Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common vaginal infection affecting nearly one in three women of reproductive age, has traditionally been treated as a condition that only impacts women.
However, new research suggests that BV may be sexually transmitted and that treating male partners could help reduce the recurrence of the infection.
A study conducted by Australian researchers, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, adds to the growing evidence that BV is indeed an STI. The study involved 164 monogamous heterosexual couples, with half of the women receiving standard treatment and their male partners also being treated with both oral antibiotics and topical creams. In comparison, the other half of the women only received treatment.
The results were notable: in the group where both partners received treatment, 35% of women experienced recurrence of BV within three months, compared to 63% in the group where only the women were treated. This significant reduction in recurrence supports the idea that male partners may play a role in reinfecting women, a crucial finding for understanding the persistence of BV.
Catriona Bradshaw, a professor at Monash University and lead author of the study, emphasized that the results confirm that reinfection from male partners is a major contributor to the recurrence of BV in women. This finding challenges the long-held belief that BV is not a sexually transmitted infection.
While BV has long been associated with symptoms such as unusual discharge, odor, and itching, it is also linked to serious health risks, including complications during pregnancy, an increased vulnerability to other STIs, and even infertility. Recurrence is a major issue for many women, with some experiencing repeated infections despite receiving treatment.
Experts in the field, such as Dr. Christina Muzny from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, have highlighted the potential impact of these findings on future BV treatment strategies. The study suggests that including male partners in the treatment process could reduce the cycle of recurrence that has long frustrated women affected by this condition. This shift in approach may influence medical guidelines, potentially leading to updated recommendations from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Despite the promising results, some experts, including Dr. Janet Wilson from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, caution that treating male partners alone may not entirely resolve the issue of BV recurrence. While the study showed significant improvements, there are cases where women with BV who avoid sexual activity still struggle with persistent infections. As such, while treating male partners is a key step forward, ongoing research and broader treatment strategies will be necessary to address the full scope of BV.
With input from the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Guardian.
