Wow, good article, explains a lot for me. I've had them for years off and on, and one good doctor prescribed the chlorhexidine wash and that several times a day helps to reduce the "revival" of the infected area. Other than that regular hot baths. Mine has always been hormone related, worse just before periods, but now can be rather random. Never realised that there were other treatment possibilities, although same doctor gave a general low dose antibiotic and that did keep it at bay for several years...And oh yes, they hurt!