What is recurring bacterial vaginosis (BV)?
Recurring BV simply means the infection comes back again after it’s been treated. This happens pretty often, with many women finding that BV symptoms return within three months.
But what actually is BV?
Well, BV is a common vaginal infection caused by a disturbance in the balance of bacteria in your vagina.
Under normal circumstances, your body maintains a healthy mix of millions of ‘friendly’ bacteria living in harmony – including in your vagina. BV occurs when this intricate balance gets disrupted, which can happen for several reasons (but more on that later!).
How do I know if I have BV?
BV affects everyone differently – in fact, you may even have it without noticing any symptoms or changes at all. This is estimated to be the case for half of women, which makes it hard to know exactly how many people it affects.
That said, you can often tell you have BV because of the changes it makes to your vaginal discharge. For example, you’re likely to have BV if your vaginal discharge has:
- A strong, fishy smell that’s particularly noticeable after sex
- Changed in consistency and colour, typically becoming thinner and either grey or white
Unlike other types of vaginal conditions, such as thrush, BV doesn’t normally cause any soreness or itching.
BV is also not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, leaving it untreated may increase the risk of contracting STIs like chlamydia and HIV.
Why do I keep getting BV?
BV is caused by a change in the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina. But what triggers that change still isn’t fully understood.
What we do know, however, is that certain factors may increase your risk of developing BV. These include:
- Using douches, deodorants and scented products in and around your vagina
- Adding fragranced soaps to your baths
- Smoking
- Having an IUD (intrauterine device), such as a copper coil
Why do I keep getting BV after sex?
While BV isn’t a form of STI, it is more common in sexually active people. You may have a higher risk of developing it if you:
- Have multiple sex partners
- Use scented soaps or perfumed bubble bath after having sex
- Recently changed your sexual partner
- Receive oral sex
- Douche (washing or cleaning out the vagina with water or other fluids)
- Use vaginal washes or deodorant
- Use strong detergents to wash your underwear
- Smoke
If you have BV, you may also particularly notice the fishy-smelling vaginal discharge after having sex.
Sexual health clinics can offer support if you’re concerned about BV symptoms. They can also help determine whether BV is responsible for your symptoms and provide a treatment plan to help prevent it from coming back.
When should I see a doctor?
While many women find that BV returns within a few months of their original treatment, if it keeps coming back, speak with your doctor.
BV can normally be treated using a course of antibiotics, but if you experience it more than four times a year, you will likely need alternative treatment (such as an antibiotic gel) to help prevent it from recurring.
You can also help treat the symptoms of BV by using over-the-counter support. Canesbalance® Bacterial Vaginosis Vaginal Gel, for instance, is a seven-day course of treatment that’s clinically proven to treat the symptoms of BV by restoring pH balance. Available in either a gel applicator or gel pessary format, this starts working immediately to:
- Relieve unpleasant intimate odour
- Helps relieve unusual white or grey vaginal discharge
- Help stop the growth of bad bacteria
- Encourage the growth of good bacteria
However, you should contact your doctor if:
- Your symptoms worsen
- You experience pain
- The discomfort doesn’t go away
- Your discharge is blood-stained
- You experience discharge during the menopause
- You are pregnant
- You find no relief from your symptoms after using treatments (like Canesbalance®) as instructed
You should speak to your doctor to confirm your BV diagnosis and discuss treatment options, as BV can affect everybody differently.
How to prevent recurring BV infections
While it may be common for BV to return within a few months, there are several things you can do to help prevent it.
One of the most effective ways is to look after your intimate health. The following ideas may be helpful:
- Using water and plain soap to wash your genital area
- Avoiding washing your genital area too often – once a day is enough
- Taking showers instead of baths
- Avoiding perfumed soaps, bubble bath, shampoo or shower gel in the bath
- Not using vaginal deodorants, perfumed washes or douches
- Steering clear of strong detergents when washing your underwear
- Using condoms and/or water-based lubricants during sex
- Avoiding sex toys that go inside your vagina
There are also certain lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce your risk.
For instance, having multiple sexual partners or being a smoker may increase your risk.
Over-the-counter support
The symptoms of BV can be easy to confuse with other vaginal infections, such as thrush. Canestest® Self-Test for Vaginal Infections is designed to help with exactly that – helping you take back control of your intimate health by allowing you to test before you seek treatment.
If the results indicate that you might have BV, it’s important to visit your local sexual health clinic or arrange an appointment with your doctor for tailored medical advice.
BV is a very common condition. However, for many, it’s not just a one-time experience, and you may find that it returns within a few months of your original treatment.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help prevent it – from stopping smoking to learning how to care for your intimate health more effectively.
