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If you’ve ever dealt with bacterial vaginosis (BV), you know how uncomfortable it can be. That weird foul-smelling discharge, the not-so-fresh feeling, and the way it keeps coming back, no matter how many times you’ve taken the prescribed antibiotics — it’s enough to make you want to scream. BV is incredibly common, affecting one-third of reproductive aged women, and for many, it feels like a never-ending cycle.
But what if we’ve been missing a crucial piece of the puzzle? A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the secret to stopping BV from coming back might not be just about treating women — it’s about treating their male partners, too. And honestly, when you hear the logic behind it, it makes so much sense.
Why does BV keep coming back?
BV happens when the balance of bacteria in your vagina gets thrown off, allowing bad bacteria to take over. Doctors usually prescribe oral antibiotics or vaginal gels, which can clear up the infection. But here’s the frustrating part: over half of women who get treated for BV will have it come back within a few months.
So why does this keep happening? One major theory is that male partners might be carrying the bacteria that cause BV and unknowingly reinfecting women — even though they don’t show symptoms. Think of it like passing a cold back and forth, except instead of a sniffly nose, you get another round of BV.
Doctors have looked at this before and even tried treating male partners with oral antibiotics, but past studies didn’t show much improvement. That’s why this new study decided to take a different approach: treating men with both oral antibiotics and a topical antibiotic applied to their penis — and the results were eye-opening.
New BV study: Treating both partners to break the cycle
The study was done in Australia and included 164 women with BV and their male partners. The women were all treated with standard antibiotics, but their partners were split into two groups:
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One group had partners who weren’t treated at all.
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The other group had partners who took oral antibiotics AND applied a topical antibiotic (clindamycin) to their penis for a week.
The researchers wanted to see if treating both partners could cut down on the rate of BV coming back — and guess what? It worked.
The results: A game-changer for women with BV
Women whose male partners weren’t treated had a 63% recurrence rate — meaning BV came back for nearly two-thirds of them. But for the women whose partners were treated? That number dropped to just 35%.
That’s a huge difference. Basically, if your male partner is treated alongside you, your chances of getting BV again are cut nearly in half.
So…Why hasn’t this been the standard treatment?
BV has been one of those tricky conditions that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. It’s not currently classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), even though we now know that sexual activity plays a big role in its recurrence. Many women have just been told to take their antibiotics and cross their fingers, with little guidance on why they keep getting it.
Plus, the idea that male partners could be part of the problem hasn’t always been taken seriously. But this study challenges that old way of thinking. It suggests that BV isn’t just a “women’s problem” — it’s something that needs a more holistic approach to treatment.
What this means for you
If you’re someone who has struggled with recurring BV, this study gives you something powerful: a new option. It means that if your BV keeps coming back, it’s worth talking to your doctor about whether your partner should be treated too.
Here’s what you can do:
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Start the conversation – Many doctors aren’t yet routinely treating male partners for BV, but this study could change that. Ask your provider what they think about partner treatment as part of your plan.
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Get your partner on board – If your doctor agrees that treating your partner might help, talk to your partner about why it’s important. BV can feel super personal, but it’s not just about you — it’s about stopping this cycle together.
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Stay proactive – While research is still evolving, this study gives real hope for women dealing with BV that won’t go away. Being informed and advocating for yourself is the best way to get lasting relief.
BV is frustrating, uncomfortable, and exhausting, especially when it keeps coming back. For years, women have been told to just keep taking antibiotics, even when they knew something wasn’t adding up. But this study offers a new perspective — one that finally makes sense.
Treating male partners might be the missing link in breaking the cycle of recurrent BV. If you’ve been stuck in this loop, you deserve answers and better solutions. And hopefully, this study is a step toward changing the way BV is treated for good.
Kristyn Hodgdon is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Rescripted and host of From First Period To Last Period.
