New Study: Is your recurrent BV linked to your partner?

Bacterial Vaginosis, often referred to as BV, affects 1 in 3 women at some point in their lives, yet for many, it’s still cloaked in stigma, confusion, and frustrating recurrences. If you’ve ever felt like BV keeps coming back no matter what you try, you’re not alone. And thanks to a new
groundbreaking study, we may finally be getting closer to understanding why.

The New BV Study Everyone’s Talking About

Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, this recent study followed over 160monogamous couples to examine whether treating male partners of women with BV could lower recurrence rates.

Here’s what they found:

• All women received standard antibiotic treatment for BV.
• Some of their male partners were also given both oral and topical antibiotics.
• After 12 weeks, women whose partners received treatment had a 35% recurrence rate,compared to 63% in women whose partners were not treated.

That’s nearly a 50% reduction in recurrence!

This is a major finding, because for years, BV has been treated as something that only affects the woman, with little conversation around her partner’s role. And while BV isn’t officially classified as a sexually transmitted infection, this research suggests that male partners may
harbor and reintroduce BV-related bacteria, potentially fueling the cycle of recurrence.

What This Means: Even Beyond Antibiotics

This new study opens the door for a much-needed conversation, one that we’ve been encouraging all along.

Here’s what we believe it emphasizes:

BV recurrence is not your fault.

This study validates what many women have long suspected: even when they follow treatment instructions perfectly, BV can come back, and it might not have anything to do with hygiene or personal habits. In many cases, the partner is part of the picture, and should be part of the
solution.

Sexual and vaginal health go hand-in-hand.

Your partner’s health matters too. That’s why talking about sex and vaginal health, without shame, is critical. If BV is recurring, it’s okay to bring up the idea of shared treatment with your healthcare provider.

Supporting the vaginal microbiome matters.

Even when medical treatment is necessary, we believe in nourishing the vaginal microbiome long-term. That means supporting your body’s ability to rebalance and repair itself, through daily habits, gentle care, and targeted nutrition.

At Wellex, we’re focused on this whole-body, whole-ecosystem approach, because your vaginal health is connected to your hormones, your immune system, and even your stress levels.

Our Takeaway at Wellex

We’ve always believed that stigmatized, recurring conditions like BV deserve better care and better conversations. This study doesn’t just highlight a potential clinical shift in BV treatment; it highlights the need to see the full picture of women’s health, including our partners, our microbiomes, and our voices.

If you’ve struggled with reccurent BV, know that:

• You’re not alone.
• It’s not your fault.
• There are steps you can take to support your body and your peace of mind.

We’ll keep showing up with the research, the resources, and the reminders that your body is worthy of care, compassion, and clarity.