For years, recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV) was framed as a “vaginal imbalance” that individuals had to manage alone. Holistically, we have long advocated for partner treatment as a way to reduce microbial sharing. However this notion was not as accepted or considered in standard medical practice until 2025.
In 2025, landmark clinical research led by Australian scientists showed that bacteria associated with BV can be shared between intimate partners. When both partners were treated at the same time, recurrence rates dropped dramatically compared with treating only the person with a vagina (1).
This finding matters because BV is incredibly common, affecting up to 1 in 3 people with a vagina with more than half (60%) experiencing recurrence after standard treatment.
What the 2025 research confirmed is something microbiome science has long suggested:
- Intimate relationships create shared microbial ecosystems.
- Bacteria associated with vaginal dysbiosis can move between partners through sexual contact, meaning recurrent infections are sometimes less about an individual body and more about interacting microbiomes within relationships.
When we only look at one person’s microbiome, we may miss the wider ecological picture.
Understanding interacting microbiomes helps us ask better questions:
- How do partner microbiomes influence recurrence?
- How do sexual networks shape microbial exchange?
- How can care consider everyone involved?
This growing body of research is shifting how clinicians think about genitourinary health, vaginal dysbiosis, and fertility. Effective partner treatment and microbiome restoration and support for everyone can be the game changer you might be missing. The reality is that the microbial exchange in genitourinary health is more than likely for many different non STI conditions e.g. bacteria implicated in UTI, recurrent thrush and of course the confirmed sharing of Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma species.
At Intimate Ecology, we’re passionate about translating emerging microbiome science into care that recognises these shared biological ecosystems. This means in a consultation you are considered but we also explore partner influences and triggers as relevant.
You can view several important social media posts on this topic over on our Instagram.
- Dr. Moira discusses the research on partner treatment and what that means – View Instagram Post
- Naturopath Jessie-Anne discusses the headline BV as an STI? – View Instagram Post
- Does getting BV mean I have been cheated on? – View Instagram Post
- What is BV? – View Instagram Post
- Dr. Moira discusses the question “How do I treat my BV? – View Instagram Post
We are proud to support people navigating recurrent infection in integrated and inclusive ways. If you need support you can book an initial consultation with our practitioners via the booking page.
In addition to our popular 1:1 consultation models we have just launched two new services which take into account interconnected microbiomes in a way that offers more comprehensive care.
- Couples Fertility Microbiome Consultations
- Couples + / Polycule Microbiome Consultations
You can read about Couples + Polycule Microbiome consultations here
References and Resources:
- Vodstrcil, L. A., Plummer, E. L., Fairley, C. K., Hocking, J. S., Law, M. G., Petoumenos, K., … & Bradshaw, C. S. (2025). Male-partner treatment to prevent recurrence of bacterial vaginosis. New England Journal of Medicine, 392(10), 947-957.
- BV Fact sheet: https://www.staystifree.org.au/get-the-facts/bacterial-vaginosis