Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health Episode 5 – Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment: New ACOG Partner Treatment Recommendations
In our fifth episode of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we discuss the recently published “StepUp” randomized controlled trial of male partner treatment for the prevention of bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrence in female partners with our expert guests, Dr. Craig Cohen and Dr. Ina Park. Building on our previous episode 4, we take a deep dive into the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Clinical Practice Update: Concurrent Sexual Partner Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence. This guidance was based on the StepUp clinical trial and published after we spoke with Dr. Christina Muzny in our last episode.
Today’s discussion covers why the vaginal microbiome is central to BV, what the recent clinical trial from Australia actually showed, a critical look at the new clinical practice update, and why applying the Australian trial findings in U.S. clinics requires appreciation of the nuances of the trial population. Our experts also explore whether BV should be viewed as a sexually transmitted infection, plus the practical challenges of treating male partners. They also highlight emerging strategies—such as microbiome-restoring therapies—and key questions that still need research before widespread adoption.
Disclosures:
Dr. Cohen discloses that he is on the scientific committee for Osel and Evvy.
Dr. Park has no disclosures.
Resources:
Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis
- Vodstrcil LA, Plummer EL, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Law MG, Petoumenos K, Bateson D, Murray GL, Donovan B, Chow EPF, Chen MY, Kaldor J, Bradshaw CS; StepUp Team. Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis. N Engl J Med. 2025 Mar 6;392(10):947-957. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2405404. PMID: 40043236.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40043236/
Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners
- Muzny CA, Sobel JD. Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners. New England Journal of Medicine. Published online March 6, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMe2500373
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40043241/
Getting Everyone on Board to Break the Cycle of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Recurrence: A Qualitative Study of Partner Treatment for BV
- King AJ, Phillips TR, Plummer EL, Wild N, Fairley CK, Chow EPF, Vodstrcil LA, Bradshaw CS. Getting Everyone on Board to Break the Cycle of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Recurrence: A Qualitative Study of Partner Treatment for BV. Patient. 2025 May;18(3):279-290. doi: 10.1007/s40271-025-00731-z. Epub 2025 Mar 14. PMID: 40085319; PMCID: PMC11985585.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11985585/
ACOG PUBLICATIONS: CLINICAL PRACTICE UPDATE
Concurrent Sexual Partner Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre – BV in focus
Free CME! STI Expert Hour Webinar – Male Partner Treatment to Prevent BV Recurrence: Evidence and Implementation on December 18, 2025
- https://courses.nnptc.org/class_information.html?id=4254&_gl=1*d4jdw8*_ga*MTMxNTc5NDgwMi4xNzY0ODU1Njcz*_ga_QG4NSTXXQL*czE3NjQ4NTU2NzMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NjQ4NTU2OTIkajQxJGwwJGgwGetting Everyone on Board to Break the Cycle of Bacterial Vaginosis, the Qualitative Study of Partner Treatment for BV.
Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.