Study suggests vaginal infection BV should be treated as STI

A recent study has suggested that Bacterial Vaginosi (BV), a vaginal infection, should be treated as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

The research contradicts the current view of the National Health Sevice (NHS), which states that BV is caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina, not by an STI.

BV is a common vaginal infection affecting one-third of women of reproductive age, characterized by an off-white or gray discharge with a distinct “fishy” odour.

The study — published on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine — discovered that BV is linked to bacteria present on penile skin, implying that it is likely an STI. This revelation sheds light on the infection’s tendency to recur.

“The bacteria that cause BV can be located in men, especially in penile skin and also in the urethra,” said Lenka Vodstrcil, the study’s first author.

“This suggests that BV is probably sexually transmitted, and that is why so many women get it back again after treatment.”

The study, conducted by Australian researchers, analyzed 164 monogamous couples affected by BV across five health centers in the country.

The couples were divided into two groups (81-83): a partner-treatment group, where both partners received treatment, and a control group, where only the women received treatment.

The results showed a significant reduction in BV recurrence rates among couples who received partner treatment. Within 12 weeks, only 35% of women in the partner-treatment group experienced BV again, compared to 63% in the standard treatment group.

Catriona Bradshaw, the study’s senior author, emphasized the importance of treating BV as an STI and involving sexual partners in treatment to prevent recurrence.

“Our trial has shown that reinfection from partners is causing a lot of the BV recurrence women experience, and provides evidence that BV is in fact an STI,” Bradshaw said.

According to Christina Muzny, the study marks a “paradigm shift” in understanding BV.

She emphasised that preventing recurrence will require doctors and male partners to take responsibility.

Muzny urged doctors to encourage male partners to actively participate in treatment.

“It will also require a willingness of male partners to commit to taking both oral and topical medications, once notified by their female partner that she has bacterial vaginosis and that it is probably sexually transmitted,” Muzny said.