Bacterial Vaginosis Likely Is Something You Can Transmit Sexually
Has Medical Science Just Added a New STI to the List? This Is Important for Straight Guys
The Story
While many sexually transmitted infections impact people regardless of gender or sex, not all of them do. For instance, HPV can cause cancer in people with uteruses, but is symptom-free for people with penises.
Well, a new offender with unequal impacts depending on your sex has just dropped — sort of.
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The Snapshot
Last month, a study on bacterial vaginosis led to discussions around re-classifying the ailment as an STI — which impacts how it will be addressed by the medical community.
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While BV, which causes discomfort and pain for vagina-havers, may seem like a women’s health issue only to some, this new research strongly suggests that male partners have a big role to play in addressing BV prevention.
And though it is possible to contract BV without having sex, meaning it’s not a classic STI, this new data strongly suggests it is an infection that can be transmitted sexually.
The study in question, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that in heterosexual couples where the male partner was treated at the same time as the female partner, incidences of BV recurrence dropped significantly.
The difference — 63% recurrence in the control group vs. just 35% in the male-treatment group — was significant enough that they ended the study earlier than planned, in order to give those in the control group access to the same treatments.
The Lesson
Sexual healthcare providers Wisp, reacting to both the new study and years of anecdotal data, have begun offering treatment options for male partners of women experiencing recurring BV issues.
This kind of step forward in sexual health medicine is great to see, because it’s a fairly clear example of how taking women’s health seriously can benefit everyone — if you’re in a relationship with someone who has a vagina, medical learnings that reduce your partner’s risk of a vaginal infection are likely to be good news for both of you.
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