Bacterial Vaginosis in Men: Is It Possible and Can You Spread It? (2024)

While people with no vagina can’t get bacterial vaginosis (BV), they may be able to transmit it to a partner who has a vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection caused by having too much of a certain type of bacteria in the vagina.

The vagina naturally maintains a balance of lactobacilli, which are beneficial bacteria. These are often referred to as the vaginal flora or microbiota. When vaginal flora is out of balance, harmful anaerobic bacteria take over.

Men can’t get BV spontaneously because the penis doesn’t have the same delicate balance of bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis is not an sexually transmitted infection (STI), even though it can be triggered by sex. It’s worth noting that you’re more likely to get an STI if you have bacterial vaginosis.

Read on to learn more about whether men can pass bacterial vaginosis on to their partners and the kinds of conditions that can cause similar symptoms in men.

There’s no way for men to get BV. However, experts aren’t as sure about whether men can spread BV to female partners.

Women can develop BV regardless of whether they’re sexually active. But sexually active women do have a higher risk of developing bacterial vaginosis. Women are also more likely to develop BV when having sex with women.

Still, some research suggests that men can spread BV or similar bacterial infections to female partners.

A 2015 study involving 165 uncircumcised men concluded that participants who had one or more female sexual partners, aside from their spouse, were more likely to carry bacteria associated with BV on their penis. In turn, this increased their spouse’s risk of developing BV after having unprotected sex.

Another study from 2013 involved 157 heterosexual men. The investigators found that men with a history of nongonococcal urethritis were more likely to carry BV-causing bacteria on their penis. Nongonococcal urethritis is a condition that involves inflammation of the urethra, the tube through which urine passes on its way out of the penis.

Several conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of BV in men. These include ongoing itchiness, discharge, and unusual odors.

Thrush

Thrush happens when a fungus, usually Candida albicans, grows out of control on your penis. It’s commonly called a yeast infection. Thrush can cause penile itching and a build-up of a chunky substance under your foreskin if you have one.

Thrush can be caused by wearing tight clothing that doesn’t let your genital area get enough fresh air. Sweating a lot can also increase your risk. You can spread or develop thrush by having unprotected sex.

STIs

Many STIs caused by bacteria can have symptoms similar to those of BV.

Some STIs that may cause these symptoms include:

  • gonorrhea
  • chlamydia
  • trichomoniasis
  • genital herpes
  • human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

STIs are spread through unprotected sex.

Urinary tract infection

Similar to BV, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually associated with women. But men can get them, too. This usually happens when there’s an overgrowth of bacteria in your bladder or ureters, which connect your kidneys to your bladder.

Additional symptoms of a UTI include:

  • inflammation
  • pain while urinating
  • bloody urine

UTIs are often caused when Escherichia coli bacteria found in your body travel up your urethra into your bladder and kidneys.

Balanitis

Balanitis happens when the skin on the tip of your penis becomes irritated and inflamed.

Balanitis is more common in men who have foreskin. In some cases, you may not be able to pull back your foreskin because the skin is too swollen.

Several things can cause balanitis, including:

  • cleaning your penis too much or too little
  • using scented products on the penis
  • STIs
  • reactive arthritis
  • untreated diabetes

You can reduce your risk of spreading bacteria related to BV or other STIs by following a few steps:

  • Wear a condom or use protection during vaginal or anal sex. Use a dental dam during oral sex to keep bacteria from getting in your mouth. Learn how to properly use condoms.
  • Limit the number of sexual partners you have at one time.
  • Keep your penis and genital area cleanto keep bacteria from overgrowing. Make sure you clean the skin beneath your foreskin regularly, too.
  • Wear loose, breathable cotton underwear to ventilate your genital area, especially when exercising or doing other things that make you sweat.

Men can’t get BV. However, men can carry BV-related bacteria on their penis or inside the urethra after penetrative vaginal intercourse. If you’re male and have symptoms similar to BV, it could be due to another condition, including an STI. Make an appointment with your doctor to figure out what’s causing your symptoms so you can start treating the condition and avoid spreading it to others.

Bacterial Vaginosis in Men: Is It Possible and Can You Spread It? (2024)

FAQs

Bacterial Vaginosis in Men: Is It Possible and Can You Spread It? ›

The bottom line. Men can't get BV. However, men can carry BV-related bacteria on their penis or inside the urethra after penetrative vaginal intercourse. If you're male and have symptoms similar to BV, it could be due to another condition, including an STI.

