Some people are just prone to recurrent BV. You can catch it from sex, but it's not necesarrily an STD. I also had recurrent BV after my period for along time after I got married and became frequently sexually active. The reason for this is simple. The anatomy of sex makes it easy to see how bacteria can get into your vagina, plus, we carry a certain ammount of healthy bacteria in our vagina. Then during and after your period, the PH in your vagina changes from acidic to more alkaline and the bacteria is able to multiply faster than it should. The acidity of the vagina usually keeps a healthy balance of bacteria and yeast (the good bacteria keeps the healthy yeast at bay. Hence the yeast infections many of us get after finishing antibiotics.) but any change in that or extra bacteria introduced can cause an infection. It's all about the balance, and I'm pretty sure HPV has nothing to do with it. Sex, time of the month, thongs (the narrow strip of fabric shifts and can easily transferr bacteria from the rectum to the vagina,) and wiping back to front can all be culprits, though.

What I did to get rid of recurrent BV: After finishing up the antibiotic interts, I religiously began washing with antibacterial Dial soap really well around my vagina and all the way to my, um, back door. I also made my husband wash REALLY well with the antibacterial soap and made him start triming his pubic hair some. (Nasty male pubic hair is a huge bacteria breeding ground) I also made sure to always wipe front to back after I used the bathroom, and quit wearing thongs. I haven't had BV in over 2 years now!!

Sorry for the medical dissertation, but as you see, I learned my share about recurrent BV! Good luck, and get to a gyno to get some meds if you haven't already.