Does bacterial vaginosis mean cheating now?

[willshak91]

I’ve been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis twice after sex with my husband - both times we used the pull out method and there was a year with no sex in between. We’ve been married for many yrs and it only started happening in the last few. I’ve seen the research that men could pass it back to you but how did I get it in the first place? It only came on after sex and I’m sure he hasn’t been with anyone else - am I being stupid and should I be thinking he’s cheated?

It’s caused by the bacterial balance in your vagina changing, so douching/harsh soaps or washes etc can cause it. I once had a tiny piece of tampon fluff break away and get stuck up there, that caused it. It doesn’t necessarily mean cheating, but your DP could catch it off you when you have it and then be a symptomless carrier and pass it back and forth to you unless he was treated at the same time you were.

No, it’s not generally considered an STI (I work in sexual health). Yes, you can get it from having sex, same way you can get thrush, but more because sex causes an upset in your vaginal bacteria (whether ejaculation occurs or not). This is potentially more likely in hot sweaty weather like we’re having now. I wouldn’t see it as any indication at all of infidelity unless there is a lot more to the story.

As pps have said can be caused by a ph imbalance. Semen can alter the ph of your vagina which can cause it. I had one specific partner who must have had very alkaline semen as every chuffing time I slept with him I got it. And he was treated at the same time as me too.