Let’s talk about bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition that affects around 1 in 3 people with vaginas in the UK, yet still doesn’t get anywhere near the attention it deserves. If you've ever had it, you’ll know it can be annoying, confusing and often downright distressing.
The classic symptoms? A thin, greyish discharge, a strong fishy smell (especially after sex), itching or burning and general discomfort. Some folks don’t even realise they’ve got it until it shows up during a check-up. It’s not technically an STI... but that might be about to change.
The research that’s blowing the lid off the BV narrative
In a groundbreaking new study published in The Lancet, researchers treated both partners in heterosexual couples — the person with BV and their penis owning partner — and the results were wild. The chance of BV coming back was cut nearly in half.
Yup, you read that right. Nearly half.
Why? Because it turns out penis owning partners can carry and transmit the bacteria linked to BV, even if they’ve got zero symptoms themselves. Think of it like ping pong. One partner gets treated, but if the other’s unknowingly still carrying it, BV bounces right back.
So while BV isn’t officially classified as a sexually transmitted infection just yet, this new evidence is stacking up. Experts are now calling for updated treatment guidelines that recognise the role of sexual partners, especially penis owning ones, in recurring BV cases.
Why this matters: moving away from blame and shame
For years, the go-to explanation for BV has been your vaginal flora’s out of whack. Cue a chorus of unsolicited hygiene advice. But this new research helps challenge the long held belief that BV is just a “you” problem, rather than something that could be linked to your sexual activity and your partner’s bacterial load.
Let’s be real. Blaming the body with the vulva has never been a productive strategy. And it definitely hasn’t helped anyone feel less gross, less confused or less isolated when dealing with recurrent infections.
Instead, this study offers a more realistic, evidence based take. One that recognises BV as something that can be transmitted during sex, especially penis in vagina sex, and that needs to be treated with nuance and care.
The science behind it: what actually causes BV?
BV happens when there’s an overgrowth of certain bacteria in the vagina, disrupting the balance of good (lactobacillus) and not so good bacteria. Unlike thrush, which is caused by a fungal overgrowth, BV is bacterial, which means it often responds to antibiotics, though for many people, it keeps coming back like a bad ex.
Things that can trigger BV include:
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Having a new or multiple sexual partners
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Not using protection during sex
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Using perfumed soaps or vaginal washes
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Overwashing or douching (seriously, please don’t)
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Smoking
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Hormonal changes
But if we start recognising BV as potentially sexually transmitted, then prevention and treatment become more of a two way street and less of a solo mission for the person with the symptoms.
What about WLW, queer sex and vulva owning partners?
Now here’s where things often go extra quiet. While this study focused on penis in vagina sex, it raises some serious questions for same sex relationships, particularly those between vulva owning partners.
BV can absolutely be passed between people with vulvas during sex. Skin to skin contact, shared toys, fingers, oral — all of it can contribute to the transfer of bacteria that disrupts the vaginal microbiome.
Yet so much of the official guidance around BV (and STIs in general) erases queer sex altogether. Which means queer folks often don’t get the full picture, or any picture at all, when it comes to managing BV or understanding how it spreads.
So how can we reduce the risk of BV transmission?
Whatever kind of sex you’re having, being informed and proactive can help. Here are a few practical tips that apply to everyone:
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Talk about it
Open conversations about symptoms, past infections and prevention help reduce shame and make sex safer -
Use barriers
Condoms and dental dams can help prevent the transfer of bacteria during oral, vaginal and anal sex -
Clean your toys
Wash shared sex toys thoroughly between uses, and consider using condoms on them, especially if you’re sharing -
Avoid perfumed products
No douching, scented washes or sprays. The vagina is self cleaning — it doesn’t need any help -
Follow through with treatment
If you or a partner are diagnosed with BV, follow the treatment plan and consider partner treatment where relevant
Why queer inclusive sex ed matters, especially now
This research is a golden opportunity to not only rethink how we treat BV, but to finally make sexual health education more inclusive. Queer sex, queer bodies and queer experiences deserve to be part of the conversation, not an afterthought.
The more we centre inclusive, evidence based info, the better everyone’s sexual health outcomes will be. And that includes feeling seen, respected and empowered to take care of your body without shame.
TLDR
BV might not have the STI label (yet), but the science is clear. It’s time to update our understanding, our treatment approaches and our sex ed. Whether you’re straight, queer or somewhere beautifully in between, everyone deserves proper info and support.
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