Bacterial Vaginosis May Be Sexually Transmitted, Study Finds -

It might be easier to clear up a common vaginal infection if both women and their male partners take antibiotics, a new study suggests.

The study focused on bacterial vaginosis, a condition experienced by roughly 1 in 3 women that can cause a fishy or musty smell, unusual discharge, and itching and irritation around the vagina, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While it’s possible to cure bacterial vaginosis with antibiotics, many women experience repeat infections — even after multiple courses of treatment.

Treatment for Male Partners Cut Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence Nearly in Half

For the study, researchers wanted to see whether standard treatment — a week of antibiotics just for women — might work better by also giving their male partners a week of oral antibiotics and topical antibiotics applied to the penis.

Scientists randomly assigned 83 monogamous couples to standard treatment for only the women, then gave another 81 couples treatment for both partners.

After 12 weeks, 35 percent of the women whose partners also received antibiotics got bacterial vaginosis again — compared with 63 percent of the women whose male partners were not treated, according to study findings reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Bacterial Vaginosis May Actually Be an STI

These results suggest that bacterial vaginosis, which isn’t currently categorized as a sexually transmitted infection, might actually be spread through sex, says the lead study author, Lenka Vodstrcil, PhD, a researcher at Monash University and the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in Australia.

“Our study has shown that reinfection from an untreated sexual partner is a significant driver of BV-recurrence,” Dr. Vodstrcil says. “This simple intervention will reduce a woman’s risk of reinfection and increase her probability of being cured.”

There also seemed to be little risk to treating men. A majority of them experienced no side effects, and those who did most often reported mild issues like nausea and headaches, the study found.

What Causes Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis develops when the natural mix of bacteria in the vagina, known as the vaginal flora, becomes unbalanced. This happens when natural levels of healthy vaginal bacteria known as lactobacilli get too low, and levels of unhealthy bacteria known as anaerobes get too high, per Mayo Clinic.

While bacterial vaginosis can happen to anyone with a vagina, it’s more common in people who have naturally low levels of lactobacilli and in individuals who reduce levels of these healthy bacteria by douching or cleansing the vagina too much, Mayo Clinic says.

Another risk factor for bacterial vaginosis is sexual activity and a new partner or a variety of partners, according to Mayo Clinic.

Tips for Preventing Bacterial Vaginosis and Recurrence

There are three good ways to prevent bacterial vaginosis, per Mayo Clinic:

Avoid scented products. Wash the genitals only with warm water, and steer clear of scented soaps, tampons, or maxi pads.
Don’t douche. Douching isn’t necessary, and it can alter the vaginal flora and make you more prone to bacterial vaginosis.
Practice safe sex. You can help prevent unhealthy bacteria in the vagina by using condoms and keeping sex toys clean.

The new study offers fresh evidence that safe sex can also make it easier to get rid of bacterial vaginosis once you have it, says Christina Muzny, MD, a professor of epidemiology and obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, who wasn’t involved in the new study.

“We recommend consistent condom use in women, avoidance of douching, and now treatment of male sexual partners if they get a bacterial vaginosis infection,” Dr. Muzny says.

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