Hi, @kittymama. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds like it might be challenging to have bacterial vaginosis keep coming back.

A member I'd like to invite to this discussion who've mentioned bacterial vaginosis and may have experience with recurrence is @usafretired15. @spudsmacm @baxtersmom @peabody88 @contentandwell @becsbuddy may also have some thoughts for you.

While awaiting these members in this conversation, @kittymama, I thought you might be interested in reading this Mayo Clinic information on this condition: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279.

Has your doctor weighed in on this condition recurring? If so, why does he or she feel this is happening?

Hello, @kittymama – how are things going with the bacterial vaginosis? Has it returned again?

It sure has 🙁

Oh, that is unfortunate the bacterial vaginosis has come back. What did your doctor suggest for treating it?

I also thought that perhaps @brightwings @hopeful33250 @lioness may have some thoughts for you with this bacterial vaginosis that keeps recurring.

She has given me antibiotics, I have bought over the counter products for it which work for about a week or two, but it always comes back

@kittymama Hi Thanks @lisalucier for inviting me to respond Listen to your gynacologist hear is a website you can look at http://www.healthline.com While your on treatment you don't want to do anything else Yogurt can be used as a vaginal treatment and you should take it by mouth everyday also Insertions of antibiotics Maybe you didn't take them long enough Keep talking with your gynacologist Probiotics are important to take .I'm sorry I don't have anything else maybe @hopeful33250 has some more information

Hello @kittymama
I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with this recurring problem. It really can get discouraging to go over the same territory over and over again, can't it? While I've never had this type of infection myself I do know that elevated blood sugar numbers can make you more susceptible to recurring infections.

Often a change in diet can make a difference in our body's response to infections. Has your doctor checked your A1C recently or done fasting glucose test? Do you eat a lot of carbs and sugars?

No, I don't eat a lot of carbs or sugar and my blood sugar numbers are always fine. Haven't had my A1C levels checked. What would be the significance of that? Thanks for your advice!

@kittymama
The A1C shows your glucose levels over a 3 month period. If you have a borderline blood sugar problem, the A1C would reveal that. Is there a history of Diabetes in your family?

Yes

@kittymama
I was diagnosed with BV several years ago and it would not go away. First we tried switching to a different antibiotic but that did not work. Then I was put on a very low dose antibiotic for a very long time (I do not remember what it was and unfortunately don't remember how long I was on it but I think it was 3 months). It finally went away. I know that seems like a terribly long time to be on antibiotics but it was a very low dose. I will try to see if I can find what it was in my records but not sure I will be able to as it was a long time ago. Just thought I would mention this because sometimes they pick a broad spectrum antibiotic which may not be best to target what you have. If you have been repeatedly put on the same antibiotic you might ask your doctor about changing it up.

I am so sorry you have to deal with this and I recall how frustrated I was. It was actually my urologist who suggested the low dose antibiotic as I recall. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Thank you for the suggestion, I appreciate you taking the time to reply!

I had to repeatedly use Flagyl and Teraconazole as a combo. It comes back regularly.

I'm so sorry to hear that, it is awful isn't it?

Can I ask your age? I have had the same problem for the last 10 months or so. Repeated flagyl scripts (500 Mg twice a day). It comes back within a week of stopping the medication. I'm 68 & sexually active, but with the same partner for 3 years. I never had multiple partners at the same time.