterial vaginosis. Each male partner completes his own $45 online visit and safety screening; a licensed clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. No video visit is required, and medication is paid separately at the chosen pharmacy.
Service information updated October 6, 2026. Available to adults 18 and older physically in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia or Washington.
BV-associated bacteria can be shared between ongoing sexual partners even when a male partner has no symptoms. Concurrent treatment can help reduce recurrence. ACOG's 2025 update supports partner therapy for recurrent symptomatic BV, and NYSDOH's 2026 guidance explains the combined oral and topical regimen. A first or uncertain episode requires an individual discussion. Partner treatment does not replace the diagnosed partner's own care.
When appropriate, the male partner regimen is metronidazole 500 mg by mouth twice daily for 7 days plus clindamycin 2% cream applied externally to the penile head and shaft twice daily for 7 days. External use of this cream is off-label. The clinician provides individualized instructions; do not substitute vaginal metronidazole gel or clindamycin 1% acne products.
Yes. Male partners may carry BV-associated bacteria without symptoms. Treatment aims to reduce recurrence in an ongoing partner with clinician-diagnosed BV; it is not a diagnosis of vaginal BV in the male patient. New urinary or genital symptoms, sores, discharge, testicular pain or STI concerns require in-person evaluation instead of routine online partner treatment.
Start the BV intake, select Male, and confirm that your ongoing partner has been diagnosed with BV by a clinician and that you are requesting treatment for yourself. Complete the medication, allergy and health screening. A disqualifying answer stops this online pathway before payment and explains the next step. A prescription is not guaranteed. Each person needs their own assessment; do not share a prescription.
Coordinate timing with your partner and avoid sexual contact until both have completed treatment. Avoid alcohol and products taken by mouth that contain propylene glycol during metronidazole and for at least 72 hours after the last dose. Clindamycin cream can weaken latex barriers; follow the clinician's product-specific precautions. Sudden or severe testicular pain requires emergency evaluation.
Bacterial vaginosis (ICD-10 N76.0) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in reproductive-age women. It's a disruption of the normal vaginal microbiome — a shift from lactobacillus-dominant flora to a mixed community of anaerobic bacteria including Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella, and others. According to the CDC, roughly 1 in 3 women aged 14–49 have BV at any given time.
BV is a change in the vaginal bacterial community. It is associated with new or multiple partners, lack of condom use and douching; it can recur even after appropriate treatment. An online visit reviews symptoms and history but does not perform an examination or laboratory test. CDC diagnostic methods include Amsel criteria with examination/testing, Gram stain and appropriate molecular tests. A clinician decides whether treatment is reasonable or testing is needed.
Eligible non-pregnant adults may request an online assessment for vaginal BV symptoms, including thin discharge and fishy odor. Recurrent BV receives individual clinician review based on symptoms, previous treatment and testing. Pregnancy, fever, pelvic pain, concerning bleeding or STI concerns need an appropriate in-person care route. Typical symptoms include:
For the vaginal-symptom pathway, eligibility includes:
CDC recommended regimens for symptomatic BV include oral metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days, vaginal metronidazole gel 0.75% once daily for 5 days, or clindamycin 2% vaginal cream at bedtime for 7 days. Oral and vaginal treatment cannot be assumed to have identical effectiveness or recurrence risk. Options include:
Alternative regimens include tinidazole 2g orally once daily for 2 days, or oral clindamycin 300mg twice daily for 7 days. The choice depends on pregnancy status, allergies, side-effect profile, and preference for oral vs. topical. Your clinician will review these with you in the intake.
Vaginal discharge and irritation have several possible causes beyond BV, and each responds to different treatment. Yeast infection, trichomoniasis (an STI), UTI, and atrophic vaginitis can all mimic BV symptoms but require different first-line medications. The distinguishing features are discharge character, odor, itching, and the timing relative to sex or menses. Here's how they typically differ:
| Condition | Telltale feature | Primary treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Bacterial vaginosis | Thin grayish discharge, fishy odor, minimal itching | Metronidazole or clindamycin |
| Yeast infection | Thick white cottage-cheese discharge, intense itching, no strong odor | Oral fluconazole or topical azole |
| Trichomoniasis | Yellow-green frothy discharge, strong odor, often itching + dyspareunia | Metronidazole or tinidazole, partner treatment |
| Atrophic vaginitis | Dryness, burning, postmenopausal, minimal discharge | Local estrogen — in-person |
| STI (chlamydia, gonorrhea) | Variable discharge, possible bleeding, recent new partner | Requires testing; treated per CDC STI guidelines |
Symptoms can overlap. Your clinician reviews the information you provide and decides whether online treatment is appropriate or an examination or testing is needed. If we cannot treat you through this visit, your visit fee is refunded.
