One in three women are affected by bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common but poorly understood condition caused by an imbalance of vaginal bacteria that can cause discomfort and pain. BV is treated with an antibiotic cocktail — usually a combination of oral metronidazole or clindamycin and topical gels. But with 60% of BV cases recurring within a year, women are stuck repeating treatment regimens, upping their risk of antibiotic resistance and yeast infections.
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed a fix for this pesky infection — treating women’s male partners.
Previously, BV was only thought to impact women, but Jillian LoPiano, an OBGYN and the Chief Medical Director at Wisp, says this research confirms information that gynecologists have long suspected. The research suggests that BV can be sexually transmitted, meaning men can reinfect their partners.
“We’ve been talking about the same thing for years, but in the absence of good data, we weren’t making any interventions,” she says. “This illustrates that when you actually do quality studies in the area of women’s health, impactful interventions can be made.”
The trial, conducted at multiple sexual health and family planning centers in Australia, included 164 monogamous couples in which the women had bacterial vaginosis. Researchers gave 83 couples the standard treatment of a seven-day antibiotic course for the female partner. For the 81 couples in the partner-treatment group, the male partner also received a seven-day oral course of antibiotics (metronidazole 400 mg tablets) and a topical antibiotic cream (2% clindamycin). Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
After 12 weeks, only 35% of women in the partner-treatment group had recurring BV, compared to 63% of women in the control group.
Wisp, a telehealth service that provides sexual and reproductive health care, is now offering treatment for men to curb BV recurrence. “We don’t typically see one paper and then jump to changing practice,” LoPiano says. “But this is supporting information we’ve been talking about for so long, and we want to make this effort to add-in partner treatment.”
How do you know if you have bacterial vaginosis? Symptoms, risk factors
At least half of women with bacterial vaginosis don’t have symptoms. In those who do, symptoms may include off-white, grey or greenish-colored vaginal discharge, fishy-smelling vaginal discharge, especially after sex, vaginal itching and a burning feeling while peeing.
A healthcare provider can diagnose BV by conducting a pelvic exam and taking a sample of vaginal discharge using a swab to test for bacteria.
BV typically occurs in sexually active women. LoPiano says changes in the vagina’s bacterial environment can make bacterial overgrowth more likely, which is why providers will ask if a patient has had sex with a new partner or changed their body wash. Some women, she adds, are naturally more prone to the infection. Women who are pregnant, don’t use condoms, have an IUD, have multiple sex partners, have a new sex partner or use douches are at a higher risk.
Male partner treatment for bacterial vaginosis is a ‘huge breakthrough’
At Wisp, demand for the BV treatment grows at high rates year-over-year.
“This is a huge breakthrough in BV care, because for so long, we’ve had a higher rate of recurrence, and now we have a reason why and can easily treat it,” says Monica Cepak, Wisp CEO.
The telehealth company quickly launched their male BV partner treatment, which people can order without an in-person appointment or insurance. LoPiano says this follows a long precedent for OBGYNs to practice partner-care for STIs like chlamydia.
“If we can do direct partner therapy for STIs, then we can do it safely for this too,” she says.
LoPiano adds, “Tons of women are suffering with this. While it may not be a deadly disease, it’s impactful on the quality of women’s lives, comfort, sex lives and relationships. And I think that shouldn’t be underestimated. That makes this a big deal.”
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