Recurring bv i have been treated for bacterial vaginosis and it works for a few days up to a week and than it's back again...i have been taking flagyl... and it does work but just for a short time and the odor is back...what can i do to stop this vicious

The : The most common reason for bad smelling discharge in a woman is bacterial vaginosis (bv). Bv is not a sexually transmitted disease, but is an imbalance between the "good" and "bad" bacterial that normally live in the vagina. Douching and having sex can both put you at risk since these activities cause a change in the vaginal environment leading to an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria. Many women will complain of a fishy odor, increased discharge and a few may even have itching and discomfort. It is diagnosed by the doctor testing your vaginal discharge. Bv is typically treated with a short course of antibiotics. Recurrent BV is very common. Even though BV is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, using condoms and treating the male partner have both been shown to decrease reoccurence of bv. Other behaviors pertaining to hygiene such as wiping "back to front", wearing cotton panties and avoiding douching can also decrease bv. You can also talk to your doctor about long-term topical treatments.