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That includes gay and bisexual men and people who have had an STI in the past.

In the trial of 164 couples with BV, the researchers achieved higher cure rates by treating BV as an STI, with both sexual partners - rather than just the woman - given antibiotics.

The NHS currently says BV is caused by "a change in the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina and is not an STI", even though it can be triggered by sex.

Our trial has shown that reinfection from partners is causing a lot of the BV recurrence women experience, and provides evidence that BV is in fact an STI.

If you have symptoms of an STI or concerns about BV, visit your doctor or local sexual health clinic.