Recurrent Infections | BV | Thrush
Recurring vaginal infections, including thrush and bacterial vaginosis (BV), are extremely common and extremely frustrating, especially when the same infection keeps coming back.
These infections can genuinely affect relationships and quality of life, and conventional treatment, while often effective at clearing the infection itself, can still result in recurrence for some women unless the underlying root cause is addressed too.
Why Infections Keep Coming Back
Standard treatment targets the infection in the moment, but if the underlying environment that allowed it to take hold hasn’t changed, recurrence is common. As a Geelong-based naturopath, my approach looks beyond just treating the current infection to understand why your body keeps developing these infections in the first place.
My Approach
Common naturopathic assessments look at vaginal pH, your hormones, your immune system, your diet, and importantly your beneficial bacteria and vaginal microbiome. Treatment is built around what these assessments reveal, rather than simply repeating the same antifungal or antibiotic approach each time an infection recurs.
FAQ
Why do I keep getting thrush or BV even after treatment?
Often because the underlying cause - whether that’s vaginal pH, microbiome balance, hormones or another factor — hasn’t been addressed, so the environment that allowed the infection stays the same.
Will I need testing?
Vaginal microbiome testing can be really useful for understanding what’s going on at a deeper level, ask me about this on your test page or during a consultation.
Can diet really affect vaginal infections?
Yes. Diet plays a role in both immune function and microbiome balance, both of which influence your susceptibility to recurrent infections.
Should I keep treating each infection with antifungals/antibiotics in the meantime?
It’s important to treat active infections appropriately - this work is about addressing the underlying pattern so you need to rely on repeat treatment less often, not about avoiding treatment when you need it.
Is this something I should see my GP about too?
Yes. I’d encourage ongoing GP involvement alongside naturopathic support, especially for diagnosis and treating active infections.