Bacterial Vaginosis IS a STI

icelolly12 · 2025-03-06T12:35:25+00:00

[[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lj7e0519xo https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lj7e0519xo]] Basically, you AND your partner need to be treated with antibiotics otherwise you'll keep getting it. Something many women have been saying for years when as soon as they have sex they get symptoms again. So make sure if you have BV your partner gets antibiotics for it too.

JeanPaulGagtier · 06/03/2025 12:40

Great someone finally did some research on what has historically been seen as a "woman's problem". I was completely amazed that after being single for 5 years I slept with someone, got BV and then was told it was only my issue - despite never having had it before. Hopefully men will actually listen to this and also get treatment before spreading it more.

Original poster

icelolly12 · 06/03/2025 12:42

Yup! Seemed obvious to most of us that sex was the cause! Crazy that it's taken so long to figure out that men are passing it back and forth.

OP posts:

Ontherocksthisyear · 06/03/2025 12:58

Are men only acquiring this from women they sleep with? or is it bacteria related to hygiene, which is then being passed on to women after sex?

JeanPaulGagtier · 06/03/2025 13:03

Ontherocksthisyear · 06/03/2025 12:58

Are men only acquiring this from women they sleep with? or is it bacteria related to hygiene, which is then being passed on to women after sex?

So far it seems to have been men spreading it, as women get treated quickly as it has odour that is embarrassing. Men have not been told until now they are carrying it too - potentially reinfecting partners or spreading it to new women, who then have to get treated.

Ontherocksthisyear · 06/03/2025 13:18

I understand that. I am just wondering if the sole way it is spread and acquired is through sex. If a man has the bacteria on his penis, did he acquire this from a woman he slept with? Or could it be hygiene related and then spread on through sex (essentially making it an sti). I see there could be a link between male uti's, which are not necessary obtained through sex, containing the potential bacteria to cause bv in women, if the man who had it then had sex with a women.

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/03/2025 13:26

I think saying “Bacterial Vaginosis is an STI” is likely to stigmatise it tbh, and make a condition many women already find terribly embarrassing and shameful even more so, and prevent them seeking treatment. It can be caused by sex, but it can also be caused by things which are not sex. Research and attention on women’s health is great, but so is the communication around it.

Ontherocksthisyear · 06/03/2025 13:50

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/03/2025 13:26

I think saying “Bacterial Vaginosis is an STI” is likely to stigmatise it tbh, and make a condition many women already find terribly embarrassing and shameful even more so, and prevent them seeking treatment. It can be caused by sex, but it can also be caused by things which are not sex. Research and attention on women’s health is great, but so is the communication around it.

After reading around this now, I completely agree with you. Having a copper coil fitted caused be to have bv flare ups. Just because it can be sexual transmitted, does not mean it is solely an STI. I think the statement will cause some scare mongering and shame attachment.

IronDoll · 06/03/2025 15:21

I am actually worried by this news, as in around 1999 I had lots of bouts of this BV, in the end the doctor gave me and DH antibiotics and have never had it since or before. Also around this time I got a small lump on vulva, was told it was a wart! The only one I have ever had .

Now my problem is that at this point I had been married for 13 years. Does this mean that DH cheated around this time? I am really worried

Greybeardy · 06/03/2025 15:35

having had a quick flick through the article summary (the full article has limited access)... i wouldn't get too excited just yet! It seems like treating the male partner reduces but doesn't necessarily eliminate recurrence (the thread title should read 'may be' rather than 'IS'). It's a small group of patients, they knew which arm they were in (which may encourage behavioural change too) and there wasn't a proper control. It certainly sounds interesting, but probably isn't going to win a Nobel prize!

IronDoll · 06/03/2025 15:37

its just got me worrying now that DH cheated

cathyandclaire · 06/03/2025 15:47

I remember being taught at medical school that nuns could get BV- so I always put it in a category like thrush- you can spread it sexually but that's not the only way women can develop it.

imtherelala · 06/03/2025 15:52

cathyandclaire · 06/03/2025 15:47

I remember being taught at medical school that nuns could get BV- so I always put it in a category like thrush- you can spread it sexually but that's not the only way women can develop it.

This is true i never slept with anyone in about 6 years dry spell and i somehow got BV.

imtherelala · 06/03/2025 15:57

IronDoll · 06/03/2025 15:37

its just got me worrying now that DH cheated

Dont worry about it i just posted above to say i was single 6 years no sex at all and somehow i got BV in that time.
I dont think your husbands cheated on you.

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/03/2025 15:58

IronDoll · 06/03/2025 15:37

its just got me worrying now that DH cheated

It doesn’t mean he cheated. It’s been shown that men may harbor bacterial species associated with BV in their urethras, around the head of their penis, and under their foreskins. That doesn’t mean the bacteria got there because they had sex with somebody with BV, they can be transmitted there by unclean hands, bacteria thrive and grow in moist parts of the body. Women can also get BV through things which aren’t sex - such as coil fittings and gynae exams, and not washing hands properly before changing cups or tampons.

