Study Confirms Bacterial Vaginosis is Sexually Transmitted

Research shows treating male partners alongside women significantly reduces recurrence of the common vaginal infection.

A new clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine provides evidence that bacterial vaginosis (BV) is sexually transmitted between partners.
The study found that treating both male and female partners with antibiotics reduced BV recurrence rates from 63% to 35% within 12 weeks.
BV affects nearly 30% of reproductive-aged women globally and can lead to serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and pregnancy issues if untreated.
The research highlights the role of male partners in harboring BV-causing bacteria on penile skin and in the urethra, contributing to reinfection.
Experts say the findings represent a 'paradigm shift' in BV treatment, calling for updates to clinical guidelines to include partner treatment strategies.