How can I stop my boyfriend from giving me BV?

Since the exact cause of BV isn't well understood, it's hard to pinpoint how to prevent it. However, using a condom or other barrier method during sexual activity can lower your chance of getting BV. You should also avoid douching, since it can wipe out the bacteria that help keep the balance in the vagina.

Why do I keep getting BV from my partner?

Having multiple sex partners increases the risk of bacterial vaginosis — an imbalance of vaginal bacteria that can cause pain and itching in women — but a new study suggests that being faithful to one partner may cause the infection to recur.

Why does my boyfriend throw off my pH balance?

Unprotected penetrative sex with a man changes the pH of your vagina because semen has a pH of between 7.1 and 8. During sex, the pH of your vagina rises in order to create a more alkaline environment to protect the sperm and encourage fertilization. This can also encourage the growth of certain bacteria.

Can a male partner give BV?

A common misconception is that men can also catch BV. Bacterial vaginosis occurs as a result of a bacterial imbalance in the vagina. However, penises do not have the same balance of bacteria as vaginas. As a result, men cannot catch BV in the same way that women can.

Can your partner throw off your pH balance?

(Yep, it's that powerful.) Unprotected sex with a new partner, however, can throw off your vaginal pH, which can disrupt your vag's germ-fighting powers and lead to a growth of foreign bacteria. (Related: Why Condoms Are Good for Your Vaginal Health—and Not Just Because of STDs.)

Understanding Bacterial Vaginosis

How do I fix my pH balance female?

Can acidic sperm cause BV?

Semen is alkaline and often women find they notice a fishy smell after having sex. This is because the vagina wants to be slightly acidic, but if it's knocked out of balance by the alkaline semen, and it can trigger BV. But BV doesn't have to be a problem.

Should my boyfriend be treated for BV?

Male sex partners of women with BV do not need treatment. However, BV can spread between female sex partners.

Can sperm cause bacterial infections?

Semen is alkaline and the vagina is acidic, which means unprotected sex with a male partner may disrupt the natural balance of bacteria within your vagina. Unprotected sex with a male partner can also lead to STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV, as bacteria and viruses can be carried in semen and pre-cum.

What can I eat to prevent BV?

Why does my partner make me smell fishy?

Some people notice a strong, fishy odor immediately after sexual intercourse, which is a sign of bacterial vaginosis. Others may note a less distinct smell. Sometimes, semen interacts with vaginal fluid, contributing to vaginal odor. Some lubricants can also affect the pH of the vagina, which can affect the scent.

Do I have to tell my partner I have BV?

When should I tell my partner? Male partners don't need to be treated for bacterial vaginosis (BV). If you have a female partner, she may have BV too. It's important to let her know so she can get treatment.

Can a mans sperm make you smell?

This mostly has to with your vaginal pH, which helps keep your vag healthy. Anything that gets in there can alter your pH levels and affect how you smell. If you have P-in-V sex, semen — which is alkaline and the opposite of your vagina's acidic environment — can temporarily change your smell.

What can you drink to get your pH balance back to normal?

Can Drinking Water restore pH balance?

Restores Ph balance in the body – Alkaline water carries a higher amount of Ph levels than regular bottled water which contributes to reducing the acidity levels in your body.

How do I fix my pH balance?

Can a man's sperm make a woman smell?

With sexually transmitted infections, it is possible for the semen to change colour to yellow or green and it can smell offensive. This means semen could be a potential cause of a bad vaginal odour after sex. After a male has ejaculated into the vagina, most semen will either seep out or dry up.

Can a man's sperm smell fishy?

Typically, semen has a faint smell caused by a mixture of chemicals, such as citric acid and calcium. Semen with an unusual smell, such as a strong, fishy odor, might be a sign of infection.

How do you tell your partner they smell down there?

“Then rather than having to say something negative, you can make a positive statement such as 'I love it when you smell so clean. ' Of course your partner might not take the hint, but it's worth a try, especially as the entire experience might prove very arousing to both of you.”

Can cranberry cure bacterial vaginosis?

You've probably heard that drinking cranberry juice reduces your chances of developing urinary tract infections, but it also wards off vaginal infections. Compounds in cranberries could balance the vagina's pH level, and its acidic property helps fight bacteria that cause infections.

What vitamins help prevent BV?

To help with BV prevention, 250 mg vitamin C should be used once daily vaginally for six days after your period. While silicone-coated vitamin C is not available in the US, enteric-coated vitamin C is available in the US and can be used in the same way.

What is the root cause of BV?

BV is often caused by gardnerella vaginalis, the most common type of bacteria in your vagina. Anything that changes the chemistry of your vagina's pH balance can mess with bacteria levels and lead to infection — like douching or using vaginal deodorants and other irritating products.

Which probiotic is best for BV?

The best probiotics for BV are products that include both Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 strains. These can be found in both the Fem-Dophilus from Jarrow Formulas and RepHresh Pro B probiotic supplements.

What foods throw off your pH balance?

Smelly foods: When eaten in excess, foods like garlic, asparagus, onions, and broccoli may make you taste or smell a bit funky as they can throw your pH balance out of whack.

What yogurt is best for BV?

Eat plain, probiotic yogurt daily. One study showed that after consuming 150mL yogurt containing L. acidophilus daily for two months, there was a 60% reduction in BV episodes.