Inclusion Criteria:

Women will be included whether their complaint is symptoms of BV and have a positive whiff test/vaginal swab or if they have a positive whiff test/vaginal swab and are then asked if they have any symptoms of BV present. The following criteria must be met for enrolment in the study:

1. ages 16-50 and premenopausal;
2. capable of giving written informed consent;
3. English speaking;
4. negative pregnancy test on enrolment day;
5. agree to follow study protocol;
6. documented BV infection by positive vaginal swab +/- positive whiff test/pH > 4.5;
7. agree to no intercourse for the 10 days of treatment (or to use non-lubricated condoms if unavoidable);
8. agree not to douche or use any intravaginal products during treatment (including tampons, medications, devices);
9. abstain from alcohol during the 10 days of treatment (from 24 hours before through 72 hours after taking study medication);
10. agree to no new medications or antibiotics during treatment;
11. no current sexually transmitted infection as determined by history, physical exam and negative swabs for chlamydia, gonorrhea, candidiasis, trichomonas;
12. patient is reliable for follow up.

Exclusion Criteria:

The following women would be excluded from study participation:

1. less than 16 or post-menopausal;
2. negative vaginal swab regardless of whiff test/pH > 4.5;
3. menstruating at diagnosis;
4. symptoms so severe as to make allocation to placebo unacceptable to the patient;
5. currently pregnant or at high risk for pregnancy;
6. current sexually transmitted infection (HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, HPV or HSV);
7. current yeast infection as determined by history, physical and swabs;
8. history of PID;
9. allergy to latex or metronidazole;
10. presently lactating;
11. any open wound, excoriation, vaginal irritation and including bartholin's cyst/abscess as determined by physical exam;
12. presence of another vulvar, vaginal or medical condition, including cervical neoplasia treatment, that might confound treatment response;
13. using lithium, anti-coagulants or disulfiram drugs;
14. any antifungal or antibiotic use 14 days prior to enrolment
15. PAP smear done within one week of enrollment.