Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

Most Common Vaginal Infection May Actually Be An STD, Study Finds

A common but misunderstood <span>vaginal infection</span> that occurs in almost one in three women worldwide is now being re-evaluated as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), according to a new research. <span>Bacterial vaginosis</span> (BV), previously classified as a women's health problem, is often treated in isolation—excluding male sexual partners. But new evidence indicates that not treating both partners could be the explanation for why BV recurs at frighteningly high levels.

Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the vaginal microbiome experiences an imbalance, with a decline in protective bacteria and an increase in harmful bacterial species. This disruption can lead to an unpleasant fishy odor, unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or a burning sensation—although many women experience no symptoms at all. BV is commonly waved off as a simple imbalance and not a real health problem, but it is associated with serious risks such as higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), pelvic inflammatory disease, and pregnancy-related complications like premature delivery and low birth weight.

Historically, BV has not been categorized as an STI because its etiological bacteria arise from within the body and not from outside pathogens. But with growing evidence, it now appears that this knowledge was limited, and sexual transmission might be a vital factor in recurrence of BV.

Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that recurrence rates of BV are high—approximately 50% of women have a relapse in the first six months following antibiotic treatment. Reinfection by untreated male partners is a primary cause of these recurrences. Studies have found BV-associated bacteria in the penile skin and male urethra, which supports the theory that men can reinfect their female partners with such bacteria.

An Australian randomized clinical trial supplied strong evidence in favor of the theory. In the study, 164 heterosexual monogamous couples in which the woman had BV were tested. The volunteers were put into two groups: a group where the woman was treated only and a group where both partners were treated. The findings were dramatic—BV recurrence rates fell to 35% in the partner-treatment group versus 63% in the single-woman treatment group. This indicates that treating male partners has a significant impact on preventing BV recurrence.

<h2>Why Current <span rel="noindex">BV Treatment</span> Approaches Are Not Working?</h2>

Most prior efforts at treating male partners for BV have not demonstrated significant female recurrence rate improvements. But these trials used oral antibiotics only, which might not be enough to completely clear the bacteria from male partners. The new Australian trial was different in that it used a combination therapy: men were given an oral antibiotic and a clindamycin cream to put on the penis. This two-pronged approach seems much more effective, and it shows that there should be a new standard of treatment.

Even with this strong evidence, however, most healthcare providers continue to fail to acknowledge BV as an STI. Infectious disease experts Jack Sobel and Christina Muzny, who did not participate in the research, state that BV is still inaccurately classified as a sexually unrelated condition. This false assumption denies appropriate treatment options that would decrease rates of recurrence and enhance women's long-term health.

<h2>Health Risks of Untreated Bacterial vaginosis</h2>

Although BV itself is not dangerous, if left untreated, infections can be dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) alerts that BV makes a woman more likely to get HIV and other STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. BV may also cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, leading to infertility. These risks make it important to adopt a more holistic approach to diagnosing and treating BV.

Considering BV an STI would be a major change in the approach to treating this infection by the medical field. If BV were actually considered an STI, physicians would be incentivized to treat both sexual partners at the same time, and recurrence rates would decrease dramatically, as well as patient outcomes. This change would also work to de-stigmatize BV, moving it from being regarded as a hygiene problem to being recognized as a valid medical condition that can be treated appropriately.

"This effective intervention is cheap and brief and has the potential for the first time to not only enhance BV cure in women, but offers exciting new prospects for BV prevention, and prevention of the severe complications of BV," said Dr. Catriona Bradshaw, a clinician scientist at Monash University and lead author of the research.

More studies are required to validate these results in larger and more diverse populations, but the findings are encouraging. If subsequent studies confirm the sexual transmission theory, international health guidelines may one day be revised to incorporate this new knowledge.

The medical profession is now presented with the task of informing both patients and clinicians of these implications. Greater awareness can lead to improved treatment options, empowering women to become more proactive about their reproductive health as well as engaging male partners in the treatment process.

