In BV management, which preventive measure is recommended?

• A. Douching regularly
• B. Avoid douching
• C. Treating the sexual partner
• D. Avoid sex during treatment

Answer: (B)

Maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome by avoiding practices that disrupt it is key. Douching disrupts the natural protective lactobacilli, raises vaginal pH, and can promote overgrowth of organisms that cause BV, increasing the risk of recurrence. That’s why avoiding douching is the recommended preventive measure after treatment. Treating the sexual partner isn’t routinely indicated because BV isn’t consistently transmitted through sexual contact, and partner treatment hasn’t shown clear benefit in preventing recurrence. Avoiding sex during treatment may be advised to support healing, but the main preventive guidance focuses on not douching to help restore and maintain normal vaginal flora.