Can Men Carry Bacterial Vaginosis?
It may seem like a silly question to ask, until you’re in the middle of your third outbreak, or your boyfriend gets concerned that he may catch something from you. Can men carry bacterial vaginosis? Can they transmit the condition from one partner to another? Can they be symptom-free carriers, passing the condition back to you after it’s cleared up? The short and easy answer to these questions is: not really. Interested to learn why not? Read on!
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an overload of potentially harmful bacteria in the vagina. A woman’s vagina, with lots of internal real estate, is a MUCH more appealing environment for bacteria than any part of a man’s reproductive system. Men can, of course, get bacterial infections – some of which can be harmful to their partners – but by and large, BV bacterial strains don’t care too much for boy bits. The CDC guidelines for bacterial vaginosis treatment indicate that male partners of infected women need not be treated at all for the condition, as it is extremely unlikely to survive on or in their bodies.
Does all of this mean that transmission from a man is outright impossible? No way. Not to be indelicate, but a man who fails to clean himself well when he showers may provide a way-station for bacteria for a while. Similarly, a man engaging in sex with several partners over a short period of time could theoretically carry bacterial vaginosis between partners. All the more reason to keep track of your men!
Ladies, I know you want to blame your man for your recurrences of VB, but it’s pretty unlikely he has anything to do with it. Can men carry bacterial vaginosis? Not really. The reality is that bacterial vaginosis is incredibly hard to treat. Because the exact strain of bacteria causing the condition can vary, BV treatments, both medical and natural, aren’t always effective. What knocks out one bacteria strain might not effect another, resulting in ineffective or intermittent cures. Until you get your hands on an effective and long-term cure, recurrences are just part of having VB.
Rachel Gipson is a health and healing enthusiast and writer living in the Northeast Kingdon of Vermont. If you found these tips helpful, but need a guaranteed solution for bacterial vaginosis =>
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