Who Is Most Likely To Get BV?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) doesn't discriminate much. Any woman can get it, and it isn't a sign of poor hygiene or anything to feel embarrassed about. That said, some groups and circumstances do carry a higher chance of developing it, and the research on why has moved on quite a bit recently, especially around the role a partner can play. Here's what actually raises the odds, based on CDC, NHS and current clinical research.

How common is bacterial vaginosis?

BV is the most common vaginal condition in women aged 15 to 44, according to the CDC. The World Health Organization describes it as a very common cause of vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age, and it's both treatable and curable. It's also worth knowing that prevalence doesn't fall off a cliff after menopause: a 2023 review of the evidence found BV rates among post-menopausal women ranging anywhere from 2% to 57% depending on the population studied, averaging out at around 17%. So while BV is most talked about in younger, sexually active women, it's not something that only affects one age group.

Who's more likely to get it?

BV happens when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina gets disrupted, and certain things make that disruption more likely. According to the CDC and NHS, you're at higher risk if you:

• Are sexually active, particularly with a new partner or multiple partners
• Have recently changed sexual partner
• Use an IUD (coil) for contraception
• Douche or use perfumed washes, sprays or wipes in and around the vagina
• Don't use condoms
• Are pregnant, which also raises the stakes since untreated BV during pregnancy is linked to a higher chance of premature birth and low birth weight

We've gone into the full list of everyday habits and lifestyle factors that can trigger BV, including diet, clothing and stress, in What Is The Main Cause Of BV? if you want the complete picture.

Can you get BV without ever having sex?

Yes. It's less common, but the NHS is explicit that women who have never had sex can still develop bacterial vaginosis, and the CDC notes it rarely (not never) affects this group. BV is fundamentally about the vagina's own bacterial balance tipping over, and things like douching, scented products, or even genetics can trigger that shift with zero sexual contact involved. So if you've never been sexually active and you're dealing with symptoms, it doesn't rule out BV, and it isn't something you did wrong.

Can a partner give you BV, or make it keep coming back?

This is where the science has actually shifted. For years, standard guidance (including from the CDC) was that male partners of women with BV didn't need treatment, since men can't develop BV themselves. But a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2024 tested this directly. Researchers followed 164 heterosexual couples where the female partner had BV: in one group only she was treated, in the other both she and her male partner received antibiotics. Over 12 weeks, couples where both partners were treated saw far fewer repeat BV infections in the woman.

The theory isn't that men "carry" BV in the way an STI works. It's that bacteria exchanged during sex, potentially including species like Gardnerella, can disturb the vagina's bacterial balance again after treatment, effectively resetting the cycle. Researchers still aren't certain whether it's specific bacteria being passed back and forth or just the disruption of sex itself that lets harmful bacteria regain ground. Either way, if BV keeps returning and you have a regular partner, this research is worth raising with a GP or sexual health clinic, since combined treatment is an emerging option. For more on how BV differs from an STI and whether it can be passed on at all, see Can BV mean STD?

Can men get BV themselves?

No. Bacterial vaginosis is specific to the vaginal microbiome, so men don't get it in the way women do. The penis and urethra have their own bacterial environment, and while that can interact with a partner's vaginal bacteria during sex, it doesn't produce BV symptoms or an infection in a male body. This is also why BV isn't classed as a sexually transmitted infection, even though sexual activity clearly plays a role for many women.

Can BV be caused by dirty fingers, or spread that way?

Hands and fingers can transfer bacteria into the vagina, so poor hygiene before touching the area, or moving from anal to vaginal contact without washing, can in theory contribute to the bacterial disruption that leads to BV. It's a minor factor compared with the bigger drivers like douching, IUDs and sexual activity, but it's a simple thing to rule out. Washing hands beforehand, and avoiding sharing unwashed sex toys, are both sensible precautions.

Why do some women keep getting BV?

Recurrence is one of the most frustrating parts of BV, and it's extremely common: many women who get it once will get it again within months. A few things make someone more prone to repeat episodes:

• A previous infection not being fully cleared before treatment stopped
• Ongoing exposure to the same triggers, such as douching or a particular contraceptive method
• Naturally lower levels of protective lactobacilli bacteria in the vagina, which can be partly genetic
• Smoking, which is independently linked to a higher risk of recurrent BV
• Sex with the same regular partner, per the partner-treatment research above

If this sounds familiar, we've covered what untreated or recurring BV can lead to, and how long it tends to linger, in What does untreated BV lead to? and What Happens If You Leave BV Too Long?

Does age make a difference?

BV is most frequently diagnosed in women of reproductive age, but it isn't confined to that window. As mentioned above, post-menopausal women still get it at meaningful rates, likely linked to the hormonal changes that affect vaginal bacteria after menopause. Pregnant women are also a specific risk group worth flagging separately, not because pregnancy causes BV directly, but because the hormonal shifts of pregnancy can affect vaginal flora, and because untreated BV during pregnancy carries a small but real risk of complications.

What this means if you keep getting BV

If you fall into one or more of these higher-risk groups, that's useful to know, but it isn't a diagnosis and it isn't a reason to feel like you've done something wrong. BV is common, it's treatable with antibiotics, gels or creams, and support like vaginal probiotics can help maintain a healthier balance once it's cleared (we go into that in more depth in Can I Get Rid Of BV By Taking Probiotics?). If you're getting BV repeatedly, it's worth a proper conversation with a GP or sexual health clinic rather than just treating each episode in isolation, since recurrence often has an identifiable pattern once someone looks for it.

Does BV ever go away for good? For most women, yes, a course of treatment clears it, but there's no guarantee it won't return given how many risk factors are involved. Identifying your own pattern, whether that's a particular contraceptive, product, or partner, is usually more effective than repeating the same treatment each time and hoping it sticks.

If you'd like more on this subject, our Health Insider blog has a full library of posts on bacterial vaginosis causes, treatment and prevention. And if you've got a specific question, you're welcome to send us a message on Instagram.