Can sperm survive BV? ›

BV, and other infections in general, can decrease fertility in a number of ways: Increasing inflammation and immune system activity, making a toxic environment for reproduction. Causing damage to sperm and vaginal cells.

Can BV turn into a STD? ›

Most often, BV does not cause other health problems. However, if left untreated, BV may increase your risk for: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Pelvic inflammatory disease where BV bacteria infect the uterus or fallopian tubes.

How does a man get gardnerella? ›

Gardnerella is a bacteria that infects the genital tract of women and causes a change in the bacterial balance, or rather, imbalance. This imbalance can cause a condition known as bacterial vaginosis (BV). The bacteria can also be passed on to men by women during sexual intercourse.

Is vaginitis contagious? ›

Vaginitis itself is not contagious, but if it is caused by an STI (sexually transmitted infection), that infection would be. If you or your partner have vaginitis and have multiple partners, it's best to ensure that an STI isn't the cause before engaging in sexual intercourse.

Can you transmit BV to a man? ›

The bottom line. Men can't get BV. However, men can carry BV-related bacteria on their penis or inside the urethra after penetrative vaginal intercourse. If you're male and have symptoms similar to BV, it could be due to another condition, including an STI.

Can my boyfriend pass BV back to me? ›

If your sexual partner has a penis, they generally don't require treatment. But BV can be transferred between people with vaginas, meaning that both of you may need treatment.

Can BV turn into chlamydia on its own? ›

Untreated bacterial vaginosis can lead to an increased risk of STIs, including HIV and pregnancy complications. [9] Bacterial vaginosis appears to increase the risk of subsequent chlamydia or gonorrhea infection by 1.9- and 1.8-fold, respectively.

What do BV sores look like? ›

BV does not cause bumps, sores, or rashes. Multiple vaginal infections can cause vaginal irritation. BV is characterized by increased and foul-smelling or “fishy” vaginal discharge. Vaginal discharge is usually thin (and sometimes foamy), gray, greenish, yellow, or white.

How did I get bacterial vaginosis? ›

However, we do know the condition most often occurs in those who are sexually active. BV is a result of an imbalance of "good" and "harmful" bacteria in a vagina. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV.

What can be mistaken for BV? ›

Gardnerella (a bacteria) is often confused with BV (a specific kind of vaginal infection). And sometimes Gardnerella and BV both are mistaken for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But Gardnerella isn't the same as BV, and it isn't considered a sexually transmitted bacteria (at least not officially).

How to cure a man of BV? ›

The treatment group involves taking an oral antibiotic and using a topical antibiotic cream applied twice daily to the penile skin for one week while the female partner is also undergoing treatment for BV.

How to test a man for BV? ›

BV is not spread through sex between female and male partners. So, if you're diagnosed with BV and have a male sex partner, he will not need to be tested. But the infection can be spread between female sex partners. If you have an infection and your partner is female, she should get a BV test.

Can you catch BV from someone? ›

Bacterial vaginosis is not an STI, even though it can be triggered by sex. A woman can pass it to another woman during sex. You're more likely to get an STI if you have bacterial vaginosis. This may be because it makes your vagina less acidic and reduces your natural defences against infection.

What does BV smell like? ›

BV is responsible for the fishy smell most commonly associated with unpleasant vaginal odors. The fishy smell may be especially strong after sex. Another common symptom to look out for with BV is a gray or grayish-white discharge. Trichomoniasis: A sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite.

Can BV spread through touch? ›

BV develops when there is an increase in harmful bacteria. It is not clear what role sexual activity plays in the development of BV. Women do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, swimming pools, or from touching objects around them.

Can I still get pregnant if I have BV? ›

There is no indication that BV affects a woman's ability to get pregnant. However, BV is associated with certain risks to the fetus, including delivering an infant preterm (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and delivering an infant with a low birth weight (generally, 5.5 pounds or less).

How do you stop sperm from giving you BV? ›

Use barrier methods of protection, such as condoms and dental dams, during sexual activity. The interaction between semen and vaginal discharge can increase your risk of getting BV. Keep it natural. Avoid douching or using scented products on your vulva or in your vagina.

Can you get BV from your partner's sperm? ›

Though women who have sex with men are at a higher risk of getting bacterial vaginosis, women cannot get BV directly from men. Studies suggest that the higher risk is due to the different pH levels of sperm. The more sexual partners you have, the more likely you can get BV.

What happens if you have BV while pregnant? ›

If you have BV during pregnancy, your baby is at increased risk for preterm birth and low birthweight. Preterm birth is birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Low birthweight is when your baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Being born too early or too small can cause health problems for your baby.

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