Recommended regimens include oral metronidazole, vaginal metronidazole gel or vaginal clindamycin cream. Oral clindamycin and secnidazole are among the alternatives. Your clinician selects treatment based on the individual situation. See CDC recommended and alternative regimens.
| Medication | Typical dose | Duration | Key notes | Cash price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metronidazole (oral) | 500 mg twice daily | 7 days | Avoid alcohol during and 72 hours after; metallic taste common | $4–15 |
| Metronidazole (vaginal gel 0.75%) | One applicator nightly | 5 days | Fewer systemic side effects than oral | $30–60 |
| Clindamycin (oral) | 300 mg twice daily | 7 days | Alternative if metronidazole is not tolerated | Paid separately at pharmacy |
| Clindamycin (vaginal 2% cream) | One applicator nightly | 7 days | Weakens latex condoms/diaphragms during use and 5 days after | $40–70 |
| Secnidazole (Solosec) | 2 g oral, single dose | 1 dose | Single-dose convenience, higher out-of-pocket cost | Paid separately at pharmacy |
| Factor | Bidwell Health | Urgent care |
|---|---|---|
| Visit cost | $45 online visit; medication paid separately at pharmacy | Often higher cash price without insurance |
| Wait time | Online clinician review | 1–3 hours in the waiting room |
| Pelvic exam? | No examination is performed online; testing may be recommended | Often required |
| Insurance required | No | Usually, or high cash price |
| Prescription delivery | Electronic to your pharmacy | Paper or e-prescription |
| Follow-up | Secure messaging inside the portal | Schedule a new visit |
For symptomatic BV in eligible non-pregnant adults, a clinician may choose oral or vaginal treatment after reviewing symptoms, previous treatment, allergies and other safety factors. Recurrent BV receives individual clinician review; an acute episode may be assessed online, but persistent symptoms or repeated treatment failure may need testing and ongoing care. Long-term suppression is outside this routine visit. Eligible ongoing male partners can request their own separate assessment.
Bidwell Health's clinicians hold active clinical licensure in 11 states — Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Clinician credentials are independently verifiable through state license lookup systems. Select your state:
An online assessment may be appropriate for eligible non-pregnant adults with suspected BV, including individually reviewed recurrent episodes. Symptoms alone do not confirm the diagnosis. Pregnancy, fever, pelvic pain, concerning bleeding or possible STI symptoms need an appropriate in-person assessment. Please seek evaluation if:
Yes. Eligible non-pregnant adults may request assessment of suspected vaginal BV. Recurrent BV is considered individually. Symptoms and history guide the review, but online care does not perform an examination or confirm BV with laboratory testing. Pregnancy, pelvic pain, fever, concerning bleeding or STI concerns need another care route.
Yes. Eligible patients with vaginal BV symptoms and eligible ongoing male partners can use an online intake and licensed clinician review without a scheduled video visit. Each pathway has its own safety screening.
A licensed clinician reviews each intake 7 days a week, including weekends. When treatment is appropriate, your prescription is e-prescribed to your chosen pharmacy. Pharmacy pickup timing varies.
Looking for male partner treatment? See eligibility and start your own visit.
The online visit is $45. Medication is paid separately at your pharmacy and varies by medication, quantity, pharmacy, insurance, and discount-card pricing. No insurance billing and no required subscription.
No. Bidwell Health is cash-pay only, with a $45 online visit, no insurance billing, no required subscription, and no scheduled video visit required. The intake is reviewed online by a licensed clinician.
Every intake is reviewed by a licensed clinician credentialed in the state where care is requested. Clinician credentials are public and independently verifiable.
