Clindamycin Cream Application for Male Partners: Not Recommended by Guidelines
Male partners of women with bacterial vaginosis should NOT receive clindamycin cream or any antimicrobial treatment, as multiple randomized controlled trials demonstrate that partner treatment does not improve cure rates, reduce recurrence, or affect therapeutic response in women. 1
Why Partner Treatment Is Not Indicated
The CDC explicitly recommends against treating male sexual partners for bacterial vaginosis because:
- Clinical trials consistently show no impact on women's clinical response, cure rates, or relapse rates when partners are treated 1
- Bacterial vaginosis is not classified as a strictly sexually transmitted disease requiring partner therapy 1
- Flare-ups of vaginal symptoms after intercourse are attributed to local vaginal pH disruption from seminal fluid, not reinfection from the partner 1
Common Clinical Pitfall to Avoid
Do not prescribe clindamycin cream to male partners based solely on the timing of symptom recurrence after intercourse—the temporal relationship does not indicate partner colonization requiring therapy. 1
If Clindamycin Cream Were Hypothetically Applied (Based on Research Context Only)
While not guideline-recommended, one pilot study explored topical application in males using:
- Clindamycin 2% cream applied to penile skin twice daily for 7 days 2
- The study found this regimen acceptable and well-tolerated in males 2
- However, this was a pilot study of only 22 couples and does not override CDC recommendations against partner treatment 2
The Correct Approach: Treat the Female Partner Only
For the female partner with bacterial vaginosis:
- Clindamycin 2% vaginal cream: 5 grams intravaginally at bedtime for 7 days achieves cure rates of 82-86% 1
- Alternative: Oral metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days with ~95% cure rate 1
- Critical warning: Clindamycin cream is oil-based and weakens latex condoms and diaphragms; advise alternative contraception during treatment 1