Here's something that might surprise you: men can't actually get bacterial vaginosis. But before you roll your eyes and think "well, that was easy," stick with me. This question comes up constantly for good reason, and the real answer is way more interesting than a simple yes or no.
If you and your partner have been dealing with recurring BV, you've probably wondered whether he could be part of the problem. Maybe you've even had some tense conversations about it. The truth is, while men can't get BV themselves, they can definitely play a role in what's happening with your vaginal health.
Let's break down what's really going on here. We'll talk about why your vagina is special (in the best way), what's happening with the bacteria in your relationship, and what the latest research says about treating partners. Most importantly, we'll give you practical strategies that actually work.
For the complete picture on bacterial vaginosis, check out our comprehensive guide: Understanding BV. Right now, we're focusing on the questions that keep couples up at night.
Your Vagina Has Superpowers (That Penises Don't)
Think of your vagina like a perfectly balanced aquarium. It has its own ecosystem with specific fish, plants, and water conditions that all work together. When everything's in harmony, it's beautiful. When something gets out of whack, things can go downhill fast.
Your vagina has three special features that create the perfect environment for BV. And here's the key part: men's bodies simply don't have these features.
The Acid Test: Your vagina maintains a pH between 3.8 and 4.5. That's pretty acidic, about the same as tomatoes or coffee. This acidity comes from good bacteria called Lactobacillus that live in your vagina and produce lactic acid. Think of them as your vagina's personal security team, keeping harmful bacteria from taking over [1].
The Food Source: The cells lining your vagina produce something called glycogen. It's basically sugar that feeds your Lactobacillus bacteria, helping them stay strong and keep producing that protective acid [2]. It's like having a built-in cafeteria for your good bacteria.
The Bacterial Bouncers. In a healthy vagina, Lactobacillus bacteria make up most of the neighborhood. They're like friendly bouncers at a club, keeping troublemakers like Gardnerella vaginalis from causing problems. BV happens when these bouncers get overwhelmed, and the troublemakers take over.
The penis? It's a completely different environment: different pH, different moisture levels, different bacterial residents. As the CDC puts it, BV is specifically a "vaginal dysbiosis" where the normal Lactobacillus bacteria get replaced by anaerobic bacteria [1]. No vagina, no BV. It's that simple.
Even the way doctors diagnose BV only works with vaginal samples. They look for specific cells, measure vaginal pH, and check for certain types of discharge. You can't run these tests on a penis because the whole system is different [2].
But Can Men Carry the Bacteria?
Okay, so men can't get BV. But can they carry around the bacteria that cause it? Now we're getting to the good stuff, and the answer is yes.
Research shows that bacteria like Gardnerella vaginalis can definitely live on a man's penis and in his urethra. Studies have found that the bacteria living on the penis of men whose partners have BV look a lot more like vaginal bacteria than the bacteria found on men whose partners don't have BV [3].
One fascinating study found that researchers could predict whether a woman would develop BV just by looking at the bacteria on her male partner's penis. They were right 77% of the time [4]. That's pretty impressive for a simple swab test.
But let's be clear about what this means. The man isn't "infected" with anything. He's "colonized," which is science speak for "the bacteria are hanging out there, but they're not making him sick." Think of it like having houseguests. They're there, they're using your space, but they're not necessarily causing problems.
A few things affect what bacteria live on a man's penis:
Circumcision Makes a Difference. Uncircumcised men tend to have more diverse bacteria living under their foreskin, including some of the same anaerobic bacteria involved in BV. The area under the foreskin is warm and moist, which these bacteria love. Studies show that women with circumcised partners have lower rates of BV [1].
Sex Changes Everything. Every time you have sex, you're essentially sharing bacteria. It's not gross, it's just biology. But it means that the bacterial communities of both partners can influence each other.
Here's what's important for couples to understand: if your male partner is carrying BV-associated bacteria, it doesn't mean he's dirty or unfaithful. It just means you're sharing a microbiome, which is completely normal for sexually active couples.
What About Male Symptoms and Treatment?
So what if your male partner has symptoms like itching, discharge, or irritation? Those are real concerns, but they're not BV. They're signs of completely different conditions that need their own treatment.
Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra that can cause burning when peeing and discharge. While it's often caused by STIs, some cases involve the same bacteria found in BV [5].
Balanitis is inflammation of the head of the penis, causing redness, swelling, and pain. It's more common in uncircumcised men and can be caused by various bacteria and yeast.
If your partner has any of these symptoms, he should see a doctor. It's not BV, and it needs different treatment.
Now for the million-dollar question: should male partners get treated to prevent BV from coming back? For years, the CDC said no. The official guidance was that treating male partners doesn't help because studies hadn't shown it worked [1].
But here's where things get really interesting. In 2025, a groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine completely changed the game. Researchers found that when male partners were treated with both oral and topical antibiotics at the same time as their female partners, BV recurrence dropped significantly [4].
The numbers are pretty impressive: 63% of women whose partners weren't treated had BV come back within 12 weeks. But only 35% of women whose partners were treated had a recurrence. That's a huge difference.
This research is brand new, so it'll take time for official guidelines to catch up. But it's the first solid evidence that treating male partners can actually help prevent recurring BV.
Your Game Plan as a Couple
So what does all this mean for you and your partner? It means BV isn't just "your problem." It's something you can tackle together as a team.
Talk It Out Have honest conversations about what's happening. The more you both understand the science, the less room there is for blame or awkwardness. BV isn't anyone's fault, and understanding that can actually bring you closer together.
Focus on Comprehensive Support. While the new research on treating male partners is exciting, the most important step is supporting your vaginal health comprehensively. Instead of just treating symptoms when they pop up, focus on restoring your vaginal microbiome's natural balance. Products like Neycher's BV Away are designed to support healthy vaginal pH and help reestablish those protective Lactobacillus bacteria. This approach addresses both immediate symptoms and long-term vaginal health.
Consider Barrier Methods: Condoms can reduce the exchange of bacteria between partners. If you're dealing with recurring BV, using condoms for a while might help break the cycle.
Practice Mindful Hygiene. Both partners should use gentle, pH-balanced cleansers for their genital areas. Harsh soaps and douching can disrupt the delicate bacterial balance for both of you.
Talk to Your Doctor. If you're dealing with recurring BV, ask your doctor about the latest research on partner treatment. While it might not be standard practice yet, it's definitely worth discussing, especially given that 2025 study.
The Bottom Line
The conversation around bacterial vaginosis is evolving fast. We now know that while men can't get BV, they can carry the bacteria that contribute to it. Their microbiome can significantly impact your vaginal health. The old belief that treating male partners is pointless is being challenged by solid new research.
For couples, this new understanding offers real hope. BV isn't just a one-person problem anymore. It's a shared health dynamic that you can manage together. By communicating openly, focusing on comprehensive vaginal health support, and staying informed about the latest science, you can tackle recurring BV as a team.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bacterial Vaginosis - STI Treatment Guidelines.
- ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 215: Vaginitis in Nonpregnant Patients.
- Mehta, S. D., et al. (2020). The Microbiome Composition of a Man's Penis Predicts Incident Bacterial Vaginosis in His Female Sex Partner With High Accuracy. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.
- Vodstrcil, L. A., et al. (2025). Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis. New England Journal of Medicine.
- Manhart, L. E., et al. (2006). An association between non-gonococcal urethritis and bacterial vaginosis. Sexually Transmitted Infections.