Pregnancy, fever, pelvic pain, concerning bleeding, possible STI symptoms and symptoms after a gynecologic procedure need an appropriate in-person assessment. Recurrent BV is reviewed individually; persistent symptoms or repeated treatment failure may need testing and ongoing care. Itching or discharge alone does not establish BV or yeast.
BV usually causes thin gray-white discharge and a fishy odor, often with less itching. Yeast infections usually cause intense vulvar itching, irritation, and thicker white discharge. The treatments are different, so the intake asks questions to separate the two.
Your clinician reviews the information you provide and decides whether online treatment is appropriate or testing is needed. Tell the clinician about symptoms, pregnancy, previous infections and other relevant history. If we cannot treat you through the visit, your visit fee is refunded.
No. Bidwell Health is cash-pay only. The $45 online visit covers clinical review and, if appropriate, the prescription decision. Because we don't bill insurance, your visit doesn't appear on your explanation of benefits or family insurance claims — which many patients prefer for privacy reasons.
Metronidazole may be prescribed online for eligible adults with symptoms consistent with BV after licensed clinician review.
Bidwell Health uses an online intake and licensed clinician review, with no scheduled video visit required for supported BV visits.
BV can sometimes be treated online when symptoms fit uncomplicated BV and no red flags are present.
Yes. We evaluate eligible non-pregnant adults with vaginal BV symptoms and eligible ongoing male partners of someone with clinician-diagnosed BV. Each pathway has its own safety screening and requires licensed clinician review.
For symptomatic vaginal BV, options include oral metronidazole, vaginal metronidazole gel or clindamycin cream. The male partner pathway uses a different combination: oral metronidazole plus externally applied clindamycin 2% cream, when clinically appropriate.
Odor and discharge often begin improving within a few days. Take the prescribed course as directed. BV can recur despite correct treatment; seek reassessment if symptoms persist, worsen or return.
BV is a vaginal bacterial imbalance, not a conventional STI such as chlamydia. BV-associated bacteria can be shared between ongoing sexual partners. Updated guidance supports considering concurrent male partner treatment to help reduce recurrence, especially with recurrent symptomatic BV. Bidwell Health offers this treatment pathway to eligible adult male partners after their own clinician review.
Follow your medication label and clinician’s instructions. Oral metronidazole labeling advises avoiding alcohol and products containing propylene glycol during treatment and for at least three days afterward; CDC notes uncertainty about the proposed interaction.
Abstinence during treatment is ideal. If you have sex, use condoms — but clindamycin cream weakens latex for up to 5 days after the last dose, so use non-latex condoms during that window.
A history of BV recurrence does not by itself determine whether an acute episode can be assessed online. Your clinician considers previous treatment, testing, symptoms and safety factors. Persistent symptoms, repeated treatment failure or a need for suppression require testing and ongoing care. Bidwell does not provide long-term BV suppression through this visit.
BV often causes thin discharge and fishy odor; yeast often causes prominent itching or soreness, sometimes with thick white discharge. Symptoms overlap, so your clinician may recommend testing before choosing treatment.
No — Bidwell is cash-pay only. The $45 online visit covers clinician review. Metronidazole and clindamycin are generic medications, but pharmacy cost varies by drug, pharmacy, insurance, and discount-card pricing.
BV can return even after treatment is taken correctly. Several factors may contribute, including persistent bacterial communities, changes in the vaginal microbiome and exchange of BV-associated bacteria between partners. Take the prescribed course as directed, and seek reassessment if symptoms persist or return. Recurrence is not proof that you did something wrong.
Follow your medication label and clinician’s advice about alcohol. Oral metronidazole labeling advises avoiding alcohol and products containing propylene glycol during treatment and for at least three days afterward. CDC notes uncertainty about the proposed alcohol interaction. Our precaution follows the product label; do not stop prescribed treatment or assume a concerning reaction is harmless.
BV ≠ STI but correlates with new partners. BV is not a conventional STI, but BV-associated bacteria can be shared between ongoing sexual partners and contribute to recurrence. Eligible ongoing male partners can be evaluated for concurrent treatment. For patients with BV plus recent new-partner exposure or any atypical discharge (yellow-green or frothy — trichomoniasis signs), we add STI workup to the referral list rather than treating empirically.