What if antibiotic treatment for pelvic infection does not relieve vaginal discharge?

Discharge may take time to settle while inflamed tissues recover, but ongoing or changing discharge can also mean the infection needs reassessment. The original diagnosis may not explain every symptom, or another vaginal infection may be present alongside the pelvic infection. The colour, smell, thickness, amount and timing of the discharge give a clinician useful clues. Bleeding between periods, pain during sex, urinary discomfort or lower abdominal pain should be mentioned too.

Contact the clinician who prescribed the antibiotics or a gynaecology service. Explain when treatment started, whether every dose was taken, when the discharge changed, and whether any pain or fever remains. Do not repeat, extend or share antibiotics without advice. Avoid vaginal douching and scented products, which can irritate tissue and make symptoms harder to assess. A review may include an examination and swabs, with treatment adjusted to the confirmed cause.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or worsening lower abdominal pain, fever or chills, vomiting, faintness, marked weakness, heavy bleeding, or feeling acutely unwell. Arrange prompt assessment if you are pregnant or could be pregnant, or if discharge is accompanied by new pelvic pain. These features can signal an infection that needs timely treatment rather than waiting for symptoms to settle.

Ask whether the discharge pattern suggests that the pelvic infection has responded, whether testing is needed for another cause, and when improvement should be expected. You can also ask whether sexual partners need assessment, whether sex should be avoided during treatment, and which symptoms should prompt an earlier review.