I'm 40 years old and never had bacterial vaginosis before this past year. Today I went to the doctor for the third time in nine months. He gave me prescriptionss for Metronidazole (Flagyl) — both the cream and pills. He said I could take either one, they both work the same. He told me that for his patients that get a re-occurrence four to six times a year, he gives out a bunch of refills and for his patients that get it every month, he recommends taking a pill once a week just to keep a little of the antibiotic in your system. When I became infected with bacterial vaginosis the first time, I had been having sex with a new partner for five months. I wonder if this is only a coincidence. I'm still with the same (and only) partner. For me, I think stress is definitely my trigger. The first time was one week before my reconstructive knee surgery and the second and third times were immediately after a pretty nasty argument and breakup with said boyfriend. I chose to fill the prescription for the cream this time since I used the pills the last two times. Published: September 10 ::

A couple of years ago, I had reoccurring yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis infections. It seemed like the treatment for one was causing the other. Then one day, the symptoms just stopped and I was fine, or maybe I just got used to the symptoms. In either case, I didn't have any unusual discharge, irritation, or odor for about two years. Then, about two months after having sex with my new boyfriend, I got what I thought was another yeast infection and I used an over the counter, one day treatment for yeast infections. I forgot which brand, but buyer beware: It made the symptoms unbearably worse. After this I went to my gynecologist and was treated for the yeast infection. I was on my period then so she couldn't tell if I also had bacterial vaginosis. About a week later, I was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. Then another yeast infection, and then bacterial vaginosis and more bacterial vaginosis. And now I can't remember the order, but suffice to say I was visiting my gynecologist every other week for a couple of months. She suggested my boyfriend also take Flagyl and that didn't work either. We even stopped having sex and that also didn't work. After a couple more diagnoses and treatments the bacterial vaginosis /yeast infection symptoms went away, and I was fine again for another couple of months, but now I am pretty sure I have bacterial vaginosis again. I've heard that ladies like me should stay away from: wet swimsuits, thongs, oral sex, vaginal sex, tampons, perfumed soaps, fabric softeners, tight pants, and the list goes on. I've tried avoiding these, and I still can't figure out the cause, but it is nice to know I'm not the only miserable one out there! Published: September 10 ::