Is my new partner causing my bv?

[HMum19]

Recently I have been sleeping with someone new, and for the second time I am experiencing bacterial vaginosis (at least that is what I think it is). I went to the pharmacist and she gave me some over the counter bv gel that soothed/sorted it last time, about 4 weeks ago. I am now experiencing it again, I wouldn't say I have a full blown case of it as I do not have discharge etc but just the slight fishy odour and it is slightly itchy.
I have never experienced this in the past with sexual partners, I have had a baby since my last partner so could it be that my "down below" is just more sensitive now?
It's really embarrassing as I don't want to be smelly around a new partner but this is the second time it has happened now! Could it possibly be him causing it?

BV doesn’t usually cause itching or soreness, so would be a good idea to get a GP or sexual health check up to confirm what it is.

New sexual partners can be a BV trigger, yes. But the OTC gel isn’t the most effective treatment - it usually takes antibiotics to clear it up completely, so if it is BV you may not have treated the original infection in the first place.

Canestan sell a test kit to check whether it's BV or thrush. You can buy it at the supermarket.

If the gels like Canesbalance or BalanceActiv aren't clearing up the BV (assuming it is BV), you need a course of metronidazole antibiotics. Prescription from GP or you can buy at an online pharmacy.

BV is caused by an imbalance in your vaginal ph levels. Very common if you've had a coil fitted. Avoid perfumed soaps and douching. Use condoms so he's not cumming inside you.

It could be an STD. It would be sensible to get yourself checked, then you'll know for definite.

@PinotPony

Canestan sell a test kit to check whether it's BV or thrush. You can buy it at the supermarket.

If the gels like Canesbalance or BalanceActiv aren't clearing up the BV (assuming it is BV), you need a course of metronidazole antibiotics. Prescription from GP or you can buy at an online pharmacy.

BV is caused by an imbalance in your vaginal ph levels. Very common if you've had a coil fitted. Avoid perfumed soaps and douching. Use condoms so he's not cumming inside you.

Thanks for this! I have just ordered the canestan test kit, hopefully that will shed some light on exactly what it is!

So I performed the canestest and it came back negative so not BV! But I definitely still have a slight odour and I just don't feel right down below.

You need a sexual health test. You can order tests online which are free and test for the normal sti's.

@HMum19

So I performed the canestest and it came back negative so not BV! But I definitely still have a slight odour and I just don't feel right down below.

Yep. Get a home test kit or make an appointment at your local sexual health clinic...

sh24.org.uk/

Sounds like an STI

What kind of sti could this be? Just that I am also experiencing an odour and googling hasn’t brought me any results?

@onemorerose

What kind of sti could this be? Just that I am also experiencing an odour and googling hasn’t brought me any results?

I am not completely sure tbh, I had a doctors app on Friday where I was swabbed to test the infection and she also tested me for chlamydia! So I will let you know once I get the results back. I have still virtually "naturally" healed tbh but I will get to the bottom of the cause.