Bacterial vaginosis in lesbians and bisexual women

Objective: To determine whether bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with sexual activity between women. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey of 708 new patients attending 2 sexual health clinics for lesbians and bisexual women in London, U.K. Questionnaire for demographic, sexual history, and sexual practice data linked with the results of genitourinary examination. Results: BV was common (31.4%). The odds of BV was significantly associated with larger numbers of female sexual partners (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; confidence interval [CI], 1.05-2.44 for greater than or equal to11 compared with 1-5 partners) and with smoking (OR, 1.43; CI, 1.01-2.03), but not with sex with men or vaginal douching. Conclusions: BV is common in women who have sex with women (WSW). The increasing odds of BV with larger numbers of female sexual partners suggest that BV may be sexually transmitted between women.