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 06/03/2025 16:13

cathyandclaire · 06/03/2025 15:47

I remember being taught at medical school that nuns could get BV- so I always put it in a category like thrush- you can spread it sexually but that's not the only way women can develop it.

This.

BV isn't an STI in that you can contract it without having sex, but it can be spread like an STI the way that thrush can so your partner needs to be treated too.

IamOliveOil · 06/03/2025 16:13

I had reoccurring BV during a previous relationship and was back and forth to a wonderful female GP that was so helpful in getting rid for good and it didn’t occur to me that it finally went when I got rid of my ex!

new partner who is uber hygienic and into keeping himself fresh and clean and it’s never returned.

lalalaletmeexplain on instagram made some valid points about male hygiene that may well be the reason it kept returning, whilst all the while I thought it was because I’d messed with my PH with soap or tampons or sanitary pads.
Silly me!!

DarkMagicStars · 06/03/2025 16:15

I had BV constantly with one partner. Dumped him and it never came back again.

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 06/03/2025 16:19

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/03/2025 13:26

I think saying “Bacterial Vaginosis is an STI” is likely to stigmatise it tbh, and make a condition many women already find terribly embarrassing and shameful even more so, and prevent them seeking treatment. It can be caused by sex, but it can also be caused by things which are not sex. Research and attention on women’s health is great, but so is the communication around it.

What's the point of women being treated over and over when their partners reinfect them? That's a rapid way to end up with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in your vagina.

Also, if recognising that BV can be sexually-transmitted means that a woman, who suddenly develops repeat BV five years into her marriage, realises that her husband is playing away, that's a good thing.

If people are too immature to get an STI treated, they are too immature to have sex.

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/03/2025 17:51

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 06/03/2025 16:19

What's the point of women being treated over and over when their partners reinfect them? That's a rapid way to end up with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in your vagina.

Also, if recognising that BV can be sexually-transmitted means that a woman, who suddenly develops repeat BV five years into her marriage, realises that her husband is playing away, that's a good thing.

If people are too immature to get an STI treated, they are too immature to have sex.

Show quote history

“BV can be passed back and forth between sexual partners so if you have a partner it’s important you both to get treated at the same time” is a far better way of communicating the message than “BV is an STI” - which has the potential to lead to stigmatisation, to women incorrectly assuming they can only have it if their partner is cheating on them, and also to lead women who feel sure their partner isn’t cheating or who aren’t sexually active to think that they can’t and don’t have BV.

It’s all very well to say that people who are too immature to get an STI test shouldn’t be having sex, but public health messaging has to take into account that there are plenty of people who are having sex who won’t get an STI test even if they need one, and particularly not if they don’t think they could have an STI.

lobsterkiller · 06/03/2025 19:52

I've had BV a few times, I always treat with antibiotics, my last worst case I hadn't had sex for 13 years so whilst sex can be the cause, it won't be the sole cause.

Moier · 06/03/2025 20:05

Your title is misleading .
I get BV often.. due to other medical conditions.
I've been celibate for over 20 years.
It can be classed as an STI just like thrush.... meaning it can be passed through sex... but we have always known this .🤷‍♀️ it not new news.

Original poster

icelolly12 · 06/03/2025 20:10

Moier · 06/03/2025 20:05

Your title is misleading .
I get BV often.. due to other medical conditions.
I've been celibate for over 20 years.
It can be classed as an STI just like thrush.... meaning it can be passed through sex... but we have always known this .🤷‍♀️ it not new news.

The issue is a lot of GPs only treat the woman, which means they get recurrent infections as their partners are never treated and pass it right back to them! Hopefully this will lead to a change in administering antibiotics for both to prevent reinfection.

OP posts:

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 06/03/2025 21:48

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/03/2025 17:51

“BV can be passed back and forth between sexual partners so if you have a partner it’s important you both to get treated at the same time” is a far better way of communicating the message than “BV is an STI” - which has the potential to lead to stigmatisation, to women incorrectly assuming they can only have it if their partner is cheating on them, and also to lead women who feel sure their partner isn’t cheating or who aren’t sexually active to think that they can’t and don’t have BV.

It’s all very well to say that people who are too immature to get an STI test shouldn’t be having sex, but public health messaging has to take into account that there are plenty of people who are having sex who won’t get an STI test even if they need one, and particularly not if they don’t think they could have an STI.

Edited

Show quote history

public health messaging has to take into account that there are plenty of people who are having sex who won’t get an STI test even if they need one, and particularly not if they don’t think they could have an STI.

I don't understand why STI testing isn't carried out routinely at the same time as smear tests and other routine examinations. It would destigmatise getting the tests done.

Cattery · 06/03/2025 21:51

I got it due to lack of estrogen in menopause. It’s not an STI

JeanPaulGagtier · 06/03/2025 22:20

From what I remember it is women who do regular check ups (about to sleep with a new partner/found out partner cheated, etc) and men only get tested if symptomatic. Men don't get STI checks as much as they don't go to the doctors, unless they have no other option. Chlamydia still making women infertile is another testimony to this as it doesn't cause men any discomfort and women don't notice it destroying their ovaries until it is quite advanced. You can't just check women if men insist on not being checked or treated.