Can Lyme Be Sexually Transmitted?

Lyme Sexual Transmission

Lyme may be sexually transmitted.

In this article I review the science behind this statement and the risk that I believe exists. I also answer the following questions:

Q: Should I have my healthy sexual partner tested for Lyme disease?

Q: But shouldn’t I have my sexual partner tested to prevent him or her from transmitting the germ back to me during or after a care regimen?

Q: Should I tell my new sexual partner that I have Lyme? Should we use condoms?

How We Know Lyme Disease Could Be Sexually Transmitted

The Lyme infection, borrelia, can be sexually transmitted. However we do not know the actual rate or chance of transmission. There is limited science around this topic, but here it is.

• Studies do show borellia in vaginal fluid and male ejaculate of those who have positive testing with Lyme disease (1, 2).
• In one recent study, 13 people with lyme were studied. Of the 13 studied 3 were sexual partners. All 13 had evidence of Lyme in the genital secretions. The sexual partners in each of these studies had identical strains of borrelia (Lyme) detected in the male ejaculate and vaginal fluid. However the researchers did not clarify the length between sexual activity of each couple and when the specimens were obtained. Nor is there scientific evidence indicating how long borrelia can persist in the vaginal fluid after male ejaculation. Thus it is possible the detection of identical strains in the female partner could be from male secretions in the vaginal fluid rather than her own vaginal secretions. In addition, it is possible each person in the couple were independently bitten by ticks which each carried the same strain. Furthermore this study only included 13 people. Small studies of this nature often do not reflect what happens in the general population.
• Lyme is a spirochete like syphilis which is well know to be sexually transmitted.
• Most Lyme Literate Medical Doctors (LLMD) provide care to married and other committed partners who both have Lyme disease.
• The actual sexual transmission rate is not known.

On a positive note, in my experience when I practiced in Seattle, most who get a Lyme infection through sexual transmission do not develop Lyme disease. I believe most people have immune systems that are able to rid the body of the Lyme infection or keep it under control.

Marty Ross MD Discusses Lyme Sexual Transmission

The video is a recording from Conversations with Marty Ross MD on 10/22/14 when Dr. Ross practiced in Seattle, Washington.

Q:  Should I have my healthy sexual partner tested for Lyme disease?

A:  I do not support testing in this situation. Even if testing is positive, it is not a good idea to use a care regimen in this situation. I believe the majority of people, children or adult, who have Lyme infection do not develop Lyme disease. Lyme disease is the medical mess that sometimes results from a Lyme infection but does not always occur. Our immune systems do have the ability to get rid of the infection or to keep it under control. There are no animal or human studies that show what percent of the time Lyme disease develops in those with positive testing.

There are no outcome studies to show what happens when antibiotics are given to the healthy adult who does not have symptoms of Lyme disease. It is possible using antibiotics in this situation could trigger a more virulent form of the Lyme germ or care regimen resistant infection causing Lyme disease to develop down the road. I take an “if it is not broken do not fix it” approach. One other point it is possible to have false positive testing too. The ability of a test to truly predict a disease is increased if symptoms of the illness are present. For more information about testing and false postive results see A Review of Lyme Infection Tests. Pass or Fail.

Q:  But shouldn’t I have my sexual partner tested to prevent him or her from transmitting the germ back to me during or after a care regimen?

A:   I do not think so. During care, it is highly unlikely that your partner will transmit Lyme to you because the herbal or prescription antibiotics you take will prevent this from happening.

At the end of a care regimen consider the steps outlined in Finished? And How to Prevent Relapse. I also believe these same steps that support the immune system will prevent the Lyme germs from a sexual partner to take hold. Even if a healthy sexual partner is provided a regimen for Lyme infection, there is no proof that the germ is eradicated at the end of his or her regimen. So it is best to follow the steps in outlined in Finished? And How to Prevent Relapse.

Q:  Should I tell my new sexual partner that I have Lyme? Should we use condoms?

A:  First condoms are a good idea for any sexual relationship that is not monogamous to prevent contracting a variety of sexual transmitted infections. Regarding Lyme, the choice on this topic is quite personal. As I discuss above, not all who contract a Lyme infection develop Lyme disease. It is not clear what the transmission rate is. Furthermore most who do get Lyme disease are likely easily addressed with a care regimen. If you choose to tell your sexual partner then share this article together to make the best choice for you and your relationship.

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