The short explanation
Recurring symptoms usually mean one of three things: it is thrush and something keeps setting it off, it is bacterial vaginosis and the balance keeps shifting back, or it was never what it was treated as. The two feel similar and are treated completely differently, which is why repeated over-the-counter treatment without a diagnosis often fails. Things that genuinely help both: stopping douching and internal washes, avoiding scented soaps and wipes on the vulva, and washing with water only. Things that do not: yoghurt, lemon, and most of what is sold for 'intimate hygiene'.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Diabetes, antibiotics, pregnancy and some hormonal methods make thrush more likely. Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection, though it is associated with sexual activity, and it is not caused by being unclean.
- Four or more episodes in a year is defined as recurrent and is managed with a longer plan rather than another short course.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you which one you have. A swab does, and it is the step that usually breaks the cycle after months of guessing.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Can we take a swab to confirm what this actually is?
- Should my blood sugar be checked?
- What is the plan if it comes back again?
- Does my partner need anything?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
- See a clinician rather than self-treating for discharge with pelvic pain or fever, for bleeding after sex, for sores or ulcers, or for symptoms in pregnancy.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
No sources recorded yet.
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off. That is what the “Editorially reviewed” badge means, and why it does not say “Clinically reviewed”. It was written and checked by AskHer’s editorial team, and it is queued for a clinician who works in this area. No sources are recorded against it yet.
- Review status
- Editorially reviewed
- Last reviewed
- Last reviewed 26 September 2026
- Version
- 1
Correction history
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No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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