This study looked at behaviours of women with symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV) to see if any of their behaviours could play a part in returning episodes of BV.
After 6 months, 28% of the women had BV again after treatment. Risk of BV recurrence was increased in women who had the same sexual partner before and after treatment and in women who did not consistently use condoms. The risk of BV recurrence was halved among the women using oestrogen based contraceptives.
Publications
Recurrence of bacterial vaginosis is significantly associated with post-treatment sexual activities and hormonal contraceptive use
Bradshaw CS, Vodstrcil LA, Hocking JS, Law M, Pirotta M, Garland SM, De Guingand D, Morton AN, Fairley CK
(2013), Clinical Infectious Diseases,
DOI: 10.1093/cid/cis1030