Hello Doctor,
I was wondering if bacterial vaginosis (BV) can turn into chlamydia. I was treated for BV once, but it came back, and the second time, I didn’t get tested but told the urgent care provider I had it, so they gave me gel for treatment. Later, I found out I also had chlamydia. Could this mean my partner cheated? The first time I only had BV. Is there another way to get an STD besides sexual contact with someone infected? Also, if a man has intercourse with a woman who has BV, can he get chlamydia from her?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
The organism causing bacterial vaginosis (BV) is not the same as the one responsible for chlamydia. BV is caused by an imbalance in the bacteria that naturally live in the vagina, while chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. These two conditions are different but can co-exist, meaning it's possible to have both at the same time. This is why, when treating one infection, healthcare providers often consider testing for other sexually transmitted infections, as co-infections are common.
In your case, if you were diagnosed with BV but later found out you had chlamydia, it's unlikely that BV 'turned into' chlamydia. It’s more likely that both conditions were present at the same time or you contracted chlamydia separately, which could have happened through sexual contact with someone who had the infection.
Regarding your partner, if you had only BV, it is highly unlikely that they would contract chlamydia just from having intercourse with you. Chlamydia is typically transmitted through sexual contact with someone who is already infected with the chlamydia bacteria. Therefore, if chlamydia is present, it usually indicates that someone in the relationship has been exposed to it, either through a previous partner or another sexual contact.
Thanks
Ask Multiple Doctors Online for Just $5!
Ask Now