Why do bv keep coming back

According to research , saliva can transfer bacteria into the vagina that could lead to a bacterial overgrowth, creating an environment for BV to flourish. When vaginal pH is too high—that is, too basic or alkaline—it may encourage the growth of bacteria associated with BV.

One way to prevent your vaginal pH from becoming too alkaline is by using gels that contain lactic acid. Healthy lactobacilli bacteria plays a role in maintaining vaginal pH and preventing infections such as BV. A clinical trial found that taking oral Lactobacillus after antibiotic treatment for BV may prevent reinfection. Although more research is required, the results show promise. Lactobacilli can be found in several OTC probiotic supplements. It can also be found in probiotic food products, such as yogurt.

Although stress is unavoidable, too much of it can negatively affect your health in many ways, including the health of your vagina. In fact, a study points to a connection between high levels of the stress hormone cortisol and BV. There are a variety of healthy ways to manage stress and to prevent cortisol from affecting your vaginal pH — not to mention your overall health and well-being. Some effective stress management activities include:. Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection that most often affects sexually active people who have vaginas.

When it does cause symptoms, they can include a fishy-smelling discharge, and vaginal itching and irritation. Although antibiotics can help treat BV, it often comes back. You can lower your risk of recurring infections by addressing your vaginal hygiene and pH, and using condoms if you have sex with a person who has a penis. Using OTC gels and supplements and reducing your stress levels may also help keep recurring infections at bay.

Bacterial vaginosis BV and yeast infections are both common forms of vaginitis. While the symptoms are often the same or similar, the underlying…. Can men get or spread bacterial vaginosis? Bacterial vaginosis is an infection in the vagina. It is a common condition in pregnant women.

Learn about bacterial vaginosis symptoms, causes, and…. Bacterial vaginosis happens when there is an imbalance of bacteria normally in the vagina. In this article, a…. Some research has shown that regular bidet use could increase your exposure to certain pathogens.

Learn more. Designed by healthcare professionals and women who have suffered from intimate health conditions, including BV, vaginal irritation and dryness. When BV Comes Back. So what can you do to stop it coming back? Know Your BV It helps to understand what BV is to help prevent it coming back, so in a nutshell: Bacterial vaginosis or BV is caused when the environment inside your vagina is out of balance.

Try Our Symptom Checker Today Designed by healthcare professionals and women who have suffered from intimate health conditions, including BV, vaginal irritation and dryness.

And this party guest also happens to smell like fish , leave a trail of discharge, and cause your vagina to itch. Anthropomorphizing aside, BV is irritating to say the least, and even tougher to get rid of. Getting BV even once can be incredibly annoying. The infection leads to a brutal combination of vaginal symptoms: discharge that smells fishy , burning when you pee, and itching in and out of the vagina. Although BV is one of the most common bacterial infections out there, experts still don't know what causes it.

The best guess is that BV hits when more "unhealthy bacteria" grow inside the vagina than "healthy bacteria," according to MedlinePlus. Despite everything we don't know about BV, there are a few factors that can certainly mess with your vaginal pH and influence your risk of getting the infection again and again, and again.

For example, habits like douching or using vaginal deodorants tend to do more harm than good. Having unprotected sex can also trigger BV, although it's not a sexually transmitted infection.

And finally, some people have vaginas that are just extra susceptible to BV, and there's not a ton that you can do about it. As anyone who's had BV knows, treatment options are limited to prescription oral antibiotics or vaginal suppositories. But, when you're getting BV several times a year, it's wildly discouraging to have to take antibiotics frequently only to have your symptoms pop back up again. When patients come to Dr.

Gupta with recurrent BV, she'll typically run tests to ensure it's not something more serious such as trichomoniasis , and then prescribe a "suppressive treatment. In a study in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One , researchers noted that women who got frequent BV felt frustrated by the available treatments, so they often felt compelled to try their own home remedies and lifestyle modifications to get rid of it.