Is bacterial vaginosis contagious?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Not in the contagious sense - BV is a shift in the balance of your own vaginal bacteria, not a germ passed between people. Per the Office on Women's Health, sexual activity influences risk - new or multiple partners, douching - but women who have never had sex get BV too, which is why it is not classified as an STI, and partners do not need treatment. It is easily treatable, and worth treating: untreated BV raises STI risk and can cause pregnancy problems.
What to do
- Get the diagnosis, not the guess. BV symptoms overlap with STIs that do need partner treatment.
- Take the full treatment. Prescribed gel, cream, or pills - finish the course.
- Skip douching. It disrupts the bacterial balance and is a listed risk factor.
- Flag pregnancy. BV in pregnancy needs prompt treatment, not watchful waiting.
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