Microbes on the penis cause vaginal infections

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –

Recent studies have found Men plays a role in the transmission of bacterial vaginosis or bacterial vaginosis (BV) which causes infection vagina in women. BV is the most common vaginal infection that occurs in girls. This infection is a serious condition that is difficult to treat and get rid of.

This infection is most common in women aged 15 to 44 years with symptoms of vaginal pain, itching, burning sensation when urinating, vaginal discharge, and a strong fish-like odor, especially after sexual intercourse.

Vaginosis affects 20 percent of women worldwide. However, many women do not receive proper care. Women with vaginosis are more at risk of contracting HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. In pregnant women, vaginosis can cause babies to be born prematurely or with low birth weight.

So far, vaginosis is thought to develop due to the development of bacteria in the female organs. However, the latest study is published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology found that men can transmit the bacteria that cause vaginosis. The microbes found on a man’s penis can transfer to the vagina during sexual intercourse and cause infection.

These findings were obtained after the experts conducted a study of 168 couples in Kenya for one year. Initially, none of the women developed bacterial vaginosis. However, at the end of the study, 31 percent of the women had BV.

Through computer analysis, researchers found a correlation or cause-and-effect relationship between the microbes in the male penis that cause bacterial vaginosis in women. Researchers managed to identify 10 bacteria in the male penis that can accurately predict the occurrence of BV in female partners.

Researchers also recommend treatment in men to eliminate the microbes that cause bacterial vaginosis.

“Treatment of male sex partners may be a new strategy. I want doctors, researchers and the public to engage male sex partners in efforts to improve women’s reproductive health. Not to blame one partner or another, but to increase options and opportunities for improving reproductive health, and hopefully reduce the stigma of BV, “said University of Illinois researcher Supriya Mehta CNN.

BV antibiotic treatment in women has so far not shown significant success. About 50 percent of the women who received the treatment experienced a relapse after 6 months. Data from the CDC show that more than 21 million women have bacterial vaginosis in the United States, but only 4 million receive treatment and the majority are ineffective.

“So, we needed a more effective approach to BV treatment,” said Mehta.

(ptj / asr)

[Gambas:Video CNN]

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