Researchers in Australia have made a groundbreaking discovery that suggests a common infection, affecting millions globally, may actually be a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has never officially been classified as an STI, but a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has provided strong evidence that it meets the criteria for one.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, around 35 percent of people with a vagina will experience BV at some point. The condition occurs when harmful bacteria outgrow the beneficial bacteria in the vagina, leading to symptoms such as off-white discharge with an unusual smell. While some may experience irritation, others may have no noticeable symptoms at all.

Only doctors can diagnose BVGetty Stock Photo

What Causes BV?

BV can develop in anyone with a vagina, but it is significantly more common among those who are sexually active.

Several factors may increase the risk of developing BV, including pregnancy, intrauterine devices (IUDs), having multiple or new sexual partners, using douches, and taking antibiotics. These factors can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina, making it easier for BV to develop.

Additionally, people who do not use barrier protection such as condoms or dental dams may be at greater risk of getting the infection.

Why Are Experts Reconsidering BV as an STI?

Researchers from Monash University and Alfred Health at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre conducted a study involving 164 couples where the woman had BV and was in a long-term, monogamous relationship with a male partner.

To test whether BV behaves like an STI, researchers took two different approaches. In one group, the male partners were given both oral antibiotics and a topical antibiotic cream to apply to their skin. In the other group, the men received no treatment at all.

Researchers found success when treating both men and women who had BVGetty Stock Photo

The study found that when both partners were treated, the BV cure rates were higher, a pattern that aligns with how STIs typically spread and persist.

Speaking about the results, Professor Catriona Bradshaw told BBC News: "Our trial has shown that reinfection from partners is causing a lot of the BV recurrence women experience, and provides evidence that BV is in fact an STI."

Bradshaw noted that pinpointing the exact bacteria responsible for BV remains a challenge, making it difficult to conclusively determine how it spreads. However, she expressed optimism that advancements in genomic sequencing may provide clearer answers in the near future.

Following the findings, the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre has already updated its treatment protocols.

Now, instead of only treating the person diagnosed with BV, they are also prescribing treatment for their sexual partner to prevent reinfection.

How Is BV Treated?

A confirmed BV diagnosis requires a doctor, as symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other infections.

If diagnosed, treatment typically involves antibiotics, which may be prescribed in different forms, such as vaginal gels or creams, or taken orally as pills.