12% of women with bacterial vaginosis also have an STI, study finds increased risk for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

A large U.S. study analyzing over 1.5 million women found that 12% of those with bacterial vaginosis (BV) were co-infected with at least one sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Women with BV were over three times more likely to test positive for STIs compared to those without BV. This highlights the importance of comprehensive STI testing for women diagnosed with BV to prevent serious health complications. The study supports CDC guidelines recommending STI screening for BV-positive patients and underscores the value of advanced molecular diagnostics for timely detection and treatment.