"It's time to begin the conversation," write Sobel and Muzny. With the promise of preventing recurrence and safeguarding against long-term health consequences, treating BV as an STI could be the answer to dramatically improving women's health globally.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most prevalent vaginal infection, yet it is largely misunderstood. The most recent studies indicate that BV must be categorized and treated as an STI, with the inclusion of male partners in the treatment regimen. This conceptual shift would aid in decreasing rates of recurrence, reduce the risk of complications, and ultimately enhance the health and well-being of millions of women globally. As discussion regarding BV is ongoing, it is crucial that healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients alike become aware of the need for a more holistic and inclusive treatment.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

sexual health

vaginal infection

bacterial vaginosis

std symptoms

bv treatment

recurrent bv

women’s health

sti prevention

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A common but misunderstood vaginal infection that occurs in almost one in three women worldwide is now being re-evaluated as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), according to a new research. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), previously classified as a women's health problem, is often treated in isolation—excluding male sexual partners. But new evidence indicates that not treating both partners could be the explanation for why BV recurs at frighteningly high levels.Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the vaginal microbiome experiences an imbalance, with a decline in protective bacteria and an increase in harmful bacterial species. This disruption can lead to an unpleasant fishy odor, unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or a burning sensation—although many women experience no symptoms at all. BV is commonly waved off as a simple imbalance and not a real health problem, but it is associated with serious risks such as higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), pelvic inflammatory disease, and pregnancy-related complications like premature delivery and low birth weight.Historically, BV has not been categorized as an STI because its etiological bacteria arise from within the body and not from outside pathogens. But with growing evidence, it now appears that this knowledge was limited, and sexual transmission might be a vital factor in recurrence of BV.Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that recurrence rates of BV are high—approximately 50% of women have a relapse in the first six months following antibiotic treatment. Reinfection by untreated male partners is a primary cause of these recurrences. Studies have found BV-associated bacteria in the penile skin and male urethra, which supports the theory that men can reinfect their female partners with such bacteria.An Australian randomized clinical trial supplied strong evidence in favor of the theory. In the study, 164 heterosexual monogamous couples in which the woman had BV were tested. The volunteers were put into two groups: a group where the woman was treated only and a group where both partners were treated. The findings were dramatic—BV recurrence rates fell to 35% in the partner-treatment group versus 63% in the single-woman treatment group. This indicates that treating male partners has a significant impact on preventing BV recurrence.Why Current BV Treatment Approaches Are Not Working?Most prior efforts at treating male partners for BV have not demonstrated significant female recurrence rate improvements. But these trials used oral antibiotics only, which might not be enough to completely clear the bacteria from male partners. The new Australian trial was different in that it used a combination therapy: men were given an oral antibiotic and a clindamycin cream to put on the penis. This two-pronged approach seems much more effective, and it shows that there should be a new standard of treatment.Even with this strong evidence, however, most healthcare providers continue to fail to acknowledge BV as an STI. Infectious disease experts Jack Sobel and Christina Muzny, who did not participate in the research, state that BV is still inaccurately classified as a sexually unrelated condition. This false assumption denies appropriate treatment options that would decrease rates of recurrence and enhance women's long-term health.Health Risks of Untreated Bacterial vaginosisAlthough BV itself is not dangerous, if left untreated, infections can be dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) alerts that BV makes a woman more likely to get HIV and other STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. BV may also cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, leading to infertility. These risks make it important to adopt a more holistic approach to diagnosing and treating BV.Considering BV an STI would be a major change in the approach to treating this infection by the medical field. If BV were actually considered an STI, physicians would be incentivized to treat both sexual partners at the same time, and recurrence rates would decrease dramatically, as well as patient outcomes. This change would also work to de-stigmatize BV, moving it from being regarded as a hygiene problem to being recognized as a valid medical condition that can be treated appropriately."This effective intervention is cheap and brief and has the potential for the first time to not only enhance BV cure in women, but offers exciting new prospects for BV prevention, and prevention of the severe complications of BV," said Dr. Catriona Bradshaw, a clinician scientist at Monash University and lead author of the research.More studies are required to validate these results in larger and more diverse populations, but the findings are encouraging. If subsequent studies confirm the sexual transmission theory, international health guidelines may one day be revised to incorporate this new knowledge.The medical profession is now presented with the task of informing both patients and clinicians of these implications. Greater awareness can lead to improved treatment options, empowering women to become more proactive about their reproductive health as well as engaging male partners in the treatment process."It's time to begin the conversation," write Sobel and Muzny. With the promise of preventing recurrence and safeguarding against long-term health consequences, treating BV as an STI could be the answer to dramatically improving women's health globally.Bacterial vaginosis is the most prevalent vaginal infection, yet it is largely misunderstood. The most recent studies indicate that BV must be categorized and treated as an STI, with the inclusion of male partners in the treatment regimen. This conceptual shift would aid in decreasing rates of recurrence, reduce the risk of complications, and ultimately enhance the health and well-being of millions of women globally. As discussion regarding BV is ongoing, it is crucial that healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients alike become aware of the need for a more holistic and inclusive treatment.