About this page
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) partner treatment has been shown to improve BV cure and reduce repeat infections. This page contains partner treatment medication instructions for partners with a penis.
We acknowledge that our research may not fully reflect the diversity of the community we aim to support, including people who are intersex. We encourage individuals to discuss their needs with their clinician to determine the most appropriate care.
What does the treatment consist of?
BV partner treatment involves a combination of:
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A tablet - An oral antibiotic called metronidazole AND
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A cream – An antibiotic called clindamycin
The tablets clear BV-bacteria from inside the urethra (the tube urine passes through) and the cream clears the BV-bacteria from the skin of the penis.
When should I take it?
If possible, treatment dates should align with the dates your partner is taking their treatment
How should I take it?
Instructions for the tablets: Take one tablet in the morning and one at night for 7 days. Tablets should be taken with food.
Instructions for the cream: Apply the cream morning and night for 7 days. If you are planning on having a shower, please apply the cream after your shower as the water will wash off the cream. Follow steps 1-5.
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Squeeze a line of cream from the tip of your finger to the first crease, as shown
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If you have a foreskin, pull it back before applying the cream
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Rub the cream over the skin of the head of the penis, covering the whole head from the tip of the penis to the groove just below the head
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Squeeze a second line of cream from the tip of your index finger to the first crease
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Rub this second line of cream from the groove under the head of the penis to the base, making sure to cover the entire shaft. Gently rub the cream into the skin.
Image description: A line of cream measured from the fingertip to the first crease
Safety Information
Both metronidazole and clindamycin have been used for many years to treat people with a vagina who have BV. Both antibiotics are safe without significant side effects for people with a penis.
Some people who take metronidazole may experience the following side effects:
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Mild headache
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Nausea
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Metallic taste
It is important not to consume any alcohol for the 7 days you are taking metronidazole, as it may interact with the medication.
A small number of people may experience mild redness or irritation of the penile skin from the clindamycin cream. This usually does not result in the need to stop the cream.
If you have any symptoms that you are concerned about while you are taking the antibiotics, please speak to your doctor.
Anything else I should know?
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It is important that no doses of either the cream or tablet are missed over the 7 days. If you forget a dose, continue taking the antibiotics twice a day until they are finished.
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Please avoid all sexual contact until both partners have completed treatment to avoid bacteria being exchanged between partners and the BV coming back. This is standard practice for partner treatment with antibiotics. If you do have penile-vaginal sex, please use a condom and be aware that recently applied cream may weaken latex condoms.