Male Partner BV Treatment

It depends! Men don’t usually need treatment for BV-associated bacteria (and technically men cannot have BV), since those bacteria aren’t harmful to people with penises. But recent research shows that treating male partners could help reduce how often BV comes back in women. While it’s not yet the standard of care, Evvy is committed to offering precision vaginal healthcare based on the latest science.

For male partners of someone with BV, treatment may include a combination of oral metronidazole 500 mg taken twice daily for 7 days, along with clindamycin 2% cream applied to the penis once daily for 7 days. Your specific prescriptions will be determined at the discretion of an Evvy-affiliated provider, based on clinical judgment and your unique situation. 

Yes, men can get Male Partner BV Treatment online without an in-person doctor visit through Evvy if they can attest that their female partner has been diagnosed with BV. Additionally, female Evvy users diagnosed with BV will see the option to purchase a Male Partner BV Treatment Voucher within their care program, if approved by your Evvy-affiliated clinician. You can buy the voucher on behalf of your partner and send them a code to redeem for treatment — but please note that the male patient must complete their own intake forms to redeem the voucher. 

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Male BV treatment usually lasts a week. If you're working with one of our Evvy-affiliated providers, they typically recommend taking oral metronidazole twice a day, along with topical clindamycin applied once a day, for 7 days. The exact treatment plan and how long it lasts will be tailored to you.

Yes, BV bacteria can come back after treatment, especially if both partners aren’t treated together. While the bacteria that cause BV don’t lead to any symptoms or issues in people with penises, they can still be present in the penile microbiome and might be passed back and forth between partners, which could lead to BV returning in women. Treating both partners can help break this cycle, but there’s still a chance of reinfection. Research is ongoing to find the best ways to prevent this from happening. 

The most common side effects of metronidazole for male BV treatment are similar to those seen in women and may include mild nausea, headache, and a metallic taste in the mouth. However, when used as a short-course therapy for partner treatment of BV, serious or long-lasting side effects are rare. Most people tolerate the medication well, especially when taken as prescribed over the standard 7-day course.

The most common side effects of clindamycin cream for male BV treatment are mild and localized. Some men may experience redness and irritation of the penile skin, but these side effects are generally temporary and well-tolerated. No serious adverse events were reported in studies using clindamycin for male partner treatment of BV.

Yes, you can start treatment before your partner begins theirs. However, it’s very important that both of you complete your full treatment before becoming sexually active again. Having unprotected sex before finishing the treatment can jeopardize its effectiveness and increase the risk of reinfection. To reduce the chance of BV coming back, make sure you and your partner follow your prescribed treatment plans fully and avoid sex until both of you have finished treatment.

Our packaging is fully discreet! You’ll receive your prescription in a plain mailer, directly to your door.