Consultant gynaecology · Central London EC1
Recurrent Thrush and Bacterial Vaginosis
Assessment for symptoms that keep coming back despite repeated treatment, with testing to confirm what is actually causing them.
Recurrent vaginal symptoms are often treated over the counter for months without anyone confirming the diagnosis. Around half of women self-treating for thrush do not have thrush. Testing first changes what happens next.
Consultant-led · Same-visit testing · From £200
What to expect
Finding out what it actually is
Confirming the diagnosis
Swabs to distinguish thrush, bacterial vaginosis, mixed infection and non-infective causes, because the treatments are different.
Looking for a reason
Recurrent infection can be driven by diabetes, iron deficiency, contraception, antibiotic use or the products being used to treat it.
The alternatives
Persistent irritation is sometimes not infection at all but a skin condition such as lichen sclerosus, or vaginal dryness after menopause.
A treatment course that fits
Recurrent thrush usually needs a longer induction and maintenance regimen rather than another single dose.
What to stop doing
Washes, wipes and douches make recurrence more likely. Practical advice on what actually helps.
Review
A plan with a follow-up point, so that failure to improve is picked up rather than left to another course of treatment.
Fees
Published fees
Gynaecology Consultation
Full consultant consultation
£200
Consultation + Pelvic Ultrasound
Same-day scan and results
£300
Complete Well Woman Check
Consultation, ultrasound and cervical screening
£380
Common questions
Questions about recurrent thrush and BV
How do I know whether it is thrush or something else?
You often cannot tell from symptoms alone, which is the point of testing. Studies consistently find that a large proportion of women self-treating for thrush do not have it. Bacterial vaginosis, mixed infection and non-infective skin conditions all produce overlapping symptoms.
What counts as recurrent?
Four or more episodes in a year is the usual threshold for recurrent thrush. At that point a single dose of treatment is rarely the answer, and a longer induction and maintenance regimen is generally more effective.
Why does it keep coming back?
Common contributors include diabetes, iron deficiency, recent antibiotics, hormonal contraception, and the washes and wipes often used to treat it. Identifying the driver matters more than repeating the treatment.
Could it be something other than infection?
Yes. Persistent irritation can be a skin condition such as lichen sclerosus or eczema, or vaginal dryness after the menopause. These are treated quite differently, and antifungals will not help.
Should I stop using feminine washes?
Yes. Washes, wipes and douches disturb the vaginal environment and make recurrence more likely. Plain water externally is sufficient. This is one of the more common causes of a cycle that will not break.
What should I bring to the appointment?
Anything you have already tried, including over-the-counter treatments, and roughly when you used them. That history shapes what is worth testing and avoids repeating something that has already failed.
Book an assessment
Same-day appointments at 1-5 Portpool Lane. Bring the treatments you have already tried, including anything bought over the counter, as that history shapes what is worth testing.